Can the standard (HU-613) audio system be improved

[Soaring]

Greetings!

We have just ordered :-) an XC70 with the standard HU-613 (single CD) audio. We had hoped to get one with the upgraded HU-803 ProLogic audio system that some of you rave about but that meant waiting four months for a factory fitted vehicle! The standard unit sounded reasonable, and I guess a single CD system will prove to be reliable, but if some simple mods are worth doing let's do it now (we tend to keep our Volvos for a long time).

Has anyone any ideas on how to improve the sound of the standard (single CD) HU-613 audio system?? I guess such ideas would suit many Volvo models? Any help much appreciated by us.

EG:

Better door speakers to replace the standard ones?

Any point adding a central speaker? The grill is there. Wiring?

CD auto-changers . . Which ones can we plug in? Or better still, can we plug in an MP3 player . . perhaps to the CD-Changer jack??

Better radio reception perhaps? I have heard that there is an antenna in the rear bumper called a "diversity" antenna, and needs an optional amplifier to make it work. Perhaps someone here has more info?

Any web links that detail these things accurately?

Thanks in anticipation.

Best regards,

Jim Kelly

(2004 XC70)
1994 850-T5 Wagon
1985 240 Wagon

[ltoolio]

Jim,
I a bit of a new owner, so I haven't looked into doing HW mods much yet.

But, I have read up on a way to do some adjustments to how your current speakers sound.

Check this thread (http://xc70.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=1;t=339;hl=radio+menu) and this page. (http://www.v70xc.com/resources/audio_menus/hu613/)

I'm planning on playing around with these various settings this weekend...

Ryan

[Soaring]

Great!!

Thanks for those links, that is very handy to know! Will have a play asap.

[gibbons]

Yeah, get the subwoofer as described here. (http://xc70.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=1;t=2567)

It's worth it.

[mhoy]

We are all still awaiting an input for MP3 into our XC70s. One might be on the horizon but at $200 it's a bit much for what is a relatively simple device that Volvo should build as an option.

[Willy]

Hi,
From what I heard, some audio systems come without tweeters in the front doors. If so, add them, they will certainly improve the sound.
The wiring for the center speaker is already there, but I think it is intended to be used with an extra amlifier only (connector under one of the front seats).
Willy

[Estonia]

Itoolio, what do those abbreviations mean on the page that you linked?  (AFS, DAB, NS table, POOL status, TP search, etc., etc., etc.)

[Raynald]

Estonia, I'm not familiar with all those terms, but you might find some more information in this PDF document (http://www3.sympatico.ca/p_bruno/volvo/AudioSystemHU803HiddenMenus.pdf), although it concerns more specifically the HU-803 model.

[Estonia]

Cool.  Thanks!