2022 Lightning - B&O stereo : good sound / performance? upgrading?

[MNLightning]

So I traded a 2021 F150 in on the Lightning. Imho the 2021 system (not B&O)was better, much better. The system in the Lightning I think is awful. Different music sources require revising the front/rear fade to keep the system listenable for me. After using the Lighting for a couple of days my wife asked me to check and see if the rear speakers were working. I had the fade set slightly rear biased from the factor default. I moved it back further to about 90% to the rear for her, it did sound better to me and to her. She later said that some songs sound good at that setting and others don't have enough front speaker volume. We primarily use Qobuz and SirusXM.

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[F150ROD]

So I traded a 2021 F150 in on the Lightning. Imho the 2021 system (not B&O)was better, much better. The system in the Lightning I think is awful. Different music sources require revising the front/rear fade to keep the system listenable for me. After using the Lighting for a couple of days my wife asked me to check and see if the rear speakers were working. I had the fade set slightly rear biased from the factor default. I moved it back further to about 90% to the rear for her, it did sound better to me and to her. She later said that some songs sound good at that setting and others don't have enough front speaker volume. We primarily use Qobuz and SirusXM.

The B&O system in my 21 ICE was also trash, looks like it'll be the same here. Biggest thing for me there was no Bass whatsoever. For XLT and Pro they will probably be able to put in the Kicker Sub offered for the ICE

 

[CRAIGC540]

I know I will be adding a 10 inch Subwoofer like I have in my 04 Lariot. My music is bass heavy and when I added the Subwoofer it filed out the sound for me. The lightning looks like there's less room to but a box under the seat so we will see.

 

[Tenetke]

I’ve had the Platinum for almost a week and I’m pretty impressed with the sound. Eventually I always seem to add/replace speakers in my vehicles. This one will probably be the same. I don’t have any plans to replace anything because the sound has been really good after making some adjustments to the eq. Front door speakers are normally easily replaceable and those would be the first I’d replace. Otherwise is good enough to not consider replacing right now.

 

[MNLightning]

I’ve had the Platinum for almost a week and I’m pretty impressed with the sound. Eventually I always seem to add/replace speakers in my vehicles. This one will probably be the same. I don’t have any plans to replace anything because the sound has been really good after making some adjustments to the eq. Front door speakers are normally easily replaceable and those would be the first I’d replace. Otherwise is good enough to not consider replacing right now.

Changing "Stereo" to "Surround" and setting the fade to close to this setting yielded the best SQ for us. Changing to Surround helped fill the thin sound from the rear speakers and seemed to add some range and depth to the front speakers.

My previously somewhat sharp criticism of the sound system was based on it being in the Stereo setting. I think the improvement was substantial and I'll have to do another back to back with the Rivian.

Tenetke, if your setting was on "Stereo" and you were happy with the sound, well god bless you Also the equalizer having just 3 bands puts in more inline with what I would refer to as TONE controls.

All my sound comparisons are done using Qobuz and SiriusXM as the sources.

 

[Tenetke]

Changing "Stereo" to "Surround" and setting the fade to close to this setting yielded the best SQ for us. Changing to Surround helped fill the thin sound from the rear speakers and seemed to add some range and depth to the front speakers.

My previously somewhat sharp criticism of the sound system was based on it being in the Stereo setting. I think the improvement was substantial and I'll have to do another back to back with the Rivian.

Tenetke, if your setting was on "Stereo" and you were happy with the sound, well god bless you Also the equalizer having just 3 bands puts in more inline with what I would refer to as TONE controls.

All my sound comparisons are done using Qobuz and SiriusXM as the sources.

Unfortunately a few years ago I went went from hearing in both ears to losing 90% hearing in my right ear. So I try not to respond too much on stereos and how they sound nowadays haha
I’m going to try the surround setting!!

 

[Lavaorange]

I'm already prepared to be disappointed in the Lariat's B&O sound and plan to upgrade a few key speakers and add add an amp. Budget approx $1,200 installed. Hopefully no sub as I prefer not to lose any interior space. I have yet to hear any system that come close to the optional B&W system in our Volvo. It wasn't a cheap option but a priority for me and I feel worth every penny. When I'm on my own in it I sound line a teenager driving around (but still playing good music).

