Stereo/DVD: - Aftermarket Stereo installation

daveclose · Apr 4th, 2017, 19:38

We all know the factory audio systems in Volvos are incredible, but unfortunately the head units never stand the test of time due to technology advancements. The car had a built in FM transmitter with Ipod connectivity when I bought it, but for me, the sound quality was intolerable! it's because of this i've just installed an Alpine ILX-700 Head unit into a 2005 S80 just so I can use apple car play.

The problem is it sounds awful! I have a hard time believing it's the problem of the head unit - Unless it's someform of equalising that the factory head unit used to do. I have a hard time believing its wiring because I've studied all the wiring diagrams available and it seems to be wired up correctly. I've even tried bypassing the factory amp using the hidden bypass harness behind the dash and it sounds the same as using the amp.

The sound isn't as deep as it used to be, it's lacking any bass, the sound concentration sounds like its coming from the front of the car rather than the 360 sound of the factory unit. it's also lacking the separation that it used to have and the high treble.

Has anybody had this problem??? any suggestions would be welcome.

Simon Jones · Apr 4th, 2017, 19:41

I removed £500 worth of Pioneer stereo before I sold the car and the original HU850 totally outperformed it. Are you running the speakers off the HU or have you managed to keep the original amp?

daveclose · Apr 4th, 2017, 20:35

Ouch, that doesn't sound hopeful! It was an Hu-850 that came out of the car. I've kept the factory amp, i'm using one of these cables similar to this one

You'd think it was the amp that had the quality components rather than the head unit itself :/

VivaLaVolvo · Apr 4th, 2017, 21:43

My amp had a loose connection the other week and music was only coming from the centre speaker. I couldn't figure out what was different until I messed about with the balance and fader dials and realised it was only the front centre speaker was working.

Loose connection "un-loosened" and problem solved - amazind Dolby Surround Sound is back.

The original HU stereos are pretty much unbeatable!

I have a Grom unit for sale in the sales section which allows Bluetooth connectivity to HU stereos is you decide to revert back to the original stereo.

daveclose · Apr 4th, 2017, 22:09

It's definitely not a loose connection.

I'm half considering outputting the sound from my new head unit though an aux input of the factory unit and then out to the amp, then just hiding the factory head unit in the rear someplace permanently stuck on aux input.

It's just crazy!

Missing Lincs · Apr 5th, 2017, 05:52

Hi daveclose

I'm using a Pioneer HU with original Volvo speakers and the sound is great.

Have you got the sub output enabled in your Alpine? I have an Alpine in another vehicle which has a sub fitted. When enabled, the Alpine filters out lower frequencies from the main speakers and sends them to the sub output. This works great if you have a sub fitted but not so good if you don't!

spudd · Apr 5th, 2017, 07:00

My hu850 has died what would be a good replacement. £250 + for a 2nd hand unit is ridiculous.
sorry for the hijack.

VivaLaVolvo · Apr 5th, 2017, 08:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by spudd

My hu850 has died what would be a good replacement. £250 + for a 2nd hand unit is ridiculous.
sorry for the hijack.

There's a user on here by the name of Marcel. He may be able to help. Website below. They used to be in Suffolk but their website suggests they've moved to Essex

Anyway, website below. Do a search for Marcel to find more by him. They can probably repair your existng radio for a lot less than replacement.

http://www.centralservicescaraudio.co.uk

jasmith44 · Apr 5th, 2017, 09:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by VivaLaVolvo

There's a user on here by the name of Marcel. He may be able to help. Website below. They used to be in Suffolk but their website suggests they've moved to Essex

Anyway, website below. Do a search for Marcel to find more by him. They can probably repair your existng radio for a lot less than replacement.

http://www.centralservicescaraudio.co.uk

They quoted me £300+ for my HU850 cd player repair.Needless to say I didn't take them up on it.

VivaLaVolvo · Apr 5th, 2017, 11:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasmith44

They quoted me £300+ for my HU850 cd player repair.Needless to say I didn't take them up on it.

😲 £300! A mate was
Quoted £85 which I thought was reasonable. I guess it depends on what the issue is.

Apr 4th, 2017, 19:38	#1
daveclose Junior Member Last Online: May 15th, 2023 22:34 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Cambridgeshire	Aftermarket Stereo installation We all know the factory audio systems in Volvos are incredible, but unfortunately the head units never stand the test of time due to technology advancements. The car had a built in FM transmitter with Ipod connectivity when I bought it, but for me, the sound quality was intolerable! it's because of this i've just installed an Alpine ILX-700 Head unit into a 2005 S80 just so I can use apple car play. The problem is it sounds awful! I have a hard time believing it's the problem of the head unit - Unless it's someform of equalising that the factory head unit used to do. I have a hard time believing its wiring because I've studied all the wiring diagrams available and it seems to be wired up correctly. I've even tried bypassing the factory amp using the hidden bypass harness behind the dash and it sounds the same as using the amp. The sound isn't as deep as it used to be, it's lacking any bass, the sound concentration sounds like its coming from the front of the car rather than the 360 sound of the factory unit. it's also lacking the separation that it used to have and the high treble. Has anybody had this problem??? any suggestions would be welcome.

Apr 5th, 2017, 07:00	#7
spudd Master Member Last Online: May 2nd, 2024 06:43 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: LEICESTERSHIRE	My hu850 has died what would be a good replacement. £250 + for a 2nd hand unit is ridiculous. sorry for the hijack. __________________ XC 90 SE LUX 2014.

Apr 4th, 2017, 19:41	#2
Simon Jones Premier Member Last Online: Jan 15th, 2022 11:23 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Salisbury (ish)	I removed £500 worth of Pioneer stereo before I sold the car and the original HU850 totally outperformed it. Are you running the speakers off the HU or have you managed to keep the original amp?

Apr 4th, 2017, 20:35	#3
daveclose Junior Member Last Online: May 15th, 2023 22:34 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Cambridgeshire	Ouch, that doesn't sound hopeful! It was an Hu-850 that came out of the car. I've kept the factory amp, i'm using one of these cables similar to this one You'd think it was the amp that had the quality components rather than the head unit itself :/

Apr 4th, 2017, 21:43	#4
VivaLaVolvo Senior Member Last Online: Feb 27th, 2020 08:18 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Cheshire	My amp had a loose connection the other week and music was only coming from the centre speaker. I couldn't figure out what was different until I messed about with the balance and fader dials and realised it was only the front centre speaker was working. Loose connection "un-loosened" and problem solved - amazind Dolby Surround Sound is back. The original HU stereos are pretty much unbeatable! I have a Grom unit for sale in the sales section which allows Bluetooth connectivity to HU stereos is you decide to revert back to the original stereo.

Apr 4th, 2017, 22:09	#5
daveclose Junior Member Last Online: May 15th, 2023 22:34 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Cambridgeshire	It's definitely not a loose connection. I'm half considering outputting the sound from my new head unit though an aux input of the factory unit and then out to the amp, then just hiding the factory head unit in the rear someplace permanently stuck on aux input. It's just crazy!

Apr 5th, 2017, 05:52	#6
Missing Lincs Premier Member Last Online: May 25th, 2024 11:39 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Louth	Hi daveclose I'm using a Pioneer HU with original Volvo speakers and the sound is great. Have you got the sub output enabled in your Alpine? I have an Alpine in another vehicle which has a sub fitted. When enabled, the Alpine filters out lower frequencies from the main speakers and sends them to the sub output. This works great if you have a sub fitted but not so good if you don't!

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