2025 Bronco ‘Upgraded’ B&O Audio System, Detailed Review (by retired music industry guy)

[HalfmuleFarmer]

Just another person commenting on a thread that they DID NOT read! I have been into HiFi since I was a teenager. We used to go to HiFi Stores in Dallas. Auditioned some incredible systems. The one that sticks in my mind was top of the line B&W 800 series driven by Mark Levinson mono block amps. The speaker wire looked like a fire hose. Blew my mind. Close your eyes and you would swear a live band was on the stage. That system was way north of 100K. My dream these days is to hear a set of Magico M9's. Oh and great write up on the 2025 B&O system by the way. That painted modular hard top has me really considering trading in my 21.

I worry with the super high-end home systems that you’re left with listening to two or three dozen discs that actually live up to the system’s detail, and all that music you loved as a kid now is revealed to be garbage. I can dig classic Jazz, Steely Dan and the occasional contemporary classical recording of the symphony, but I’m not sure that’s all I want to think sounds great coming out of my speakers. The better the system the better the original recording has to be!

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[HalfmuleFarmer]

Y’know, that’s a great question. Having not previously owned a Bronco, there’s no way for me to really know what a non-enhanced vehicle sounds like. The Bronc is louder in general than my previously very quiet MBZ GLK, but I don’t notice the engine or compartment noise as problematic. It’s a truck. I’m not expecting a luxury sedan experience. The Benz would suck on the dirt.

 

[MKZoom]

I worry with the super high-end home systems that you’re left with listening to two or three dozen discs that actually live up to the system’s detail, and all that music you loved as a kid now is revealed to be garbage. I can dig classic Jazz, Steely Dan and the occasional contemporary classical recording of the symphony, but I’m not sure that’s all I want to think sounds great coming out of my speakers. The better the system the better the original recording has to be!

I have some fairly high end audio equipment. While its true that great recordings are elevated even more with a great system. I can't think of any recordings that are ruined for me with the better system. I have plenty of stuff from all genres and a really good system excels with basically any half decent recording.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

I don’t hear added or enhanced engine sounds at this time. I don’t notice that the engine sounds different with the audio system on vs off, but that probably doesn’t make a difference if Ford is pumping an engine sound tweak through the speakers. The 2.3L Ecoboost engine is *also* new in the MY2025 Bronco. It’s a new engine sound for me, period, so hard to say. Do I find it interfering with the music? No, not really. It’s a truck.

 

[mpeugeot]

After listening to the 2025 B&O system, it seems significantly different (and better) when it comes to the surround sound mode in the 2021 B&O system. It still sounds like hammered dogshit (an industry technical term, I'm told) in stereo mode just like the 2021 did.

But the sound is very different from the B&O that was delivered in my 2021 Bronco when surround sound was selected.

For reference, we played tracks from the same device in both vehicles. I will leave it to @HalfmuleFarmer to describe the differences between his 2025 B&O vs my amateur hour install of the MoBridge on my 2021 Bronco.

No Broncos were hurt in this experiment and it's also important to note that both Broncos were 2 door lux package Carbonized Gray Broncos... as the color may play a significant role in determining who won.

All in all, it was a really great opportunity to meet @HalfmuleFarmer and to see a 2025 B&O system in person.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

After listening to the 2025 B&O system, it seems significantly different (and better) when it comes to the surround sound mode in the 2021 B&O system. It still sounds like hammered dogshit (an industry technical term, I'm told) in stereo mode just like the 2021 did.

But the sound is very different from the B&O that was delivered in my 2021 Bronco when surround sound was selected.

For reference, we played tracks from the same device in both vehicles. I will leave it to @HalfmuleFarmer to describe the differences between his 2025 B&O vs my amateur hour install of the MoBridge on my 2021 Bronco.

No Broncos were hurt in this experiment and it's also important to note that both Broncos were 2 door lux package Carbonized Gray Broncos... as the color may play a significant role in determining who won.

All in all, it was a really great opportunity to meet @HalfmuleFarmer and to see a 2025 B&O system in person.

Super fun to meet a forum personality IRL, and good to put a set of ears that was familiar with the earlier systems onto the 2025 B&O setup. As @mpeugeot mentions, the ‘SURROUND’ setting in the 2025 seems to be doing a lot of the heavy lifting that’s improving the sound significantly. It’s almost like ‘STEREO’ seems EQ’d for podcasts or audiobooks it’s so flat in comparison.

Both systems (mine, the 2025 B&O upgraded 12-speaker setup) and @mpeugeot’s aftermarket MoBridge sounded good at 18-20 volumes. We played classic rock, current post-punk, some country, some hip hop, even prog. What’s clear is that the aftermarket setup wins hands down at volume. The MoBridge system has a LOT of power and impressive fidelity at the top end of almost hearing damage range. At lower medium volumes, the B&O offering held its own, and it’s nice to hear that confirmed by a forum guy who’s had a 21 and a 23 Bronco and suffered through the previous OEM systems.

@mpeugeot is also a super nice, cool, smart engineer, vet, renaissance man, so it was cool to hang out. But he’s driving from Utah to Texas on crap sleep for the next 24 or so hours so watch out!

