2023 XC90 and Bowers & Wilkins sound sytem

What source are you playing from? Bluetooth does not provide very quality output...

jans said:

What source are you playing from? Bluetooth does not provide very quality output...

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I am using the Spotify app directly installed on the Volvo interface. No BT usage for this case.
Even when I use the radio, the sound is standard and parameters changes are useless ...

Turn off the whole "experience" stuff and set it to Stereo. I find that all the fake effects don't work well with most music.

Pioneer4x4 said:

Turn off the whole "experience" stuff and set it to Stereo. I find that all the fake effects don't work well with most music.

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How to do it ?

The BW on my '23 XC90 ultimate sounds better then the HK on my previous '21 XC90. Now I know with AAOS there's many settings options versus Senses. Sound does sound better plugged in. Also download Tidal app on the AAOS interface. Get a free trial. Go ahead and enjoy Hi-Fi.

Lotug said:

How to do it ?

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I'd have to be in the car, but I think it was from the sound experience app thing, not from the audio settings.

As everybody's ears and perceptions are different, I can't say you're "wrong," however you definitely have a dissenting opinion. I've heard nothing but great things about the B&W option. This leads me to believe that something's up. Most likely buried somewhere in the settings. I'd do a deep dive into the unit's owners manual and play around with things before writing off the system just yet. But at the end of the day, only YOU can say what's most pleasing to you. I mean, heck, some people prefer cheezo Wal-Mart head units over high end setups. I'm an audio snob, but since we're all so different, there's not a hard right or wrong answer on the subject. Hopefully you can yield some good results out of what you bought, though. Keep messing with it.

It's... not great. I do not know how come reviews are so positive. I was never happy with it.
But I think AAOS is making it worse.

The speakers are good.
The amp is decent, although I can always hear a lot of post-processing, even when you try to keep things flat.
But everything else is sub-par. They stuck too many speakers in a car that was not prepared for it. You need sound insulation in the doors, laminated windows, etc. Instead, you get cheap plastic speaker covers (well, with a couple of exceptions) that rattle, door panels that shake, buzzing everywhere even at low volumes...

I know it's not a popular opinion....

Yes with AAOS tweaking no present. With Sensus a lot tweaking available.

In my 23 V60 P* it sounds incredible but I'm comparing it to a Bose system from a Honda.

Also, concert hall and jazz club are for very specific songs. Mostly I am in studio mode from the sound setting. Rap music won't sound as good in concert hall but it does sound like a live concert at times.

Try a Youtube video on concert hall and you'll see what the added acoustics sound like.

Quick question. Is your XC90 equipped with a CD player? If so, toss in a high quality CD like something from Reference Recordings, and that'll let you know right away if the degradation in quality actually lies with the system OR the source (or how that source is set).

I haven't had a CD player in my any of my past leases lol.

Lotug said:

I am using the Spotify app directly installed on the Volvo interface. No BT usage for this case.
Even when I use the radio, the sound is standard and parameters changes are useless ...

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Remember to set Spotify streaming to Extreme "high quality streaming" option, the stream opens up to 320 kbps.

JSoLaNo305 said:

I haven't had a CD player in my any of my past leases lol.

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Yeah, I guess many have foregone the trusty CD player in modern cars, but seems its still at least an OPTION (goes under the center armrest I think).
Anyway, I believe Volvos can play media off of USB, though. I don't know if they play lossless FLAC or WAV files like I buy from HDTracks, but that's another good way to test out the audio system with a baseline audio file to make adjustments.

VxF said:

Instead, you get cheap plastic speaker covers (well, with a couple of exceptions) that rattle, door panels that shake, buzzing everywhere even at low volumes...

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I have a 2022 XC90 ER with the B&W system. My speaker covers don’t rattle, door panels don’t shake, and I don’t hear buzzing anywhere.

(the one exception: if I leave something in the door pockets it rattles.)
The system sounds amazing in the normal studio configuration, especially when I have it focused on the driver. It sounds even better after I tuned the EQ.

If you’re hearing rattles something is wrong.

I've only heard a few high-end factory systems, including the BMW and Volvo Harmon-Kardon systems, but none better than my V90's B&W.

You do have to configure it to your liking.

One thing I especially appreciate is that it seems to handle Spotify, Sirius, and Bluetooth streams better than anything else I've experienced, including my Yamaha/Klipsch home theater system. Again, my experience is limited, but I do pay attention to sound quality.

EmDashes said:

I have a 2022 XC90 ER with the B&W system. My speaker covers don’t rattle, door panels don’t shake, and I don’t hear buzzing anywhere.

The system sounds amazing in the normal studio configuration, especially when I have it focused on the driver. It sounds even better after I tuned the EQ.

If you’re hearing rattles something is wrong.

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HK on the '21 XC90 rattled. BW on the '23 XC90 doesn't.

My B&W is the best system I've ever heard it a car. Better than any H/K system i've heard, and a friend told me its better than the Burmeister in his Porsche although I haven't compared it myself. I did have issues with rattling in the front doors but I fixed it myself with insulation in the door panels (very easy to remove). There is a known issue with low volume from the 2nd row speakers on newer models, perhaps that is related? I believe a software fix is in the works.

EDIT
Nevermind, i think its the H/K system that has the volume issue in the 2023 models.

I agree. The BW on my '23 XC90 is the best sound system I've had in any of my cars. I get tons of compliments/wow from those who have gotten inside and heard it.