Best Volvo Amp To Use In S70

[mattk42589]

so i need some information/advice:

i have a 98 s70 with factory speakers and the sc-816 headunit, as well as a 4x40 watt amp from an 850. i also have the ipod adapter from ipd which works well with the setup.

i am looking for a little better sound with a FACTORY setup. I know that the s70 was available with a 4x50 watt amp that will work with the sc-816, and I am open to that as a direct swap for the 4x40 amp I have.

i also know that the c70 had a more powerful amp (4x80 watt?), is that a direct plug in for the sc-816 head unit? or do I need to have an sc-901?

in the case I end up switching to an sc-901 headunit, is there anyway to hook up the ipod to that?

is the c70 amp too much for the stock s70 speaker set up?

also, is there a different amp that came in the v70r and what are the specs on that?

[(n)A-GAME]

so i need some information/advice:

i have a 98 s70 with factory speakers and the sc-816 headunit, as well as a 4x40 watt amp from an 850. i also have the ipod adapter from ipd which works well with the setup.

i am looking for a little better sound with a FACTORY setup. I know that the s70 was available with a 4x50 watt amp that will work with the sc-816, and I am open to that as a direct swap for the 4x40 amp I have.

4x50W 70-series amp is the same as the V70R amp. I did not notice a difference when I switched between a 4x40W 850 amp to the 4x50 amp.

i also know that the c70 had a more powerful amp (4x80 watt?), is that a direct plug in for the sc-816 head unit? or do I need to have an sc-901?

There are 2 C70 amplifiers, one is a 4x100 and one is a 4x60, iirc. Both of them will require a special wiring harness to use in your S70. If you're handy you can figure it out yourself, there is a write up on here somewhere. There is also a user on the board here who makes them.

in the case I end up switching to an sc-901 headunit, is there anyway to hook up the ipod to that?

I would recommend making this switch to a 901, I did, and the sound quality is much better. The cool part about the 901 is that it has defeatable equalizer curves and several pre-loaded sound stage options, including one for the S70. If you want to really go all out, get a Dolby center speaker dash setup (and Dolby amplifier box, it's a separate piece) from a V70R or C70. Really changes the sound of the system, in my opinion. You can hook up your Ipod using a tape adapter or a Blitzsafe adapter.

is the c70 amp too much for the stock s70 speaker set up?

No. But like I said above it'll take more work to get that in there.

also, is there a different amp that came in the v70r and what are the specs on that?

Not different, 4x50W, mounts under passenger seat.

I'm not an audiophile, but my 4x50W amp/SC-901/center speaker setup is great. Upgrade your door speakers and you'll get a solid system. I went with some mid-level Alpines in the front doors and I was very impressed.

[Keep Calm Chive On]

somebody should post the write up for a 4x50w amp into a S70 ive looked for a week and a half and i got sorta nothing. Also who makes the harness? because that would solve my issue of not even finding the write up. I picked up an amp at carlisle and its still a paperweight... i wanna rockkkkkkkk

[(n)A-GAME]

Dealer sells the harness, iirc. Or find someone parting out an R and you should be able to get it.

[Keep Calm Chive On]

i did that... but is 75$ used a bad price? someone said they paid like 150+ for a harness

[JVC]

Why use a volvo amp? Why not just pickup an aftermarket amp?

[Keep Calm Chive On]

cause he might have the amp already similar to my situation. plus i like stock stock stock (looks ) I will be upgrading my speakers as well and perhaps even dolby personally so id like to rock out as usual just crisper an stock looking

the blaring techno like the porsche in super troopers helps you go faster... im so used to driving on ZIE AUTOBAHN :lol:

[(n)A-GAME]

i did that... but is 75$ used a bad price? someone said they paid like 150+ for a harness

Not a bad price if you need it! That sounds about right.

[washdup]

+1 on the SC 901 over the 816. Even with the stock speakers, it's a noticeable improvement and still looks factory. If you have an iPod adapter on your 816, it will work just fine with the 901. The splice-in you did for the adapter will be unaffected by the change in HU.

[mattk42589]

+1 on the SC 901 over the 816. Even with the stock speakers, it's a noticeable improvement and still looks factory. If you have an iPod adapter on your 816, it will work just fine with the 901. The splice-in you did for the adapter will be unaffected by the change in HU.

i have the ipd ipod adapter, so it uses the cd changer input on the back on the sc-816. i thought the sc-901 didn't have the cd changer input?

[(n)A-GAME]

It does.

[washdup]

The 901 also has two buttons on the front, one for "3 CD" (the cartridge for the 901) and one for "6 CD" (external changer, which works the iPod adapter).