Grom unit placement

[Squirtydog]

Hi all,
Looking to install my Grom unit in the V70 (P2) this weekend.
1. Can anyone advise on where they have installed the unit - preferably out of site but accessible for removal for firmware updates?
2. Planning to route cables into the CD holder in the centre console - any advice on how to gain access to this would be appreciated.

If anyone has done this themselves I would be grateful for any advice you have.

[V70 Graham]

I know my unit was installed on the passenger side tucked behind the carpet/plastic of the transmission tunnel, seems secure here with easy access for firmware updates.

[Squirtydog]

I know my unit was installed on the passenger side tucked behind the carpet/plastic of the transmission tunnel, seems secure here with easy access for firmware updates.

Thanks. I guess it is fairly simple to tuck the cables under the lower edge of the tunnel plastic and feed back towards the centre arm rest. Just need to gain access to the compartment after that.

[M-R-P]

To get into the compartment, I think you need to remove the whole center bit. There's only a few well-hidden screws but it's a pig to do. Took me ages lol.

[Squirtydog]

To get into the compartment, I think you need to remove the whole center bit. There's only a few well-hidden screws but it's a pig to do. Took me ages lol.

Oh excellent. Will make sure I am feeling patient before I start. How do you actually route the cables into the compartment? Power tools / drills needed?

[volvokid]

Let me know how this is in your car cuz its something I want

[Squirtydog]

Let me know how this is in your car cuz its something I want

Will do. Will plan to get take pics of the install / disassembly of my car interior before I inevitably go to a proffessional to have it put back together properly.:scared:

[Squirtydog]

OK. Any clues as to those well hidden screws? Fitting this morning and wondering where to start with the arm rest etc. can't find much on YouTube.

[Squirtydog]

Fitted today.
Didn't see the need to take photos as the Grom video on YouTube is sufficient. Found it fairly easy overall.
Disconnected the battery beforehand.
Removing the climate control unit was a bit fiddly. Doesn't feel right just levering out from the lower end. Needed a bit of levering at the sides at the top.
Although I don't have an external CD changer and I could not find a Melbus cable on the boot, there was something connected to the accessory port in the back of the unit - Telephone prep maybe? The Grom unit allows this to be reconnected to the volvo specific Grom cable.
Routed the cable into the passenger footwell and connected the Grom unit, wedged it behind the plastic centre console cover - you can see the bulge but only because you are looking for it.
Connected iPod up and hey presto it works! Took my time as I'm not really one for faffing with these things usually, so around an hour or so overall.
Worked as described in Advanced mode except...

...sound quality is BLIMMIN AWFUL! Had my settings adjusted to my liking and played a CD, sultans of swing (has some really sharp trebly guitar). Switched to same track on iPod and it was like listening through a wall. All bass, no middle or treble. Proper boomy, headachy, dull fluffy bass. To get a half decent sound the bass needs adjusting down and the treble needs turning up to full. This gets a pretty good sound but it is still a compromise. Subsequently on switching back to CD or radio they both need readjusting. Or you have the opposite, no bass and shrill treble.

Have to say that this is really disappointing and I'll be contacting Carputer on Monday. I appreciate that they have no way of commenting here at this time so I will uldate with their response later.

Without constantly adjusting the settings the unit is unusable. Certainly does NOT give...

"CD Quality Sound
Seamless integration into your factory stereo system provides fantastic sound quality as its directly connected as opposed to the typically poor sound quality associated with FM modulators, cassette adapters or systems that have their own amplifier."

...money not well spent.

[V70 Graham]

Have to say I'm very happy with mine BUT I only use it via the Bluetooth dongle, Annemarie did once plug here iphone in via the cable (till we got iphone 5's and made the connector redundant) and we did notice a drop in quality......good luck getting a response from Carputer on Monday, there reply to e-mails etc is a bit slow.

[volvokid]

Thanks for the info I wont be getting this then. I asked the question on here before and got told the sound quality is good but I will take your word for it

[Squirtydog]

Have to say I'm very happy with mine BUT I only use it via the Bluetooth dongle, Annemarie did once plug here iphone in via the cable (till we got iphone 5's and made the connector redundant) and we did notice a drop in quality......good luck getting a response from Carputer on Monday, there reply to e-mails etc is a bit slow.

