A7/S7/RS7 Crew....B&O vs Bose System.....Worth holding out for B&O?

[Rez90]

I'm going to be in the market in 2017 for an RS7 but 95% of the cars i'm coming across have the Bose system. I love the B&O system in my S4 and figured it was a must have in the 7.

Can anyone give some real feedback on a comparison between the two?

Thanks.

[fatherdeath]

only you can really answer that...how much of an audiophile are you? i like music and bose is just fine for me

[///S6///]

I stuck with the Bose system also, could not justify the additional $$ for the B&O system other than the pup up tweeters.

[VipinLJ]

The B&O is an ~6000$ option in the 6/7. Is it worth that much? Depends. If you have the money, it'll seem worth it. But one can always spend that money on mods which is more VFM the way I look at it. The Bose is a pretty decent system. Idk why people bash it a lot. It's not audiophile quality stuff (but I've heard audiophiles of plain about the B&O too) but it is pretty decent. Or you could spend 6k for an aftermarket system with much better quality.

[goliath1]

My 2013 had Bose and my 2016 has B+O. There is a quality of sound difference and louder play seems clearer and more crisp. Is it worth the extra money? Not sure. I bought my S6 used with 6500 miles and it came equipped with B+O. I like it.

[flyfishing]

When I bought my car, I had to have the B&O. I eliminated a lot of cars with the exact options I wanted b/c it did not have B&O.

Just my opinion, but the bose sounds like crap compared to the B&O. I enjoy a good sound system (but I'm too lazy to upgrade it after market except I did do the sub mod which is listed here which made the B&O super awesome) and I recommend that you go to the dealer and sit in a B&O and a non B&O back to back and decide for yourself.

[maxhawk]

Personally I also find the Bose system very lacking and think the B&O sounds tons better. Having said that, the B&O isn't the greatest, but at least I find myself wanting to turn the music up rather than down like I do with Bose.

On the other hand the Bose system is perfectly fine for lots of people, so as it's been said, you should audition both to decide. Also bring your own music and don't use ultra-compressed Sirius/XM to audition as it sounds like crap on both systems.

[rayray]

......I recommend that you go to the dealer and sit in a B&O and a non B&O back to back and decide for yourself.

With what was said above, if you are able, drive around with both also. Any system will sound completely different while the car is in motion compared to being still. Also, bring your own music CD or SD card and play the same song for the best comparison.

[OlyS6]

Having recently gone through this exact decision and sitting in various models with Bose vs B&O, I decided the bass was lacking in each of the systems. In addition, you can get better clarity in the treble ranges with better front end speakers than either system for less.

A good aftermarket amplifier that can power an aftermarket subwoofer (JL 10W3 for instance), as well as power a high end set of 3 way front speakers (Focal has some amazing ones) can be had fully installed for less than the B&O option. You'll also want a line converter so you can still retain full functionality of your head unit (Audio control makes some excellent ones, such as the LC7i).

Crutchfield right now has the KRX3 set of 3-way speakers for $1000 (half off since this set was discontinued). Focals newer high end set, the KX3, can be purchased for just under 2K.

The JL HD900 amplifier can give 1000 watts to the subwoofer, and 100 watts each to the other channels, making it easy to bi-amp the front sets of speakers (to an installer anyway).

The clarity in voices is extraordinary, and the bass is undistorted through a wide range of music.

Installed, even going with the higher end Focals, should run under $4K, giving a better sound system than the B&O for less expense. You can leave the original factory amplifier to drive the rear door speakers.

Much of the threads in these forums concern how/where to place the subwoofer in the C7 chassis- a good installer can create a custom fiberglass box and help you figure out where you'd like to place it.

[VeryBadman]

To my ears B&O sounds way better than Bose but is it $5K better? I don't think so but if you are ready to sink $110K+ for a car and aren't going to pay cash, I don't think it's that matter to add $5k to financed amount.

[Sanjman]

Tbh, the cost of the system is not worth it. You're better off going aftermarket. Take your 5K+ savings and take it to a premium car audio shop and you will get something more for less

[Ze_Nardo6]

I've heard both systems. Is the B&O better? Yes, absolutely. $6k better? Absolutely not. My own opinion is that $2-3k would be a more reasonable price for the upgrade. $6k is robbery.

[Spacemonkey]

Having recently gone through this exact decision and sitting in various models with Bose vs B&O, I decided the bass was lacking in each of the systems. In addition, you can get better clarity in the treble ranges with better front end speakers than either system for less.

A good aftermarket amplifier that can power an aftermarket subwoofer (JL 10W3 for instance), as well as power a high end set of 3 way front speakers (Focal has some amazing ones) can be had fully installed for less than the B&O option. You'll also want a line converter so you can still retain full functionality of your head unit (Audio control makes some excellent ones, such as the LC7i).

Crutchfield right now has the KRX3 set of 3-way speakers for $1000 (half off since this set was discontinued). Focals newer high end set, the KX3, can be purchased for just under 2K.

