(VIDEO DEMO UPDATE) Bang & Olufsen (B&O) Unleashed Sound System Review (2021 F-150) ????

[daemonic3]

Hi guys , awesome input and info on the unleashed . To confirm, the subwoofer is not placed on the floor ? I ordered the unleashed and hoping it doesn’t effect any of the cab room. Thanks

Amp and sub are definitely behind the 60% rear seat. We've seen many upper trim interior walk thrus and no amp or sub have been visible under the seats.

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[Trashman]

Amp and sub are definitely behind the 60% rear seat. We've seen many upper trim interior walk thrus and no amp or sub have been visible under the seats.

This was a huge selling point for me. My 2011 platinum subwoofer on the floor was always in the way.

 

[GABAR]

Can’t wait to see what is changed and removed in the B&O Unleashed system when an owner takes his or her vehicle to an aftermarket car audio shop.

The head unit will definitely stay but the speakers, sub, and amp will be tossed.

 

[Knickell]

Hi guys , awesome input and info on the unleashed . To confirm, the subwoofer is not placed on the floor ? I ordered the unleashed and hoping it doesn’t effect any of the cab room. Thanks

No, it will not be anywhere on the floor.

 

[Jim Bandy]

From what I can tell, the 2018 F-150s had a ten speaker B&O Play system with 675 total watts. This included a thin style subwoofer mounted behind the rear seat on the bed wall of the truck.

Keep in mind “B&O Play” was designed and marketed as an entry level premium sound system for Ford for the 2018/2019 model years. All the press releases and other info I’ve seen so far for Bang & Olufsen for no longer label themselves as “B&O Play” for 2021 Ford models. This could be Ford’s attempt to keep moving the F-150 up market.

The Bang & Olufsen sound system in the 2021 F-150 is listed as having eight speakers rated at 640 watts with an “Externally Coupled Subwoofer (ECS)”. This is supposed to be a slim, space saving subwoofer.

I wouldn’t get too caught up in the fact that the base 2021 B&O system makes less overall power than the earlier B&O Play systems. I have seen review videos where Ford representatives have said they allowed the staff at B&O to have pretty much free reign over the 2021 F-150’s interior in an effort to get the best sound possible. Whereas other manufacturers and vehicles give audio companies set spaces/locations and parameters to abide by.

Although I haven’t heard the base B&O system for the 2021 F-150 yet, I think it’s safe to say it will be an adequate improvement from the generation thirteen F-150s.

Also, in my opinion, because B&O Play was marketed as a cheaper and/or entry level Bang & Olufsen sound system, they may have used cheaper and lesser quality speaker cones, drivers, wires, and other components that could be different than the ones used in the generation fourteen F-150.

In reference to the Bang & Olufsen Unleashed system, it comes with eighteen speakers producing 1,080 watts. It’s two main features are headrest and headliner mounted speakers for the front row of the truck. It also uses an “Externally Coupled Subwoofer”, likely the same one that’s used in the base B&O system.

I consider myself a bit of an audiophile. After listening to the Bang & Olufsen Unleashed at one of the test drive events, I was amazed. In other cars, headliner and head rest mounted speakers were gimmicky and, in my opinion, hurt the sound of the system. This was not the case at all in the F-150. The overall sound was very clear and immersive. It’s hard to explain but the combination of the headliner and head rest speakers kind of created a shower of sound, and it was really a cool experience. Overall loudness of a system is only as good as how well the speakers maintain their clarity without getting distorted. I tried several genres of music on the B&O Unleashed system at a pretty high volume (around 20ish out of 30, if I recall), and that was plenty for me. I also didn’t want to deafen the Ford rep. who was also in the truck.

Since being able to hear it at the test drive event, the Bang & Olufsen Unleashed system was a non-negotiable option for me on my order. As the clock ticks the days and weeks away until I take delivery, the thing I’m probably looking forward to most about the truck is hearing that sound system again!

