04 XC70 - upgrade audio

eternal optimist · May 6th, 2018, 15:48

I've got an HU 803 in my late pre facelift XC70.

I want a new head unit which will give me Bluetooth phone calls and the ability to stream music that's on the phone; DAB, and possibly scope to plug in a reversing camera. I want as much as possible a factory look when it's all installed.

Not bothered about Sat Nav, my TomTom has a built in SIM for free traffic updates, that works really well.

I want everything in one unit, I don't want to go down the Grom route.

I want to drive everything through the factory amp; it's got the 200w amp and I have the factory subwoofer to go in the boot. Also want to maintain steering wheel controls.

Anyone been down this path before? Any recommendations for me? I would dearly love to order the BluePower BLP-890 head unit but I'm getting no responses whatsoever from their customer services team.

The Landshark · May 6th, 2018, 22:58

From what i'm told stay away from bluepower.
Have a look at www.volvotech.eu for connection cables and canbus interface units. Volvo do an aftermarket fascia themselves for the pre facelift for single or double din.

eternal optimist · May 7th, 2018, 08:23

I've read a whole bunch of stuff on Bluepower which doesn't read well - but as far as I can tell, it's from people who have BP's older technology. Since sometime in 2016 they changed their Operating System from Windows to Android when they introduced the ARM chips which run an Android OS. I don't think I've seen any posts anywhere (including the US forums) where people have been talking about the new kits. I am still incredibly tempted to spend £550 to get something that looks factory, with DAB and a reversing camera.

Thanks for the link to Volvotech - all looks very impressive in terms of scope, but I would need a Windows PC for future upgrades, currently I'm all Apple. It's not immediately clear from their website what the CFE + give me re. fitting a new head unit? Maybe I need to read up a bit more. (I just read a bit more - the link sent me to the CFE+ page, I just looked at the Analogue/CANBUS adaptors on another page) I didn't know Volvo did a surround trim - that makes me much happier, I want whatever goes in to look as factory as possible.

What I'm trying to find out I guess is who's gone down this path before. What works well? What outputs should I be looking for on the new head unit (eg how many pre-outs?) to connect up to the XC70's amp? Will I need ground loop isolators?

I'm really only one question deep on a lot of this stuff, my first attempt at installing a stereo involved two 6 watt speakers, a drill to cut a hole in a rusty wing for an aerial, a fused switched live and an earth wire. That was a long, long time ago.

The Landshark · May 7th, 2018, 10:37

I'm upgrading from a HU650 to a kenwood ddx so no amp in my setup, the wiring is all sorted thanks to volvotech, including reversing beepers and steering wheel controls but unfortunately Volvo don't make a fascia for the facelift models, I just have to find one that fits properly, the connects 2 one i got is a shockingly poor fit.

eternal optimist · May 7th, 2018, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Landshark

I'm upgrading from a HU650 to a kenwood ddx so no amp in my setup, the wiring is all sorted thanks to volvotech, including reversing beepers and steering wheel controls but unfortunately Volvo don't make a fascia for the facelift models, I just have to find one that fits properly, the connects 2 one i got is a shockingly poor fit.

That's frustrating about the fascia fit.

Which model are you fitting?

The Landshark · May 7th, 2018, 17:58

I'm fitting a DDX4021BT double din

aland · May 8th, 2018, 10:41

I've fitted one of these, as it was the neatest solution I could find without resorting to a facia adapter:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-DVD-S...QAAOSwZW5aAtqQ

Generally works ok, a few software bugs but nothing major.

eternal optimist · May 8th, 2018, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by aland

I've fitted one of these, as it was the neatest solution I could find without resorting to a facia adapter:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-DVD-S...QAAOSwZW5aAtqQ

Generally works ok, a few software bugs but nothing major.

Very interesting - that looks pretty similar to the Bluepower unit. Have you got/can you get DAB? What sort of bugs have you had? What HU did it replace? I have an HU803 which the listing says their unit isn't suitable to replace.

aland · May 8th, 2018, 11:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by eternal optimist

Very interesting - that looks like the Bluepower unit. Have you got DAB? What sort of bugs have you had? What HU did it replace? I have an HU803 which the listing says their unit isn't suitable to replace.

Just checked in the garage - and the radio I replaced is a HU-803!
I think their info is wrong - it certainly won't replace the HU-850 as that is a different shape (fitted in facelift cars), but it should fit any of the 2000-2004 cars.
My friend has the same radio in his 2003 V70.

I don't have DAB.

Bugs... mostly daft stuff, like if the car has been unused for a few days often there is no audio output (yet screen is on). Turn radio off then on and sound is back.
Occasionally it will hang (usually when using navigation app), needs a forced reboot (hold volume knob for 10 seconds). Annoyingly this scrubs the radio presets (but other settings and apps stay).
When using the reverse camera input, it shows the camera on the screen when in reverse fine (needs the reverse power wired in to tell the unit) - but it mutes the radio when showing the camera!
Also - I couldn't get it to talk to a bluetooth OBDII interface (for on-screen diags and info with say Torque app) yet it works fine with a wifi OBDII interface (and bluetooth phone for hands-free)!

