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Replacing speakers, a non audiophile needs help!

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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BEJinFbk
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Re: Replacing speakers, a non audiophile needs help!

Post by BEJinFbk »

BEJinFbk wrote: 07 Oct 2017, 17:56 Put in the amp first and see what you think.
You may be happy with your current speakers.
Actually, if your current speakers aren't actually damaged,
allow me to elaborate. Add the amp, find an SC-901 and drop
in a sub. The SC-816 is not really a unit that I'd consider a
decent HU and the 901 has an EQ you can tweak to suit.
Just Sayin'.

Read this?
http://jimrothe.com/volvo/volvo-dynaudio.html

If you really want an improvement using OEM drivers... :mrgreen:
'98 V70 R - Well Equipped for Life Up North... ;)

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Post by LOB »

BEJinFbk wrote: 08 Oct 2017, 20:59
BEJinFbk wrote: 07 Oct 2017, 17:56 Put in the amp first and see what you think.
You may be happy with your current speakers.
Actually, if your current speakers aren't actually damaged,
allow me to elaborate. Add the amp, find an SC-901 and drop
in a sub. The SC-816 is not really a unit that I'd consider a
decent HU and the 901 has an EQ you can tweak to suit.
Just Sayin'.

Read this?
http://jimrothe.com/Volvo/volvo-dynaudio.html
Going
If you really want an improvement using OEM drivers... :mrgreen:
Yes, I'll buy a SC901 when I find one. But they are expensive and hard to find in Scandinavia....

Btw you might be able to answer another question I asked in another thread:

"The Pioneer active subwoofer manual tells me to connect the + to the fuse box. Can't I use the (yellow) accessory outlet above the brake pedal? It's supposed to deliver 20A and the subwoofer only uses a maximum of 7A. Any reason Pioneer doesn't mention this as an option since most cars (?) have an accessory outlet?, Should I use the ground connection in the accessory outlet (2 meter cable) or find some screw under the seat?"

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BEJinFbk
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Post by BEJinFbk »

You can go to the accessory connector for a low current load
or run directly to the battery since you're nearly there.
As far as the ground, I'd keep it as short as possible.
'98 V70 R - Well Equipped for Life Up North... ;)

LOB
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Post by LOB »

Thanks mrbrian200 and PeteB! I'll look into your suggestions. I found these Faitalpro for sale in Norway. Do you think these would give me more or better (or both) sound compared to the OEM two-way speakers (HT-221)?
PeteB; being a newbie I don't know anything. I've heard of Pioneer and JVC...😀

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mrbrian200
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Post by mrbrian200 »

I'll preface by saying you're never going to get any sort of bass from a 3.5" dash speaker - this smaller size on the dash is used to help fill in the midrange and treble from the door speakers which are positioned lower. These FP speakers are likely to be more efficient than the base OE speakers from 1992 (louder at a given volume setting). I would expect the detail/presence to be an order better. This increased efficiency can be both desirable or detrimental - as they can overpower the low frequency fill coming from the less efficient door and rear speakers making the system sound unbalanced. In which case you may still wish to bring them down a little with a resistor. I did this on my S60 with the little tweeters mounted high up in the door panels, because they were too loud and making the front speaker setup sound 'shrill'. Most vehicle owners probably aren't quite as picky as I am and would probably be quite happy with the increase in volume and/or clarity. And if it does end up a little unbalanced enough to be bothersome would compensate by adjusting tone and fader controls.

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Post by LOB »

[background=][/background]
mrbrian200 wrote: 09 Oct 2017, 09:21 I'll preface by saying you're never going to get any sort of bass from a 3.5" dash speaker - this smaller size on the dash is used to help fill in the midrange and treble from the door speakers which are positioned lower. These FP speakers are likely to be more efficient than the base OE speakers from 1992 (louder at a given volume setting). I would expect the detail/presence to be an order better. This increased efficiency can be both desirable or detrimental - as they can overpower the low frequency fill coming from the less efficient door and rear speakers making the system sound unbalanced. In which case you may still wish to bring them down a little with a resistor. I did this on my S60 with the little tweeters mounted high up in the door panels, because they were too loud and making the front speaker setup sound 'shrill'. Most vehicle owners probably aren't quite as picky as I am and would probably be quite happy with the increase in volume and/or clarity. And if it does end up a little unbalanced enough to be bothersome would compensate by adjusting tone and fader controls.
I've ordered an active Pioneer subwoofer so I guess I'll have enough bass (at least for my musical preferences). I'm also replacing the OEM single cone front door (bass) speakers with the OEM two-way speaker (HT-247) but I don't know if I also should replace the front dash OEM tweeters for the OEM two-way dash speakers or one of the aftermarket speakers suggested above.
Visiting India last spring I noticed that I detest Indian style Soundsystem, 70% high pitch and 30 % bass and nothing in-between. I'd like to avoid that sound in my car😀...

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Post by BEJinFbk »

Volvo/Alpine spent some time designing the stock systems for these cars.
I'd still recommend adding the amp and an SC-901 before changing any speakers.
Once you have the sub installed, you may be surprised at what you get.
'98 V70 R - Well Equipped for Life Up North... ;)

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Post by LOB »

    BEJinFbk wrote: 09 Oct 2017, 14:09 Volvo/Alpine spent some time designing the stock systems for these cars.
    I'd still recommend adding the amp and an SC-901 before changing any speakers.
    Once you have the sub installed, you may be surprised at what you get.
    Yes I'll go for stock speakers in the doors and probably in the dash. I thought they had a little bit different and more premium sound configuration in the T5 and 850r compared to the GLT ( the one I have)!? For example the two-way speakers in the front doors (the ones I've ordered) instead of the stock single cone speaker and a 4*50w amp. But I might be wrong about the difference of speakers in the different models. My plan is to upgrade my soundsystem to the best there was (OEM).

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    mrbrian200
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    Post by mrbrian200 »

    As a general rule the premium sound option all the Volvos sounds good - if you can upgrade across the board to that you'll likely be happy with it. If it were for myself I would probably use aftermarket speakers- though what I would be using would be substantially above $25/pair. But I'm a nit picky ass audiophile type. Nonetheless there are still things I can recommend to non audiophile types that can make a difference without spending large amounts of money. Frankly the largest differences I've made in my S60 didn't cost that much (sound deadening materials in the door cavities/behind the trim panels/rear deck etc). I've gained a love for the cheap 2" thick memory foam pads they sell at Target in the bedding department for about $15. I have yet to actually sleep on one.

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    BEJinFbk
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    Post by BEJinFbk »

    If I could just find a set of Dynaudios for my V70... 8)
    '98 V70 R - Well Equipped for Life Up North... ;)

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