2 0 0 5
VOLVO
V50
| Chapter 11 - Audio |
| Audio system - introduction | 170 |
| Audio system overview | 171 |
| Audio functions | 173 |
| Radio functions | 176 |
| CD player | 179 |
| CD changer (certain audio systems only) | 181 |
| Audio menu settings and selections | 183 |
The audio system in your car is operated with
the buttons and keys in the front, center
control panel. Certain functions, such as
adjusting the volume, changing radio stations
or tracks on a CD, etc, can also be controlled
with the optional steering wheel-mounted
keypad.
The audio system is available in three1
versions:
A subwoofer mounted under the floor in the cargo area is available as an accessory. Consult your Volvo retailer.
1. All three audio systems may not be available in all markets.

1. POWER - audio system on/off
2. Not in use
3. VOLUME
4. CD - switch to the CD player or CD
changer (certain audio systems only)
5. AM/FM - switch between AM, FM1, and
FM2
6. MENU - press to access the audio and
car settings menu
7. ENTER - press to make or confirm a
menu selection
8. EXIT - press to go back in a menu, or to
cancel a menu selection
9. MENU NAVIGATION CONTROL - press
the up or down arrow keys to scroll in a
menu, or the keys on the left/right sides
of the control to search for or change
radio stations/CD tracks
10. TUNING - search for or change a radio
station/CD track
11. SOUND - press to set the levels of bass,
treble, fader, balance, etc
12. SCAN - automatic station search
13. AUTO - search for and store the
strongest radio stations in the area in
which you are driving
14. DISPLAY
15. CD slot
16. CD eject
17. Station preset buttons/switch between
CDs (1-6) in the CD changer (certain
audio systems only)

Steering wheel keypad (option)
The four buttons on the steering wheel
keypad can be used to control the audio
system. The steering wheel keypad can be
used to adjust volume, shift between preset
stations and change CD tracks. Press one of
the two left-hand buttons briefly to change to
the next/previous preset radio station, or to
go to the next/previous track on a CD. Press
and hold down these buttons to search within
a track on a CD.
Display
The display shows the function in use, such
as menu selections, messages, or settings.
This display is also used for the climate
control system.
Daytime/twilight display
In daylight the information is displayed
against a light background. In darkness it is
displayed against a dark background.
Clean the display with a soft, dry cloth. Do not
use cleaning agents.
Using the audio system menus
Press MENU to access the main audio
system menu. The settings for the audio
system source (radio or CD) are selected
from the main menu. Audio settings cannot
be made if the audio system is not switched
on.
Using the menu:

Audio system On/Off
With the ignition key in position I or higher,
press the POWER button to switch the audio
system on or off.
If the audio system is active when the ignition
is switched off, it will reactivate automatically
when the car is restarted.
Selecting a sound source
Use the CD and AM/FM buttons to select the
sound source of your choice.
Volume control
Turn the volume knob clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or lower the volume.
The volume can also be increased (+) or
lowered (-) using the optional steering wheel
keypad.
Pause mode
When the volume is turned all the way down,
the CD player switches to pause mode.
Reactivate the player by turning up the
volume.
Volume control - ALARM
If a CD is playing when the radio receives an
alarm bulletin (available in certain areas only),
the CD player enters pause mode. The
bulletin is broadcast at the volume selected
for this type of message.
After the bulletin has been completed, the
audio system reverts to the originally selected
sound source (radio or CD), which is played
at the volume that was selected for that
source.
If the bulletin volume is adjusted while the
bulletin is being broadcast, this new volume
is saved and used for subsequent bulletins.
Sound settings
1. Press SOUND.
2. Press the SOUND button repeatedly
until you come to the setting that you
wish to change. Choose BASS,
TREBLE, FADER, BALANCE,
SUBWOOFER (option), CENTER or
SURROUND1.
