B&O Crackling

[camoto]

Just curious to see who else with the B&O is having this issue. I am currently fighting AoA on this as it seems like there's a bit of denial about if this is a problem or not.

If you are not aware of the issue:
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads...-noises.210006
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...ackling-Issues

If you have not experienced it you are quite lucky-- but maybe you just haven't discovered it yet, and that is what I am after (trying to see if this is really an issue on all 8V B&O's):
Download this 750Hz tone and play it over an SD card, Bluetooth or AMI (USB or iPod) at volume "25" or higher
https://www.dropbox.com/s/heyawa8b59...750hz.wav?dl=0

Thanks in advance for any info you might have and any testing and reporting back you can do on your system. (Note: if you don't have B&O you shouldn't be affected).

[BlackAudi87]

I often play my music in the 24-30 rang with my B&O and have heard no crackling with any music sounds yet. I will try and look out for anything the next few times I drive and report back.

Just curious to see who else with the B&O is having this issue. I am currently fighting AoA on this as it seems like there's a bit of denial about if this is a problem or not.

If you are not aware of the issue:
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads...-noises.210006
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...ackling-Issues

If you have not experienced it you are quite lucky-- but maybe you just haven't discovered it yet, and that is what I am after (trying to see if this is really an issue on all 8V B&O's):
Download this 750Hz tone and play it over an SD card, Bluetooth or AMI (USB or iPod) at volume "25" or higher
https://www.dropbox.com/s/heyawa8b59...750hz.wav?dl=0

Thanks in advance for any info you might have and any testing and reporting back you can do on your system. (Note: if you don't have B&O you shouldn't be affected).

[gamegenie]

It's not just B&O, the Audi Sound System has the same issue as that's what I have on my A3.

I'm sure a lot of people have this issue yet some might not be aware of it as I believe the noise is not prevalent if you just listen to the Radio AM/FM/XM, or use an Audio CD.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...ackling-Issues

[Rearviewevo]

It's not just B&O, the Audi Sound System has the same issue as that's what I have on my A3.

I'm sure a lot of people have this issue yet some might not be aware of it as I believe the noise is not prevalent if you just listen to the Radio AM/FM/XM, or use an Audio CD.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...ackling-Issues

I have this issue with the B&O too. It's frustrating because I have this issue with any music type source except CDs. It's annoying as hell because after I bought my car I realized my Droid Maxx wasn't compatible with the Audi AMI cable for some reason despite my dealer telling me it was before I bought the car. This was important to me because if I was going to spend the extra money on the B&0 system I would want to take advantage of it and not just play crappy compressed music through the bluetooth or satellite radio as that would defeat the purpose. Now I'm forced to and no matter what the source, bluetooth, sd card, radio it all sounds like pure sht.

[Rearviewevo]

I have this issue with the B&O too. It's frustrating because I have this issue with any music type source except CDs. It's annoying as hell because after I bought my car I realized my Droid Maxx wasn't compatible with the Audi AMI cable for some reason despite my dealer telling me it was before I bought the car. This was important to me because if I was going to spend the extra money on the B&0 system I would want to take advantage of it and not just play crappy compressed music through the bluetooth or satellite radio as that would defeat the purpose. Now I'm forced to and no matter what the source, bluetooth, sd card, radio it all sounds like pure sht.

The tech in this car is grossly overrated in my opinion. My Mom just bought a Ford Focus and it is more advanced than the S3. The MyFord system gets bashed because people say it isn't user friendly but that is a simple product of the fact that it ACTUALLY lets you do a bunch of different things tech wise. It is light years ahead of Audis system in terms of Andriod integration and way more friendly in terms of popular apps like Spotify. She can voice search Spotify content and control and see everything on her Media display. Her Sony system sounds better than the B&O too.

Why is the "Tech" so good in the a3/S3 again? 4G? Really? Hotspot? That's all marketing.

[Rearviewevo]

Oh yea, I forgot, the tech is so good because you can take a picture and have the car navigate to the picture. I wouldn't even let my sales guy show me that when I took delivery of the car. So pointless.

C'mon, again this is marketing gimmicks. Do you actually use it?

I'd give up all these other gimmicks permanently to have prosper spotify integration for just a week.

[camoto]

I agree with all of the sentiment, but please just for tracking purposes can everyone post what MMI they have and if they have the crackling or not (and if they used the tone to test)?

Thanks!!

[Rearviewevo]

I agree with all of the sentiment, but please just for tracking purposes can everyone post what MMI they have and if they have the crackling or not (and if they used the tone to test)?

Thanks!!

My MMI is on a 2015 S3 picked up a few weeks ago. It says version MHIG_US_AU_P2014. Not sure what "tone to test" is?

[camoto]

I should have clarified. Not MMI but sound system.

In my original post there is a 75hz tone that makes the crackling extremely obvious at volumes over 25.

[BlackAudi87]

weird so many people have this issue-. Im pretty obsessed with quality of sound which is why i got this B&O and i love it I have taken it pretty high with my iPhone wirelessy and wired- wireless works as a extra amplifier and is louder and still have no issues.


