Upgrading Base Audio

qumario · Feb 23, 2022

I've been reading all night on how to upgrade my car base audio. I think is good but not great. I saw some interesting topics on custom subwoofer and even adding the B&W center console speaker.

Overall I think on adding a subwoofer (mine doesn't have one). I saw one from a used xc60 OEM. Has anyone retrofitted one? I might think this will help a little bit to have that punch missing.

Robins_ · Feb 23, 2022

You can't do anything yourself because you have to encode the subwoofer. The physical installation and the issue of the system seeing the subwoofer are 2 different things.

Additionally, if you have a my22, they put the amplifier in differently, i.e. some cars have "old" more powerful amplifiers and others have new weaker amplifiers and this is where the problem arises.

BigBang · Feb 23, 2022

Try here:

2020 XC60 Momentum T5: speaker upgrades for the base radio

The base stereo radio in a car usually has disappointing sound quality. Volvo's base stereo isn't awful but it can be improved with a few aftermarket add-ons. The proprietary radio and amplifier cannot be replaced with the likes of Pioneer, Sony and Kenwood products. The OEM radio is an...

www.swedespeed.com

My XC90 audio system upgrade

SOME BACKGROUND: I've taken delivery of our EU-spec'd XC90 Momentum in November '17 and am actually VERY happy with the car. With one exception - the audio system quality. Our previous car, a 2013 Audi Q7 had a Bose sound system and during the purchase process, I was considering getting the...

www.swedespeed.com

Base, Harman Kardon, and B&W wiring

Thought I'd share a few things I've been looking into. Info applies to V90cc, but may apply to other models as well. Background: In 2018 and 2019 Volvo offered a Base (2??w, 10 speaker, code K502) stereo, a premium Harman Kardon (650w, 14 speaker, code K504) stereo, and a premium Bowers &...

www.swedespeed.com

B&W amp speaker wiring

Paging friendly XC90 owners with the B&W sound system - would you be kind enough to snap a picture of what your amp wiring looks like under the passenger seat? Similar to what can be seen in this non-BW version: Or even better - would someone have any info/ideas on how the speakers are wired...

www.swedespeed.com

Robins_ · Feb 23, 2022

Even if you pull the wires under the subwoofer yourself, even when you plug it in the sensus won't see it because it needs to be reprogrammed. It's one thing to add speakers etc and another to add a subwoofer, where in the sensus menu you have to have a separate position for that.

giovanni.digregorio24 · Feb 23, 2022

I've added the B&W centre speaker as it plugs directly into the amp under the drivers seat. Has made a good difference in sound quality with the base version speakers. I just up the bass to get some extra punch. I'd like a subwoofer as well but that seems a bit more work than the effort to install just the centre console speaker, as that was relatively easy.

Onevision · Feb 25, 2022

Do you have any information about your diy project, iam very interessted because my xc60 my22 has a poor sound system , some fotos and links will help, thx

giovanni.digregorio24 · Feb 26, 2022

Hi. If you do a search on this forum site for VolvoXC60 centre /dash speaker installation you will find some information regarding where to purchase the speaker and how to remove grill. Also as well on this site Улучшил звук Harman Kardon, замена центрального динамика на Bowers&Wilkins — Volvo XC60, 2.0 л., 2019 года на DRIVE2

I purchased mine from the Asian market for $355 AUD online and it came with wiring that plugs into the speaker itself, runs down the speaker hole, along the inside of the side centre console panel all the way to the amp located under the drivers seat as per photo.

I unfortunately don't have any DYI photos but in general when you purchase the speaker with wiring it's quite self explanatory.

So to recap:

Buy the centre speaker from Volvo or aftermarket up to you. Supply model and gear and that will provide you with the correct speaker and wiring

Remove centre dash grill using plastic removal tool

Run supplied wire from speaker hole, down the inside of the centre console panelling all the way to the amp under the seat

Plug into amp as per photo, then plug into speaker and test to ensure it works. If it does screw speaker down into holes.
Apply a small amount of lube to clips for speaker cover supplied with centre speaker and clip in.

Enjoy sound from centre speaker.

HitTheRoadJack · Feb 26, 2022

Interesting - on my v90 HP my18 those wires go to the roof speakers back in the car. Is the connection tapping into left or right channel or is it creating a bridge between the two?
How is the volume adjusted in this setup to the front center speaker?

giovanni.digregorio24 · Feb 26, 2022

No tapping into any wires. The wiring harness you get with the speaker just plugs straight into the amp and feeds the middle dash speaker as well. It piggy backs with current speakers wiring harness and then they all plug into the amp. The volume adjusts with the front speakers not separately but you get good sound out of it regardless.

