Question for A8/S8 owners with Bang & Olufsen system

[carsany]

Hi, I was hoping for some input from other owners. I am currently in a dispute with Audi NA in regards to the performance of the B&O system. Since the day I purchased the car, I noticed a vibrating/rattle on the rear shelf especially when listening to music at low volumes (most annoying) Tracks like U2 - With or Without you. Song has a very soft volume start and as soon as the bass guitar kicks in, sounds like I left a piece of brown cardboard on top of my speaker. Even heavy vocals will vibrate the deck. This is at a fairly low listening volume, that is when it is most noticeable. Such as when you have a passenger in the back that knows nothing about audio equipment and they tell you your speaker is broken. Kind of a joke for $6300 plus tax option

The car has been in repair 4 times already for the problem.

1 - Removed and reinstalled the rear shelf and added some felt tape to absorb the noise
2 - Tech thought the speaker was blown and replaced the whole subwoofer unit
3 - Tech located the vibrating was due to a seatbelt unit, they took the rear apart again and installed new seatbelts. problem persisted.
4 - Took the entire rear apart again and installed dynamat materials from Factory Audi (probably from the 2008) Helped a a bit for a few weeks and the vibration is fully back again.

Anyhow, I've been in one other S8 with the B&O and it sounded 99% perfect. The funny thing is I've been in a few A8's with the standard BOSE system. Though not as clear and tight as the B&O, the bass is heavier than the B&O. Guess what, not a bit of vibration even though the bass is heavier.

Now I am in the process of requesting Audi to either repair the problem to expected standards of the B&O system or replace the car for me. The car has spent 100 days in the repair shop in 1 year of ownership with 2100 miles, mostly from going back and forth to the dealer. Had a few other problems too, keyless go went, power trunk went, TPMS sensor went, airbag warning caused by faulty seatbelt tensioner and lastly sunroof malfunctioned.

Audi USA is giving me a story that it is operating normally and nothing can be done. Kind of mad at Audi for handling it this way. If I bought a B&O system and it sounded like this, it would be exchanged in a heartbeat. IMO, there is no fault in the equipment, but the installation of the paneling may have been incorrect from the factory to begin with. Then with the dealer removing and reinstalling 4 times, it just added to the integrity issues.

Sorry for the long read, any input from others that there car does not have this excessive rattle would be much appreciated in arguing the point with Audi that my car is not operating normally.

I am so sick of this noise, I am ready to sell the car if it can't be repaired. Really annoying that AUDI sells the most expensive factory audio option out there, but does not expect it to perform properly. Hope everyone with the B&O option can give enough input here that I can wake up Audi NA. The service advisers have been super at the dealers, they hear it and agree. Audi NA, not so much......

Thanks again.

Cheers.

Below are some tracks I used for testing if any one happens to have the same songs. I set the fader to the rear and turn the bass to max to easily locate the noise. You only need to turn the volume 2-3 clicks from 0 volume on my car to hear the vibration. Improves with the sunshade up, when it is retracted, sounds like my kid left a fisher-price toy back there LOL.

Phil Collins - One More night
Sarah Mclachlan - World on Fire
Bryan Ferry - Slave to Love
Mariah Carey - We Belong Together
Information Society - Running
U2 - With or Without You

[Tiesto]

Damn it's too bad to hear that, Audi of NA seems to be a growing source of problems for US customers. No complaints here with the Bose though.

[Dasgti]

Try contacting B&O. I just had a tech out to replace the needle on my record player and it was a good experience (even though it was $700 just to replace the needle). AOA doesn't seem to be concerned with the stereo at all, after all it isn't their product. Maybe going to the source might help. Good luck.

[biggygo]

maybe it's rejecting the music you listen to



I keed, I keed...

I hope you get satisfaction out of the deal

[carsany]

Not the best in handling customers IMO. Lucky my A3 is working almost flawlessly. Otherwise I would jump the Audi wagon and hop back over to BMW. A new M3 and the coming 2009 7 with sports package might be pretty sweet. Be about the same money I spent on the S8 and A3.

Yeah, the Bose is pretty solid, that's what ticks me the most. My panel should not be flapping around when the Bose actually makes more bass. Audi's explanation to me is that the Bose is a "different system". Uh, no kiddin.. So the Bose is supposed to be better? ... response from Audi rep. " You can not compare, because they are different systems"

Cheers

CY

Damn it's too bad to hear that, Audi of NA seems to be a growing source of problems for US customers. No complaints here with the Bose though.

