- 11/29/2014
- 1 Min Read
- By: Alex Fiehl
One Simple Mod to Improve Sound Quality in a Volvo S70/V70/C70
Aging Volvos often have one more trick left up their sleeve before they die, if they die. A beat-up Volvo S70 T5 might have a disgusting, ripped interior, but still throws you back in your seat on the highway. Or, you could find yourself in a '98 Volvo V70 XC with the propshaft removed, no AWD and broken A/C, but it still has the hottest seats you've ever sat in. And even though the check engine light is on, you find that it really doesn't even notice until you feel like passing the state inspection and fixing the terrible EVAP leak above the rear subframe.
Often, the last party trick these Volvos have while everything else is crumbling around them is their golden audio system. Armed with a slew of options from 98-04 in the P80 chassis, the top level Volvo C70s even got Dynaudio components that will blow most cars out of the water with sound quality and pure tremor. (If you've got the Dynaudio setup - this guide doesn't apply, you lucky dog)
Adjustable EQ Characteristics
Say you want to improve upon the stock system without spending a lot of money. For starters with an already-decent SC-816 headunit, you can go to the junkyard and snag an SC-901 receiver with external amplifier & harness for an immediate sound quality upgrade. The improved (and adjustable!) EQ characteristics of this receiver coupled with powerful external amplification provide a huge leap over the SC-816's "locked-in" and sometimes muddy sounding EQ, at bargain prices.
The next step is to pop those old tweeters out of the dash. (And rear pillars if you have a wagon) Pop out the grilles, remove the push-pins, and the tweeters pop right out. They utilize electrolytic capacitors that degrade over time, muddying some of the high frequencies preventing these speakers from showing their true colors.
Installation is simple
Purchase 2-4 qty. of P/N 505-MKS23.3/50/10 from an electronics distributor such as Mouser.com.
Installation is as simple as cutting the tails off of the old round capacitors and soldering the film transistor in. The pocket where the circular capacitor once sat can even be modified so the new square box can slip in for a perfect OE style fitment. Get crafty melting the plastic with a soldering iron and you'll see what I mean.
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Takeaway
While not a major modification in itself, it's a great Saturday project if you're somewhat of an audio-nut. I noticed slightly crisper highs, and the soundstage was definitely brighter to my ear. Some may notice, some might not, especially considering that the old capacitors may be in worse shape than others. For a few bucks, I'll take the slight improvement if it avoids me having to modify a set of aftermarket speakers in to my Volvo's oddly-wired sound system.
This guide was inspired by a post at MatthewsVolvoSite.com
About the Author: Alex Fiehl
Alex is FCP's Blog Editor and an IT technician from Endwell, NY. He has over 8 years of experience working on a wide array of import makes, but lately is partial to Volvo . For some reason he just purchased a Volkswagen, and is excited to see what breaks first.
