B&O - No mid range?

[jamesfoley]

In my S3 using Spotify via CarPlay the B&O system just seems to consist of treble and sub-bass, there doesn't seem to be any mid-range unless I crank the "Bass" setting all the way up. But even then it still sounds unbalanced.

All of the speakers are producing sound so no real issues there, and the DAB does sound okay which sort of puts the issue with CarPlay I guess?

Anyone have a similar experience? The basic sound system in my previous 1 series sounded better than this which is disappointing.

 

[AlS3BE]

In my S3 using Spotify via CarPlay the B&O system just seems to consist of treble and sub-bass, there doesn't seem to be any mid-range unless I crank the "Bass" setting all the way up. But even then it still sounds unbalanced.

All of the speakers are producing sound so no real issues there, and the DAB does sound okay which sort of puts the issue with CarPlay I guess?

Anyone have a similar experience? The basic sound system in my previous 1 series sounded better than this which is disappointing.

Try turning off soundcheck and equaliser settings on your iPhone in the music settings.

 

[jamesfoley]

Try turning off soundcheck and equaliser settings on your iPhone in the music settings.

Aren't those settings specific to the Music app though?

 

[AlS3BE]

Aren't those settings specific to the Music app though?

It’s applies to CarPlay which uses those apps which includes Spotify deezer etc

 

[Dubjam]

It’s applies to CarPlay which uses those apps which includes Spotify deezer etc

It should not affect it , as when using Carplay you are taking a digital signal from the USB where its processed by the DAC chip in the BO system and converted to analogue?

If the OP was using the 'line out' i.e headphone out etc then this would be converted to analogue by the phones DAC, and would use its settings pre conversion so would definitely affect the sound through the BO.

This is how I understand it being a hifi buff, but I know the newer Iphones don't have an analogue out, therefore there may be some witchcraftery happening in the USB connection. Id be keen to hear if your solution solves it.

The BO is a very much 'mid range heaven' system, so theres definitely a fault somewhere in the chain.

 

[AlS3BE]

It should not affect it , as when using Carplay you are taking a digital signal from the USB where its processed by the DAC chip in the BO system and converted to analogue?

If the OP was using the 'line out' i.e headphone out etc then this would be converted to analogue by the phones DAC, and would use its settings pre conversion so would definitely affect the sound through the BO.

This is how I understand it being a hifi buff, but I know the newer Iphones don't have an analogue out, therefore there may be some witchcraftery happening in the USB connection. Id be keen to hear if your solution solves it.

The BO is a very much 'mid range heaven' system, so theres definitely a fault somewhere in the chain.

When I’m using the music app toggling the soundcheck on and off makes it’s sound different. With it on it’s almost a muted type sound and volume is low and with it off it sounds better. Spotify used to have a similar setting. Think it’s designed so you don’t blow your eardrums with wireless headphones.

 

[Dubjam]

The Soundcheck function essentially 'equalises' all the downloaded music so it comes out at a constant level, rather than one track coming through loud and the next quiet. I imagine it uses a compression algorithm , interesting that it does this pre DAC therefore comes through the analogue in your car. You could be right with the EQ then if it does this also pre conversion, if he has a 90's 'V -band' EQ shape then itll be all top and bottom.

 

[AlS3BE]

Think apple likes to do it’s own jiggery pokery before it send stuff out the port.
another thing to check is audio quality isn’t set to low, mines alway set on lossless and dolby atmos off. The Dolby atmos settings sounds weird on some music that supports it with my AirPods Pro.

 

[jamesfoley]

So Spotify does have its own EQ settings, and changing these do make a difference, but everything was turned off so it was flat by default.

Bluetooth audio from the same phone not via CarPlay sounds the same as is does through CarPlay. I guess the next test is to find a CD and give that a go…

Just seems dumb that everything works but just lacking midrange, even if there was a fault with the system I’m not sure what it would be…

 

[Dubjam]

So Spotify does have its own EQ settings, and changing these do make a difference, but everything was turned off so it was flat by default.

Bluetooth audio from the same phone not via CarPlay sounds the same as is does through CarPlay. I guess the next test is to find a CD and give that a go…

Just seems dumb that everything works but just lacking midrange, even if there was a fault with the system I’m not sure what it would be…

Did you check Apples own EQ settings? It could be a fault with your cable, or phones port. Try a different phone, try an SD card track in your MMI, CD etc.

 

[Dubjam]

Could be the mid drivers in the doors, or the amp channel powering them...

 

[jamesfoley]

Did you check Apples own EQ settings? It could be a fault with your cable, or phones port.

You mean via Music? I mean yes, but you only have that if you have the Music app installed, which I didn’t. Installing it makes no difference.

Also worth noting it’s the same via Bluetooth, so no cables or ports to introduce a fault.

 

[jamesfoley]

Could be the mid drivers in the doors, or the amp channel powering them...

What’s the best way to test this? Pop to my dealer and sit in another and compare potentially?

 

[Dubjam]

What’s the best way to test this? Pop to my dealer and sit in another and compare potentially?

You could I suppose. Plug in your phone, and see what happens.

Id check
SD and CD slots first - if sound fine, then the problem is with your phone/USB cable/ USB port etc
if sounds the same, then the problem is with your amp/speakers/MMI

 

[AlS3BE]

Have you checked the fader and surround sound settings? These can’t throw it all off

 

[jamesfoley]

Have you checked the fader and surround sound settings? These can’t throw it all off

To me it sounds better with the surround on max, but yea I have played around with those a fair bit.

 

[AlS3BE]

Other than the focus setting I can’t think of anything else to adjust.
as Dubjam said try a good quality cable, I’ve had issues in the past with none mfi approved cables, even issues with the Audi branded cable, now I use an anker braided one and no issues. Also use a wireless CarPlay adapter and that works great.

 

[JohnM100]

You can have different MMI sound settings for radio and SD card - is there a third option for CarPlay as a source audio input?

 

[jamesfoley]

Other than the focus setting I can’t think of anything else to adjust.
as Dubjam said try a good quality cable, I’ve had issues in the past with none mfi approved cables, even issues with the Audi branded cable, now I use an anker braided one and no issues. Also use a wireless CarPlay adapter and that works great.

I have also been using a wireless CarPlay adapter but honestly its no different sound quality wise when switching to a genuine Apple cable.

I honestly don't know if this is how it is supposed to sound and if I'm going a little insane? I've tried so many combinations of settings that I'm not even sure anymore. The easiest way to tell is to find another 8V facelift A3/S3 Sportback with B&O and compare them, but yea, just got to try and find someone with one now...

 

[jamesfoley]

Okay, breakthrough.

Front passenger side door woofer doesn't work. 99.9% sure this is why everything sounds so thin. Basically whet around with the fade and balance and checked every speaker with my ear against it, front passenger woofer does absolutely nothing. Joys.

 

[jamesfoley]

Sorry for the triple post, feel this is a worth while update.

Popped the mid B&Q speaker cover off. Removed the three torx screws from the door card. Popped the door card away from the door without totally removing it to get a look at the bottom speaker. Speaker isn't even plugged in. Plugged speaker in. Tested and everything works perfectly fine now, songs actually have some bass.

I did have folding mirrors retrofitted while the car was being prepped before handover so its likely someone unplugged it and forgot to plug it back in.

I feel like I wasted some peoples time with this dumb issue so apologies for that, but do appreciate the help on this one.

 

[AlS3BE]

Good result. Main thing is you found the problem.