Removal of Basic Balance & Fader Adjustments - AAOS System

[LRS]

So, after many months of back-and-forth discussion with Volvo UK and their discussions with the Volvo technical team (R&D team), they have concluded that the function of a basic L/R balance and F/R fader adjustment has never been possible on my MY22 XC60 audio system and that I can contact the Motor Ombudsman for independent advice.

So, my next step is to do exactly that, with my case based on the following:

• Under the MY21 XC60 (Sensus System) the ‘High Performance Sound’ audio system included - balance between right/left loudspeakers and balance between front/rear loudspeakers

• Under the MY22 XC60 (AAOS System) the ‘High Performance Sound’ audio system balance and fader adjustments have been removed by Volvo

• How can Volvo justify removing a basic audio adjustment from a premium £50K plus car model that used to be there under the previous Sensus system and then removed under the AAOS system

• Volvo did not clearly state anywhere in writing that these basic audio adjustments were no longer going to be available when moving from Sensus to AAOS

It’s very disappointing that Volvo can’t seem to grasp the error they have made by removing the basic balance and fader adjustments when moving from Sensus to AAOS and are now simply washing their hands of their mistake.

All I can say is caveat emptor when considering a Volvo.

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by LRS

So, after many months of back-and-forth discussion with Volvo UK and their discussions with the Volvo technical team (R&D team), they have concluded that the function of a basic L/R balance and F/R fader adjustment has never been possible on my MY22 XC60 audio system and that I can contact the Motor Ombudsman for independent advice.

So, my next step is to do exactly that, with my case based on the following:

• Under the MY21 XC60 (Sensus System) the ‘High Performance Sound’ audio system included - balance between right/left loudspeakers and balance between front/rear loudspeakers

• Under the MY22 XC60 (AAOS System) the ‘High Performance Sound’ audio system balance and fader adjustments have been removed by Volvo

• How can Volvo justify removing a basic audio adjustment from a premium £50K plus car model that used to be there under the previous Sensus system and then removed under the AAOS system

• Volvo did not clearly state anywhere in writing that these basic audio adjustments were no longer going to be available when moving from Sensus to AAOS

It’s very disappointing that Volvo can’t seem to grasp the error they have made by removing the basic balance and fader adjustments when moving from Sensus to AAOS and are now simply washing their hands of their mistake.

All I can say is caveat emptor when considering a Volvo.

I agree that it does sound an extremly simple and basic feature, and I am at a bit of a loss as to why it would be removed.

That said mine has it, and I can count on one hand the number of times I have used it in 5 years.

In fact, I am not sure I have ever actually used it.

I see your point, but would it really damage your enjoyment of the new vehicle?

[LRS]

I agree, it’s an adjustment seldomly used once you find your sound sweet spot. But this is just it, I no longer listen to music in this car due to not being able to find my sound sweet spot.

It cannot be beyond the technical ability of Volvo and the new AAOS system to add a balance and fader function – just copy the Sensus coding and port it into the AAOS system.

It’s not a case of not enjoying the majority of the car, but is the principle of how Volvo has decided to stealthily defeature and remove a function that is now considered a given default on every new car.

[SnineT]

Seems this all new system is a bit beta right now, things being removed without thinking someone might still need the function in addition to the multitude of bugs and lack of usb ports I believe,

I can't work out why they changed it, if Sensus needed anything it's a faster cpu and some more ram, job done.

[techwatcher]

Originally Posted by LRS

It cannot be beyond the technical ability of Volvo and the new AAOS system to add a balance and fader function – just copy the Sensus coding and port it into the AAOS system.

It won't be beyond their technical ability but there will be a reason why Volvo hasn't implemented this feature.

My personal suspicion is that the programme to implement the AAOS system has been more complex than Volvo planned and this has caused significant delays. A year on from AAOS' public debut, Apple CarPlay, a major feature promised for MY22, is just emerging. Volvo may have a list of features to be implemented and be working their way though it.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by LRS

I agree, it’s an adjustment seldomly used once you find your sound sweet spot. But this is just it, I no longer listen to music in this car due to not being able to find my sound sweet spot.

It cannot be beyond the technical ability of Volvo and the new AAOS system to add a balance and fader function – just copy the Sensus coding and port it into the AAOS system.

It’s not a case of not enjoying the majority of the car, but is the principle of how Volvo has decided to stealthily defeature and remove a function that is now considered a given default on every new car.

a lot of top end HI-Fi amplifiers have neither too.

[EssexExile]

I don't think I've ever balanced or faded, perhaps most customers haven't either so Volvo don't see it as important.

[LRS]

Originally Posted by techwatcher

It won't be beyond their technical ability but there will be a reason why Volvo hasn't implemented this feature.

My personal suspicion is that the programme to implement the AAOS system has been more complex than Volvo planned and this has caused significant delays. A year on from AAOS' public debut, Apple CarPlay, a major feature promised for MY22, is just emerging. Volvo may have a list of features to be implemented and be working their way though it.

I can understand Volvo’s delays in implementing 3rd party apps – e.g. Apple Car Play, into their AAOS system, but not having a basic radio balance and fader control does not compare – it’s a basic integral radio adjustment. It would be like Volvo removing the ability to run the blower fan at multiple speeds.

[LRS]

Originally Posted by Clan

a lot of top end HI-Fi amplifiers have neither too.

I agree, my Krell mono-blocks and Modsquad line drive preamp did not have fader, but did have balance, but then, high quality audiofile systems do only tend to have just 2 speakers in front of you in which you arrange your seating position to be in that triangular sweet spot. Unless you are talking about the old Quadraphonic systems - Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon sounded awesome on!

[LRS]

Originally Posted by EssexExile

I don't think I've ever balanced or faded, perhaps most customers haven't either so Volvo don't see it as important.

Yes agree, a lot of people may not even know they have it or use it. But when I look at the number of sub £8k cars I've owned that have it as default and the fact that Volvo had it in the Sensus cars, you have to ask yourself, what on earth is Volvo playing at by removing it in the AAOS cars?

I have lost a lot of confidence in Volvo because of this very simple and basic function removal - god only knows what they will remove next ether by mistake or conscious decision...A bit less Aquavit drinking by the software team I thinks!