B&O 8 Speaker Sound Quality/Volume mod using FORScan

[thunderf150]

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to share and contribute to the forum with something I tested on my truck.
After reading through numerous threads, it became clear that simply swapping out the stock speakers wouldn't drastically improve the sound quality without investing in an external AMP. Adding a subwoofer would also require more parts and money, which I wasn't prepared for given other OEM upgrades (refer to my signature) I had planned for my truck.

So, I decided to tinker with the DSP values in Forscan.
After some trial and error, I stumbled upon a value 783-02-01: XX-- replaced with 1B that "seems" to enhance the system's power and/or sound quality to "my ears". It's a minor improvement, but it's free and makes a difference.

I've been using this tweak for over 2 months now without any issues. While it worked for me, I can't guarantee it'll have the same effect for everyone. Specifically, this tweak is for the B&O 8 Speaker and Supercrew setups. Give it a shot if you're looking to try something to enhance your sound system without spending extra cash.

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[deagle2008]

783-02-01 **-- 00 = VEQS Unconfigured 06 = VEQS P702 SC IDBBQ
01 = VEQS U553 SWB 07 = VEQS P702 CC IDBBQ
02 = VEQS U553 LWB 08 = VEQS U553 LWB MY22
03 = VEQS D568C 09 = VEQS U553 SWB MY22
04 = VEQS U625 IDBAQ FF = VEQS Reserved
05 = VEQS U625 IDBAK


what does 1B do cause it's not on the list

 

[js312]

From what I'm reading lately, I'm wondering if the B&O 8-speaker was a better system for 21-22 and something changed for 23. Maybe this ForScan change is part of it.

• There was an SSM for 2023 (but not earlier) trucks for a DSP update to resolve some speakers not working sometimes. I had that done to my truck and it did solve the issue.
• Then there's the new DSP update for 21-22 8-speaker systems that people are complaining about recently that lowers the volume and bass. I read that this update is actually the configuration the 23s come with from the factory.
• Daily Motor has a review of the 8-speaker system from 21 where he is overall relatively positive - acknowledges that it isn't as good as the Unleashed, but a good step up from the base system. He just did one of the same system in a 23 Super Duty where he is much more critical. Theoretically, it should be the same system, so this lends credence to the above.
• I believe the 21-22 DSP is very different in appearance - the metal chassis is stamped with B&O's branding. My 2023 isn't, though it does have "Manufactured by Harman" on a sticker.

Regarding the above,
my truck (plus another random 2023 8-speaker VIN) is 783-02-01 1CA9
A 2023 with the unleashed system is 783-02-01 0794

 

[thunderf150]

783-02-01 **-- 00 = VEQS Unconfigured 06 = VEQS P702 SC IDBBQ
01 = VEQS U553 SWB 07 = VEQS P702 CC IDBBQ
02 = VEQS U553 LWB 08 = VEQS U553 LWB MY22
03 = VEQS D568C 09 = VEQS U553 SWB MY22
04 = VEQS U625 IDBAQ FF = VEQS Reserved
05 = VEQS U625 IDBAK


what does 1B do cause it's not on the list

Its not in the list, that's just the outcome of me testing different values, and as you can guess it took some time.
This wont change it a lot but you will be able to listen to the difference for sure.

for example: use a track like Drakes- God's plan with good lows and you should feel the difference.

 

[thunderf150]

From what I'm reading lately, I'm wondering if the B&O 8-speaker was a better system for 21-22 and something changed for 23. Maybe this ForScan change is part of it.

• There was an SSM for 2023 (but not earlier) trucks for a DSP update to resolve some speakers not working sometimes. I had that done to my truck and it did solve the issue.
• Then there's the new DSP update for 21-22 8-speaker systems that people are complaining about recently that lowers the volume and bass. I read that this update is actually the configuration the 23s come with from the factory.
• Daily Motor has a review of the 8-speaker system from 21 where he is overall relatively positive - acknowledges that it isn't as good as the Unleashed, but a good step up from the base system. He just did one of the same system in a 23 Super Duty where he is much more critical. Theoretically, it should be the same system, so this lends credence to the above.
• I believe the 21-22 DSP is very different in appearance - the metal chassis is stamped with B&O's branding. My 2023 isn't, though it does have "Manufactured by Harman" on a sticker.

