Joy of joys.. New stereo

Post by **JRL** » 08 Jan 2007, 06:16

masstapro wrote:

Now will this Alpine fit in my S70?

Yes, any aftermarket single DIN radio will fit

Post by **mwy** » 01 Feb 2007, 14:13

How does the tuner on that alpine do compared to factory? I guess you have the same laminated rear window antenna as I do.

edit May 2, 2007 - Bought an alpine 9870 and love it. There is so much less radio static than compared to the stock unit, not to mention the upgrade from my deteriorated cassettes!

MWY

masstapro · Post by **masstapro** » 02 May 2007, 18:14

Okay, I'm doing the same install on my 98 S70.

Using a new Alpine from Crutchfield.

Just can't figure out why I have two antenna cables. The second is smaller and I have no idea what it goes to.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
~Shawn

Post by **luketrash** » 03 May 2007, 08:54

Call crutchfield

They will know immediately.

However, if I had to guess, it's either a power antenna lead to lower/raise the antenna or it's an internal signal amplifier lead in the antenna. My VW cars have 12v powered amplifiers internal to the antennas to boost the signal to the radio. It required a special adapter to use it with aftermarket stereos.

My 1994 Volvo didn't have any issues, other than the factory antenna sucks

messi · Post by **messi** » 03 Aug 2007, 00:08

i was wondering, i tried pulling the stereo out today but after pulling out the knobs i couldnt find the springs/hatches that i should pull off inorder to remove the stereo =S

any help?

Post by **Rob3** » 03 Aug 2007, 00:59

Usually, two antenna connectors are for two antennae. The original radio may have had "Diversity Tuning" which has two tuners, one for each antenna, and it selects the best signal. As the car moves, the other antenna may get the better signal and the radio constantly switches between the two to keep the best signal. If your radio had this, it might have been malfunctioning, or you might have had a problem with one or both antenna systems.

Personally, I installed a 6 disk changer in my '99 V70. It plays MP3's and I can get about 10 hours of music on each CD. The biggest problem is making up that many CD's with different songs on them. Also, I like the "Random" feature as it mixes up the order.

My factory head unit has both cassette and CD, so I can play "normal" CD's and tapes, if I like, without going to the back of the car. I mounted my changer to the underside of the narrower floor panel in the rear of the wagon - the one with the lock on it. The changer has only 1 plug, so I can unplug it and lift out the floor panel - changer and all - and easily get to the spare tire.

I had to buy an adaptor ($45) to connect the Alpine changer to the head unit. Total cost was under $250 and it still looks factory.

Rob #3

Post by **Rob3** » 03 Aug 2007, 01:02

I'm not sure which car you have, but most radios have two vertical "slots", one on either side of the radio face. Push them in and they should pop out enough to grasp them and pull the radio out.

messi · Post by **messi** » 03 Aug 2007, 01:54

alright great i just managed to take off the radio, but another question, if you install a new stereo, that means that the risk of the old volvo speakers might pop out so any idea how to take this risk out?

KlubMarcus · Post by **KlubMarcus** » 04 Aug 2007, 08:56

messi wrote:alright great i just managed to take off the radio, but another question, if you install a new stereo, that means that the risk of the old volvo speakers might pop out so any idea how to take this risk out?

If they pop, just buy new speakers!

Post by **luketrash** » 04 Aug 2007, 17:17

Speakers work better with clean power than clipped power output. Therefore, most aftermarket stereo units are better for the speakers than the factory radio.

My Alpine stereo does just fine with the original 1994 speakers. They sound fairly good for speakers from that era.