3. Use the TUNING knob to adjust the
level. The display will show a scale from
the min. to max. settings. The center of
this scale is the default setting.
| Display text | Sound setting |
| BASS | Bass |
| TREBLE | Treble |
| BALANCE | Balance between the speakers on the left and right sides of the car |
| FADER | Balance between the front and rear speakers |
| SUBWOOFER | Level for the optional subwoofer (bass speaker) |
| CENTER | Setting for the center speaker (Premium sound system only) |
| SURROUND | Setting for surround sound (Premium sound system only) |
1. The Center and Surround functions are only available on the Premium sound system.
NOTE:
Dolby Surround Pro Logic II
Dolby Surround Pro Logic II together with a
center speaker in the dashboard offers you a
sound experience very close to a live performance.
The normal left-right stereo channels
are divided to left-center-right. In addition,
surround sound is produced by the rear
speakers. This surround sound mirrors the
ambience of a concert hall. Dolby Surround
Pro Logic II functions in CD, AM, and FM
modes.
NOTE:
Dolby Surround Pro Logic II
and the Dolby icon are trademarks
of Dolby Laboratories
Licensing Corporation. Dolby
Pro Logic II Surround System
is manufactured under license from Dolby
Laboratories Licensing Corporation.
Bass speaker - SUBWOOFER
(accessory)
The subwoofer helps the system provide
fuller sound and deeper bass.
To switch the subwoofer on or off:
1. Press MENU.
2. Select the menu for relevant sound
source and press ENTER.
3. Select SUBWOOFER and press
ENTER. A check in the box in the display
indicates that SUBWOOFER is
activated.
Equalizer Front/Rear
This function is used to fine-tune the sound
from the front and rear speakers.
NOTE: This function is only available on
certain sound systems.
To adjust the equalizer settings:
1. Press MENU.
2. Select the menu for the current sound
source and press ENTER.
3. Select Audio settings in the menu and
press ENTER.
4. Select Equalizer front/rear and press
ENTER.
5. Use the MENU NAVIGATION control or
the TUNING knob to set the level.
6. Use the MENU NAVIGATION control to
select the new frequency. Five
frequencies can be selected.
7. Press ENTER to save any changes made
and to exit the menu.
8. Press EXIT to leave the menu without saving any changes.
ASC - speed compensated
volume
The audio system's volume is adjusted
automatically according to the speed of the
vehicle. There are three settings available
(see e.g. menu point 4.6), which determine
the level of volume compensation:
* Default setting.

Station search
Manual station search
There are two ways to manually tune a radio
station:
Storing stations
To store a selected station under one of the
station setting buttons 0-9:
1. Tune to the desired station.
2. Press the button under which the station
is to be stored and keep it depressed.
The audio system sound will be interrupted
for a few seconds and STATION
STORED will appear in the display. The
station is now stored.
A total of 30 stations can be stored; 10
stations each in AM, FM1 and FM2.
Storing stations automatically -
AUTOSTORE
This function automatically searches for and
stores up to ten strong AM or FM stations in
a separate memory. If more than ten stations
are found, the ten strongest ones are stored.
This function is especially useful in areas in
which you are not familiar with radio stations
or their frequencies.
To use the AUTO function:
1. Select radio mode using the AM/FM
button.
2. Start the search by pressing AUTO for
more than 2 seconds.
3. AUTO STORING appears in the display
and a number of stations with strong
signals (max. 10) from the selected
frequency band will be stored in the
auto-store memory. If there are no
stations with sufficient signal strength,
NO AST FOUND is displayed.
The stored stations can be found using the
buttons 0-9.
When the radio is in auto-store mode, AUTO
is shown in the display. AUTO disappears
when you return to the normal radio mode.
Return to the normal radio mode by pressing
the AM/FM button, EXIT, or by briefly
pressing the AUTO button (for less than
approx. 0.5 seconds).