[carsany]

I would, but the problem is not in the audio equipment. Problem lies in the paneling where the rear speakers are. It real is only a issue for the rear seat passenger. If I kill the rear speakers, the front sounds perfect

Thanks for the input.

True vinylphile eh

I gave up that hobby and gave in to the digital world. Still have not had the time to digitize my vinyl collection. Have about 20 milk crates saran wrapped in a garage. Funny thing is throwing the ripped MP3 disc into my Krell transport, that was a wake up call.

Try contacting B&O. I just had a tech out to replace the needle on my record player and it was a good experience (even though it was $700 just to replace the needle). AOA doesn't seem to be concerned with the stereo at all, after all it isn't their product. Maybe going to the source might help. Good luck.

[carsany]

Probably I know there are some oldie junk there. But as I said, I was trying on the whim to locate music that has parts that just had the heavier bass frequency and less the vocals and highs.

Did not think playing some heavy rap/hip hop music would get my point across very well to Audi.

Stop crackin on my old man music

Cheers.

maybe it's rejecting the music you listen to



I keed, I keed...

I hope you get satisfaction out of the deal

[ringtaxi]

Hwy bud
Very sorry to hear of your troubles. If Audi cannot fix/resolve this issue, see if you might want to consider taking it to a reputable stereo installer. It might not be under warranty, but they might be able to do something that might be satisfactory to you for a reasonable price. Of course you might have warranty issues with Audi, but they are not covering it to begin with. Such a nice car, would hate for you to let it go for this.

[Dasgti]

I gave up that hobby and gave in to the digital world. Still have not had the time to digitize my vinyl collection. Have about 20 milk crates saran wrapped in a garage. Funny thing is throwing the ripped MP3 disc into my Krell transport, that was a wake up call.

MP3's played through a Krell setup, ouch, get back to the vinyl. If you are going to digitize Yamaha has a terabite converter that will allow you to load your vinyl into PCM, at the least you'd have CD quality sound. I run a Krell amp and B&K pre through Audio Physiks. The catalog that I listen to is mostly classical. I'm a PhD student so the music needs to blend in to the background as I read.

[carsany]

Hi guys, Audi corporate has been no help and stands firm that my ears are broken and it is normal for the B&O system to operate that way. Unfortunately, it bothers me enough that I do not plan to give up that easily.

If there is anyone else out there with the B&O with or without the problem, I really would like to hear your experience. I plan to proceed with the lemon law and any evidence that I can acquire to prove that my issue is not a normal thing would really be appreciated.

Any S8 owners in the SoCal area that can maybe chime in and maybe meet up to do a comparison?

Thanks

Regards
Carsan
[email protected]

[jdmnomore]

Wow, so sad to hear and good luck. Will be following the thread in hopes of a decent outcome.

[chuck z]

Carsan,

I just bought a super low mileage 2007 S8 with a B&O system and almost immediately after delivery I noticed the same vibration/rattle issue with the rear speakers. Thought it might be the rear window shade but guess not? Were you ever able to get resolution from Audi USA? Someone suggested a high end stereo shop, did you check that out?

Thanks. Chuck

Hi guys, Audi corporate has been no help and stands firm that my ears are broken and it is normal for the B&O system to operate that way. Unfortunately, it bothers me enough that I do not plan to give up that easily.

If there is anyone else out there with the B&O with or without the problem, I really would like to hear your experience. I plan to proceed with the lemon law and any evidence that I can acquire to prove that my issue is not a normal thing would really be appreciated.

Any S8 owners in the SoCal area that can maybe chime in and maybe meet up to do a comparison?

Thanks

Regards
Carsan
[email protected]

[yoogene83]

you must have bought Carsan's s8!

[chuck z]

you must have bought Carsan's s8!

Nope, mine is black.

[carsany]

Hi Chuck. No resolution yet. Basically insulation (dynamat type material) installed a few times now. Audi is pretty determined that the rattle/noise is coming from the seatbelt mechanisms. They have replaced the rear seatbelt tensioner units 3 times. Now they realized the 08/09 units have a different part #. They are waiting on that part to come in before taking my car apart again. I think the issue is the integrity of the rear hat shelf. Somehow it is just not secured correctly in my car. Pretty much the last attempt though, AofA has responded that they will replace/refund my vehicle if it does not pan out.

