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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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....

 

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 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 did have issues with rattling in the front doors but I fixed it myself with insulation in the door panels (very easy to remove).
...

Would you mind to explain how did you fix this issue because I have maybe the exact same problems with my B&W on a new XC60(2023) - some songs/frequencies in my case produce annoying rattling sounds in both front doors.

 

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.

 

I too was underwhelmed with the bw system , (mine is a xc60,different i know), basically had a 21 SENSUS xc60 with hk which was great, when we got a 23 model xc60 with bw AAOS sounded far inferior. Dealer says its all ok, so we just have to accept their word i suppose.

 

If you think the B&W sound system sounds bad then that's just your personal taste, not the system itself for sure. Unless something is defective with yours..

It's literally one of the best audio systems in a sub 100,000 car. The bass is super punchy, powerful & very detailed, the highs are crisp and clear without being harsh, and the mids are not muddy or muffled at ALL. No hint of distortion even with the bass all the way up and the vol cranked. If this isn't the case something else is up

What I've noticed too is sometimes it takes time for your ears to adjust to a new sound system. Most H/K car systems, especially most of the BMW ones are okay to pitiful. Volvo's HK is actually one of their best next to the newest BMW H/K systems in their new battery electric cars.

 

If you think the B&W sound system sounds bad then that's just your personal taste, not the system itself for sure. Unless something is defective with yours..

It's literally one of the best audio systems in a sub 100,000 car. The bass is super punchy, powerful & very detailed, the highs are crisp and clear without being harsh, and the mids are not muddy or muffled at ALL. No hint of distortion even with the bass all the way up and the vol cranked. If this isn't the case something else is up

What I've noticed too is sometimes it takes time for your ears to adjust to a new sound system. Most H/K car systems, especially most of the BMW ones are okay to pitiful. Volvo's HK is actually one of their best next to the newest BMW H/K systems in their new battery electric cars.

My first job out of college was selling high-end audio systems, in Lugano, Switzerland. We were doing jobs in the six figures. I will tell you the most important thing I have learned - there is nothing objective, or, as you put it, "literal" about any of this. I have had clients tell me how great a sound system was and then I find out they are listening to MP3s or connecting via Bluetooth... most customers just have no clue - and that is ok. To each their own.

Which is why I will keep saying - I personally did not enjoy B&W. I owned two SPA Volvos with it, and I explicitly looked for a third car without it. I am sure some people will enjoy it. Hey, people eat pizza with anchovies and pineapple... who am I to argue with taste?

 

As i said, our previous hk was great, the new bw in new car not so much, i purchased the bw system because of its technical superiority, its not like i have gone from different cars,

 

Perhaps it’s an AAOS vs Sensus thing? The Hk system in a ‘23 xc60 inscription loaner we had last week was absolutely awful…far worse than any of the HK systems we have had in several cars over the years.

Agree with the above comments that B&W in our ‘19 is phenomenal, and rattles the hell out of door panels at certain frequencies

 

Well as an audiophile myself and owning very high end sound systems, the BW sound system is definitely better than the HK system. Is it worth the extra $$$? Perhaps to the very few, but most wont care or notice the difference.

 

What I love about the B&W is driving on the interstate highway with all windows rolled down (except sunroof) and wind blowing, and still being able to hear and feel the music. Can't say this from my prior car stereos!

 

I can’t comprehend someone not being satisfied with their BW audio. Having both a HK and BW car the difference it’s night and day between the two.

Saying the BW isn’t very impressive is like saying you don’t find your Bentley to be very luxurious or you were disappointed with the build quality of your Rolls Royce….it’s just not a thing. It literally is the best audio system in a sub-100,000 car. You can physically watch the door panels move the sound is so powerful.

If you don’t feel that way about yours only two things are possible: 1) You are deaf or 2) Your car is broken.

 

So could it be possible that the B&W system delivered is out of order ?

I think that the setup has not been done by the Volvo dealer and I feel that some speakers don’t work … unacceptable for a 100k car !

I took a service meeting in 3 weeks to talk about this issue (soonest they have). I hope everything will be fixed !

 

Y’all should listen to “Thanks To You” by Boz Scaggs for a true bass test which also tests imaging and treble response at the same time. Great all-around test track.

I had an infuriating buzz in my right rear door panel that was driving me insane until I realized a paperclip was wedged in the gap between the door pocket wall and the door pocket floor. Since I couldn’t see it looking in, I thought the pocket was empty until I put my hand inside and felt around to check. Paperclip out, no more buzzing anywhere.
After seeing so many posts with poorly installed interiors and rattling panels I’m honestly feeling super lucky I haven’t had any so far. Listening to that track above makes my side mirrors vibrate, and it’s still a buzz-free experience.

 

A new one started in the 2021’s front passenger door… and it’s been extremely frustrating. I’ve already eliminated one of them in the same door. Once I’m back home I’ll try to pin point it. But when the rattling/vibration starts, it stops when I place pressure on the interior door handle.


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I had a weird issue going on where the passenger side door panel was vibrating with certain music. Eventually realized that driver side subwoofer doesn’t have any sound at all.

The dealer said the driver side subwoofer was disconnected, I am guessing the previous owner might have disconnected the subwoofer to reduce the intensity of the system. Now both the door panels vibrate with certain music

 

Hello, music producer here.

We have two Volvos, one with B&W and one without, and to be honest they both don't sound very good, but I never expected a car environment to sound good anyway.

What I mean though, is that B&W is not worth the upgrade in my opinion. Our B&W car just sounds a little bit better at higher volumes, but those are volumes I would never play music at for any extended period of time because I want to protect my hearing.

For the people using the EQ, may I suggest cutting frequencies instead of boosting them. E.g., the poster above, if you are boosting all frequencies and then dialing back 75Hz and 1000Hz, that's the same as just leaving the EQ flat and just cutting 75Hz and 1000Hz.

 

We have two Volvos, one with B&W and one without, and to be honest they both don't sound very good, but I never expected a car environment to sound good anyway.

Volvo without B&W has HK or just standard Volvo sound ?

 

I have to drop the 3/4k range a few db's with most systems as that tends to be the most harsh range to me.

 

I have a MY 2020 P* with the B&W, which I suspect (but don't know) is identical or nearly identical to subsequent model years. I've been and audiophile since the 70s, and my brother is the house sound man for the Seattle Symphony as well as for many touring shows. I'm not claiming to have golden ears, as that is indeed subjective, but - sitting in the driveway - both of us find the B&W in my car to be an absolutely awesome sounding stereo. Few people have anything sounding that good in their home. The only thing I would say it is lacking is the very bottom end, from 20-32. But if you know much about sound, you know that such long wavelengths can't form well in such a confined space. Admittedly, and I showed my bro the equalizer, I do use a bunch of EQ, but there are damned few audio systems that don't need EQ. And my bro liked my EQ settings. My ears are getting old, but not so old that I'm not able to distinguish the full spectrum, I just can't hear 22K anymore.

So my inclination would be that, if your system doesn't sound good, be it buzzes, rattles, or just spectrum not being neutral, then it's most likely something is faulty. I suggest you get it checked out. Yes, it's possible that the B&W just doesn't suit your tastes, that's why there are so many audio companies out there. But the prevailing opinion on the B&W is that it sounds great, unbelievably great for a car.

 

Sitting in the driveway is a much different experience than when driving. Some of the rattles/vibrations (and roof liner squeaks) are from driving. This says everything.


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