9 captured repliesPartial discussion capture · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHImproving sound on a non-Bose CS
Leading reported evidence
Clean sweep
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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Suggestion
I tried the JL clean sweep with a new amp, speakers and sub.
Leading evidence: 'Clean sweep' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Clean sweep' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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Suggestion
Would it be any easier to leave the speakers in the dash untouched, and replace the door speakers and have them run by a more powerful amp?
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Discussions that contain suggestions
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Suggestion
If you're willing to change headunits from the PCM, to say the Pioneer AVIC-D3, which uses Pioneer Elite MOS-FET amplifiers, you will see a significant improvement in sound quality.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
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Suggestion
I'd ideally like to keep my non-Bose, non PCM, stock head unit (CDR24), but change the speakers and amp(s).
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
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Suggestion
You can change speakers too, but the problem in the sound package plus system isn't with the CDT treated paper cone speakers, even the Bose uses treated paper cones, it's the lack of amplification.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
If you're willing to change headunits from the PCM, to say the Pioneer AVIC-D3, which uses Pioneer Elite MOS-FET amplifiers, you will see a significant improvement in sound quality.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
You can change speakers too, but the problem in the sound package plus system isn't with the CDT treated paper cone speakers, even the Bose uses treated paper cones, it's the lack of amplification.
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Suggestion
TOB, adding amplification is almost impossible to the sound package plus, it will require running new wiring, because different speakers are powered from different sources.
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Suggestion
You can change speakers too, but the problem in the sound package plus system isn't with the CDT treated paper cone speakers, even the Bose uses treated paper cones, it's the lack of amplification.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
9 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Planet-9: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261026T174436Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
My CS has PCM, but no Bose - is it a simple exercise to improve the sound dramatically?
Eg adding an amp, sub, better speakers. Can these be linked into the PCM head unit?
Reason being my other car is a Volvo S40 with premium sound, and that is in a totally different class - and I'd like to try to achieve that quality of sound with a budget of up to $4k
I have looked into, but not executed against this very idea. With your budget it is very doable and would easily surpass the Bose system (IMHO). There are four channels that come out of the PCM, FR, FL, RR, LR. These are amplified lines and would need some equalization like the JL Audio cleansweep system. Then the could be run to an amp and replacement speakers.
Good luck!
BTW, there are many threads about this if you do a search!
I'll let the electronics experts weigh in with the precise advice... I'm sure what you have can be improved... but remember that the cabin volume of the CS is much, much smaller than your Volvo, and you also have a 295 HP motor right behind your head, so I would say no matter what you spend, don't expect the same concert hall experience you might be getting with the larger car. You should do a search through the "electronics" section since this isn't the first time this has come up, and there's a lot of good information to be had there.
brad
TOB,
I do not have pcm and no bose. I tried the JL clean sweep with a new amp, speakers and sub. It was not that much better then stock. I went the full route and replaced everything and it is awsome. I will send some pics via PM
Jeff
TOB, adding amplification is almost impossible to the sound package plus, it will require running new wiring, because different speakers are powered from different sources.
You can easily add a subwoofer, there is an article on it in the articles section. You can change speakers too, but the problem in the sound package plus system isn't with the CDT treated paper cone speakers, even the Bose uses treated paper cones, it's the lack of amplification.
If you're willing to change headunits from the PCM, to say the Pioneer AVIC-D3, which uses Pioneer Elite MOS-FET amplifiers, you will see a significant improvement in sound quality.
- Suneet
Suneet
, do you know how many discrete amplification sources there are in a Sound Package Plus system? I'd ideally like to keep my non-Bose, non PCM, stock head unit (CDR24), but change the speakers and amp(s).
Would it be any easier to leave the speakers in the dash untouched, and replace the door speakers and have them run by a more powerful amp? Doesn't seem like it should be that hard to put an amp in the front trunk and run wires to the head unit and door speakers from there.
If you do get something done, make sure you find a very reputable installer. In my case, I spent more on install then I did on components. Also, along with the price come the quality. I can uninstall said system, and nobody would ever know it was in there...they left a total of 3 non-factory holes (3 small slits in the front boot carpet to get wires to the amp) I really should post some pictures.......
I also have pics of them doing the install, but they are at work. PCM units remained the same and there is an XM underneath.
The key to this install is, unless you are looking for it, you won't notice it.
I'll try to take some time this weekend to upload all the install pics and do a short write up on the components.
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