I had this issue since the first day I bought the car home and reported it immediately. Been in and out of the dealer for well over a year now. Been quite patient with them. I am pretty fed up with the whole thing and just hope I get my refund now. If that goes, I'll probably pick up a R8 instead. I am too frustrated and exhausted to take a chance on another S8 and play this out again. Excellent audio system and the clarity is superb. Blown woofer sound is a big negative though and makes the system pointless unless you never turn it up.

Good luck with your S8. I have heard a few others and only one other had a slight rattle, not even close to mines though. Most were solid as I can expect from a vehicle. My defect was pretty severe, to the point that Audi thought my speaker was blown twice They realized how it was when there was another S8 in the showroom and I took the same audio disc and we compared the cars side by side.

Cheers

[chuck z]

Thanks Carsan. Please keep me posted if the 08/09 replacement parts work. Mine is what I would call a slight rattle/vibration/noise and from what I hear I would agree with the rear package shelf as the culprit. Good luck with yours as well.

[rnp614]

I dont have B&O but I would say my rear shelf rattles with my bose system as well...its a design flaw for sure.

[Adjuster]

I notice a thump coming from back there when the car goes over a bump. (Like railroad tracks type bump, or a pothole.)

Sounds like the rear shelf, or something in the the trunk is loose. I have a small case of water under the carbgo net.. Going to remove it, and make sure it's not that.

Also checked to see if my spare, and other stuff was loose, found the front bumper trim panel for states that do not require front license plates.. Need to take that out and make sure it's not that.

But, it's a BOSE, and not an S8. (A8L, and a 2004.) If the package shelf is loose, can it be tightened up, or braced with some foam? (Dynamat would be great for thin areas, but I've resolved many panel noises on various cars in the past with just a few inches of foam weatherstrip.)

Wonder if it's my seatbelts? I'll try clicking them into the latches and see if the noise goes away.

Stereo sounds great. No "blown" subwoofer sounds, but that thump/thunk over bumps is annoying for sure.

[chuck z]

The noises in the rear shelf area of my S8 are still there. I haven't been able to replicate it for the dealer and they say they've never heard of any issues. In my opinion there is something in the rear shelf vibrating caused by the speakers. The noise comes directly from the speaker area on each side individually and at the same time.

[carsany]

Sorry been gone for a while. Supposedly, the problem is the seatbelt unit that causes the rattle for sure from what I was told. In anycase, I am not sure if they ever got it resolved. My car is gone. When I get a chance, I will follow up with my service adviser and see if I can get anymore info on a fix for you guys.

Cheers

[chuck z]

Thanks Carsan. Sure would appreciate any info you might provide.

[carsany]

Hey Chuck, I followed up with the dealer. They tell me that the solution was the seatbelt mechanism. I really don't know if that is 100% the case though. They fixed my old car so many times and always thought they solved the issue. If I would have heard it myself then I would believe it. So just passing you my opinion.... On the other hand, it is obviously a issue with some vehicles. My last S8 was purchased brand new with 121 mi. on the ODO and had this issue from start. The new S8 is near perfect so far. On the heaviest sound tracks, I do still hear a tad looseness in the panel. However, I feel it is well within reason though. I test it by turning down all the treble, fader to the rear and bass to 100%. If it sounds like you have a broken speaker than u got a issue. The new one is night and day though. You only get the rattle at very high volumes, which is acceptable. The rattle with the old car was noticeable with the volume up only 2-3 clicks. Heck even my mother noticed it vibrate when she sat back there once, and she doesn't notice anything. Someone could crash my whole door in and she would walk pass it.

Anyhow, Good luck with your car. It was a long road for me to finally get a perfect S8. My old S8 was at the service department too many times for my taste. It bugged the hell out of me thinking how many times someone is shuffling my car around. I'm gonna enjoy this one :)

How you enjoying the MTM's? I think they are perfect on the S8. Not many wheels look good on this car. IMO, it's either the stock sport wheels or this.