The JL HD900 amplifier can give 1000 watts to the subwoofer, and 100 watts each to the other channels, making it easy to bi-amp the front sets of speakers (to an installer anyway).

The clarity in voices is extraordinary, and the bass is undistorted through a wide range of music.

Installed, even going with the higher end Focals, should run under $4K, giving a better sound system than the B&O for less expense. You can leave the original factory amplifier to drive the rear door speakers.

Much of the threads in these forums concern how/where to place the subwoofer in the C7 chassis- a good installer can create a custom fiberglass box and help you figure out where you'd like to place it.

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[Nully]

I've heard both systems. Is the B&O better? Yes, absolutely. $6k better? Absolutely not. My own opinion is that $2-3k would be a more reasonable price for the upgrade. $6k is robbery.

Nailed it.

[Glacier6]

I'm going to be in the market in 2017 for an RS7 but 95% of the cars i'm coming across have the Bose system. I love the B&O system in my S4 and figured it was a must have in the 7.

Can anyone give some real feedback on a comparison between the two?

Thanks.

Depends. Can't tell if you're looking brand new or if you're going slightly used. If used I would say hold out as that $6k option obviously takes on some of that depreciation, and it's easily more justifiable than buying new. The system sounds ten times better than the Bose though.

A few of us have done a simple replacement on the sub to really bring out its potential as well.

[IceyTys]

The B&O is definitely a better system, but as others have said, they both lack low end bass and the $6K difference is ridiculous!!!! IMO unless you listen to a lot of classically symphony type music, youre not going to notice a difference worth the price. If you listen to house, top 40, hip hop and other everyday music, then just add an amp and replace the woofer for $500.

[Ze_Nardo6]

The system sounds ten times better than the Bose though.

That's a bold statement.

[Djpeaksd]

Dude get the car with the Bose as it seems a lot easier to obtain and for $300 bucks you can ad a new sub and amp! So you can get the car a lot quicker and in the end spend a lot less money. Ill post up the thread I did on the upgrade a few months back if you want.

I had a similar situation. My car was very close to what I wanted but it had the Bose, which I am not a fan of. Once I did the upgrade I am a lot happier. When adding a proper sub it really helps the low end but then you can take some bass out of the component speakers as well to clean them up. Is it amazing? No. But does it sound a shit ton better for the money I spent? YEEEEEEEEEEEES!

[zcd2.7t]

Nailed it.

Yep.

I'll add this: The B&O seems to me like a shameless way for Audi to increase the profit margins on vehicles larger than the B8/Q5. Everyone knows B&O stuff is always super-expensive, but even given that, it's amazing to me that they ask $6K+ for it. It's borderline insulting.

[Glacier6]

That's a bold statement.

Obviously a lot of it is personal preference, but yes it's night and day to me. I have a buddy with a Bose A7 and the lesser quality is quite noticeable.

Now, when you figure in the $6k premium when buying new, hell no, even I wouldn't say it's worth it. You could easily get the same quality for less than half the price if you modded the Bose, which why I asked if he is buying new or used. For me, I bought CPO with the B&O, so at that point, the option didn't have a major influence on the price of the car and it was an easy decision. Saying so, I still had to do the sub upgrade to make it a complete system.

[jsmonet]

That's a bold statement.

It's because the Bose is absolute garbage.

The only reasons to go Bose are if you're going to drop in a system anyway or you really don't listen to the system that much--in which case I recommend an exhaust :)


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[Js59]

To my ears B&O sounds way better than Bose but is it $5K better? I don't think so but if you are ready to sink $110K+ for a car and aren't going to pay cash, I don't think it's that matter to add $5k to financed amount.

This. I have a Bose in another vehicle. I thought it sounded ok - if not good - until I got my s7 with b&o. Totally different experience and I dont think I can ever go back. Also, I don't mind a tune but not a big fan of aftermarket everything. Tends to really hurt resale imo. If u r going rs, do it right I say....

[mkinn]

I have a Bose in another vehicle. I thought it sounded ok - if not good - until I got my s7 with b&o. Totally different experience and I dont think I can ever go back. Also, I don't mind a tune but not a big fan of aftermarket everything. Tends to really hurt resale imo. If u r going rs, do it right I say....[/QUOTE]
Do you think the bass in your S7 with B&O is okay? I just got a 2017 A7 Prestige S-Line with B&O and I think it has plenty of bass.

[flyfishing]

i think the stock B&O is too weak relative to the mids and highs. that was easily fixed with a new sub and following the guide on here. now it sounds amazing. a B&O with a new sub is >>>>> bose.

audi knows they can get away with the charge b/c if you spend that much on a car, you prob statistically not likely to put aftermarket parts even though it may cost the same or less than the B&O and be better. if you are buying CPO or used, def 100% buy the B&O b/c the depreciation of that is high. honestly if you are spending 110k on a car, get the good stereo or you will regret it.

[zcd2.7t]

No generalizations can really be made about Bose car systems...they're all over the map with regards to sound quality - some are decent, some pretty bad. I find the S6's Bose system to be fine for the type of listening I do.

