bought a new C70 and need guidance

[C70]

Hello, I just found this forum and figured you might all be able to assist me. I have had my new C70 for about 3 weeks - I like the car - but the sound system sucks at high volumns. I figured with 13 speakers, 8" woofers in the doors and 9" woofers in the rear seats it would sound a lot better....but it doesn't, the bass cracks and turns to a paper punch to quickly. It all rocks at lower levels......but if you try to turn it up to convertible levels.....blah.

I want to get more power to my rear woofers (everything is factory installed) - its all DynAudio. There is a passive crossover in the rear for the subs, can I add on a subwoofer amp easily? whats involved - would it be running power or does a wire also need to come from the headunit? (I am rather clueless with car audio)

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[pks71 10+ year member]

Hello, I just found this forum and figured you might all be able to assist me. I have had my new C70 for about 3 weeks - I like the car - but the sound system sucks at high volumns. I figured with 13 speakers, 8" woofers in the doors and 9" woofers in the rear seats it would sound a lot better....but it doesn't, the bass cracks and turns to a paper punch to quickly. It all rocks at lower levels......but if you try to turn it up to convertible levels.....blah.
I want to get more power to my rear woofers (everything is factory installed) - its all DynAudio. There is a passive crossover in the rear for the subs, can I add on a subwoofer amp easily? whats involved - would it be running power or does a wire also need to come from the headunit? (I am rather clueless with car audio)

Sounds like you should let a shop help you. Most people on this forum install themselves. If you want to learn how to do it urself then thats great! I highly recomend it. There are many websites to help you. To tell you on this forum would just take too long. try this for starters http://www.bcae1.com/

this will help you tremendously!!!!

 

[johnecon2001 5,000+ posts]

You've got Dyn stuff and it sounds like crap? How did volvo screw that up so badly. Are you sure the system was put in correctly? You shouldn't be having any issues with that stuff. I recommend that you go back to the dealer and show them and then make them fix it.

BTW, can you post any model numbers on that Dyn stuff... just curious as to what they're putting int your car.

 

[C70]

Hey - thanks for the reply. I am a DIY'er through and through....so I will need to learn a bit and than have at it. I'll find another forum where I might find me some baby steps....thanks.

Oh....Dynaudio part #'s....dunno man - I dumped 47K into the car and I can't see ripping her open just yet

 

[Vestax 10+ year member]

Definitely follow the KISS concept, because great sound can come out of a simple front stage component set and a subwoofer, 13 speakers is mind boggling overkill.

Keep in mind that most that most Volvo's have a stock amp. If you were to put in a new system, a rewire is required. Everything should be replaced from the head unit to the speakers.

 

[C70]

Vestax - I am not looking to replace everything. Volvo and Dynaudio put a lot into the car - the headunit is tied in with the car, it knows when the windows are up or down and if the top is up or not and makes adjustments. It really sounds good - but I think it lacks bass at higher levels is all. I just want to add a subwoofer amp on the rear subs. I suppose I would look to remove the crossover and replace it with an amped one --- I just didn't know if I could swap one for the other with the existing wiring.

 

[Expy2000]

Fudge that,

Get a Ricca chip, 3 exhaust, new rods...

I love the C70s...

 

[packy 10+ year member]

Theres 2 ways around it or maybe 3.

1, add an amp off one of the speaker leads from the factory amp, w/ the remote turn on and ground

2, change the HU and run amp off it.

3, There are factory sound processors

http://www.crutchfield.com/app/product/group/productmenu.aspx?c=3&g=318850&o=M&s=0&cc=01&tn=&td=

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Chances are that the amps just run out of steam with the volume up high and start clipping.

I seriously doubt that the OEM speakers match up with a set that's available from Dynaudio. The speakers might nominally be Dynaudio as well but that doesn't mean that they're great. The OEM system in the Harley touring bikes is "made" by Harmon Kardon. Still sounds like crap at higher volumes. I've seen a few Altec Lansing OEM systems that also were nothing special. Actually I've yet to see a factory system, regardless of the name on it, that sounded good and held it's composure at high volume.

All that aside, adding some real power will probably help the subs a good bit. You'll need to figure out what the impedance of the subs are first and then find an amp that will give them around 2-300 watts at that impedance. Plan on wiring them in parallel. you can get signal for the amp from the inputs to the current subs, or if everything is passively crossed, from any signal prior to the crossover. I would use a good line out converter rather than trying to deal with high level inputs. At some point you'll probably decide that the speakers aren't all they could be and replace them. There are a good number of factory integration devices out there nowadays. Going with one of those right now will save you money and trouble later when you add new speakers and amps. Something like the JL Cleansweep or the Rockford 3sixty would work great.