How I improved the B&O sound quality for free

[cinerama]

I cut the green wire and it sounds so much better! I couldn't believe the difference!

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[S550VIN54]

Just removed center speaker from my 2021 Mach1. Sounds much nicer. I slightly lifted the top center of the gauge bezel then removed the top speaker cover. I used a plastic pry tool. Then removed speaker and unplugged it and put it all back. 20 mins.

Hi Mark,
I wanted to know when you removed the grill cover was it just the small grill itself or is that piece just behind it part of it too? I placed blue dots on the corners to mark the grill. Is this all that pops up? Thanks!

 

[GTP]

I cut the green wire and it sounds so much better! I couldn't believe the difference!

Next change the balance one or two clicks right of center.
Then keep turning down the bass until it seems almost gone. Report back.

 

[cerbomark]

Hi Mark,
I wanted to know when you removed the grill cover was it just the small grill itself or is that piece just behind it part of it too? I placed blue dots on the corners to mark the grill. Is this all that pops up? Thanks!

I don t have the BO system and the other one looks a little different. I d assume when you pop the first two front corners after loosening that front bezel you ll see where it will separate.
If you look at my pictures you ll see my grill and the whole piece all the way to the windshield comes off with only the 2 front clips. The rest is just posts to line it all up.

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/join-me-in-fixing-the-center-speaker-issue.125522/page-14

 

[S550VIN54]

I don t have the BO system and the other one looks a little different. I d assume when you pop the first two front corners after loosening that front bezel you ll see where it will separate.
If you look at my pictures you ll see my grill and the whole piece all the way to the windshield comes off with only the 2 front clips. The rest is just posts to line it all up.

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/join-me-in-fixing-the-center-speaker-issue.125522/page-14

Ok. I may purchase the installation manual from Crutchfield just to be safe.

 

[m3incorp]

Let me see if I have my Crutchfield install manual to scan for you.

Ok. I may purchase the installation manual from Crutchfield just to be safe.

 

[m3incorp]

I sent you a PM.

Ok. I may purchase the installation manual from Crutchfield just to be safe.

 

[S550VIN54]

I sent you a PM.

That's awesome! Thanks so much! So do you know if it shows the B&O 12 speaker system for the 21 models with the different center speaker grill? I will have to wait till I get home to view on my pc later this evening.

 

[Firsttexan]

TLDR takeaways:

1. The factory set the level of the B&O subwoofer way too high by at least 12dB.
2. The tonal balance can be adjusted close to flat with somewhat extreme settings of the 3 tone controls.
3. Imaging is better with the balance 1 click shy of centered on the passenger seat centerline. (For when there is no passenger, and assuming center channel speaker is OFF.)

After much testing and experimenting, I improved the sound of the B&O system just by adjusting the controls.

Here is the final result:

Even after setting the subwoofer tone control to minimum, and the midrange control up by 4 clicks and the treble up by +5 or +6, the subwoofer level is still too hot by around 6dB.

Here are the settings (the balance is set for driver with no passenger):

The OmniMic was placed into passenger headrest:

I will post supporting data that lead me to this alignment next.

Not to discount your good work. But I came up with that setting after spending 10 minutes with my new car. I let my ears show me the way.

 

[Rael]

Your ears are no use to the rest of us.

 

[S550VIN54]

Let me see if I have my Crutchfield install manual to scan for you.

I spoke with my Ford parts person and it looks like this is the only one diagram based on my vin#. A guess they all are the same.

 

[S550VIN54]

Update!
I decided to go forward without clipping the green wire but instead removing the center speaker grill/ bezel and disconnecting the plug. I found out the removal process is basically the same on the 12-speaker B&O system regardless of which grill you have even though Ford calls out the vented grill with my VIN #.
I will say the left side was a little harder to remove but I figured out a trick by squeezing below the tab I marked with a red and it pulled through very easily. After removing the connector from the speaker I decided since there was enough wire to flip the speaker 180 deg which gave me access to the front where I can plug the connector back in without removing the cover if I desire.
Thanks again to GTP for his audio expertise!

 

[Bulldog9]

I'm happy with the b&o in my 2020 bullitt with the exception of the rear deck speakers they sound like they're pushing through mud have no quality and are very muffled.

I find the subwoofer to not be overpowering and the sound from the three ways in the front are excellent. I can only hear the center speaker when I am on calls etc.

 

[GTyosh]

My system sounded horrible until I checked forscan and found that my front, rear, and center speakers were disabled. So I enabled them and now the system sounds like a premium sound system.

 

[Cobra Jet]

My system sounded horrible until I checked forscan and found that my front, rear, and center speakers were disabled. So I enabled them and now the system sounds like a premium sound system.

I had to read and reread your post a couple of times as to why your system sounded horrible and unless I’m totally missing something….

If your front, rear and center speakers were “disabled” in the Forscan findings, wouldn’t that mean your vehcile had no sound?

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