Quick question about 06 S60 audio

[oolab1]

After searching I didn't find an answer, so I figured I'd just go ahead and ask: how important is the center dash speaker in my 06 S60 with premium sound? When I bought the car about a year ago the radio was already to that point where it doesn't make any sound no matter what, so the guy at the dealer just pulled the fuse for me to keep it from making weird gear grinding noises in the CD changer whenever the car turned on (of course I didn't trust him, so I checked it myself and he was right, the head unit just plain doesn't work). The reason I ask is because I was looking at buying a replacement head unit. On the one hand, I would love to make the install simple, keep the original look, and not have to pay extra for steering wheel controls. On the other hand, an aftermarket replacement for the HU-850 will cost much less and have way more features, such as touchscreen and DVD capabilities (for driving home from college). Crutchfield was wonderful and says I can keep the steering wheel controls, and I think the look of the Soundstream VR-651B will work with the rest of the car, but it says I'll still lose the center dash speaker. Is this something that would be a tragic loss to the sound quality in the car, or will it not really be noticeable (I've read that the center dash speakers are just used "for effect" and produce very little sound on their own)? Sorry for the really dumb question, but I've never actually heard the speakers in the car make any noise at all .

In other news, I have learned that the little cubby hole next to the head unit is PERFECT for putting a smartphone in and amplifying its speaker's sound out to the rest of the cabin! Almost as though they designed for it before smartphones were even a thing.....

[JRL]

You will lose that with an aftermarket radio.
Most people are so happy with a modern radio they do not miss the center speaker.
If you have good hearing and you hear voice (midrange) well, it's not that important

[oragex]

As above, don't trust the Crutchfield guy when it comes to a Volvo. You won't have the steering wheel controls working.

As for the center speaker, it creates a bit of 'surround' sound. Literally, it adds some sound in the front center. If I'm not wrong, it works only when the Dolby is turned on. Besides, with Dolby on, the rear speakers barely sound.

[JRL]

All 5 speakers work on 3 channel mode, sounds awesome.
Apparently there is a kit which makes the wheel controls work with certain aftermarket radios

[mrbrian200]

As far as aftermarket units for these vehicles did bluepower get problems resolved or are their HUs purchased new today still problematic?

[oragex]

All 5 speakers work on 3 channel mode, sounds awesome.
Apparently there is a kit which makes the wheel controls work with certain aftermarket radios

I had two radio units and two amplifiers, and all had the same sound on the rear speakers with Dolby on. I read about the same thing on forums too. Could it be a programming thing?

[JRL]

I said THREE (3) channel mode, NOT Dolby.
You have "OFF," "3ch" and "Dolby"
On off mode a teenie bit of the center channel sound slips through, On Dolby, you barely hear the rears unless an actual Dolby CD is playing, and on 3 channel (my favorite) you have ALL speakers playing.
You can adjust the center channel level in the menu, I actually have it a minus 2, otherwise too much info comes thru the center.
All the radios seem to act differently and a setting for one radio does not necessarily work well for another!

[oragex]

Didn't read well. So it's normal in Dolby mode to get no sound unless playing a Dolby CD. I too get sound all around with the two other modes (with the exception of the center speaker on Off mode as you say)

[MadeInJapan]

Someone mentioned Bluetooth. Grom sells a unit- Look it up...google it.
I put one in my wife's V70- she loves it....full control from the steering wheel.

[vtl]

Don't actually know how 850 sounds, but 650 is P.O.C. Cheap 2DIN Kenwood is day and night compared to 650.