18 SQ5 Audio upgrade from base “Audi Sound System”?

[fussball]

I just picked up a CPO ‘18 SQ5. It has all the options I wanted EXCEPT the B&O sound system. The base audio is really awful it seems. Worse than my ‘13 Golf R with the base VW system....

Any suggestions on some upgrade options? I’m not big on thumping bass so I don’t want a sub (and I don’t want to deal with losing space in the trunk). Really I’d just like crisper sound. I’ve got the bass turned down a bit already so the sound isn’t as muddied... but it still is way below expectations on a luxury car.

I searched previous threads and most folks suggested a sub first... which isn’t the route I want to go. Any other ideas?

[choppstixxx]

I know in the B8.5 A4 community people have upgraded the standard speakers in the dash (near the windshield) and even the factory tweeters to get a tighter/crisper sound (Here's the name of the speakers, I don't know if they'll work in a B9 tho). You also could go the aftermarket route for the main speakers and get a small 4 channel amp to power them. They make a lot of aftermarket units to integrate into more difficult systems like Audi has. Honestly when I had my 2013 A4 w/the non-B&O it really wasn't bad at all and I've been an audio nut all my life with my cars.

[dobslob]

Be happy that you didn't get the awful sounding B&O system and its UGLY grills everywhere in the vehicle.

The standard system is way easier to build from and without the wasted money. Find a good local stereo shop and have them help you upgrade to the level that you want. In the Bay Area there are some very good folks to work with. Seismic Autosound in Concord and Sound Innovations in Union City come to mind first.

I can tell you that the Q5 can sound FANTASTIC with a little work.

[MK2SQ]

Be happy that you didn't get the awful sounding B&O system and its UGLY grills everywhere in the vehicle.

The standard system is way easier to build from and without the wasted money. Find a good local stereo shop and have them help you upgrade to the level that you want. In the Bay Area there are some very good folks to work with. Seismic Autosound in Concord and Sound Innovations in Union City come to mind first.

I can tell you that the Q5 can sound FANTASTIC with a little work.

Not sure if you are speaking of the B9 but I love my B&O

As for the OP I would try first new speakers but that all depends what you are looking for and what is your taste more base crisp vocals are play input on component selection

[dobslob]

Yes the B9 B&O. Mine lasted all of a few days before I ripped it all out. I'm a music lover and I couldn't stand how bad it was.

[MK2SQ]

Yes the B9 B&O. Mine lasted all of a few days before I ripped it all out. I'm a music lover and I couldn't stand how bad it was.

Sound like everything else is a personal taste. In every car I owned I would perform sound and sound deadening upgrades. Never would consider that for the B9 and I’m extremely happy with it after I adjusted all settings to my liking.

As you are a sound lover as you stayed I’m sure that the format and source coding was correct as well as your EQ settings. It must be that your person taste is looking for different sound or you had failure in product that created subpar experience.

From curiosity what upgrade have you performed? Any pictures?

[dobslob]

Most of my issues were with the narrow soundstage that had a very abnormally fuzzy center. The tonality that varied at different volumes was also a big issue. The 3-D effect did nothing but lose focus. The mid-bass and sub-bass were just a drone with no definition and zero impact.

My system is far from done, but it is leaps and bounds ahead of anything Audi has put together. I got rid of all 19 factory speakers and the B&O amplifier. The front stage is now a 3-way system for each side with a 3" wideband for center, the rears are also widebanders as are the effect channels, and a single 10" subwoofer. Currently only the 3 ways and the sub are playing. Soon the center will be brought into the mix as will the rears. The effect channels may never get turned on, but I do have the processing and the power in place to do the job if necessary. All of the speakers are from Bonneville Labs or BLAM, the electronics are all Helix from Audiotec Fischer.

I can dig up some pictures of it on a different computer. It has become a showpiece now and has gone over the top, but it cold be replicated without any signs if it wasn't designed to highlight the products.

[greasykid]

I have chased better car audio sound for over 40 yrs. Presently have B&O in my 2016 Q5. Very good sound(that could be improved). Much better than Bose. My son has a 2017 Q7 with base unit & it would have to improve to be called crap. A good car audio shop s/b able to make major sound improvements. Expect to spend $1-2 thousand. Any 1 component will not cure a poor sounding system. Example: just changing out bad speakers will only give you better bad sound. DO NOT start with the subwoofer. Too many people think that loud base equals good sound. WRONG.

[dobslob]

As bad as the speakers are, they are not the bad part. Their location is a part of the issues in the Q5 but the processing and power are the real issue. You could make a great sounding system just by reworking the signal and where it is sent.

$1-2k isn't going to do much for you in this vehicle unfortunately. It is $1300 for the interface to get the good signal out of the MMI system.

[greasykid]

$1-2000 should make a noticeable improvement. We don't expect concert hall. My backround is professional sound so I understand how high is up . Car audio @ our level can be improved w/o spending a fortune.

[dobslob]

Good luck with that.

[stapan]

I did IASCA sound quality competitions for about 7 years. I have had cars with some quite decent systems and I have heard many of the worlds best sound systems people have built.

While the B&O in my 16 Q5 is not even close to as good as the best systems, I felt it was "just good enough" for me not to mess with especially since I very rarely listen to lossless music sources these days. Interiors are just never the same as OEM quality once you mess with the trim panels, install rolls of sound deadening etc. Theres a lot to be said for having everything untouched and not dealing with rattles creaks fitments wiring crossovers software complexities longer startup times equipment failures fiberglass resins resale value etc. And, again, unless you have a lossless source you quickly find the point of diminishing returns.

FWIW, I was leaning toward a Cayenne Turbo before I discovered the potential of a tuned Q5, and tried several with the $5k Burmester upgrade. To me the Q5 B&O not only sounds better but is easily one of the best factory sound systems I have ever heard.

[greasykid]

Agree. Well said.

[StingX71]

Not sure if you are speaking of the B9 but I love my B&O

As for the OP I would try first new speakers but that all depends what you are looking for and what is your taste more base crisp vocals are play input on component selection

I'm no audiophile, but the B&O in my car sounds good. Wouldn't want to do aftermarket as the trim never seems to go back in as well as from the factory.

[DiscoDan]

I'm no audiophile, but the B&O in my car sounds good. Wouldn't want to do aftermarket as the trim never seems to go back in as well as from the factory.

Same here.. not an audiophile. The B&O in the B9's sounds really good to my ears.

[dobslob]

I did IASCA sound quality competitions for about 7 years. I have had cars with some quite decent systems and I have heard many of the worlds best sound systems people have built.

While the B&O in my 16 Q5 is not even close to as good as the best systems, I felt it was "just good enough" for me not to mess with especially since I very rarely listen to lossless music sources these days. Interiors are just never the same as OEM quality once you mess with the trim panels, install rolls of sound deadening etc. Theres a lot to be said for having everything untouched and not dealing with rattles creaks fitments wiring crossovers software complexities longer startup times equipment failures fiberglass resins resale value etc. And, again, unless you have a lossless source you quickly find the point of diminishing returns.

FWIW, I was leaning toward a Cayenne Turbo before I discovered the potential of a tuned Q5, and tried several with the $5k Burmester upgrade. To me the Q5 B&O not only sounds better but is easily one of the best factory sound systems I have ever heard.

My interior is better than factory and much much quieter. The atrocious B&O grilles are gone. They are even worse than the sound that passes through them. Lossless is the lowest quality recordings I use.

[greasykid]

Happy to hear of your success.