Favorite Head Unit? s70

speedyt5 · Post by **speedyt5** » 01 Jun 2016, 13:45

Hey guys, I have the old head unit with an adapter on the back to switch to iPod interface and now Blitzsafe (the model i have) is coming out with a bluetooth to add on to it. I am tempted to just get a whole new head unit though. I like the original look of the Volvo unit but maybe its time to get a new one with a screen and bluetooth? Any thoughts on some that will fit? Thanks!

Post by **j-dawg** » 01 Jun 2016, 18:00

Any single-DIN unit will fit. The ratio of features to incredible uglitude is very high in the sub-$250 price bracket; it's just something I've come to accept. I feel like if one manufacturer just made restrained, feature-rich stereo head units they would sell a buttload of them to the 5% of aftermarket radio buyers who don't think flashing screens and red LEDs are cool.

I did a little writeup on my cell phone mount+charger here if you'd like to extend the benefits of your modern stereo.

kaneelschep · Post by **kaneelschep** » 02 Jun 2016, 01:38

I had my share of carradios since the end of the 90s. Or head units as you like to call them. Lots of sonys, pioneers, jvc, alpine.. I even used to test them for some shop for a while..
When i was young i had jbl amplifiers, subwoofers, speakers, condensator. You could give me any cd and it could make 130db plus GOOD quality music. Not just the loudest.

Especially sony never failed to disapoint me. Sonys equalizers will eventually all rip your speakers unless you make it completely flat and boring. Especially the highs.
Recent built quality is quite cheap. Most of my sonys became useless because of cd/mp3 and even usb stick stopped being read correctly. lately they have problems with the buttons. my quite new bluetooth sony developed a broken source switch. Wich renders it useless, since thats the on switch too.
Lots of people share this problem on fora.

Jvc is the cheapest thing here what you can buy. And it falls apart in a matter of weeks. Even had one catch fire once. Good for rental cars...

Pioneer does decent work. Good sound quality, good equalizer and amplifier. Very balanced. but the recent menu's and controls are sometimes very counter intuitive and hard to control for the average while driving.
Best pioneer i ever had still had a tapeplayer in it.
Got stolen in budapest. They did lock the car again

I hears alpine is very hyped in a lot of countries. And l dont know why. Not very common or hyped here anyway. The controls are weird. They look like a carnaval. Strange colors. And the sound was not that great, compared to a good pioneer. Expensive for no reason i would say.

Best radio reception i ever had was in the becker europe wich came with my volvo. But again. Menu was a complete pain. Designed by a donkey. And you just cant live without usb or bluetooth anymore.

So now have another mex bt3900 or something bluetooth sony. It still sucks.
I miss my amplifier.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 03 Jun 2016, 17:05

I agree, I can't stand the flashy head units. I wanted better sound in my V70, so I went with the best option available: factory 200 watt amp and SC-901 head unit. Junk yard parts, cost me a total of about $45. I liked the stock non-amplified SC-816, but the amp with the 901 sounds 10x better.

Post by **cn90** » 03 Jun 2016, 18:19

Look into Blaupunkt.
The fit, finish and capability is very nice for the money.

speedyt5 · Post by **speedyt5** » 03 Jun 2016, 22:11

Ended up getting this one, I have had great success in the past with Blaupunkt. Also this one doesn't have flashy lights and looks somewhat stock. Also the bluetooth microphone is built right into the faceplate. I just hope there isn't a gap when I install it, anyone know?

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_023NJ220BT ... 20-BT.html

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 04 Jun 2016, 07:09

speedyt5 wrote:Ended up getting this one, I have had great success in the past with Blaupunkt. Also this one doesn't have flashy lights and looks somewhat stock. Also the bluetooth microphone is built right into the faceplate. I just hope there isn't a gap when I install it, anyone know?

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_023NJ220BT ... 20-BT.html

Wow, that's very nice! They even tell you what cables you need and give you installation instructions.
I think this will be a fine upgrade from the OEM stereo in your car!!

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 04 Jun 2016, 16:38

I've looked at the Blaupunkt 220. I really like Blaupunkt, they are one of the few brands that don't have all the flashy lights or "stuck-on" looks. It also looks like a good fit for our cars.

charleskennedy23 · Post by **charleskennedy23** » 04 Jun 2016, 19:51

I want to replace the radio in my 98 v70 and this blaupunkt unit is one I am considering. Please post an update when you get it installed, let us know how it went and if you needed to buy any additional installation hardware.

Thanks for the post! This a helpful thread!

Post by **sanfelice** » 04 Jun 2016, 20:07

Unfortunately, I don't think much of the head units. They are well built with great ergos, but they cannot keep up with Burr Brown DACs and other high quality components available today. A decent head unit, some amplification and STOCK Volvo speakers will impress you (and your friends). Yes, I said stock speakers, they are actually quite good. Don't bother ripping apart your door panels, they never fail to break a clip or some interior part.

Will they last for 25 years like the stock models? Nope, but I don't think any of us are in it for that length of time.