Is the B&O worth $2,100?

[Schwerin]

Hi everyone,

I'm Bullitt hunting and would you guys say the B&O is really worth $2,100? Is it actually BETTER speakers or just MORE speakers? Nothing else in the Tech/electronics package really appeals to me so unless the B&O is really amazing vs the standard system I may just skip it.

Thanks.

Just incase anyone wants to know Why I don't have interest in the other parts:
• BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert (CTA) - I haven't ever needed this in any previous car so I see no reason to get it now.
• B&O Play™ Premium Audio System by HARMAN (12 Speakers) includes CD Player, HD Radio™ and Subwoofer intrunk - This is my "Maybe". I have a nice Hi-Fi system at home, I listen to FLAC on nice quality headphones, but I've also never had any real complaint about the sound in any of my previous cars (Base model Altima, or 2004 Mach1).
• Memory: Driver Seat (three (3) settings), Mirrors, and Ambient Lighting - Only I will drive this car so I don't see a need for this.
• Voice-Activated Touchscreen Navigation System with SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link® (SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link® includes a five (5)-year prepaid subscription. SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link® services is not available in Alaska and Hawaii.) - Not sure why I would use this when I'd be using Google Maps via the Android Auto.

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[Timeless]

Not worth $2,100.

Worth the $895 on a normal Mustang build....unless you are going to replace everything anyways.

 

[el-guapin]

$2100 is the package price which includes B&O, BLISS, CTA, NAV. I believe the digital cluster and ambient light is included as well.

 

[Doobie083]

I really enjoy the B & O system but if that is all you want...its probably not worth it. I like everything that comes with the electronic package.

 

[TN GT]

I went back and looked at my sticker and the Ford site. You can get the 9 speaker system in the 400a package but I don't know if that is B&O. I have the 401a which includes the digital dash which was an additional $2,200. I then had another line item for B&O PLAY PREM AUDIO,12 SPKR which listed at $895. I have had some pretty high-end systems over the years and it is not the best but is definitely a great system and I would have to spend 3x as much aftermarket to get that level of quality and still would not have the level of integration.

 

[Docscurlock]

Who listens to the radio when you have that sweet exhaust sound. I had my gt350 for 2 years before I learned how to turn the radio on.

 

[Shipey]

Hi everyone,

I'm Bullitt hunting and would you guys say the B&O is really worth $2,100? Is it actually BETTER speakers or just MORE speakers? Nothing else in the Tech/electronics package really appeals to me so unless the B&O is really amazing vs the standard system I may just skip it.

Thanks

I spent an easy $1500 on my GTCS to make it sound about as good. IMO Harmon Kardon can build nicer sounding systems in cars (had one or two) but this one is pretty good. Has a CD player if that's important to you.

 

[Schwerin]

I spent an easy $1500 on my GTCS to make it sound about as good. IMO Harmon Kardon can build nicer sounding systems in cars (had one or two) but this one is pretty good. Has a CD player if that's important to you.

I'd likely only be listening to music via Bluetooth. I had a 2004 Mach1 and never had any issue with the MACH system in it. Being 15yrs later, would that be more like the current Base sound system or the B&O? I don't believe that had a sub, just 4 or 6 speakers and an amp. I like nice quality sound, but if It's not going to be a real Night and Day, then I may as well just get the base then have those speakers upgraded later if I wish.

 

[Shipey]

I have not heard the non B&O Play system in the S550 Mustang. If it's anything like the old Shaker 500, it sounds ok, but lacks base because it doesn't incorporate a sub in the system.
Those speakers also left something to be desired, but that's just my opinion. Two different head units were used. The Shaker 1000 had a sub output, and a harness ran from the head
unit to the trunk where the sub was mounted. Then, the system was called a Shaker 1000. I expect the same configuration is employed with the stock radio, vs a B&O Play model,
even though Ford used two different suppliers for the systems. The Shaker system is made by Sony. I believe the B&O Play system is a Harmon-Kardon.

I really wanted NAV and the better sounding radio, so the choice was obvious for me, But each to their own. Maybe some stock radio owners will chime in.

Good luck with you choice.

 

[wildcatgoal]

The B&O system isn't bad, but given the proliferation of rattles that occur over time, especially after 30K, in these cars... I'd invest elsewhere. I do appreciate having blind spot lights on the sideview mirrors... every day.

 

[Bullitt1589]

The BLIS and cross traffic is nice, I've never had it before but it's a good thing. I like the memory settings but that's because I have two drivers. I guess you could program different colors for your moods? It's nice to have the NAV without tying up my phone, it also puts a mini-map on the home screen of your infotainment so you can see map and radio at a glance, plus turn by turn in your cluster. On a car I'm planning to keep very long term, it was worth it.

 

[Tony Alonso]

I have not heard the non B&O Play system in the S550 Mustang. If it's anything like the old Shaker 500, it sounds ok, but lacks base because it doesn't incorporate a sub in the system.

I really wanted NAV and the better sounding radio, so the choice was obvious for me, But each to their own. Maybe some stock radio owners will chime in.

I find the base stereo to be a bit better sounding than the 9-speaker system in my previous '15 GT Premium. The bass performance is a bit punchier than in the '15. I listen to satellite radio a lot, which isn't that great sounding by its nature, and I like it better in the Bullitt. I didn't want to have part of my trunk taken up, nor did I want all the extras included with the $2200 package. I do miss the CD player but have adjusted with the USB stick.

If it was standalone, I might have considered it more, but even then, I find the base stereo just fine. If you are an audiophile you might think differently.

 

[CAL Captain]

Since we're on this subject, is there any way to use the built-in nav while using Apple CarPlay? I was able to do this on my 2017 Honda Ridgeline but not on the Bullitt. CarPlay forces you (it appears) to use the iPhone Apple Maps. Which suck.

 

[Timeless]

Since we're on this subject, is there any way to use the built-in nav while using Apple CarPlay? I was able to do this on my 2017 Honda Ridgeline but not on the Bullitt. CarPlay forces you (it appears) to use the iPhone Apple Maps. Which suck.

Have not tested it but you can exit the carplay menu and do other Sync3 functions...maybe you can use NAV that way...will need to test.

 

[CAL Captain]

Have not tested it but you can exit the carplay menu and do other Sync3 functions...maybe you can use NAV that way...will need to test.

I can do that but then I think I lose all the other Car Play functions. GRRRR...

This shouldn't be this hard for everything to work together.

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