I would take my car in right away if it had this issue and If I heard it the dealership would and they would fix it. I would highly recommend you take it in also- if they don't replace it they must think you are hearing things.

I should have clarified. Not MMI but sound system.

In my original post there is a 75hz tone that makes the crackling extremely obvious at volumes over 25.

[KingoftheWok]

I have this issue as well. The vwvortex thread was created by me. I don't typically listen to music past vol 25 so this problem has taken a backseat at the moment. I will be taking my car in for its first service very soon and will be bringing it up with the dealer. I have been reluctant since the dealerships don't seem to be much help either. I don't want them to start taking stuff apart if they don't actually have a fix for it.

My research of the results of other people's experience is that the MMI head unit is the culprit.

[camoto]

I don't want them to start taking stuff apart if they don't actually have a fix for it.

This is exactly how I feel. However it doesn't seem like problem identification is forthcoming.

My research of the results of other people's experience is that the MMI head unit is the culprit.

What makes you think this?

[KingoftheWok]

If you search and read through the audi-sport thread, there are a few members who had their MMI unit replaced and either the problem went away or it was minimized.

[Rearviewevo]

If you search and read through the audi-sport thread, there are a few members who had their MMI unit replaced and either the problem went away or it was minimized.

I should also say that my audio stops working every once in a while as well- maybe 5% of the time. Bluetooth voice commands, any type of media/music and navigation audio are all affected. Turning the car off/on doesn't seem to have any impact or improve the situation when this happens. The audio just seems to come back when it's ready to come back.

I saw somewhere on one of these forums that someone was having a similar issue. I'm not sure it's related to the cracking but it may be.

I'm at fault for not taking it to the dealership and just complaining about it but my experiences with things like these and dealerships has never been good. Usually results in more issues down the line.

I may try resetting the MMI and hoping for the best.

[KingoftheWok]

I should also say that my audio stops working every once in a while as well- maybe 5% of the time. Bluetooth voice commands, any type of media/music and navigation audio are all affected. Turning the car off/on doesn't seem to have any impact or improve the situation when this happens. The audio just seems to come back when it's ready to come back.

I saw somewhere on one of these forums that someone was having a similar issue. I'm not sure it's related to the cracking but it may be.

I'm at fault for not taking it to the dealership and just complaining about it but my experiences with things like these and dealerships has never been good. Usually results in more issues down the line.

I may try resetting the MMI and hoping for the best.

I'm very against the dealership taking apart anything then absolutely necessary. My experience with any dealerships has never been good. I will bring it up with the dealership so that they are aware and at least note it on my file but I might not have them do anything until it either gets worse or if someone has success in isolating the problem.

[camoto]

I might be making some progress but it's slow going. I'll provide updates as they become available.

[camoto]

A new revision amplifier has been ordered for my car. I will update when it gets installed if this was the fix.

[slo_s3]

subscribed to see what happens. Mine has horrible crackling in the back, sounds like it's coming from the rear deck but i'm not 100% certain. I have B&O with the MMI Navigation & Audi connect setup. Happens around the volume u stated as well.

[KingoftheWok]

Subbed for the results.

[Rearviewevo]

A new revision amplifier has been ordered for my car. I will update when it gets installed if this was the fix.

Any updates on the amplifier? Do you have a work order or something I can reference for when I take my car in? I'd like to avoid the "your crazy, nothing's wrong" back and forth bs that comes with something like this at the dealership. If you have made progress I'd like to reference your situation.

[camoto]

Any updates on the amplifier? Do you have a work order or something I can reference for when I take my car in? I'd like to avoid the "your crazy, nothing's wrong" back and forth bs that comes with something like this at the dealership. If you have made progress I'd like to reference your situation.

Amplifier is still on back order. I will update once the work has been completed. No I don't have a work order. Download the tone that I linked above and put it on an SD card and play it for your service advisor over volume 25 and there won't be any doubt about the noise.

[slo_s3]

Hope to hear about your outcome soon. Took mine in Saturday and they said it's the rear deck rattling and didn't seem like there was anything that can be done about it

[Rearviewevo]

Amplifier is still on back order. I will update once the work has been completed. No I don't have a work order. Download the tone that I linked above and put it on an SD card and play it for your service advisor over volume 25 and there won't be any doubt about the noise.

I downloaded the 750hz and that's definitely it! Do you know where I can download other tones that don't have this issue to prove it is something specific to the B&O and not just my phone, the data file, etc....

[camoto]

I downloaded the 750hz and that's definitely it! Do you know where I can download other tones that don't have this issue to prove it is something specific to the B&O and not just my phone, the data file, etc....

You can find songs that start with piano or guitar with no other accompaniment, but that will not be as obvious. Tell them to take the SD card out and play it in another (not A3/S3) car if they don't believe you.

[slo_s3]

I downloaded the 750hz and that's definitely it! Do you know where I can download other tones that don't have this issue to prove it is something specific to the B&O and not just my phone, the data file, etc....

Kid Cudi day n nite was the song I told them to play lol, I was looking for test songs n that one did it

[Rearviewevo]

Kid Cudi day n nite was the song I told them to play lol, I was looking for test songs n that one did it

Great, thank you both for all your help with this!