Regarding the above,
my truck (plus another random 2023 8-speaker VIN) is 783-02-01 1CA9
A 2023 with the unleashed system is 783-02-01 0794

Your theory makes sense, I read @Jesse-Infotainment did confirm we can roll back to older firmware for DSP and as per your theory I would like to go back to a 21 DSP software on my 23.
@Jesse-Infotainment if that's possible could we try?

 

[js312]

Your theory makes sense, I read @Jesse-Infotainment did confirm we can roll back to older firmware for DSP and as per your theory I would like to go back to a 21 DSP software on my 23.
@Jesse-Infotainment if that's possible could we try?

I just checked a few 2021 8-speaker Lariats that are sitting on lots and they're all 783-02-01 1CA9. I wonder if it's the software itself and not the parameters.

 

[Rineland]

Its not in the list, that's just the outcome of me testing different values, and as you can guess it took some time.
This wont change it a lot but you will be able to listen to the difference for sure.

for example: use a track like Drakes- God's plan with good lows and you should feel the difference.

I just did a back to back listening of this change and concur with your assessment that the lows feel a bit more open and lower compared to the stock value of 1C. I'm leaving mine at 1B because it sounds overall warmer and I can actually hear and feel the contribution of the rear speakers. I did compensate with an extra click up on the treble. My test track that I use on most of the systems I've installed is Crystallize by Lindsey Stirling. The violin comes through clear and crisp and accentuates the high notes while the techno/electronic backdrop hits the lows and there's some punchy bass in there as well. It definitely sounded better than 1C. Now, this may all go out the window as I have the Priority Update sitting in my queue scheduled to be installed tonight. I was listening from a USB stick on volume 10 and it was plenty loud enough. While driving, I rarely go past 15, I've had it up to 20 on occasion with other sources (CarPlay and XM) but streaming isn't quite as loud or crisp as the USB source.

I backed up the module current software files, so if the new update drastically alters my enjoyment of the system, I'll be rolling it back.

Also, thank you @thunderf150 for doing the trial and error on this! I tried at one point using as-builts from other vehicles with the B&O system in it, as well as from the spreadsheet and none of them were better than stock, some even seemed to take the amp entirely out of the equation. I can only imagine the amount of values you went through testing this out of a total of 225 possible combinations (11, 12, 13... all the way through FF)!

 

[thunderf150]

I just did a back to back listening of this change and concur with your assessment that the lows feel a bit more open and lower compared to the stock value of 1C. I'm leaving mine at 1B because it sounds overall warmer and I can actually hear and feel the contribution of the rear speakers. I did compensate with an extra click up on the treble. My test track that I use on most of the systems I've installed is Crystallize by Lindsey Stirling. The violin comes through clear and crisp and accentuates the high notes while the techno/electronic backdrop hits the lows and there's some punchy bass in there as well. It definitely sounded better than 1C. Now, this may all go out the window as I have the Priority Update sitting in my queue scheduled to be installed tonight. I was listening from a USB stick on volume 10 and it was plenty loud enough. While driving, I rarely go past 15, I've had it up to 20 on occasion with other sources (CarPlay and XM) but streaming isn't quite as loud or crisp as the USB source.

I backed up the module current software files, so if the new update drastically alters my enjoyment of the system, I'll be rolling it back.

Also, thank you @thunderf150 for doing the trial and error on this! I tried at one point using as-builts from other vehicles with the B&O system in it, as well as from the spreadsheet and none of them were better than stock, some even seemed to take the amp entirely out of the equation. I can only imagine the amount of values you went through testing this out of a total of 225 possible combinations (11, 12, 13... all the way through FF)!

Glad you could use it and feel the difference. The sad part is with the new update it does take away almost if not more 20-25% of volume and the clarity also seems to take a dip.

This setting works on the new update but is way less effective. How did you back up the software? I would want to revert back to last DSP Firmware or something if possible.

 

[cnitty76]

Anyone used this on the 18 speaker?

 

[js312]

I did a little more digging into this out of curiosity.

