2002 v70 installation of aftermarket radio

[Rattnalle]

Many thanks for your comprehensive reply. Apologies for only now being able to reply. I am thinking to try the replacement of the original volvo head unit but definetly not replacing volvo amplifier.
I got few more questions:
1-how is the sound quality of after market radio connected to Volvo original amplifier? ( this is the most important question) Anyone satisfied with the sound of aftermarket radio connected to the volvo original amplifier?
2-you mentioned I would need an aftermarket radio providing 4 audio phono output however my multimedia got 2 phono output only.
3-you mentioned an antenna power lead. I thought I would need only Volvo to ISO adaptor. How can I know before open the radio if my car use one of these. I would like to have all parts need before open the dashboard.
Many thanks

1. In my case it was quite poor.
2. Don't most aftermarket radios have front and rear channel Line out? If it doesn't you could probably split it and use the same channel for front and rear. Or just use the front, they're the important ones anyway.
3. I've got an ISO adapter and a small separate cable for the antenna I think. The antenna socket on the aftermarket radio is round and the Volvo connector is a square thing. IIRC.

[Spiderago]

you are not the first one who mentioned that the so und quality is poor after replacement. If that is the result there is no point in replace the unit. The hassle to replace amplifier is just not worth. I am wondering why the volvo factory amplifier which has a great sound quality, can not delivery the same sound quality with other units?

[Spiderago]

I am wondering what is the sound quality issue when replacing the original head unit with aftermarket one, as described by many. It seems that connecting to the original factory amp doesn't result in good sound quality. I also read people mentioned replacing the original factory speakers as connecting directly to them also result not in good sound quality. Everything is difficult to compreehend to me. The only differrences I can think of is about matching the impedances between either radio speakers or radio amp. Am I possibly be missing anything else volvo could have done to make their devices operating well only when using together? As long the impedances are matched correctly sound quality should be OK?

[EngineeringBloke]

1. I have a high end Pioneer head unit in my 06 S60 with a 5 channel amplifier and a sub in the trunk, and replacement speakers in the front doors. I love how it sounds. In my system, the tweeters and the midrange are each powered by their own amplifier channels - my head unit has an active crossover so I can separate the highs and lows for each of the front channels. I only use front speakers and the sub.

2. If you only have left and right phono outputs instead of front left, front right, rear left and rear right, you have two easy choices.
a) Just connect the front phono leads to the new head unit and leave the rear ones disconnected. You will not have sound from the rear speakers, and I personally prefer this front presentation.
b) Or use 2 y-adapters (one for left and one for the right channel) to provide the new head unit output to two pairs of phono inline sockets and then connect to the 4 phono to DIN lead. This will result in the same levels from front and rear speakers (and the rear deck speakers which are linked to the rear door speakers). For example: https://www.amazon.com/Phono-Splitter-A ... B06VX9L52J

3. There is an AM/FM antenna amplifier at the back of the car. With an aftermarket radio, this would be connected to the antenna motor lead. For some Volvos including my 06, this amp needs 10volts and does not work well with the 12v typically provided. I used an inline 50 ohm 10 watt resister to reduce the voltage. It is crimped to connect the head unit antenna wire to the amp wire behind the head unit. I think this antenna amp was introduced by Ford. I see Ford owned Volvo from 99 to 2010 so your car may be effected by this. If you make the connection with the resister and find you have very poor FM and AM signal strength, then you will have to address the issue.

Take a look at the offering from this company. It has the connectors to allow you to hookup your new head unit, use the Volvo power amp and even appears to offer stereo wheel controls (the SWC retention option). The later is not cheap tho.
https://www.spiralaudio.com/index.php?r ... uct_id=431