[BlackAudi87]

Well I can honestly say I am a fan of Kid Cudi and have listened to his album a few times now and just listened to to the entire empire cast and new lil wayne sorry for the wait 2 and kept it at around 30 for most to see if i could hear anything and it was crystal clear for me.

Im curious if the amplifier fixes it for camoto

Kid Cudi day n nite was the song I told them to play lol, I was looking for test songs n that one did it

[slo_s3]

Well I can honestly say I am a fan of Kid Cudi and have listened to his album a few times now and just listened to to the entire empire cast and new lil wayne sorry for the wait 2 and kept it at around 30 for most to see if i could hear anything and it was crystal clear for me.

Im curious if the amplifier fixes it for camoto

That is very strange. What are your settings in B&O? Did you play it from an ipod, bluetooth or cd etc. It feels like there's so many different factors that can apply in to make this happen, it's weird. I'll try to get a video of mine and see if you can hear the rattle

[camoto]

That is very strange. What are your settings in B&O? Did you play it from an ipod, bluetooth or cd etc. It feels like there's so many different factors that can apply in to make this happen, it's weird. I'll try to get a video of mine and see if you can hear the rattle

The crackling is not a rattle at all. It's the same kind of sound a record player makes and it's like digital clipping. It comes from ALL speakers. It happens on any AMI source but not noticeable for me using radio.

[slo_s3]

The crackling is not a rattle at all. It's the same kind of sound a record player makes and it's like digital clipping. It comes from ALL speakers. It happens on any AMI source but not noticeable for me using radio.

ah so you're definitely in a different situation than I am. I just get what sounds like a blown out speaker in the back

[Spoonie]

My drivers side door speaker appears to be making some kind of noise during certain songs at high-volumes. Not sure what it is but it doesn't get any louder as I turn up the volume (can pretty much mute it out). If it gets worse I'll have them take a look at it. But to be honest I'm surprised I haven't blown anything yet. I've cranked it up to ungodly levels.

[Rearviewevo]

Yea I'm not talking about rattling in the car. It's a buzzing/crackling static type sound that comes through the speakers. I can hear it at any volume, it's just easier to hear when the volume is 20+. Be happy if you don't have it. I've resorted to listening to talk radio it's so frustrating. I guess I can take out my old cd booklet from the 90s and rock it but that just may piss me off more. Man isn't the tech on this car amazing!!!! I set up a service apt for next week. I still get overt he fact that my droid maxx isn't compatible with the ami and the bluetooth and sd cards sound like crap. I'm sure happy I paid up for the B&O. Waste.

[gamegenie]

Guys this is a sign that there is an audio problem with our sound system and the source might be the MMI device itself as it's not just Bang and Olufsen sound system that get this issue, the Audi Sound System gets it too.

I've had it for a couple months now, only had my car for 3 months, and just yesterday as I started up the car, the sound is now just emitting from the center speaker. No more crackling, I presume this is the end-result of the occasional crackling-pop-hissing sounds I've been just living with that showing that what ever was producing this noise has given out completely.

[Spoonie]

bluetooth and sd cards sound like crap. I'm sure happy I paid up for the B&O. Waste.

I love my B&O, It cranks out the tunes and has a dynamic range. Streaming (bluetooth) doesn't sound so good but I'm going to have to disagree with you in regards to SD cards. The music that I play from my SD card sounds great.

[Rearviewevo]

I love my B&O, It cranks out the tunes and has a dynamic range. Streaming (bluetooth) doesn't sound so good but I'm going to have to disagree with you in regards to SD cards. The music that I play from my SD card sounds great.

I'm not saying the Bluetooth sounds terrible because of the typical compression issues that make all Bluetooth systems sounds inferior to other formats. I'm saying the Bluetooth sounds terrible because there is something seriously wrong with my MMI system. If you had the issue you would know, trust me. It almost sounds like distortion from a really crappy pair of speakers that are cranked up too loud. But it comes at all volumes. Some people seem to have it and others don't. It is also an issue with SD cards.

[Rearviewevo]

It's not the speakers because they play cds beautifully. It's something in the MMI itself that isn't reading the media formats properly.

[gamegenie]

Well instead of CDs, I used DVDs and they do not play beautifully since this crackling noise started. A few days ago both the left and right speakers stop working. Now sound comes out of the center speaker only. The DVDs/XM-Radio/SD toggling doesn't do a thing. Even the Balancing doesn't do a thing. I'll need to take it in. I'll have to take it soon regardless because my 5k is coming up.

[MosFed]

Do you have Audi Lane assist or anything else that uses radio waves? I could see that causing a ton of interference, depending on the strength and frequency/amplitude of the wave.

[gamegenie]

Yeah, but those aren't active all the time, the Active Lane assist is only used when on the highways.

From the start up of the car when its parked the sound starts out poor. Didn't start out this way, it just gradually degraded to now I don't hear the hiss/pops/crackling anymore (seldomly), I just hear only the center speaker only outputting sound.

[MosFed]

All the noises you're describing sounds like radio interference, but that's just me. I'll have my car in a couple weeks, so I guess I'll see so for myself here soon.