FWIW, I sold fairly high-end audio equipment when I was in college, so I've BTDT... Don't need that anymore...

[Js59]

I have a Bose in another vehicle. I thought it sounded ok - if not good - until I got my s7 with b&o. Totally different experience and I dont think I can ever go back. Also, I don't mind a tune but not a big fan of aftermarket everything. Tends to really hurt resale imo. If u r going rs, do it right I say....

Do you think the bass in your S7 with B&O is okay? I just got a 2017 A7 Prestige S-Line with B&O and I think it has plenty of bass.[/QUOTE]

I think it has plenty of bass. I'm more impressed with the overall quality of the sound and clarity relative to Bose. I'm no audiophile - so this one is certainly plenty for my needs.

[Ze_Nardo6]

It's because the Bose is absolute garbage.

The only reasons to go Bose are if you're going to drop in a system anyway or you really don't listen to the system that much--in which case I recommend an exhaust :)


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Lol never heard the Bose referred to as absolute garbage. But in the spirit of transparency, I'm not an audiophile.

[Horti Kris]

My 2013 S6 came with the B&O system. At first it sounded OK (I used to build Pro audio demo cars for companies like Sony, Kenwood, JL Audio, Alpine, etc back in the day) After a few months, I noticed a distorted buzzing sound coming from the rear of the car. Low or high volume, it sounded like a bad cone/driver/voice coil issue. It was intermittent, occurring at higher volume levels on bass heavy songs, but also appeared at lower volumes randomly. FYI I never turned the "bass" setting up, and prefer a "flat" sound to a heavy "bass" and "treble" curve. At my first service appointment, I mentioned this, and after they "diagnosed" it, they claimed nothing was wrong. Over the next few months it progressively got worse. Eventually the "blown speaker noise" went away, as did the low end response of the system. Took the car in again and the dealer claimed nothing was wrong. "a system diagnostic test shows all speakers are functioning" was their response. I know better. They still refuse to replace the sub woofer module. Willing to bet any amount of money that my car has speakers that don't work. Its obvious there is a lack of low end response, but the dealer refuses to acknowledge it. I'm convinced it is the sub module, and interested in alternative options... Anyone have a link to replacing or upgrading the B&O Sub as referenced in this thread?

[Sanjman]

Go to another dealership first. If it's blown it's blown... If you need to get somewhere ask for the Master tech at the dealer.

[WasTiSLine]

It really depends on what you listen to. I came from B&O in my D3 S8 to Bose in my S6. I listen to primarily audiobooks and Sirius and I really hear no difference in quality with those sources

[KayS4]

Anyone have a DIY of replacing the sub/amp on the rs7?

- - - Updated - - -

When I bought my car, I had to have the B&O. I eliminated a lot of cars with the exact options I wanted b/c it did not have B&O.

Just my opinion, but the bose sounds like crap compared to the B&O. I enjoy a good sound system (but I'm too lazy to upgrade it after market except I did do the sub mod which is listed here which made the B&O super awesome) and I recommend that you go to the dealer and sit in a B&O and a non B&O back to back and decide for yourself.

Hey can you mention to me the sub mod you speak of?

[ZChicagoS4]

To me it was a no-brainer. I was not buying an S7 without it. I had it in my s4.

[OlyS6]

Anyone have a DIY of replacing the sub/amp on the rs7?

- - - Updated - - -



Hey can you mention to me the sub mod you speak of?

Simply use the search box on the top right of this screen for the original thread that djspeaksd posted on doing the subwoofer modification. Others have posted similar threads as well. You won't be disappointed.

[Mr. Anderson]

if buying used, find one with B&O system. It's a step above the standard B&O's in all the other Audi's. I have never been a fan of bose systems, once I learned about their engineering. The only thing the do somewhat well is imaging.

BOSE:
Buy Other Stereo Equipement

or my favorite:
all highs, no lows, must be Bose!

[ehofmann]

To be fair, the B&O in the S4/5 is nowhere close to the one in the S6/7. I find the bose to be similar to the B&O in my prior S4, except the bose lacks a tad more clarity and gets distorted at higher levels. Not sure if it is DSP related but I can't seem to get a perfect soundstage out of the bose, no matter how much I play with the settings. All of them skimp on the sub though it seems. Good luck op: if you have the money and don't just listen to talk radio then do it.


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[morski]

Would you say the B&O is $3k better than the Bose rather than the daft $6k? So if Audi charged $3k for the B&O option would it be a no brainer?

[KayS4]

Would you say the B&O is $3k better than the Bose rather than the daft $6k? So if Audi charged $3k for the B&O option would it be a no brainer?

I am thinking of swapping the sub will replacing just the sub and not the amp make a difference or you need an amp to go with it?

I also read someone say beefing up the amp may solve the lack of thump as well.

So many options.

I am still trying to find a way to get dynamic rear signal turning. New to the RS7 after a hiatus from the B8 S4 to the Panamera GTS