Sound system controls - MY22 (Google AAOS) XC60

[LRS]

Looking at a MY22 (Sensus) XC40 Inscription with the “entry level” sound system today, it has a great touchscreen LR Balance and FR Fader control as well as an equalizer.

Where is this same minimum functionality in my MY22 (Google AAOS) XC60 Inscription “entry level” sound system??? Even my entry level KIA Picanto has a Balance and Fader control!

I am beginning to feel like I’ve been taken as a mug by Volvo…

• Sensus = Great
• Google AAOS = Con Job

I think a major software update is the very least Volvo needs to do for its swindled (Google AAOS) XC60 customers!

[My22xc60]

Totally agree: there’s a distinct lack of basic functionality for the sound system’s settings.

In mine, it appears very much front-biased in that when I switch off the front speakers - as switching off front/rear is the only option - the rear audio is sadly lacking and barely audible. No way to adjust, either, so fingers crossed for some magical update in the not-too-distant future. One can but dream!!

[LRS]

Originally Posted by My22xc60

Totally agree: there’s a distinct lack of basic functionality for the sound system’s settings.

In mine, it appears very much front-biased in that when I switch off the front speakers - as switching off front/rear is the only option - the rear audio is sadly lacking and barely audible. No way to adjust, either, so fingers crossed for some magical update in the not-too-distant future. One can but dream!!

Interesting that this is not only me with this situation.

I have written to Volvo UK today about this, as not having this most basic of adjustments is unacceptable for a car of this value.

The MY21 XC60s had this adjustment in the basic level audio system: (there was even an equalizer!)

High Performance (this is the entry-level audio)

• Tone – settings for bass, treble, equalizer, etc.
• Balance – balance between right/left loudspeakers and balance between front/rear loudspeakers.
• System Volumes – adjusts volume in the various systems of the car, e.g. Voice Control, Park Assist and Phone Ringtone.

(Premium Sound (Bowers & Wilkins) and High Performance Pro (Harman Kardon), were the extra cost upgrades)

Does your Sound settings page screen look the same as mine below?

Many thanks

Sound Settings - Copy.jpg

[nu11eaf]

I do not have a google system but wondered if keeping your finger pressed on the speaker icon opens a sub menu like it does on my tablet app icons. Worth trying.

[LRS]

Originally Posted by nu11eaf

I do not have a google system but wondered if keeping your finger pressed on the speaker icon opens a sub menu like it does on my tablet app icons. Worth trying.

Just tried as you suggested and sadly – nothing. Pressing the speaker icons just cycles the speakers as being ether fully Off or fully On. I also tried swiping the screen left/right, up/down – nothing.

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What is really weird and unfortunately, I have no evidence of this, but I could have sworn that when I first got the car in Nov 21, the Sound settings page had more adjustments – you could press your finger on the seats picture and it would turn the seat Red on the display, which I think adjusted the sound for a specific seating position in the car. Or was I just dreaming this?

If I’m correct in my recollection, then it looks as if the latest V1.8 software update has broken the Sound adjustment options and this may be the reason for the V1.8.1 minor revision update that some people have reported having on their cars?

The only quick way to confirm this is doing a poll of those people with ‘Inscriptions’ with the ‘standard’ audio, on V1.8 and V1.8.1 and see how their Sound settings page screen behaves.

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It will be interesting to know what Volvo UK have to say.

Thanks for your help

[RandolphC]

just checked my car which has update 1.8.1
the sound system gives speaker choices for all 4 seats, surround sound, bass, treble and sub woofer settings. It has always had these settings and is a HK system.

[LRS]

Originally Posted by RandolphC

just checked my car which has update 1.8.1
the sound system gives speaker choices for all 4 seats, surround sound, bass, treble and sub woofer settings. It has always had these settings and is a HK system.

The HK is a cost option upgrade audio system, so unfortunately not comparable to my entry level system.

What is completely annoying is that the MY22 online manual for cars with AAOS Google Infotainment, does not spell out what each audio specification level adjustments are available, unlike the MY21 online manual for cars with Sensus, which does spell it out!

For example:

Audio Info - Sensus vs AAOS Google.jpg

(Sensus = Proper Job) as opposed to (AAOS Google = Con Job)

[WhatNext?]

Anyone tried voice control?

just a thought

[LRS]

Originally Posted by WhatNext?

Anyone tried voice control?

just a thought

I’ll give that a try tomorrow. Any proven suggestions for the voice command syntax for this?

• Hey Google, adjust balance
• Hey Google adjust fader

If this works it would prove that the operating system has the coding to do it and it’s just the display interface coding which is broken.

[cliffharris]

Agree with all your comments that new system is trash.
I had a 2018 XC60 with basic sound system and had all the controls including an equaliser; now bass & treble like a 1970's stereo!!!!!!

I'm also not impressed that my I-Pod (yes I still use one) is connected only via Bluetooth, why?
The 2018 model connected via the USB and sounded good. I still have I-Pod connected with the new strange USB ports permanently for charging, so I'd prefer it worked like the old model not Bluetooth.

So many other gripes compared to my 2018 XC60 Momentum Pro; I regret getting a 2022 model.
Could be my very last Volvo !!