IDBBQ / IDBAP / IDBBR = 10-Channel DSP (Unleashed)
IDBAF = 6-Channel DSP (Standard B&O)

U553 = Expedition/Navigator Platform
P702 = F-150 Platform
P708 = Super Duty Platform

Which means, according to the spreadsheet we have the following configs:
x6 = F-150 SuperCab w/ Unleashed
x7 = F-150 SuperCrew w/ Unleashed
x8 = Exp/Nav Long Wheelbase w/ Unleashed
x9 = Exp/Nav Short Wheelbase w/ Unleashed
xA = Exp/Nav Long Wheelbase w/ Unleashed
xB = Exp/Nav Short Wheelbase w/ Unleashed
xC = F-150 Hybrid w/ Unleashed
xD = Super Duty SuperCab w/ 8-Speaker
xE = Super Duty SuperCrew w/ 8-Speaker
xF = Super Duty SuperCab w/ Unleashed
"10" = Super Duty SuperCrew w/ Unleashed

According to the ForScan spreadsheet, there is no EQ setting for the B&O 8-Speaker for either SuperCabs or SuperCrew F-150s. That doesn't make sense, so I started comparing actual AsBuilts and found many are incorrect - the following seems accurate:

"04" = Super Duty SuperCab w/ 10-Speaker B&O (previous gen)
"05" = Super Duty SuperCrew w/ 10-Speaker B&O (previous gen)
"06" = F-150 SuperCab w/ Unleashed **Unconfirmed
"07" = F-150 SuperCrew w/ Unleashed
"1B" = F-150 SuperCab w/ 8-Speaker
"1C" = F-150 SuperCrew w/ 8-Speaker
"0D" = Super Duty SuperCab w/ 8-Speaker
"0E" = Super Duty SuperCrew w/ 8-Speaker
"0F" = Super Duty SuperCab w/ Unleashed **Unconfirmed
"10" = Super Duty SuperCrew w/ Unleashed

In essence, the suggestion in this thread is to use the SuperCab 8-Speaker B&O Config. I'd also be curious about "07" and "05", and maybe "04" and "06" on our SuperCrew 8-speaker trucks. It'd also be interesting if someone with the Unleashed on a SuperCrew got better results with "06" instead of "07".

 

[Ricksc]

I just changed my door speakers on the B&O system to some Kickers. That made a huge change. The stock speakers suck. My rear door speakers had a 1 inch magnet and paper speaker. Next step is dump the B&O amp.

 

[js312]

I just changed my door speakers on the B&O system to some Kickers. That made a huge change. The stock speakers suck. My rear door speakers had a 1 inch magnet and paper speaker. Next step is dump the B&O amp.

I've been tempted to buy some efficient aftermarket speakers for the doors and an inefficient one for the center.

The 8-speaker B&O has some good points, like the positioning of the tweeters. I don't have to increase the treble as much as I do on most systems to get it to sound good to my ears. While I think the low end is a step down from the previous B&O system's proper 8" sub, it's better than you'd expect out of the weird externally ported oval thing. It'd only take some minor improvements to make it pretty respectable.

 

[Ricksc]

For the couple hundred bucks for the door speakers I would do it. It’s a good place to start on improving the sound. I just wish the center speaker was not so over powering. I run my fade more to the rear and now I can actually hear the rears.

 

[js312]

Wow, I didn't expect that kind of difference out of "1B" - definitely sends more power to the subwoofer and rear speakers. I had to turn the bass down a click because the sub makes the rear window rattle now, and with it lowered it's still stronger than before.

I can confirm that the Super Duty settings and the Unleashed settings do not work. Well, technically they do but they sound like a 1980s work truck radio.

I had Spotify playing while I made the change and as soon as you hit write, you can hear the change and it's significant.

 

[js312]

I keep going back and forth on this. It seems that "1B" takes bass away from the front door speakers and adds power to the sub instead. Initially, this sounds like a win, and in quick A to B comparisons it sure sounds like it - why would you give a SuperCrew less bass when there's more cab space, right?

In listening to it more I have a theory on why Ford did this. It's very easy to tell exactly where the bass is coming from now that it's all directed to a sub that's a few feet behind me. I suspect that in a SuperCab, it blends just fine because the sub isn't so far away from all the other speakers. In a SuperCrew, I think Ford took some power away from the sub and added it to the front doors to try to get it to balance better. Right now, I'm finding it slightly annoying but I'm not sure if it's just because I'm very aware of the before/after. It sounds great at high volumes, but at low volumes I'm not sure this config works very well.

Bottom line -I'm going to have to drive with the SuperCab "1B" config for a few days to try to determine whether I like it better or worse.

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