To return to the Auto-store mode, press the
AUTO button briefly and select a stored
station by pressing one of the number keys
(0-9)
Scanning - SCAN
This function automatically searches for the
next strong AM or FM station signal. When
the radio finds a station, scanning is interrupted
for approximately 8 seconds, after
which it will continue scanning.
1. Select radio mode using the AM/FM
button.
2. Press SCAN (SCAN is shown in the
display).
3. Press the SCAN or EXIT button to stop
the scan function and listen to the
selected station.
To start a new station scanning, repeat steps
1-3.
Radio Broadcast Data System -
RBDS
This feature, which may not be available in
your area, functions only with FM broadcasts.
The radio in your car is equipped with an
advanced system allowing information from
broadcasters to be transmitted visually, as
text, together with the audio signal. This information
is then decoded by the radio and
made available for several new and unique
features.
The RBDS or Radio Broadcast Data
System operates in the FM band only,
and the information transmitted is
supplied exclusively by participating
broadcasters. Volvo has no control over the
accuracy of the data or information.
Coverage by local broadcasters may be
limited at this time, but as the technology and
benefits grow, you will find the radio in your
car is equipped to take advantage of this
system.
PI (Program Information) seek
When
an FM station has been stored as a preset,
the radio also stores RBDS program information
if it is available. When the preset is
selected at a later time, the radio tries to
access updated program information. In
weak signal areas, there may be a delay
before the station becomes audible. During
this delay, there will be no sound.
PI seek can be interrupted by pressing EXIT.
Radio text
Certain RBDS stations broadcast program
information, which can be shown in the
display.
To start this function:
1. Select FM1 or FM2 and press the
MENU button.
2. Press ENTER.
3. Select RADIOTEXT in the menu and
press ENTER.
To deactivate this function, select
RADIOTEXT again and press ENTER.
Alarm
Alarms bulletins are transmitted automatically
by certain RBDS stations. The function
cannot be deactivated.
"Alarm!" is shown in the radio display when
an alarm message is sent. The function is
used to warn motorists of serious accidents,
etc.
Program type/station format -
PTY
The PTY function allows you to find stations
whose programs suit your taste. Use the PTY
function to select among the different station
formats shown in the list.
To show the format of the current station:
1. Select FM1 or FM2 and press the
MENU button.
2. Press ENTER.
3. Select PTY from the menu and press
ENTER.
4. Select SHOW PTY and press ENTER.
The PTY (program type) of the selected
station is now shown in the display.
NOTE: Not all RBDS radio stations have PTY designations.
Station formats
Switch off/deactivate (Clear all PTY)
News
Information
Sports
Talk
Rock
Classic rock
Adult hits
Soft rock
Top 40
Country
Oldies
Soft
Nostalgia
Jazz
Classical
Rhythm and Blues
Soft R&B
Language
Religious music
Religious talk
Personality
Public
College
Weather
Search for a specific station
format
This functions enables you to search for a
certain station format by searching through
the entire FM waveband.
1. Select FM1 or FM2 and press the
MENU button.
2. Press ENTER.
3. Select PTY and press ENTER.
4. Choose SELECT PTY and press
ENTER.
5. Press ENTER for one or more of the
listed station formats. Once you have
selected all the desired types, select
EXIT to exit the PTY list.
6. Select SEARCH PTY and press ENTER.
If the radio finds a station with the
selected format, it will tune to this
station.
If you would like to continue searching, press
the left or right arrow on the MENU
NAVIGATION control.
If no stations with the selected station format
are found, the radio resumes its previous
frequency.
Automatic frequency update -
AF
The AF function ensures that one of the
strongest available transmitters for a radio
station is used. This function is only available
on RBDS stations. To activate this function:
1. Select FM1 or FM2 and press the
MENU button.
2. Press ENTER
3. Select ADVANCED RADIO SETTINGS
in the menu and press ENTER.
4. Select AF and press ENTER.
To deactivate this function, select AF and
press ENTER.