I've had mine about 18 months and mine is based on Android 5.1 - the newer version may have solved these issues. I asked them about an Android upgrade a few months ago and they said I couldn't upgrade

I couldn't get it to work with an (old) iPod connected via USB - until I installed 'RockBox' to the iPod - then it sees it as generic USB storage and works.

Note you'd need a Volvo antenna adaptor, like ebay item #140731886038

eternal optimist · May 8th, 2018, 11:48

Thanks, really appreciate the info. Steering wheel controls all OK?

Looks like they're on a later version of the OS, Android 7.1 now. I'd really like DAB, have enquired to see if they have anything/plans.

May 7th, 2018, 08:23	#3
eternal optimist Master Member Last Online: May 26th, 2024 12:33 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Reading	I've read a whole bunch of stuff on Bluepower which doesn't read well - but as far as I can tell, it's from people who have BP's older technology. Since sometime in 2016 they changed their Operating System from Windows to Android when they introduced the ARM chips which run an Android OS. I don't think I've seen any posts anywhere (including the US forums) where people have been talking about the new kits. I am still incredibly tempted to spend £550 to get something that looks factory, with DAB and a reversing camera. Thanks for the link to Volvotech - all looks very impressive in terms of scope, but I would need a Windows PC for future upgrades, currently I'm all Apple. It's not immediately clear from their website what the CFE + give me re. fitting a new head unit? Maybe I need to read up a bit more. (I just read a bit more - the link sent me to the CFE+ page, I just looked at the Analogue/CANBUS adaptors on another page) I didn't know Volvo did a surround trim - that makes me much happier, I want whatever goes in to look as factory as possible. What I'm trying to find out I guess is who's gone down this path before. What works well? What outputs should I be looking for on the new head unit (eg how many pre-outs?) to connect up to the XC70's amp? Will I need ground loop isolators? I'm really only one question deep on a lot of this stuff, my first attempt at installing a stereo involved two 6 watt speakers, a drill to cut a hole in a rusty wing for an aerial, a fused switched live and an earth wire. That was a long, long time ago. Last edited by eternal optimist; May 7th, 2018 at 09:14.

May 6th, 2018, 15:48	#1
eternal optimist Master Member Last Online: May 26th, 2024 12:33 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Reading	04 XC70 - upgrade audio I've got an HU 803 in my late pre facelift XC70. I want a new head unit which will give me Bluetooth phone calls and the ability to stream music that's on the phone; DAB, and possibly scope to plug in a reversing camera. I want as much as possible a factory look when it's all installed. Not bothered about Sat Nav, my TomTom has a built in SIM for free traffic updates, that works really well. I want everything in one unit, I don't want to go down the Grom route. I want to drive everything through the factory amp; it's got the 200w amp and I have the factory subwoofer to go in the boot. Also want to maintain steering wheel controls. Anyone been down this path before? Any recommendations for me? I would dearly love to order the BluePower BLP-890 head unit but I'm getting no responses whatsoever from their customer services team.

May 6th, 2018, 22:58	#2
The Landshark Member Last Online: Feb 11th, 2021 08:11 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Mallow	From what i'm told stay away from bluepower. Have a look at www.volvotech.eu for connection cables and canbus interface units. Volvo do an aftermarket fascia themselves for the pre facelift for single or double din.

May 7th, 2018, 10:37	#4
The Landshark Member Last Online: Feb 11th, 2021 08:11 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Mallow	I'm upgrading from a HU650 to a kenwood ddx so no amp in my setup, the wiring is all sorted thanks to volvotech, including reversing beepers and steering wheel controls but unfortunately Volvo don't make a fascia for the facelift models, I just have to find one that fits properly, the connects 2 one i got is a shockingly poor fit.

May 7th, 2018, 17:58	#6
The Landshark Member Last Online: Feb 11th, 2021 08:11 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Mallow	I'm fitting a DDX4021BT double din

May 8th, 2018, 10:41	#7
aland Senior Member Last Online: Jan 17th, 2024 15:41 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Luton	I've fitted one of these, as it was the neatest solution I could find without resorting to a facia adapter: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-DVD-S...QAAOSwZW5aAtqQ Generally works ok, a few software bugs but nothing major.

May 8th, 2018, 11:48	#10
eternal optimist Master Member Last Online: May 26th, 2024 12:33 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Reading	Thanks, really appreciate the info. Steering wheel controls all OK? Looks like they're on a later version of the OS, Android 7.1 now. I'd really like DAB, have enquired to see if they have anything/plans.

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