Bang & Olufsen Issue

[LotusJPS]

Curious if anyone else has had an issue with Bang & Olufsen audio system? I suspect that the microphone that controls the volume levels and equalization isn’t working in my car. First off the mid range is definitely lacking (and of course the adjustments are only for base and treble). Also, I’ve tried setting the auto volume control to each level (off, low, optimized, and high) yet there’s no change volume what so ever for any of them(so much for adapting to sound levels).

[JohnG1]

LotusJPS said:

Curious if anyone else has had an issue with Bang & Olufsen audio system? I suspect that the microphone that controls the volume levels and equalization isn’t working in my car. First off the mid range is definitely lacking (and of course the adjustments are only for base and treble). Also, I’ve tried setting the auto volume control to each level (off, low, optimized, and high) yet there’s no change volume what so ever for any of them(so much for adapting to sound levels).

I am not enough of a stereo buff to be able to be much use here but when I play around with the controls for the B&O in my car I can clearly tell that the sound is different. I could not really describe what has changed but it sounds different.

Sorry but I think it's time for a trip to the dealer. Nice garage by the way!

[CatalystV12V]

LotusJPS said:

Curious if anyone else has had an issue with Bang & Olufsen audio system? I suspect that the microphone that controls the volume levels and equalization isn’t working in my car. First off the mid range is definitely lacking (and of course the adjustments are only for base and treble). Also, I’ve tried setting the auto volume control to each level (off, low, optimized, and high) yet there’s no change volume what so ever for any of them(so much for adapting to sound levels).

I'm having the same problem with midrange sound quality. Did you ever get the issue resolved?

[MichaelV8V]

You don't really need a mid range adjustment, if you want more mid range, lower the bass and treble and increase the volume.

The two adjustments effectively give you relative control over the volume of bass, mid and treble.

My B&O has a very clear step up in volume when I accelerate hard, the music suddenly gets louder when the car gets louder, if you're not getting that, then it sounds like there is a problem

[CatalystV12V]

Thanks I'll give that a whirl.
I guess I'm used to having things set to flat (0) on adjustments ..... It hadn't occurred to me that mid range might be improved by having less top and bottom end.
The settings on my my old V8 were far more adjustable than on the B&O.

Just out of interest would you mind posting the settings you use? As at this point I think the Premium system is is far superior to the B&O, but would love to be proved wrong.

[LotusJPS]

The B&O is supposed to automatically adjust the EQ based on suronding sounds. My system is defunetly not doing this. The auto volume leveling also doesn't seem to be working. With it set at high there's no change from being on the freeway with the top down to coming to a complete stop. Sounds like something is definitely not right. I just wish the closest dealer wasn't 250 miles away.

[CatalystV12V]

LotusJPS said:

The B&O is supposed to automatically adjust the EQ based on suronding sounds. My system is defunetly not doing this. The auto volume leveling also doesn't seem to be working. With it set at high there's no change from being on the freeway with the top down to coming to a complete stop. Sounds like something is definitely not right. I just wish the closest dealer wasn't 250 miles away.

I'm not sue about the auto volume but will,check it out today.... But thinking about it I don't recall it getting louder when accelerating etc.
If the B&O is supposed self adjust dynamically to optimum settings then it doesnt work for my ears :0(
A friend and I were listening to it yesterday. We both agreed it just wasn't involving in any way. To bright at the top end and to much bass. I prefer to leave it switched off which is a poor indictment of Aston's top end ICE.
Let's hope there's a problem that can be fixed.

[MichaelV8V]

I don't think its supposed to adjust the EQ other than to compensate for external noise.

The system is set-up for the car that it is built into, the only variable is then the number of people in the car, and the external noise. You'll hear the settings change when a passenger plugs their seatbelt in, and should hear the volume adjust as the car accelerates

Edited by MichaelV8V on Sunday 1st April 17:38

[CatalystV12V]

Ok so here's what I've done :

1) surround sound set to minimum
2) auto volume adjust set to OFF (and it was working when set to auto).
3) Bass set to 3 stops above minimum
4) Trebble set to 2 stops above minimum

This has improved the sound quality by a large margin... But, If I'd have specced the B&O as an option I would have been very dissapointed..............

[AMDBSNick]

CatalystV12V said:

Ok so here's what I've done :

1) surround sound set to minimum
2) auto volume adjust set to OFF (and it was working when set to auto).
3) Bass set to 3 stops above minimum
4) Trebble set to 2 stops above minimum

This has improved the sound quality by a large margin... But, If I'd have specced the B&O as an option I would have been very dissapointed..............

I will be trying this. MichaelV8V do these settings match yours?

[MichaelV8V]

Will have a look at mine tonight, but I think its just increased bass by +2 and everything else at the default setting.

Despite spending all that cash on a B&O, I'm not really interested in music, so haven't tweaked things to try to get it better, I've assumed that B&O know much more about the subject than I do. Most of the time I drive with the windows open and Fuse 22 out, nothing comes close to the sound of a V8

[MichaelV8V]

My settings are :
Bass +4
Treble 0
Fader 0
Surround +2
Auto volume control Optimum

My assumption is that B&O know more about the way music sounds than I do, so when offered an 'optimum' setting, I'd thought 'why should I choose sub-optimal instead?'. The rest was the result of a few moments meddling with whatever happended to be playing at the time

But I realise this is flawed logic, so I'd happily try out the settings from anyone that feels they have made it sound better.

[MichaelV8V]

Just noticed that yours are stops above minimum, mine are +/- from the mid-point, so you are using much less bass and treble than I have, I'll give that a try, see how I like it

[v12uuu]

I have the B&O setup and overall I think the sound is pretty good (some recordings do come over really well, but not all). Sounds better at lower speeds, but is hard to concentrate when you are really moving anyway.

I tend to use auto volume, which works well when driving, but it does sound a bit quiet when you stop - takes some getting used to.

[AWV12]

CatalystV12V said:

Thanks I'll give that a whirl.
I guess I'm used to having things set to flat (0) on adjustments ..... It hadn't occurred to me that mid range might be improved by having less top and bottom end.
The settings on my my old V8 were far more adjustable than on the B&O.

Just out of interest would you mind posting the settings you use? As at this point I think the Premium system is is far superior to the B&O, but would love to be proved wrong.

+1

Read also my other thread about the "far from Premium" B&O system (subject "disabling B&O DSPs").

By disabling all "fancy" options like surround and auto volume control it is now acceptable, but the Alpine/Premium system sounded much more superior, and I would never spec the B&O (even if it was a no cost option), but pity the DBS has it as standard.......... :-(

Happily this is the only omission in an otherwise perfect car! :-)