[hibrad2005]

Hi all, I am sitting here scratching my head trying to figure out what is going on, My car has the Factory Volvo Stereo amp under the Passenger seat, but it only has an HU-611. And no center Speaker...What the heck? I mean how is that possible? And could I upgrade to an HU-801 without needing anything but the center speaker?


Modified by hibrad2005 at 8:27 AM 2-26-2009

 

[T6R]

Re: Strange Stereo Setup (hibrad2005)

Not 100% on what you are asking, but I want to do the same swap, so I would like to know if there would be anything that would be needed besides the speaker and the headunit for the swap,

Good luck, I'll keep an eye on this thread.

 

[MrTippy]

Re: Strange Stereo Setup (hibrad2005)

According to Volvo, the HU-611 was used up to '04 and was paired with the PA-200 aux amp in what they called the "high performance" sytem. This was an upgrade from the solo HU-611 which has a lower power 4-channel internal amp--that is bypassed when the PA-200 is plugged in.

Volvo says you have: Two powerful 6.5" (165 mm) bass/mid-range speakers in the front/rear doors together with the treble speakers and two 8" (210 mm) coaxial speakers in the parcel shelf, give a broad and full sound reproduction from deepest bass to top treble.

Yes, you should be able to switch to an HU-801, add a center speaker and be good to go.

Any reasonable quality 4-5" speaker will work in the center. It does not have to be anything special as it only provides midrange/high end fill for the Dolby Pro Logic. Volvo's oem center speaker is not of the same quality as the others in the car; it is a flatter driver as the fit is tight in some of the other models, but probably not the S80.

 

[hibrad2005]

Re: Strange Stereo Setup (MrTippy)

Quote, originally posted by MrTippy »

According to Volvo, the HU-611 was used up to '04 and was paired with the PA-200 aux amp in what they called the "high performance" sytem. This was an upgrade from the solo HU-611 which has a lower power 4-channel internal amp--that is bypassed when the PA-200 is plugged in. Volvo says you have: Two powerful 6.5" (165 mm) bass/mid-range speakers in the front/rear doors together with the treble speakers and two 8" (210 mm) coaxial speakers in the parcel shelf, give a broad and full sound reproduction from deepest bass to top treble. Yes, you should be able to switch to an HU-801, add a center speaker and be good to go. Any reasonable quality 4-5" speaker will work in the center. It does not have to be anything special as it only provides midrange/high end fill for the Dolby Pro Logic. Volvo's oem center speaker is not of the same quality as the others in the car; it is a flatter driver as the fit is tight in some of the other models, but probably not the S80.

WOW ! AWESOME info, Thanks a lot, now to save for an HU-801

 

[MrTippy]

Re: Strange Stereo Setup (hibrad2005)

Watch ebay, they turn up every so often and can be had for $200-300.

Also call erievovo or v and s auto dismantlers.

The other alternative is to get a double din faceplace and go aftermarket. you'll get a lot more for you buck.

What about saving for a rainy day?

 

[hibrad2005]

Re: Strange Stereo Setup (MrTippy)

Quote, originally posted by MrTippy »

Watch ebay, they turn up every so often and can be had for $200-300. Also call erievovo or v and s auto dismantlers. The other alternative is to get a double din faceplace and go aftermarket. you'll get a lot more for you buck. What about saving for a rainy day?

I want to stick with OEM, I really like the aesthetics of my Volvo's interior, and I don't want to wreck it with some plastic adapter and a Flashy deck with non matching colored LED's. I am a nerd, if I want addons, I want them hidden (like in the trunk)

 

[MrTippy]

Re: Strange Stereo Setup (hibrad2005)

I like my oem, too. FYI, the faceplate is a volvo oem part. And there are some decks that are not to glitzy. This route is attractive if you want navi, adding volvo's unit is cost prohibitive. Most HU's in the range also have an integral iPod controller and are sat radio ready or better. The only minus is you lose the cubby.

I just looked on ebay and there are many HU's for well under $200--that was as surprise to me. Be sure to ask that everything is working, there was a congenital defect with the 4-cd changer in the earlier models (up to and including '04). Also, the dash color changed in '04, it will not match your car.

Be very careful about buying one as is with no warranty.

 

[hibrad2005]

Re: Strange Stereo Setup (MrTippy)

Thats a sweet adapter, I still think I want OEM. What was the defect that was so bad in the changers? and here is a little quote from the page with the Faceplate adapter you posted: "If any other type of radio other than a genuine Volvo radio is installed, collision safety cannot be guaranteed either."

 

[MrTippy]

Re: Strange Stereo Setup (hibrad2005)

The warning is from the lawyers. If the oem hu is removed there is a software d/l that is required so the car knows it's gone. If it was really a problem, do you think they would sell the part?

IIRC, the defect is with a ribbon cable that connects the changer to the rest of the HU electronics. It rubs as the changer shifts up & down between disks, this lead to wear and eventual failure. Volvo issued a TNN and replaced the hu's if the car was still under warranty. Not everyone has experienced this problem, no doubt it is related to how much the cd changer is used.