 

[F150ROD]

I'm already prepared to be disappointed in the Lariat's B&O sound and plan to upgrade a few key speakers and add add an amp. Budget approx $1,200 installed. Hopefully no sub as I prefer not to lose any interior space. I have yet to hear any system that come close to the optional B&W system in our Volvo. It wasn't a cheap option but a priority for me and I feel worth every penny. When I'm on my own in it I sound line a teenager driving around (but still playing good music).

You can put a sub in the stock location without losing space, although it would have to be a shallow one.

 

[TheJackel2013]

I’m lucky to have had both.

I had the regular B&O in my 2021 Lariat. It was fine. Bass was a little thin and the dynamic range just wasn’t fantastic. It was an OK factory system. But unimpressive considering it was an “upgrade” with my Lariat

I have the B&O unleashed in my Lightning Platnium now. The range is greatly improved, especially the bass. I can see that if you listen to a lot of Rap or Hip Hop, it may still not be enough. For me it’s plenty. The soundstage and realism is also greatly improved. Likely a function of just having more speakers. Vocals do sound like they are more coming from center stage.

I can imagine that there will still be people disappointed with the Unleashed. For me, it’s great. I couldnt answer if it’s worth the upgrade price. And I do admit it’s not as good as some systems from other manufacturers (ie Lexus) but it is a noticeably “premium” experience.

 

[rlbussard]

Good thing that I am older and don't hear as well I guess. I don't concern myself with those trivial things anymore. It might have been a big deal when I was younger and I would have ripped it all out and put something else in, but I tend to listen to my music pretty low volume to where you can still have a normal voice conversation with people in the car.

 

[Pioneer74]

I’m lucky to have had both.

I had the regular B&O in my 2021 Lariat. It was fine. Bass was a little thin and the dynamic range just wasn’t fantastic. It was an OK factory system. But unimpressive considering it was an “upgrade” with my Lariat

I have the B&O unleashed in my Lightning Platnium now. The range is greatly improved, especially the bass. I can see that if you listen to a lot of Rap or Hip Hop, it may still not be enough. For me it’s plenty. The soundstage and realism is also greatly improved. Likely a function of just having more speakers. Vocals do sound like they are more coming from center stage.

I can imagine that there will still be people disappointed with the Unleashed. For me, it’s great. I couldnt answer if it’s worth the upgrade price. And I do admit it’s not as good as some systems from other manufacturers (ie Lexus) but it is a noticeably “premium” experience.

I have the Unleashed in my 2021 ICE Lariat. I think it's terrible. The whole Soundstage is off. 90% of the sound comes from the center channel speaker with minimal stereo effects, even in surround mode. The single option on my truck I wished I hadn't paid for.

 

[Skidrowe]

How do those soft sounding voices of the NPR reporters play on this system. I hope it doesn't mess up the relaxing delivery of their content, otherwise I'll be forced to look for something aftermarket and that would be a shame.

 

[TheJackel2013]

LMAO. That was a classic.

 

[williams]

I have the unleashed in my powerboost, and knowing my lariat will have the lesser system actually makes me happy. Why you ask, because its less to rip out and throw into a lake. The unleashed was tuned by someone who is completely tone deaf with zero time alignment, the base B&O at least has less to throw away.

 

[GDN]

I have the Unleashed in my 2021 ICE Lariat. I think it's terrible. The whole Soundstage is off. 90% of the sound comes from the center channel speaker with minimal stereo effects, even in surround mode. The single option on my truck I wished I hadn't paid for.

Well - I've had a week with the truck and while several things need improvement, the stereo is at the top of the list. For an $80K truck and a company that has been building for over 100 years I don't understand why they think they need to pay some big name company for garbage sound.

The clarity is decent, but as @Pioneer74 noted the sound stage is horrible. That center channel is crazy.

I have to compare to Tesla, it is done in house or at least with NO brand names on it. No one can even find who makes the speakers for them. The sound field is done right, decent sub/bass, nice volume, built right in to the main computers, 100% integrated.

The amp and sub are pathetic.