So have you found the that the sound quality is better via Bluetooth? That sounds odd.

[Squirtydog]

Thanks for the info I wont be getting this then. I asked the question on here before and got told the sound quality is good but I will take your word for it

Yep, real shame. Seems odd. I'm no audiophile but there is just no comparison between CD and the Grom. If it is not a fault with my unit then I'm surprised that no one else has made the same observation. I could almost live with just turning the treble up to max for the Grom if I didn't have to make an adjustment to the bass aswell. To do this every time and still have a compromise in sound quality is just a ball ache.

[V70 Graham]

So have you found the that the sound quality is better via Bluetooth? That sounds odd.

Definitely, the quality did drop when we used the cable but like I said we have only used it once, I have had mine installed since last May, never had a problem....fingers crossed.

[Squirtydog]

Also bought an accessory Aux/USB cable. May try that one and see if there is a difference. No control from the HU with that though so will still be sending back if they can't sort it.

[volvokid]

Hope you have better luck than some with the customer care.

[Squirtydog]

If anyone is using or knows of someone using the iMIV kit then maybe we could get some testimonials on here. They apparently have some new stuff coming out at the end of the year.

[volvokid]

Leet5 has it and it works well I have seen it

[Harvey]

If anyone is using or knows of someone using the iMIV kit then maybe we could get some testimonials on here. They apparently have some new stuff coming out at the end of the year.

I have one fitted in my car works great,sound is spot on,also plays video on to the sat nav screen,and also have the reverse cam kit fitted works great.
5 iPhone has a different plug won't work. So it's 4s or older.

Just look on there site they are doing a Bluetooth unit soon ?.

Here's the old thread http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?35950-iMIV-Ipod-adaptor&highlight=Imiv

[Squirtydog]

Sent them an enquiry a while back but didn't get a response. Felt I couldn't wait for something that might or might not materialise at the end of the year and went for the Grom. Did a bit more listening to it last night. With treble turned right up it is getting towards tolerable but the fuzzy bass still echoes through and irritates in no time. Going to connect the additional mini jack aux input today from the headphone out of the iPod and see if there is a difference.

[Squirtydog]

Don't have Sat Nav and I'll mostly be using an iPod classic so some iMIV features are of little use to me. However if that is what I need to but to get decent sound and steering wheel control then I'll hold out. Also i understand thet the iMIV does display track title on the HU? I do have an iPhone 4 so possibly would use the Bluetooth occasionally.

[Squirtydog]

...Going to connect the additional mini jack aux input today from the headphone out of the iPod and see if there is a difference.

No difference. Expected that really.

[Murphwiz]

I have the 'volvo' ipod interface, works perfect, sound is crisp and clear, the same if not better than CD.
Just wish it would display tracks onto headunit!

[Squirtydog]

I have the 'volvo' ipod interface, works perfect, sound is crisp and clear, the same if not better than CD.
Just wish it would display tracks onto headunit!

Tell me about that one. How much?

[Squirtydog]

Seems that I am a hasty angry muppet.

I received a immediate response to my query with carputer.
After some suggestions from them, I compared my iPod with a different source via aux input. Sound was fine. When I subsequently checked my iPod EQ setting it was on 'small speaker'...

Changed back to EQ OFF and hey presto!

Obviously this didn't show itself when I compared iPod to iPhone on headphones cos they are small speakers!

So my install review should stop at ...

Install easy even for a muppet
Wheel controls as described
Sound quality exceptional
Just don't be a muppet and forget to check your EQ settings before ranting on a public forum!

[volvokid]

So whats the deal . Is it the same quality as cd

[Squirtydog]

Pretty much. Haven't really listened for long. Was just chuffed to have sorted the problem. The EQ setting on the iPod makes such a huge difference. I would say that it is not quite the same sound as a CD with the EQ OFF. My wife thought it was better, I couldn't choose between the two on a short listen. I would say that I am more than happy with it now and would definitely recommend it. Think any difference is down to EQ settings. I will mess with a few different iPod EQ settings to see which gets the best out of it.

[Squirtydog]

So after a bit of faffing with EQ settings. For me, a setting which boosts mid and treble a bit e.g. lounge, gets a spot on sound. Maybe even a bit warmer and fuller than the same song on the CD.