Why the swap
The first-generation Volvo S60 came with several optional sound systems, and among them, the premium setup featured the HU-850 head unit with a 6-disc changer, equalizer, and Dolby support. That’s what I had in my car too. However, a known issue with these units is that one (or sometimes two) audio chips on the motherboard tend to fail, which basically kills all sound in the car. Instead, you occasionally get some popping electronic noise, which is supposedly the system trying to reboot — but for me, that’s not music.
So, the HU-850 died... I tried repairing it myself, sent it to technicians for SMD replacement with spare parts, but the fault still wasn’t fixed.
What to do then? A used HU-850 costs around 80,000 HUF, and those are basically time bombs too, since mine failed because of a design flaw in the first place. I started looking online for alternatives. There are cheap Android head units starting from 20,000 HUF, but I didn’t want something like that — I needed something more premium.
Well-known brands like Sony, JVC, and Pioneer offer head units too, but they are expensive, while their functionality and display quality are pretty weak. If I’m replacing it anyway, I wanted more extras, so I turned toward higher-quality, yet Eastern-made head units.
Several manufacturers offer good head units, but I was convinced by Teyes devices, which also have a nice customized Android interface and, in terms of functionality, they can do everything you’d expect from a smart device installed in a car like this.
Pros and Cons
Main advantages:
- The factory amplifier remained in place
- GPS antenna
- 4G receiver, meaning internet on the head unit and Wi‑Fi sharing in the car
- Bluetooth music streaming and call handling
- Sony 1080p rear camera, with continuous streaming or automatic switching when reverse gear is engaged
- Android apps
- Android Auto mirroring
- Nice, high-quality interface
- Adjustable RGB backlight for the physical buttons
- AUX input, which my car didn’t originally have
- Separate control of the subwoofer in the trunk, which previously received its signal from the rear speakers
- Lots of settings, including audio tuning
- Internet radio / YouTube Music / Spotify
- Netflix / internet TV
- Bluetooth OBDII diagnostics
- Steering wheel controls work
Drawbacks:
- I don’t have a front center speaker.
- The texts in the manufacturer’s customized interface are in English.