Anyway, ending my tirade. Here is the media release from Harman, the parent company of Bang & Olufsen, for the new sound systems for the 2021 Ford F-150 with additional information:

https://news.harman.com/blog/blog_articles-20200629

Likewise, I read a lot of articles about the B&O (company and B&O Unleased. I'm well adverse about space claim & the effects on sound/sound balance. Happy to read B&O had free reign over the 2021 F-150’s audio setup. It's great to see someone on this forum who actually had the opportunity to listen & provide non-bias comments (thx).

 

[Knickell]

Hey guys, I posted a video of the Sync 4 in action over here?:

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/ford-f-150-sync-4-in-action.815/#post-10345

I know some of you had questions about the audio equalizer and settings for the B&O system. The guy in the video goes into the sound settings of the stereo around 1:40 into the video. While I’m not certain that this particular truck was equipped with a Bang & Olufsen system, I can confirm that the equalizer and other audio settings were the same when I was playing around with the B&O Unleashed system.

 

[HCFX]

I consider myself an audiophile (audio-obsessed but who's keeping track) so the announcement of a premium audio system in the new F-150 got me really excited especially being a several-time F-150 owner and being massively underwhelmed with all of their audio systems. I finally got my chance to check out a 2021 Platinum with the B&O Unleashed rig. Kyle is bang on with his review. If you're looking for an audio system that will set off car alarms and turn you deaf like the one your buddy put in his 92 New Yorker in high school, this isn't the one for you. If you're an audiophile with a taste for clean, crisp and balanced sound right to the top of the volume range on all sources, you will love it. FINALLY, a really good sound system in an F-150.

I thought the speakers in the headrest and headliner would make it sound unnatural especially with each speaker so close to your ear, but each one is tuned to a specific volume level to simply contribute to the overall listening experience rather than make sure you know that there is a speaker there. In a lot of premium million billion speaker car audio systems I've heard, the speakers placed in intricate locations are purposely overboosted to make sure you know there's a speaker there, not the case here. The headrest speakers are barely audible if you're actively trying to listen for them, but they trick your ear into thinking there are more forward facing speakers in the rear of the cabin pushing sound forward. It's a strange experience but really an impressive accomplishment on Ford's part for being able to overcome the acoustical nightmare that is a truck cab. A true, understated, well-balanced audio system that makes ideal usage of all 18 of its speakers - the type of well balanced audio system that makes you want to fire up a Hemingway and pour a glass of glenfiddich. Evidently I was in a truck at 9am, so neither were an option. ?

You get a ton of crisp highs & mids from all directions (but more-so the front dash area) and the individual woofers in each door supply plenty of bass, a nice change versus having a poorly tuned passive crossover system in the front doors with pretty much all of your bass coming from a single crappy little gutless sub behind the rear seat like what we've heard for the last 20 years in our trucks.

I'm glad the EQ settings are as basic as the regular audio systems, I was worried it was going to have some cheesy "sound experience" adjustments like many premium audio systems that do nothing except play with your balance and fade, none of that quackery here. Only a DSP adjustment for stereo or surround just as before.

If you do demo one, crank up the MTV Live version of Hotel California from 1994. Really great stereo sound from that track, I use it for my audio system benchmarks whether it's home or car audio.

Bottom line, you'd be stupid not to pay the $800 for this system. It is an absolute bargain.

 

[daemonic3]

Dammit, this is making the wait even HARDER!

 

[currybob]

I consider myself an audiophile (audio-obsessed but who's keeping track) so the announcement of a premium audio system in the new F-150 got me really excited especially being a several-time F-150 owner and being massively underwhelmed with all of their audio systems. I finally got my chance to check out a 2021 Platinum with the B&O Unleashed rig. Kyle is bang on with his review. If you're looking for an audio system that will set off car alarms and turn you deaf like the one your buddy put in his 92 New Yorker in high school, this isn't the one for you. If you're an audiophile with a taste for clean, crisp and balanced sound right to the top of the volume range on all sources, you will love it. FINALLY, a really good sound system in an F-150.

