S70 SC-816 On Last Legs... Suggestions For New Radio

[Volvo98T5]

I've enjoyed the 12+ year audio on my '98 S70 T5. Only the radio plays now-a-days. I just barely can get a clear radio signal/station now that most stations cater to the digital age. It has been a month and I can't take it anymore. I really need a new radio with media player inputs/outputs.

What do I need to look for in a new radio for my S70 ?
I also have a theft and sun damage concerns (no touch screens for me ...)
I know that the original (Alpine) radio has 8 speakers with 100 watts. But
which system would fit in my car now ?????

Audiophiles UNITE.....
Tell me of your experiences and device goodies .....
Any suggestions (bad and good... please explain) would be great......

[kcodyjr]

You want a double-DIN unit. I have a JVC KW-HDR81BT in my 850.

It has 6 RCA outputs, and I've got a dedicated aftermarket amp in the trunk powering the rear deck, driven as subwoofers, and the factory 4x40 amp behind the radio driving the doors with a matched set of Pioneer ts-e series coax speakers. Dash speakers are driven off the head unit. High pass filter at 85Hz.

Fit and finish is excellent, with its programmable light colors it looks like it belongs there except for the minor quibble of being glossy black where the rest of the dash is matte. The bluetooth mic tucks up between the rear view mirror and panel above.

It sounds like there's a 10" dual sealed sub box except it's just the factory deck speakers, nice and tight, suitable throughout the spectrum for classical, rock, rap, and everything in between without the need for retweaking the EQ. There isn't a rattle or buzz in it up to earsplitting volumes. Blocking bass to the doors was key to achieving that.

Best part is, it's about as stealth as it comes. Factory speaker grilles, no box in the trunk. With a piece of trunk liner from the junkyard and a few hours I could probably hide the amp entirely as well. The only visual indication of anything at all is a relatively nondescript non-touchscreen dash unit.

[matthew1]

Kcodyjr, did you get the display to dim at night? A commenter on the JVC's Amazon page notes he wasn't able to do this.

For anyone: if you use this link below it's got the MVS tag already embedded in it. MVS is an Amazon Affiliate, so it helps MVS if you buy things from Amazon using the various Amazon links on this site.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0079L ... svolvo3-20

[mikealder]

I know that the original (Alpine) radio has 8 speakers with 100 watts. But
which system would fit in my car now ?????

If the system in your car has 100W it will also have a built in amplifier that is external to the head unit, to utilise this you will need a head unit with four RCA outputs and an adapter to go from the RCA plugs to the DIN plug that is currently connected to the rear of your head unit, this DIN plug is the input to the Volvo amplifier lead (PC9-414) see Here For one such example - Mike

[kcodyjr]

It behaves as it should, but that might not be what the Amazon commenter expected.

It has four sets of programmable colors; two each for the buttons and display, for day and for night. It uses the interior bulb wire to decide which one. As such, it's one or the other, and at some point as you slide the dimmer down towards darkness, it thinks it's daytime.

So, it's technically true to say it doesn't "dim" linearly like the bulbs, but unless you like to screw with your interior bulb brightness constantly, it can be set to seamlessly match color and brightness.

I set the daytime to just-off-white matching the "white ink" on the rest of the dash, and fiendishly tweaked the nighttime color to match the green glow from the backlit dash printing. If someone decides to buy one, I suppose I can go outside and write down my settings.

[kcodyjr]

Also, the only Alpine was the SC-901, and it actually requires the outboard amp.

The SC-816 is a Mitsubishi if memory serves, and can run with or without the amp.

I've never heard of a 100W total amp; only a 4x40 and 4x50 that fit behind the radio, a 4x50 that fits under the passenger seat, and a 4x100 that fits into the trunk of some C70's.

That JVC will certainly run without external amps and it will sound pissa compared to a stock unit, but comes far short of its full potential. If anyone around MA wants to take a listen, let me know.

Best to pop the stock unit out of the dash and see if the DIN connector is present just to know what you've got.

[jbkeene]

a higher-end Pioneer would do justice
consult Crutchfield...will make simple work of a new installation

[mmd94]

My personal choices for a cheap yet wonderful sound, and options.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/ ... MVH-X560BT

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/ ... EH-X8600BH

I Run a DEH3400 In my car, hooked in with an infinity sound system, 2 12" subwoofers, and 6 speakers, which is the infinity sound. Wonderful sound, color options, and USB/IPOD/IPHONE/ANDROID/CD.

Which all provide, I personally trust and like pioneer. If you dont trust the touch screens (which are safe from sunrays) then the ones i posted are great options, along with others of similira likes.

[BEJinFbk]

It behaves as it should, but that might not be what the Amazon commenter expected.

It has four sets of programmable colors; two each for the buttons and display, for day and for night. It uses the interior bulb wire to decide which one. As such, it's one or the other, and at some point as you slide the dimmer down towards darkness, it thinks it's daytime.

So, it's technically true to say it doesn't "dim" linearly like the bulbs, but unless you like to screw with your interior bulb brightness constantly, it can be set to seamlessly match color and brightness.

FWIW, it's probably not designed to dim. The harness in most cars
has two lighting related leads. In your Volvo, one is the pink wire
controlled by the dimmer and the other is a full voltage lead that's
connected to the parking light circuit. Sounds like the HU you have
is looking for the parking light lead, not the dimmer.