Better sound in Volvos: HD radio standard in 2009
Since the debut of the original C70, and even before, Volvo's had a hi-fi fetish. That first C70 debuted the idea of in-car surround, running a Pro Logic head unit with available Dynaudio drivers arranged around the cabin. Volvo wants to continue offering its customers a euphonic experience, so they're equipping virtually all 2009 models with HD Radio receivers beginning in late 2008. HD Radio offers expanded programming, like the satellite services, but there's no fee. The selection may vary by geographic location, and variety may be spotty, but that's not as bad as it seems. Rather than blanket the country with the very same show from Atlantic to Pacific, HD offerings vary by locale, just like good old radio. Volvo's effort will give their vehicle fleet the largest base of standard-equipment HD receivers in the world, though the base S40 and V50 will not be available with the head units. [Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
greg.o.smith 6:32AM (2/04/2008)
HD Radio is a farce:
http://hdradiofarce.blogspot.com/
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Nighthawk 8:04PM (11/27/2007)
Sorry to burst the autoblog bubble, but HD radios choice is horrible. Its run by the same commercial monkeys that have ruined our current FM/AM choices. I hardly think they are going to be running all these stations commercial free and with much improved content. Face it, its going to be more of the same on HD.
I'd rather take the huge variety of choices available on Sirius and XM instead of channel hopping trying to miss commercials on FM/AM stations. And BTW, HD-AM has been canned for the time being due to massive bleedover to other channels. So much for that half of the spectrum getting any improvements.
I do find it ironic many of the Autoblog bloggers seem to have a vendetta against Satellite Radio, even though it can now be found standard on many of these new cars we talk about. Ford just announced a renewed partnership with Sirius, and put the penetration rate at 70% of all cars produced being equipped with it. Thats a pretty big deal, and apparently many people are enjoying these 3 and 6 month free trials enough that they are dropping the bucks when it comes time to renew.
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Dan Roth 8:19PM (11/27/2007)
I have no problem with the variety and programming on the satellite services. My issue with them is the sound quality. If I'm paying a monthly fee for my music, I feel it should sound better than something equivalent to a 32kbps .mp3 file. The content is great - and you're right, HD radio is spotty, that's the point I was making in the post.
Sattelite is cool, don't get me wrong, but there's always room for variety, so being able to choose between standard AM/FM and HD content is cool.
nighthawk_cp 8:56PM (11/27/2007)
I agree 64k I think is what it is, is not that great. I don't have a high end system in my little Ford Ranger, so I can't tell a big difference, but I'm sure in a nicer car it would be noticeable.
And I wasn't just calling you out. I have seen some other posts from the bloggers that at least I felt were bashing on XM/Sirius. And the fanboys of satrad such as myself are pretty hardcore about it, though I will be the first to admit its flaws, just like you said.
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IBOCcrock 9:16PM (11/27/2007)
This isn't exactly a breakthrough for Ibiquity. Ford bought Volvo's car division in 1998 (the truck, bus and construction equipment divisions are still under Swedish ownership). Remember that Ford is already an Ibiquity licensee (as well as a stakeholder), so you could think of this as no different from having "HD" as an option in a Mercury or a Lincoln.
And one web site reports that Ford is considering selling its Volvo auto division to BMW, which is already an Ibiquity licensee, too. Yep, it's "another brand." A financially troubled brand. One that's being shopped to help stop the bleeding at Ford, along with Jaguar, Aston-Martin, et al. One with a negligible world market share.
Now, if GM, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, or Daimler-Chrysler announce HD as a standard feature on factory audio systems, you'll have a real story. What happens when consumers found out that HD Radio just doesn't work:
“Is HD Radio Toast?”
“There are serious issues of coverage. Early adopters who bought HD radios report serious drop-outs, poor coverage, and interference. The engineers of Ibiquity may argue otherwise and defend the system, but the industry has a serious PR problem with the very people we need to get the word out on HD... In other words, everything you can find on the regular FM dial... The word has already gotten out about HD Radio. People who have already bought an HD Radio are telling others of their experience (mostly bad) and no amount of marketing will reverse this.”
http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=487772
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volvfan88 10:14AM (11/28/2007)
didnt Ford say they are keeping Volvo for now at least, they will allow Volvo to operate mor indepently also. The thing with BMW too is that BMW said no more brands will be bought nor ressurected. If this is a recent twist to Ford's ongoing saga with the PAG then let me know. I think right now Ford is trying to prepare Volvo for a major share divestment. Ford wants to sever multiple ties with Volvo so that they can sell the majority of the shares to a private comapny like that Wallenburg Family that owns Investor AB of Sweden. Ford probably wants to keep like a 30% share in Volvo like that of Mazda.
berne1 10:13PM (11/27/2007)
I have yet to understand the appeal of HD radio. Of course, I've had XM for the past 3-4 years, but still...what's the appeal of HD, I get better quality commericals?
The couple weeks here in Detroit when I was in a rental, I tried commercial radio again. Basically, this: in the morning, you don't get music on any local stations, it's all these "morning shows" (you know, the same show in your city, with different names). Plus, I listened to the popular morning show here and it's basically the same shtick as it was 6 years ago when I moved away. The one morning I timed 13 straight minutes of commercials. Ugh. So that's what made me a satellite radio convert. Definitely worth the $13/mo to me. That and my XM stations play wherever I go, where with HD I still have to find stations when I travel.
Plus I'm reading the rates drop should this merger go through, down to $6.95 for a basic package. I honestly don't know how anybody listens to commercial radio anymore. I don't think HD will do anything to slow the rush to satellite.
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