I thought the speakers in the headrest and headliner would make it sound unnatural especially with each speaker so close to your ear, but each one is tuned to a specific volume level to simply contribute to the overall listening experience rather than make sure you know that there is a speaker there. In a lot of premium million billion speaker car audio systems I've heard, the speakers placed in intricate locations are purposely overboosted to make sure you know there's a speaker there, not the case here. The headrest speakers are barely audible if you're actively trying to listen for them, but they trick your ear into thinking there are more forward facing speakers in the rear of the cabin pushing sound forward. It's a strange experience but really an impressive accomplishment on Ford's part for being able to overcome the acoustical nightmare that is a truck cab. A true, understated, well-balanced audio system that makes ideal usage of all 18 of its speakers - the type of well balanced audio system that makes you want to fire up a Hemingway and pour a glass of glenfiddich. Evidently I was in a truck at 9am, so neither were an option. ?

You get a ton of crisp highs & mids from all directions (but more-so the front dash area) and the individual woofers in each door supply plenty of bass, a nice change versus having a poorly tuned passive crossover system in the front doors with pretty much all of your bass coming from a single crappy little gutless sub behind the rear seat like what we've heard for the last 20 years in our trucks.

I'm glad the EQ settings are as basic as the regular audio systems, I was worried it was going to have some cheesy "sound experience" adjustments like many premium audio systems that do nothing except play with your balance and fade, none of that quackery here. Only a DSP adjustment for stereo or surround just as before.

If you do demo one, crank up the MTV Live version of Hotel California from 1994. Really great stereo sound from that track, I use it for my audio system benchmarks whether it's home or car audio.

Bottom line, you'd be stupid not to pay the $800 for this system. It is an absolute bargain.

Excellent review, you took what I didn't know how to put into words and successfully put it into words. Hard to explain something you have never experienced before.

I agree, it's criminal not to fork the small amount more out for such a precision instrument.

 

[ddfarmer]

It's not on the floor. I test drove a Platinum with the Unleashed. I didn't see any subwoofer on the lay flat floor or that impacted the floor. I didn't get a chance to fully test the sound, but it will say it was incredibly clear.

 

[Knickell]

i was able to get some up close photos to the Bang & Olufsen "Externally Coupled Subwoofer". As we thought, I can confirm it is mounted on the back/bed wall of the truck.



Here are a couple of photos looking upward at the subwoofer from the floorboard underneath the rear seat:

Here is a slightly better look at Bang & Olufsen's Externally Coupled Subwoofer mounted inside the truck. The blue cloth is the 60% portion of the rear seat, and the black/gray cloth is the back wall of the cabin.

While searching for this elusive subwoofer, I learned that the 40% portion of the rear seat back (right rear passenger side) folds forward. The 60% portion of the seat backrest appeared to be fixed and would not go forward. Also take note of the jack and fuel tank funnel stored behind this part of the rear seat.

On a side note, I also discovered that the front headrest speaker of the Bang & Olufsen Unleashed system are not designed to be removed/come out of the seat. I guess this makes sense when you think about it.

 

[Knickell]

?Hey guys, for those of you following this thread I have updated the original post above with videos of the menus and audio equalizer of the Bang & Olufsen Unleashed system, and well as a brief music demonstration so you can hear what it sounds like! Let me know what you think!

 

[currybob]

i was able to get some up close photos to the Bang & Olufsen "Externally Coupled Subwoofer". As we thought, I can confirm it is mounted on the back/bed wall of the truck.



Here are a couple of photos looking upward at the subwoofer from the floorboard underneath the rear seat:






Here is a slightly better look at Bang & Olufsen's Externally Coupled Subwoofer mounted inside the truck. The blue cloth is the 60% portion of the rear seat, and the black/gray cloth is the back wall of the cabin.

While searching for this elusive subwoofer, I learned that the 40% portion of the rear seat back (right rear passenger side) folds forward. The 60% portion of the seat backrest appeared to be fixed and would not go forward. Also take note of the jack and fuel tank funnel stored behind this part of the rear seat.