Here are some pics :

[chuck z]

Hey Chuck, I followed up with the dealer. They tell me that the solution was the seatbelt mechanism. I really don't know if that is 100% the case though. They fixed my old car so many times and always thought they solved the issue. If I would have heard it myself then I would believe it. So just passing you my opinion.... On the other hand, it is obviously a issue with some vehicles. My last S8 was purchased brand new with 121 mi. on the ODO and had this issue from start. The new S8 is near perfect so far. On the heaviest sound tracks, I do still hear a tad looseness in the panel. However, I feel it is well within reason though. I test it by turning down all the treble, fader to the rear and bass to 100%. If it sounds like you have a broken speaker than u got a issue. The new one is night and day though. You only get the rattle at very high volumes, which is acceptable. The rattle with the old car was noticeable with the volume up only 2-3 clicks. Heck even my mother noticed it vibrate when she sat back there once, and she doesn't notice anything. Someone could crash my whole door in and she would walk pass it.

Anyhow, Good luck with your car. It was a long road for me to finally get a perfect S8. My old S8 was at the service department too many times for my taste. It bugged the hell out of me thinking how many times someone is shuffling my car around. I'm gonna enjoy this one :)

How you enjoying the MTM's? I think they are perfect on the S8. Not many wheels look good on this car. IMO, it's either the stock sport wheels or this.

Welcome back Carsan! Your car is beautiful! Thanks for the above. I am thinking about taking it to a high end stereo shop for assistance in getting rid of the rattle. To me, it just doesn't sound like it could be a seat belt mechanism. It sounds like the package shelf is vibrating. Needs to be fixed.....

I agree about the wheels. I rarely see a 8 with wheels I like. These wheels look great!

[carsany]

Keep us informed about the insulation work. I did not have much luck with that. Audi had the whole rear apart and put in dynamat style material all over the place with no positive effect. I agree with you that the package self needs to be filled with insulation. I requested with my service advisor to insulate as much as possible and was told they put multiple layers of the stuff on it. I always felt that if the whole parcel shelf came out and it was reinsulated properly. It would do the trick. I have to admit Audi tried really hard and I doubt they wanted to take my car apart for fun. So I really have no good definitive answer or outcome for the B&O rattle fix. It's there though, I recently read a cnet.com A8 W12 review and the reviewers there mentioned it as well.

Isn't your car still under warranty? Maybe you can get Audi to go and install some insulation first and see how it goes. Maybe the tech where you are can figure it out.

Good luck with the venture. Keep me updated.

Cheers


Cheers

[kursk]

youre a joke for listening to U2

[chuck z]

youre a joke for listening to U2

.......was that really necessary?

[carsany]

LOL, I am old. Sorry it does not fit in with your taste... black eyed Peas, eminem and beyonce and tight muscle shirts in the clubs?? I listened to U2 since I was 11, when no one even heard of them. Out of all the music to make fun of U2 is not one of them, you must be a dweeb. On a second note, this discussion is not about music. I posted those audio tracks not to show my preferences in music. I spent a reasonable amount of time to find the best tracks to demonstrate the rattle issue to Audi of America. The tracks mentioned worked really well with not very high high's and very defined lows. Posted to hopefully help the A8 community with the same audio issues. Grow up friend, everyone has there own taste. It is a big world and you are not the only one in it.

[rambo64]

This was an enlightening thread. Thanks for the S8 owners for actually posting they have problems. I am in the market for an A8 or S8 in the very near future and have been only looking at the models with the B&O sound system. Only because they tout the system as costing $6000 extra. I'm thinking, it must blow the Bose system away. I guess not! I was looking at a review of the W12 on HDNET the other night and the driver stated he didn't think the B&O price difference was justified. Those speakers sure look sweet, but if they can't produce, I think I'll consider the Bose now. Thanks again for the info...

[chuck z]

This was an enlightening thread. Thanks for the S8 owners for actually posting they have problems. I am in the market for an A8 or S8 in the very near future and have been only looking at the models with the B&O sound system. Only because they tout the system as costing $6000 extra. I'm thinking, it must blow the Bose system away. I guess not! I was looking at a review of the W12 on HDNET the other night and the driver stated he didn't think the B&O price difference was justified. Those speakers sure look sweet, but if they can't produce, I think I'll consider the Bose now. Thanks again for the info...

I wouldn't let the issue scare you off the B&O system. I adjusted the bass on mine and it all but disappeared. There are/were only two of us with the issue that I know of and my dealer said they have never heard of such a problem. It really does sound great and if/when we buy another, it will have the B&O system.

