Subwoofer

[edbanger1975]

Hi..i never really listened to the stanard stereo on my test drive, and im sure it would of been great, but even so, i ordered my car with the subwoofer as i like my tunes loud,punchy and a good amount of bass.. i really couldn't warrant spending 3 grand on the b&w system, plus the wife would of gone nuts..
So does anyone have the standard system with subwoofer? What is it like. Where is it located?...are you happy with it...

[Dave©]

I have the standard system with the sub added. Sounds great. Don't know where the subwoofer is but I did have to raise the levels in settings (there is a sub woofer level setting) to get the best effect...very happy with audio now.

[Carl Sberglager]

The subwoofer is, I think, part of the chassis, idea being you get the sound throughout the car. I find that how good/noticeable it is depends on what you're listening to. On DAB, where the quality is compressed, there's little difference and when I first got the car, I thought Volvo had forgotten to install it!. On TuneIn radio and Car Play you can notice it, but still need to have it on max to notice it's there. I suppose the new technology means it's designed to be an all round experience, rather than a single location boom box.

[Lozza]

The subwoofer is of a clever 'fresh air' type, with the structure of the body shell designed as a mounting point, out to the rear right hand side wheel arch.
It's a 250mm set up with a carbon fibre cone.

[familymangreg]

I'd personally say that the sub in the XC90 is subtle, even cranked up to the max it doesn't thump through the car, just adds a nice depth and body to the sound. But unlike cranking the base up to full (a separate slider to the sub in the sound preferences), the sound doesn't start to distort or blur (not sure what the correct audio terms are here). I guess that because cranking the base up simply requests the system put as much base through the speakers as possible.

One thing I have found (again for my own personal preference) is that switching the equaliser on immediately gives the sound more life and depth, even with all the equaliser sliders set to their centre point.

If anything, the audio in the XC90 is quite 'top heavy', i.e. has quite a prominent tremble.

I've taken a pic of my current audio settings which is giving what I consider a nice crisp sound, with reasonable body and depth.

I had it in my head that the optional sub was under the passenger seat, I'm sure that's what a dealer had told me (so it must be true!). However it may well be built into the car chassis as others have suggested. However, as a £300 stand alone option, I wonder if what I was told was correct, and the sub built into the chassis of the car is part of the B&W setup? I'm sorry it I'm casting doubt on what others know to be correct.

:wq

[Lozza]

Originally Posted by familymangreg

I wonder if what I was told was correct, and the sub built into the chassis of the car is part of the B&W setup? I'm sorry it I'm casting doubt on what others know to be correct.:wq

Yes, I was on about the B&W set up. Your dealer may be right with regards to the stock set up, I haven't seen one of those subs yet.

[Lexman8]

I've seen it reported as being in the wheel arch and in the headlining above the rear load space (seems unlikely).

I guess it's possible that it's under the passenger seat when ordered separately (that's where the sub-woofer is on my Honda).