Resetting RBDS functions
This function restores all radio settings to the
original factory settings.
1. Select FM1 or FM2 and press the
MENU button.
2. Press ENTER.
3. Select ADVANCED RADIO SETTINGS
in the menu and press ENTER.
4. Select RESET ALL in the menu and
press ENTER.
5. Press ENTER again to confirm your
selection.

Starting the CD player
Start the CD player by pressing the CD
button and inserting a disc in the player.
Changing tracks
Press the left or right arrow keys on the
MENU NAVIGATION control to skip to the
previous or next track.
NOTE: The track number is shown in the display. The TUNING knob or the arrow keys in the optional keypad in the steering wheel can also be used for this purpose.
Fast forward/back
Press and hold down the left or right arrows
keys in the MENU NAVIGATION control (or
the corresponding keys on the optional
steering wheel keypad) to search within a
track or the whole disc. The search continues
for as long as the buttons are held in.
Random play
This function plays the tracks on a CD in
random order (shuffle).
1. Select CD mode and press the MENU
button.
2. Press ENTER.
3. Select RANDOM from the menu and
press ENTER.
RND is shown in the display as long as the
function is activated.
Select RANDOM again and press ENTER, or
press the EXIT button to stop random play.
Scan
This function plays the first 10 seconds of
each track on the CD.
1. Press SCAN.
2. Press EXIT to stop the scan function and
listen to an entire track.
CD eject
Press the button (no. 16 in the illustration on
page 171) to eject the disc.
NOTE: For reasons of traffic safety, the ejected CD must be removed within 12 seconds or it will be automatically drawn back into the slot and the CD player will enter pause mode. Press the CD button to restart the disc.
Compact disc care

Starting the CD changer
The CD changer can hold up to six discs.
To use the CD changer:
1. Press the CD button.
2. Select an empty position using the 1-6
buttons or the up/down keys on the
MENU NAVIGATION control. The
display shows which positions are empty.
3. Insert a disc into the changer.
Ensure that INSERT DISC is displayed
before inserting a new disc.
Selecting a disc position
(number)
Use the station setting buttons 1-6 to select
the disc to be played, or use the up/down
arrow keys on the MENU NAVIGATION
control. The number of the disc and the track
being played are shown in the display.
Changing tracks
Press the right/left arrow keys on the MENU
NAVIGATION control to skip to the next or
previous track.
NOTE: The TUNING knob (turn clockwise to go to the next track, or counterclockwise to go to the previous track) or the optional keypad in the steering wheel can also be used for this purpose.
Fast forward/back
Press and hold down the left or right arrows
keys in the MENU NAVIGATION control (or
the corresponding keys on the optional
steering wheel keypad) to search within a
track or the whole disc. The search continues
for as long as the buttons are held in.
Random play
This function makes it possible to play the
tracks on a single disc or on all of the discs in
the CD changer in random order (shuffle).
1. Select CD mode and press the MENU
button.
2. Press ENTER.
3. Select RANDOM from the menu and
press ENTER.
4. Select SINGLE DISC or ALL DISCS for
the player to randomly choose from one
or all discs in the CD changer.
RND or RND ALL is shown in the display
while the function is active. Press EXIT to
deactivate this function. Press the right arrow
key on the MENU NAVIGATION control to
select the next random track.
NOTE: You can only select the next random track on the current disc.
Scan
This function plays the first ten seconds of
each track on the CD.
1. Press SCAN.
2. Press EXIT to stop the scan function and
listen to an entire track.
Scan only works on the selected disc.
Disc text
Certain CDs contain information about the
disc, such as the titles of the tracks, etc. This
information can be shown in the display by
activating the DISCTEXT function.
1. Press MENU. Select the menu for
relevant sound source and press
ENTER.
2. Select DISCTEXT in the menu and press
ENTER.
3. If information is stored on the disc, it will
now appear in the display.
To deactivate this function, select DISCTEXT in the menu and press ENTER.
