mp3 in volvo s60

[Tim]

Am about to buy a 2yr old S60 SE. Standard setup is fully integrated style
single slot - multi disc ( 4) CD and radio set.
I know my old car's Sony Xplod mp3 head unit won't fit of course, but I also
have just got a creative Zen micro player, and would appreciate advice as to
how to utilize this in the car.
Would not have fancied the "via a cassette unit" type of thingy, as I am
sure they would be naff, and the car hasn't got a cassette unit anyway :-)
I am aware of the FM transmitter type convertors that work by transmitting
the headphone output signal to the radio on a set frequency, but are they
any good ? If so which one to get? Lastly, are there better alternatives, I
really dont fancy cluttering up the cabin with trailing leads, and cigar
lighter adaptors etc tyia

[Tim S Kemp]

Post by Tim
Am about to buy a 2yr old S60 SE. Standard setup is fully integrated
style single slot - multi disc ( 4) CD and radio set.
I know my old car's Sony Xplod mp3 head unit won't fit of course, but
I also have just got a creative Zen micro player, and would
appreciate advice as to how to utilize this in the car.
Would not have fancied the "via a cassette unit" type of thingy, as I
am sure they would be naff, and the car hasn't got a cassette unit
anyway :-) I am aware of the FM transmitter type convertors that work
by transmitting the headphone output signal to the radio on a set
frequency, but are they any good ? If so which one to get? Lastly,
are there better alternatives, I really dont fancy cluttering up the
cabin with trailing leads, and cigar lighter adaptors etc tyia

As an S60 owner your options are limited - you can splice into the line in
from the (optional) boot cd changer and leave a CD on repeat. Or use an FM
transmitter. Or for those of us with S and not SE models we can use a
cassette adaptor (S models came with CD/Radio/Cassette and only 10
speakers). There is an official iPod kit as well - speak to Volvo...

Don't ruin it by getting an adaptor and fitting a standard head unit - the
SE has a seperate amp, surround processor etc.Many have the AudioMax upgrade
with the three way components in the front doors and things - very very
nice...

[Tim]

Hi Tim. So are you saying that the car amp unit already has a line in on
t - even tho it has not had the boot style cd changer fitted ? If so, could
I not just make up an adaptor lead with mini jack on the ZEN end, and
respective plugs ( phono? ) on the other?

Post by Tim S Kemp

Post by Tim
Am about to buy a 2yr old S60 SE. Standard setup is fully integrated
style single slot - multi disc ( 4) CD and radio set.
I know my old car's Sony Xplod mp3 head unit won't fit of course, but
I also have just got a creative Zen micro player, and would
appreciate advice as to how to utilize this in the car.
Would not have fancied the "via a cassette unit" type of thingy, as I
am sure they would be naff, and the car hasn't got a cassette unit
anyway :-) I am aware of the FM transmitter type convertors that work
by transmitting the headphone output signal to the radio on a set
frequency, but are they any good ? If so which one to get? Lastly,
are there better alternatives, I really dont fancy cluttering up the
cabin with trailing leads, and cigar lighter adaptors etc tyia

As an S60 owner your options are limited - you can splice into the line in
from the (optional) boot cd changer and leave a CD on repeat. Or use an FM
transmitter. Or for those of us with S and not SE models we can use a
cassette adaptor (S models came with CD/Radio/Cassette and only 10
speakers). There is an official iPod kit as well - speak to Volvo...
Don't ruin it by getting an adaptor and fitting a standard head unit - the
SE has a seperate amp, surround processor etc.Many have the AudioMax
upgrade with the three way components in the front doors and things - very
very nice...
--
re-configure the solar matrix in parallel for endothermic propulsion

[Tim S Kemp]

Post by Tim
Hi Tim. So are you saying that the car amp unit already has a line in
on t - even tho it has not had the boot style cd changer fitted ? If
so, could I not just make up an adaptor lead with mini jack on the
ZEN end, and respective plugs ( phono? ) on the other?

No, it's not that easy. The amp is fixed gain and relies on the variable out
from the head unit. You can split the line in from the boot CD changer if
there is one - I've seen diagrams for it on the web.

There's also a 3rd party ipod adaptor that provides a second line in as well
as ipod control and audio - that's available from crutchfield in the US and
they ship to the UK.

[Tim..]

Post by Tim S Kemp

Post by Tim
Am about to buy a 2yr old S60 SE. Standard setup is fully integrated
style single slot - multi disc ( 4) CD and radio set.
I know my old car's Sony Xplod mp3 head unit won't fit of course, but
I also have just got a creative Zen micro player, and would
appreciate advice as to how to utilize this in the car.
Would not have fancied the "via a cassette unit" type of thingy, as I
am sure they would be naff, and the car hasn't got a cassette unit
anyway :-) I am aware of the FM transmitter type convertors that work
by transmitting the headphone output signal to the radio on a set
frequency, but are they any good ? If so which one to get? Lastly,
are there better alternatives, I really dont fancy cluttering up the
cabin with trailing leads, and cigar lighter adaptors etc tyia

As an S60 owner your options are limited - you can splice into the line in
from the (optional) boot cd changer and leave a CD on repeat. Or use an FM
transmitter. Or for those of us with S and not SE models we can use a
cassette adaptor (S models came with CD/Radio/Cassette and only 10
speakers). There is an official iPod kit as well - speak to Volvo...
Don't ruin it by getting an adaptor and fitting a standard head unit - the
SE has a seperate amp, surround processor etc.Many have the AudioMax upgrade
with the three way components in the front doors and things - very very
nice...

Tim, is there an easy way to spot the AudioMax speaker equiped cars? Like
seeing though the speaker grille or some label???

Tim..

[Tim S Kemp]

Post by Tim..
Tim, is there an easy way to spot the AudioMax speaker equiped cars?
Like seeing though the speaker grille or some label???

Erm, not that easy - they have the three speakers in the door (8 inch bass,
I think 5 but maybe 6.5 mid and tweeter) and the mid is angled towards the
driver - but I think the same door panels are used in other trim levels too.
They also have a 4x75 amp instead of a 4x50 (still 25 for centre driven from
the HU). It'll have an in-dash changer too. Note that nav equipped cars have
a smaller and notably worse sounding centre speaker.

If you ring Volvo with the registration they may give you the original spec
so you can check for any spec discrepencies.