[rambo64]

I wouldn't let the issue scare you off the B&O system. I adjusted the bass on mine and it all but disappeared. There are/were only two of us with the issue that I know of and my dealer said they have never heard of such a problem. It really does sound great and if/when we buy another, it will have the B&O system.

Chuck,

Thanks. I was worried there for awhile, I thought I might be buying a useless sound system. I will make sure I check before purchase though. Have you had any other problems with your car that I should check out before purchase. I am a Bimmer (BMW) guy and I'm switching over. Talked to a few Indy Mechanics and they advised that the Audi are more dependable than the current E65/66 BMW's.

[chuck z]

Chuck,

Thanks. I was worried there for awhile, I thought I might be buying a useless sound system. I will make sure I check before purchase though. Have you had any other problems with your car that I should check out before purchase. I am a Bimmer (BMW) guy and I'm switching over. Talked to a few Indy Mechanics and they advised that the Audi are more dependable than the current E65/66 BMW's.

My car is now sold but had no real issues from new. I wouldn't be too concerned about reliability either as I have not heard of any ongoing issues with the S8. In fact, we will have another one day... Best of luck.

[roberto1954]

oh dear,ive had the same problem with my B&O
my audi techy shaved a bit of parcel shelf away from the subwoofer i think
but still does it now and then on very deep base notes
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
id best go back with mine again
PS.despite this tiny problem its amazing to listen to, the bose system doesnt come close

[rambo64]

oh dear,ive had the same problem with my B&O
my audi techy shaved a bit of parcel shelf away from the subwoofer i think
but still does it now and then on very deep base notes
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
id best go back with mine again
PS.despite this tiny problem its amazing to listen to, the bose system doesnt come close

Thanks for the input.

[Sharkfin]

Very informative thread, I think Carsany needs a new thread for the new s8!

[carsany]

You will not be disappointed with the B&O. The sounds is indeed worth the $$ IMO. If you ever have a dealer that has them both around, you can do a side by side comparison. The B&O is crystal and it is very apparent when you hear it this way.

Don't be swayed by my issues with the B&O, it was only on that one vehicle. Other 2007's I tested did not have the same issue. My current 08 is flawless. They definitely made some changes to the system though. I used to have the bass dial floating between 3/4 to full. I now have it set 1/2 to 3/4 tops.

The B&O system has a crapload of bass. The acoustics in the vehicle makes it a bit off though. This is what I experienced. If you are in the front seat and have it set with a pretty heavy bass setting. Say listening to dance/club music and it all sounds perfect. Now pick yourself up and hop in the back seat. The bass is way heavy back there, no distortion. just super bass. So the system is more than capable of heavy bass.

So just remember to turn down the bass a bit when you have a guest in the backseat. Otherwise they will be wondering what you spent 6k on :)

This was an enlightening thread. Thanks for the S8 owners for actually posting they have problems. I am in the market for an A8 or S8 in the very near future and have been only looking at the models with the B&O sound system. Only because they tout the system as costing $6000 extra. I'm thinking, it must blow the Bose system away. I guess not! I was looking at a review of the W12 on HDNET the other night and the driver stated he didn't think the B&O price difference was justified. Those speakers sure look sweet, but if they can't produce, I think I'll consider the Bose now. Thanks again for the info...

[carsany]

I'll be starting a for sale thread soon. I am testing the waters and putting her up for sale.

Very informative thread, I think Carsany needs a new thread for the new s8!

[carsany]

Wow, you let the tech shave stuff from the car

I think the best solution would be a very complete installation of some good sound deadeners. There are many different materials and I think a good covering of the thin vibration absorbing material and then some of the foam cell to absorb some sound would work wonders if installed properly.

I was going to go that route if I kept my old S8.

oh dear,ive had the same problem with my B&O
my audi techy shaved a bit of parcel shelf away from the subwoofer i think
but still does it now and then on very deep base notes
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
id best go back with mine again
PS.despite this tiny problem its amazing to listen to, the bose system doesnt come close

[roberto1954]

yeh sounds mad i know
but it was over a year ago,i think he said it was something about the parcel shelf not being quite the right shape and was catching the subwoofer in some way,im going to have words with him again just to clarify the situation for you guys and myself,but i would not buy another A8 without B&O seriously its amazing at side of bose...
mine is also a 2008 car by the way...

[AeroSmith]

2007 S8 with B&O. I haven't noticed a thing. For a car stereo the B&O is very good IMHO.