CD eject
This function makes it possible to eject a
single disc, or to eject all of the discs in the
changer.
NOTE:
Compact disc care
Audio menu settings and selections
NOTE:
All alternatives marked * can be selected or
set to On or Off by navigating to the alternative
in the menu and pressing Enter.
FM1/FM2 menu
1. PTY
1.1. SELECT PTY
1.1.1. CLEAR ALL PTY
1.1.2. The available program types are listed
here
1.2. SEARCH PTY
1.3. SHOW PTY ON/OFF (default)*
2. RADIOTEXT ON/OFF (default)*
3. ADVANCED RADIO SETTINGS
3.1. AF ON/OFF (default)*
3.2. RESET All
4. AUDIO SETTINGS
4.1. SURROUND AM/FM (Premium sound
system only)
4.1.1. Dolby Pro Logic II*
4.1.2.3 Channel*
4.1.3. OFF (default)*
4.2. SURROUND CD
4.2.1. Dolby Pro Logic II (default)*
4.2.2.3 Channel*
4.2.3. OFF*
4.3. SUBWOOFER ON (default)/OFF*
(accessory)
4.4. EQUALIZER FRONT (certain audio
systems)
4.5. EQUALIZER REAR (certain audio
systems)
4.6. Auto. volume control (speed compensated
volume)
4.6.1. Low*
4.6.2. Medium (default)*
4.6.3. High*
4.7. RESET ALL
AM menu
1. 1. AUDIO SETTINGS
1.1. SURROUND AM/FM (Premium sound
system only)
1.1.1. Dolby Pro Logic II*
1.1.2. 3 Channel*
1.1.3. OFF (default)*
1.2. SURROUND CD (Premium sound
system only)
1.2.1. Dolby Pro Logic II (default)*
1.2.2.3 Channel*
1.2.3. Off*
1.3. SUBWOOFER ON (default)/OFF*
(accessory)
1.4. EQUALIZER FRONT (certain audio
systems)
1.5. EQUALIZER REAR (certain audio
systems)
1.6. Auto. volume control (speed compensated
volume)
1.6.1. Low*
1.6.2. Medium (default)*
1.6.3. High*
1.7. RESET ALL
CD menu
1. RANDOM*
2. AUDIO SETTINGS
2.1. SURROUND AM/FM (Premium sound
system only)
2.1.1. Dolby Pro Logic II*
2.1.2. 3 Channel*
2.1.3. Off (default)*
2.2. SURROUND CD (Premium sound
system only)
2.2.1. Dolby Pro Logic II (default)*
2.2.2. 3 Channel*
2.2.3. Off*
2.3. SUBWOOFER ON (default)/OFF*
(accessory)
2.4. EQUALIZER Front (certain audio
systems)
2.5. EQUALIZER Rear (certain audio
systems)
2.6. Auto. volume control (speed compensated
volume)
2.6.1. Low*
2.6.2. Medium (default)*
2.6.3. High*
2.7. RESET ALL
CD changer menu
1. RANDOM
1.1. Off (default)*
1.2. Single Disc*
1.3. All Discs*
2. DISC TEXT ON/OFF (default)*
3. AUDIO SETTINGS
3.1. SURROUND AM/FM (Premium sound
system only)
3.1.1. Dolby Pro Logic II*
3.1.2.3 Channel*
3.1.3. Off (default)*
3.2. SURROUND CD (Premium sound
system only)
3.2.1. Dolby Pro Logic II (default)*
3.2.2. 3 Channel*
3.2.3. Off*
3.3. SUBWOOFER ON (default)/OFF*
(accessory)
3.4. EQUALIZER Front (certain audio
systems)
3.5. EQUALIZER Rear (certain audio
systems)
3.6. Auto. volume control (speed compensated
sound)
3.6.1. Low*
3.6.2. Medium (default)*
3.6.3. High*
3.7. RESET ALL