[Cabot]

My S70 has 8 speakers, no amp, and a blown rear speaker. I went to a reputlable audio place to go over options. It seemed complicated to me. The amps I was being shown here 5 channel and large in size, and for the rear speakers I was told a free-air sub could be used. It all seemed kind of complicated. <p>What is involved with just buying the standard Volvo amp and replacing the rear deck speakers with OEM ones? Can I still buy the parts needed? Would aftermarket sound better?

 

[JRL]

Re: S70 - amp/rear deck speakers (Cabot)

Sure it will sound better but why would you need an amp?<br>Just replace the broken speaker.<br>When I did the T5 over I used one of the new Alpines systems (and new door speakers) these radios have over 25w per channel built in so no separate amp was needed for my adult ears.<br>I used 2- 8" Kicker free air subs in the rear deck with a small 100w amp for those, mounted under the package shelf. It was a VERY nice sounding car, don't forget the Dynamat

 

[Cabot]

Re: S70 - amp/rear deck speakers (JRL)

I need the amp because as I understand it the stock 816 config. required an amp to power the two rear door speakers (which I don't have). Currently, the DVD unit for my GPS system resides under the package shelf that can't be moved (vibrations in that area are minimal). The audio person I met with wasn't trying to push overkill equipment, but did make adding a sub and changing the rear shelf speakers sound really complicated to the point where I'd feel more comfortable if a Volvo dealer put it in. I'm trying to find a configuration that will require as little modification as possible.

 

[rothe]

Re: S70 - amp/rear deck speakers (Cabot)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>Cabot</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm trying to find a configuration that will require as little modification as possible. </TD></TR></TABLE><p>Yes, you can replace the rear deck speakers. The dealers will have those speakers available through their parts departments, although I wouldn't hesitate to call one of the Volvo recyclers for a part like that. (http://www.erievovo.com/ is one that comes to mind)<p>You can also add rear door speakers, which I'm actually quite surprised that you don't already have. I certainly won't claim to have seen every OEM S70 configuration out there, but I was under the impression that all US-bound S70s came with dash-mounted tweeters and speakers in all four doors -- the only difference being the presence or absence of rear deck speakers.<p>If you want to upgrade, you're not going to get better bang-for-the-buck than the Dynaudio system that Volvo designed for the S70/V70. See these links:<p><A HREF="http://www.jimrothe.com/volvo/volvo-dynaudio.html" TARGET="_blank">http://www.jimrothe.com/volvo/volvo-dynaudio.html</A><p><A HREF="http://www.jimrothe.com/volvo/volvo-dynaudio_brochure.html" TARGET="_blank">http://www.jimrothe.com/volvo/....html</A><p><A HREF="http://www.jimrothe.com/volvo/volvo-dynaudio_instructions.html" TARGET="_blank">http://www.jimrothe.com/volvo/....html</A><p>As you read that first page, you will notice that I upgraded my head unit to Volvo's SC-901. What I didn't put in that page is that I've also added an adapter to plug my MP3 player into the Volvo head unit. That's a popular upgrade, discussed ad infinitum here:<p><A HREF="http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothread?id=13955" TARGET="_blank">http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothread?id=13955</A><p>My installation is pictured here:<p><A HREF="http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothread?id=13955&page=4" TARGET="_blank">http://forums.swedespeed.com/z...age=4</A><p>Note that you do not *have to* upgrade the head unit in order to upgrade your speakers, but my personal opinion is that the Dynaudio kit -- or any good quality, aftermarket speaker upgrades -- would be wasted on a stock SC-816 head unit. But that's just my opinion. As always, your mileage may vary....<p>

 

[Cabot]

Re: S70 - amp/rear deck speakers (rothe)

Thanks Jim for the help. Sorry it took so long to post back. I will call around for the Dynaudio system. As far as the bassy SC816, I'm waiting for the Pioneer Z1 to come out. <p>To update you on the audio config on my S70: when ordered, the audio system was the last thought and not really discussed by any literature. Bascially, I have 8 speaker ports, but only 6 speakers. The two lacking are the ones in the rear doors. It was explained to me that these ports could only take powered speakers if I added an amplifier because the 816 system didn't have enough power.