On a side note, I also discovered that the front headrest speaker of the Bang & Olufsen Unleashed system are not designed to be removed/come out of the seat. I guess this makes sense when you think about it.

Nice work Kyle!

 

[Knickell]

I consider myself an audiophile (audio-obsessed but who's keeping track) so the announcement of a premium audio system in the new F-150 got me really excited especially being a several-time F-150 owner and being massively underwhelmed with all of their audio systems. I finally got my chance to check out a 2021 Platinum with the B&O Unleashed rig. Kyle is bang on with his review. If you're looking for an audio system that will set off car alarms and turn you deaf like the one your buddy put in his 92 New Yorker in high school, this isn't the one for you. If you're an audiophile with a taste for clean, crisp and balanced sound right to the top of the volume range on all sources, you will love it. FINALLY, a really good sound system in an F-150.

I thought the speakers in the headrest and headliner would make it sound unnatural especially with each speaker so close to your ear, but each one is tuned to a specific volume level to simply contribute to the overall listening experience rather than make sure you know that there is a speaker there. In a lot of premium million billion speaker car audio systems I've heard, the speakers placed in intricate locations are purposely overboosted to make sure you know there's a speaker there, not the case here. The headrest speakers are barely audible if you're actively trying to listen for them, but they trick your ear into thinking there are more forward facing speakers in the rear of the cabin pushing sound forward. It's a strange experience but really an impressive accomplishment on Ford's part for being able to overcome the acoustical nightmare that is a truck cab. A true, understated, well-balanced audio system that makes ideal usage of all 18 of its speakers - the type of well balanced audio system that makes you want to fire up a Hemingway and pour a glass of glenfiddich. Evidently I was in a truck at 9am, so neither were an option. ?

You get a ton of crisp highs & mids from all directions (but more-so the front dash area) and the individual woofers in each door supply plenty of bass, a nice change versus having a poorly tuned passive crossover system in the front doors with pretty much all of your bass coming from a single crappy little gutless sub behind the rear seat like what we've heard for the last 20 years in our trucks.

I'm glad the EQ settings are as basic as the regular audio systems, I was worried it was going to have some cheesy "sound experience" adjustments like many premium audio systems that do nothing except play with your balance and fade, none of that quackery here. Only a DSP adjustment for stereo or surround just as before.

If you do demo one, crank up the MTV Live version of Hotel California from 1994. Really great stereo sound from that track, I use it for my audio system benchmarks whether it's home or car audio.

Bottom line, you'd be stupid not to pay the $800 for this system. It is an absolute bargain.

Sorry, HCFX. Somehow your post slipped by me. Great analysis as well!

The simplicity of the audio equalizer makes it very user friendly. However, I wished there was a little more configurability in there. About the only thing different from a normal car was the ability to choose “Stereo” or “Surround” mode. To be fair, not sure exactly what else I’d want Ford to add, but I was expecting more customization

You’re also right about the price. Much like the Max Tow Package (until December 23rd, anyway), this is by far the best hidden deal of any of the interior options!

 

[HCFX]

Sorry, HCFX. Somehow your post slipped by me. Great analysis as well!

The simplicity of the audio equalizer makes it very user friendly. However, I wished there was a little more configurability in there. About the only thing different from a normal car was the ability to choose “Stereo” or “Surround” mode. To be fair, not sure exactly what else I’d want Ford to add, but I was expecting more customization


You’re also right about the price. Much like the Max Tow Package (until December 23rd, anyway), this is by far the best hidden deal of any of the interior options!

I get what you mean. At least having more EQ adjustments would be nice, however too much intricacy can confuse the masses. Being an audio nerd I would love to fiddle around with that sh*t for hours, others may not.

Definitely the best deal considering the basic B&O system definitely leaves a bit to be desired. It's clean but doesn't take a beating anywhere near as well as Unleashed does. They definitely dumbed down the base B&O to sway people to go Unleashed.

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