Sound System Upgrade

Paul75 · Mar 3rd, 2013, 12:02

Guys I have the 2011 V60 R-Design with standard stereo. I find this really poor compared to the premium version (mainly because the bass distorts so easily). My question is, can I upgrade just the speakers or would I need to do an amp as well? If it's just the speakers then that't pretty straight forward. Any help much appreciated....

TobyAnscombe · Mar 3rd, 2013, 18:28

Also interested so will be watching with interest....

Kiwi Volvo · Mar 5th, 2013, 07:18

I have a 2010 XC60 with a standard stereo but would assume the systems are the same or similar to yours.

Try the bass/EQ settings.

I'm an ex sound technician and fairly critical when it comes to hifi's etc but I find my system to be a pretty good performer once the all the settings are set to flat. Any tweaking should be just that; a tweak (ie a minor adjustment).

As with any sound system, introducing massive amounts of audio adjustments just results in distortion.

jpatrick · Mar 7th, 2013, 15:43

I have recently gone from a 2008 model year XC70 SE Sport with Premium Dynaudio sound to a 2012 model year XC70 SE Lux with only High Performance Multimedia.

I found the new car's audio to be harsh in comparison and lacking in bass. I've recently had a Rainbow underseat subwoofer fitted for £300 and it's made a significant improvement to the sound quality- it's now far richer. Unfortunately the High Performance audio doesn't have a line level output for the sub so it wasn't possible to fit an OEM unit in the boot. The only issue was that there isn't as much room as you'd expect under the front passenger seat, and so the edge of the rear carpet mat doesn't sit completely flat. However, it's a price worth paying in my opinion.

Rawas · Mar 8th, 2013, 10:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul75

Guys I have the 2011 V60 R-Design with standard stereo. I find this really poor compared to the premium version (mainly because the bass distorts so easily). My question is, can I upgrade just the speakers or would I need to do an amp as well? If it's just the speakers then that't pretty straight forward. Any help much appreciated....

Preferably you should upgrade both the amp and the speakers,but having no idea what is the fitted amp on your V60, if it is a high end one then you can
upgrade the speakers only.
Like what jpatrick mentioned, the Dynaudio speakers are among the best if not the best speakers in the market today, kind of expensive but worth every single penny spent.

r-designbob · Mar 8th, 2013, 12:52

This subject is typically horses for courses IMO.
When I was looking for my home surround system I went to numerous hi-fi shops etc to listen to speakers that had rave reviews from mags such as What Hi-Fi, and I didn't agree with many af the reviews. I did eventually get a system which I had to amputate my arm & leg to get

Anyway...I have the High performance (mid range) system in my 2011 XC60 and am more than happy with it. Yes I did listen (in my test drive) to the Premium sound, and yes it was very good, but did not justify the Higher price IMO.
Have to add I'm not a Boom boom driver...lOL

Rawas · Mar 8th, 2013, 14:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by r-designbob

This subject is typically horses for courses IMO.
When I was looking for my home surround system I went to numerous hi-fi shops etc to listen to speakers that had rave reviews from mags such as What Hi-Fi, and I didn't agree with many af the reviews. I did eventually get a system which I had to amputate my arm & leg to get

Anyway...I have the High performance (mid range) system in my 2011 XC60 and am more than happy with it. Yes I did listen (in my test drive) to the Premium sound, and yes it was very good, but did not justify the Higher price IMO.
Have to add I'm not a Boom boom driver...lOL

Well, you really do not have to be a boom boom driver to enjoy good quality sound system. May I ask you here what system did you buy at home?

r-designbob · Mar 8th, 2013, 17:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rawas

Well, you really do not have to be a boom boom driver to enjoy good quality sound system. May I ask you here what system did you buy at home?

No I realise that, was just a bit of tongue in cheek

Must admit Though.. I do have it up loud sometimes

I bought the pioneer LX-82 Receiver and a Monitor Audio RX12 surround system.
It was given a 5 star review, and it's nice to know it was well received, but I was actually looking at other speakers until the sales guy put this lot on and then I was sold. I'm now hopping on one leg...LOL

Mar 3rd, 2013, 12:02	#1
Paul75 New Member Last Online: May 12th, 2013 18:58 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hove	Sound System Upgrade Guys I have the 2011 V60 R-Design with standard stereo. I find this really poor compared to the premium version (mainly because the bass distorts so easily). My question is, can I upgrade just the speakers or would I need to do an amp as well? If it's just the speakers then that't pretty straight forward. Any help much appreciated....

Mar 5th, 2013, 07:18	#3
Kiwi Volvo Junior Member Last Online: Aug 4th, 2018 17:13 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Christchurch	I have a 2010 XC60 with a standard stereo but would assume the systems are the same or similar to yours. Try the bass/EQ settings. I'm an ex sound technician and fairly critical when it comes to hifi's etc but I find my system to be a pretty good performer once the all the settings are set to flat. Any tweaking should be just that; a tweak (ie a minor adjustment). As with any sound system, introducing massive amounts of audio adjustments just results in distortion. __________________ 2010 XC60 auto D5 R-design Passion Red

Mar 8th, 2013, 12:52	#6
r-designbob Premier Member Last Online: Nov 2nd, 2016 11:42 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: portsmouth	This subject is typically horses for courses IMO. When I was looking for my home surround system I went to numerous hi-fi shops etc to listen to speakers that had rave reviews from mags such as What Hi-Fi, and I didn't agree with many af the reviews. I did eventually get a system which I had to amputate my arm & leg to get Anyway...I have the High performance (mid range) system in my 2011 XC60 and am more than happy with it. Yes I did listen (in my test drive) to the Premium sound, and yes it was very good, but did not justify the Higher price IMO. Have to add I'm not a Boom boom driver...lOL __________________ XC60 D3 R-Design- geartronic Sapphire black/ beige interior - Panoramic roof- Tinted rear screen Money can't buy you happiness but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery..

Mar 3rd, 2013, 18:28	#2
TobyAnscombe Junior Member Last Online: Apr 3rd, 2024 08:56 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Weald	Also interested so will be watching with interest....

Mar 7th, 2013, 15:43	#4
jpatrick New Member Last Online: Jul 12th, 2020 19:24 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cheshre	I have recently gone from a 2008 model year XC70 SE Sport with Premium Dynaudio sound to a 2012 model year XC70 SE Lux with only High Performance Multimedia. I found the new car's audio to be harsh in comparison and lacking in bass. I've recently had a Rainbow underseat subwoofer fitted for £300 and it's made a significant improvement to the sound quality- it's now far richer. Unfortunately the High Performance audio doesn't have a line level output for the sub so it wasn't possible to fit an OEM unit in the boot. The only issue was that there isn't as much room as you'd expect under the front passenger seat, and so the edge of the rear carpet mat doesn't sit completely flat. However, it's a price worth paying in my opinion.

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