BigBang · Feb 26, 2022

giovanni.digregorio24 said:
No tapping into any wires. The wiring harness you get with the speaker just plugs straight into the amp and feeds the middle dash speaker as well. It piggy backs with current speakers wiring harness and then they all plug into the amp. The volume adjusts with the front speakers not separately but you get good sound out of it regardless.

You probably bought this set (US$280 )

Volvo XC60 Bowers & Wilkins Design Center Speaker

Item Number: CVS-8056 Suitable for: Volvo XC60 2018+ Keywords: Volvo XC60 center speaker, Volvo XC60 Bowers & Wilkins speaker, Volvo XC60 audio upgrade

www.incarpassion.com

Coasterwiggs · Feb 26, 2022

giovanni.digregorio24 said:
No tapping into any wires. The wiring harness you get with the speaker just plugs straight into the amp and feeds the middle dash speaker as well. It piggy backs with current speakers wiring harness and then they all plug into the amp. The volume adjusts with the front speakers not separately but you get good sound out of it regardless.

Was this done to a MY22 XC60?

giovanni.digregorio24 · Feb 26, 2022

Yes but not from these guys.

thejas · Mar 1, 2022

BigBang said:
You probably bought this set (US$280 )

View attachment 147889

Volvo XC60 Bowers & Wilkins Design Center Speaker

Item Number: CVS-8056 Suitable for: Volvo XC60 2018+ Keywords: Volvo XC60 center speaker, Volvo XC60 Bowers & Wilkins speaker, Volvo XC60 audio upgrade

www.incarpassion.com

Awesome but I don't see prices anywhere?

Sent from an annoying phone using unbridled frustration.

BigBang · Mar 1, 2022

thejas said:
Awesome but I don't see prices anywhere?

Sent from an annoying phone using unbridled frustration.

Contact the seller, as far as I remember the price was $ 280 including shipping

qumario · Mar 1, 2022

giovanni.digregorio24 said:
Yes but not from these guys.

Can you please share the link you used?

Thanks everyone! I might want to add this front speaker. Waiting for someone that has added a subwoofer

giovanni.digregorio24 · Mar 2, 2022

Yes this was done to an XC60 2022 export from China model so unsure if export models from other countries have different or same amps.

giovanni.digregorio24 · Mar 2, 2022

qumario said:
Can you please share the link you used?

Thanks everyone! I might want to add this front speaker. Waiting for someone that has added a subwoofer

I negotiated price with seller on Alibaba and they then just sent it. You can do a search on there otherwise there is Aliexpress be they were a bit more expensive.

billshoff · Aug 30, 2022

BigBang said:
Try here:

My XC90 audio system upgrade

SOME BACKGROUND: I've taken delivery of our EU-spec'd XC90 Momentum in November '17 and am actually VERY happy with the car. With one exception - the audio system quality. Our previous car, a 2013 Audi Q7 had a Bose sound system and during the purchase process, I was considering getting the...

www.swedespeed.com

Base, Harman Kardon, and B&W wiring

Thought I'd share a few things I've been looking into. Info applies to V90cc, but may apply to other models as well. Background: In 2018 and 2019 Volvo offered a Base (2??w, 10 speaker, code K502) stereo, a premium Harman Kardon (650w, 14 speaker, code K504) stereo, and a premium Bowers &...

www.swedespeed.com

B&W amp speaker wiring

Paging friendly XC90 owners with the B&W sound system - would you be kind enough to snap a picture of what your amp wiring looks like under the passenger seat? Similar to what can be seen in this non-BW version: Or even better - would someone have any info/ideas on how the speakers are wired...

www.swedespeed.com

Add this to the list: 2020 XC60 Momentum T5: speaker upgrades for the base radio | SwedeSpeed - Volvo Performance Forum

BigBang · Aug 31, 2022

billshoff said:
Add this to the list: 2020 XC60 Momentum T5: speaker upgrades for the base radio | SwedeSpeed - Volvo Performance Forum

Done

DarrenHe · Jan 12, 2023

giovanni.digregorio24 said:
I've added the B&W centre speaker as it plugs directly into the amp under the drivers seat. Has made a good difference in sound quality with the base version speakers. I just up the bass to get some extra punch. I'd like a subwoofer as well but that seems a bit more work than the effort to install just the centre console speaker, as that was relatively easy.

Hi there, I’m thinking to do the same, what I noticed is that the music sound/bass from the left side seems louder than the right side, so will change the center B&W help to balance that? My goal is to have balanced surround sound feeling, not one side sounds heavier than the other.

Upgrading Base Audio

qumario

Robins_

BigBang