 

[hibrad2005]

Re: Strange Stereo Setup (MrTippy)

I want's worried about the warning, I found it humorous. I will make Sure that if I buy one off FleaBay, that it has a warranty for not being DOA.

 

[cwebbs60]

Re: Strange Stereo Setup (hibrad2005)

I actually have the HU-801 stereo unit. I had purchased it for the same reason as yourself, however I do not have the center speaker or the amp unit, so it would be an expensive upgrade for me. I would be willing to sell the HU-801 unit to you if you are still interested in getting one. As far as the price goes, I would at least like to get back what I paid for it, since I have not used it since I bought it about a year ago. Let me know.

 

[hibrad2005]

Re: Strange Stereo Setup (cwebbs60)

Quote, originally posted by cwebbs60 »

I actually have the HU-801 stereo unit. I had purchased it for the same reason as yourself, however I do not have the center speaker or the amp unit, so it would be an expensive upgrade for me. I would be willing to sell the HU-801 unit to you if you are still interested in getting one. As far as the price goes, I would at least like to get back what I paid for it, since I have not used it since I bought it about a year ago. Let me know.

It depends on your asking price, and do you know if the changer works? I have heard that its a problematic thing for the changers ribbon cable.

 

[t6tim]

Re: Strange Stereo Setup (hibrad2005)

You would also need a pro logic decoder which is separate from the HU and amp. Before you just buy an HU. Ensure it will work with your car. The HU has the ability to show current speeds, and other diagnostic info on the screen. Search for hidden hu 801 menu. There are hidden eq settings on the hu-801 that truly transform the sound. Why volvo never made the info public, I dont know.

I had an 04 with dynaudio hu-801 and it was the best sounding system I had ever heard. Sounded better than my current 07 s80 with dynaudio.

Tim

 

[evoldarnoc]

Re: Strange Stereo Setup (t6tim)

I recently purchased the 10-CD changer off of ebay for around $60 and the wiring harness kit from Volvo for about the same after discount, and did the install myself. My HU-611 recognized the "CD-CHGR" immediately without requiring a software download. (MY '01)

This may be a viable option for you, unless youre really wanting the 801.

 

[hibrad2005]

Re: Strange Stereo Setup (evoldarnoc)

Quote, originally posted by evoldarnoc »

I recently purchased the 10-CD changer off of ebay for around $60 and the wiring harness kit from Volvo for about the same after discount, and did the install myself. My HU-611 recognized the "CD-CHGR" immediately without requiring a software download. (MY '01) This may be a viable option for you, unless youre really wanting the 801.

That is actually a more preferable route but I hadn't seen a changer on ebay for less than $150 and that wasn't worth it to me without a guarantee of some sort... doesn't it require a different trunk liner for that side with the changer there? Or how about an Alpine changer, I have seen several adapters for Alpine to Volvo HU. How about the power? I have a Green 5 pin (but only 3 wire) cord there, and a Blue one with 2 wires (not sure how many pins, I didnt look)

Modified by hibrad2005 at 11:00 AM 7-2-2009

Modified by hibrad2005 at 11:00 AM 7-2-2009

 

[cwebbs60]

Re: Strange Stereo Setup (hibrad2005)

I'm not sure if the CD-Changer works, however the buyer I got it from said everything was working. I paid around $200 for it, possibly $250, and I would like to break even, since I was not able to use it. It has sat in the same box it was shipped in since I purchased it. Hit me back and let me know if you're interested.

 

[hibrad2005]

Re: Strange Stereo Setup (cwebbs60)

Quote, originally posted by cwebbs60 »

I'm not sure if the CD-Changer works, however the buyer I got it from said everything was working. I paid around $200 for it, possibly $250, and I would like to break even, since I was not able to use it. It has sat in the same box it was shipped in since I purchased it. Hit me back and let me know if you're interested.

Thanks for the offer, but I think I am going to try to get a 10 disk changer, or an IMiV for my car so i can hook up my Zune.

 

[Dextrobrick]

Re: Strange Stereo Setup (hibrad2005)

Quote, originally posted by hibrad2005 »

Thanks for the offer, but I think I am going to try to get a 10 disk changer, or an IMiV for my car so i can hook up my Zune.

AFAIK only iPods are supported by the iMIV adapter.

 

[hibrad2005]

Re: Strange Stereo Setup (Dextrobrick)

They have one that plugs into a 3.5mm Headphone jack I think. It has RCA style plugs but there are adapters and I guess its called the MII LE and its only $84. I guess I used the wrong term by calling it the IMiV but I thought that was the companies name.

Highlights:

* Superb sound quality
* Provides one auxiliary RCA input - Ideal for SAT, DAB or MP3 player integration
* Works with or without the RTI Navigation (if it is present and appropriate cables are connected)
* Low cost solution for generic AUX integration