Is the factory B&O "premium" sound system salvageable?

[ImTheBrian]

...annnnd a full Saturday later it's all done but the crying. The sound improvement cannot be put into words. For those interested, the Epicenter was not needed - the bass roll-off of the factory system comes from their amp not the head unit.

If you're on the fence about doing this, trust me - just do it. Crystal clear highs and solid lows that'll rattle the dirt off the undercarriage of the vehicle next to you from a completely stealth factory-looking system. The way it was meant to be. ;-)

 

[ConspicuousConsumption]

How much did the install cost you?

 

[ImTheBrian]

How much did the install cost you?

I believe the labor itself was $750, there were a few minor parts here and there that were necessary to complete the install that I hadn't already ordered (i.e. power distribution block, rca patch cables, etc.)

 

[RSmith21]

First, TYVM for serving.

I had '20, '22, and '23 Explorer STs with the 10-speaker B&O system, and while they never sounded horrible or unlistenable, they never sounded very good and never had any audible bottom-octave energy.. I've had several 2019-era (chassis designation 9Y0) Cayenne Turbos with the premium Bose systems, and while they, too, never sounded unlistenable, they had no bottom-octave bass in spite of that largish 'subwoofer' in the spare-tire area, and I was never happy with them.

I bought a '25 ST...
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...with the 14-speaker B&O system (that was one of my requirements while searching for this car) a month ago and am quite pleased with its overall performance.. The 'soundbar' across the instrument panel has the orchestra in front of me now rather than somewhere around my knees, and the music never sounds low in quality.. The only thing I plan to do with the sound system is to add some 'sub'woofer system to have some bottom-octave energy.

Good luck in your quest; I hope you 'get there' without spending thou$and$.

Glad you're happy with it too... From these threads, I'm getting the impression that the newer-year B&O systems sound better than the older ones (so maybe that's why older year B&O owners are so negative?). For a stock system, I think that my 2025 sounds fantastic for most music after some significant settings changes I've made to reduce front door bass and get more speakers involved with a bit cleaner mids. I also added a sub using the factory amp (zero electrical wiring), and it's so much better than I thought that could be.

 

[UNBROKEN]

Glad you're happy with it too... From these threads, I'm getting the impression that the newer-year B&O systems sound better than the older ones (so maybe that's why older year B&O owners are so negative?). For a stock system, I think that my 2025 sounds fantastic for most music after some significant settings changes I've made to reduce front door bass and get more speakers involved with a bit cleaner mids. I also added a sub using the factory amp (zero electrical wiring), and it's so much better than I thought that could be.

Are you gonna post the same thing in every audio thread? No, the 25’s don’t really sound any different. Same electronics and speakers, new tweeter locations. Stop trying to justify things.

 

[Flyman]

Trolls gonna troll.

 

[SHOinVa]

Has anyone tried just replacing the speakers.

LOL - Well now this thread kind of went a little off the rails and at the risk of restarting the fire fight I have a question, has anyone tried just replacing the speakers and see if that makes a significant difference in the sound quality. A little background, I have a 2012 Taurus SHO with the Sony System and back in the day, all I did is replace the stock door speakers and tweeters with Focal's, no added amp just the speakers. I would not say it was amazing but it was a lot better and fine for what I wanted. What I found was the SHO system sounded decent until you started cranking on it and then it just got very shrill and not a pleasant sound. I just purchased a 2025 Explorer ST with the B/O and when I turn the volume up it reminds me of the way my SHO sounded before I changed the speakers. I had a chat with the Audio shop today, he said the Focal's that are made as a direct replacement for the ST are Focal's in name only and not really worth the money. As would be expected he thinks I should also replace the amp just because he can't guarantee I will be happy, by just replacing the speakers and he does have a point.
For me it's important that it sounds good but it's also important to me the ST retains all its original functions and I don't have a big amp sticking out somewhere. He did suggest the mObridge A2B amp because in theory it plugs right into the stock location but its $1,899 and I've seen some mixed reviews on it. To do speakers and amp is not out of my reach if its worth it but that's a lot of money if it only makes a little difference. He suggested the Sony ES Mobile ES 6.5" over the Focal speakers which is funny because in my SHO I replaced Sony with Focal. I'm thinking just doing the speakers and see how it sounds, but the downside is if I decide later to add the amp he has to go back into the doors and install a crossover which would be be more money.
So I'm new here, I just picked up my ST yesterday and now I have to make it mine, so any help, guidance or hard earned experience would be most appreciated. With the SHO I hashed this out on the SHO Forum and those guys where a lot of help. I look forward to any input and getting to know the ST community.

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