 

[hilmerdm]

Super fun to meet a forum personality IRL, and good to put a set of ears that was familiar with the earlier systems onto the 2025 B&O setup. As @mpeugeot mentions, the ‘SURROUND’ setting in the 2025 seems to be doing a lot of the heavy lifting that’s improving the sound significantly. It’s almost like ‘STEREO’ seems EQ’d for podcasts or audiobooks it’s so flat in comparison.

Both systems (mine, the 2025 B&O upgraded 12-speaker setup) and @mpeugeot’s aftermarket MoBridge sounded good at 18-20 volumes. We played classic rock, current post-punk, some country, some hip hop, even prog. What’s clear is that the aftermarket setup wins hands down at volume. The MoBridge system has a LOT of power and impressive fidelity at the top end of almost hearing damage range. At lower medium volumes, the B&O offering held its own, and it’s nice to hear that confirmed by a forum guy who’s had a 21 and a 23 Bronco and suffered through the previous OEM systems.

@mpeugeot is also a super nice, cool, smart engineer, vet, renaissance man, so it was cool to hang out. But he’s driving from Utah to Texas on crap sleep for the next 24 or so hours so watch out!

Great write-up guys! Glad to hear my mObridge stacks up well against the '25 B&O...it performed excellently this weekend with the top off - sounded great! Now, @mpeugeot - did you ever post the mObridge tuning video?

 

[Murraydog11]

I worry with the super high-end home systems that you’re left with listening to two or three dozen discs that actually live up to the system’s detail, and all that music you loved as a kid now is revealed to be garbage. I can dig classic Jazz, Steely Dan and the occasional contemporary classical recording of the symphony, but I’m not sure that’s all I want to think sounds great coming out of my speakers. The better the system the better the original recording has to be!

Not necessarily...A really good system can also reveal a lot more warts. Not all recordings are recorded well.

 

[mpeugeot]

Not necessarily...A really good system can also reveal a lot more warts. Not all recordings are recorded well.

We had a great mix of recordings that we used. The new B&O system has a depth and clarity unheard of in my previous experience with the 2021 B&O system, but only in the surround setting. It's reproduction was surprisingly accurate and we threw some challenging recordings at both systems.

Also, my ability at tuning the system is lacking. I had too much bias to the front soundstage and the bass needs a little more tuning. What I do have dialed in are the bandpass filters, which really helps the clarity.

All in all, the MoBridge amp and my speakers represented a $2000 upgrade over the factory system. It is far more capable than I am.

 

[mweatherford20]

2025 Outerbanks Lux- B&O
I was searching and searching for information on this topic. Forscan? looks like this is not needed. I was wanting to upgrade the rear sub first with the Kicker (4ohm) 48CWR84 just to have a better made sub and hopefully at higher volume would get rid of sub clap (which with big bass songs, sound horrible. ex Big Poppa by the Notorious B.I.G.) and then if that helped I was going to change out the rear pods probably with the Mabett 6.5" with kicker speakers.

Would any of this help with the '25 B&O system? I do not want to throw money away obviously and I do not plan to change out the amp. ($$wife says no)

Also, on the other side I guess I do not want to add to my 55 year old diminished hearing

Any tips or tricks on this topic would be so very helpful... Reading through these threads can be pretty rough due to advice running off topic.

I do realize that there are some extremely smart and helpful professionals on here and your advice and wisdom are greatly appreciated.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

2025 Outerbanks Lux- B&O
I was searching and searching for information on this topic. Forscan? looks like this is not needed. I was wanting to upgrade the rear sub first with the Kicker (4ohm) 48CWR84 just to have a better made sub and hopefully at higher volume would get rid of sub clap (which with big bass songs, sound horrible. ex Big Poppa by the Notorious B.I.G.) and then if that helped I was going to change out the rear pods probably with the Mabett 6.5" with kicker speakers.

Would any of this help with the '25 B&O system? I do not want to throw money away obviously and I do not plan to change out the amp. ($$wife says no)

Also, on the other side I guess I do not want to add to my 55 year old diminished hearing

Any tips or tricks on this topic would be so very helpful... Reading through these threads can be pretty rough due to advice running off topic.

I do realize that there are some extremely smart and helpful professionals on here and your advice and wisdom are greatly appreciated.

A lot depends on your needs. As I argued in the original post, the 2025 ‘upgraded’ B&O system is, in this former pro’s opinion, not bad. It’s not loud, but do you need it loud? If you’re looking for a concert sound experience with the top off then you’re not going to be happy. If you’re looking to shake someone’s fenders in the next lane at the stoplight, you’re gonna need to go aftermarket. If you’re middle-aged, listen to classic rock, 80s and well-produced contemporary music, then maybe it’s fine as is. It’s good for me anyway, because it’s a CAR audio system and my expectations are reasonable and moderate. My $10K stereo is at home.

PS: I have a 2-door, with rear seats always folded flat, and I’m thinking that makes the sound-space different enough from the 4-door to be noticeable. Your results may vary!

 

[MKZoom]

If the Subwoofer is making noise it might be blown, would reccomend taking it to the dealer for a swap.

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