![]() 11/16/2018 at 13:02 • Filed to: None | ![]() | ![]() |
I know there are some audiophiles on here. If I keep the Volvo long-term, it will need a good sound system. What do you like? Speakers, amps, head units... Whatever. Taking all reccomendations.
I listen to Metal of many styles, J azz, El ectronic, R ap, B lues... Pretty much anything other than Country and Gospel. I enjoy having access to a lot of bass, but I want a balanced system. I’ve spent enough time in friends’ vehicles with two 15" sub s in the back hooked up to a massive amp, g rossly overpowering the tiny stock speakers run off the OEM head unit. Yuck.
I’ve finally got the Miata sound system more of less perfected, after finishing the sound deadening and adjusting bass response from the front speakers. It sounds incredible—top up or down—t o the point where playing music in the Volvo is quite... Sad. Someday I'll probably want another set of speakers in the Miata parcel shelf for a bit more mid to low end range, but for now... It's Volvo time! Potentially. If the Volvo doesn't explode.
![]() 11/16/2018 at 13:07 |
|
If you want a balanced system you’ll need to lose the sub in the back. Polk audio with an appropriate amp will do the trick for you. But car acoustics suck so this is the best you’ll get. If you want to lean towards bass that doesn’t blow you out then go JBL.
![]() 11/16/2018 at 13:07 |
|
You could use the audio system I have in my truck.
https://www.ultimateears.com/en-ca/wireless-speakers/boom-2.html
lol.
![]() 11/16/2018 at 13:11 |
|
I’ll be removing pretty much all audio-related thin gs that are already in the Volvo. It sounds so bad. The Miata has Polk components, which I’ve been happy with. Guess I could just use the same speakers, I'm sure they'd sound even better in the roof'd vehicle
![]() 11/16/2018 at 13:12 |
|
Do some research on the Volvo forums about what will fit in the doors and dash. Some of the wagons had spots for tweeters in the pillars at the back of the hatch too.
I upgraded my V70 with Polk Audio speakers and a double din head unit which fit okay. The dash speakers were fiddly to install. I had a small, under seat powered sub in the back mounted against the side behind the wheel well so it wouldn’t cut into the cargo space.
In my El Camino I have the same sub mounted under the seat and some 6x9's in boxes and some 4" speakers up front. They are pushed by a Kenwood Marine Amp which is bluetooth and meant I didn’t have to cut any holes and could leave the stock radio as is. It’s all hidden except for a small remote pad that allows you to answer calls and skip tracks and adjust the volume. Below is a link to Amazon, but you can find it way cheaper. I am sure others with more experience will chime in, but those are the solutions I came up with.
Sub:
Amp:
![]() 11/16/2018 at 13:12 |
|
Any head unit with CarPlay or Android Auto. It’s life changing.
![]() 11/16/2018 at 13:13 |
|
I have two of those UE boom 2's. They mate up flawlessly for awesome stereo sound. The second one appeared in my home, and to this day I dont have the slightest idea where it came from... But yeah the UE boom was my Miata sound system for 6 months!
![]() 11/16/2018 at 13:19 |
|
Car acoustics are a nightmare. That said, I like Infinity’s higher end stuff. The Reference is mid-high , the Kappa is the high end. Primus is a pile of meh. I also like Pioneer and Polk component systems. Component systems include additional parts to handle crossover which are tuned for the system. Focal is also great if you can find exact fit, but a little pricey.
Infinity Kappa component setups, for reference, are very well done in terms of packaging. The best I’ve seen, honestly. Makes them easy to install. But, they are not cheap . You can easily drop as much on that as you did on the car.
![]() 11/16/2018 at 13:26 |
|
Looks like I have the spot for tweeters too. I've done a bit of research, sounds like there isn't a whole lot of open space in the door speaker slot. I'm happy to see you found a way to keep the sub from just sitting in the back. That would drive me absolutely crazy.
That’s funny, I actually have a very similar Kenwood marine amp for the Miata, mounted in a hidden location to keep things looking original.
![]() 11/16/2018 at 13:31 |
|
That’s nice work hiding that amp! I got the bluetooth amp specifically to have a system separate from the stock system in the El Camino. It has worked well.
I think I have had 4 of those little powered subs. They won’t fit under the Volvo seats though. It did fit nicely in the cargo area and with things turned up it still sounded fine. It won’t crack any welds, but it did fill out the sound just fine (to my ears).
![]() 11/16/2018 at 13:33 |
|
You can easily pull the door panels, the seats, the carpet and the rear hatch stuff and put down sound deadening too, which will help.
![]() 11/16/2018 at 13:54 |
|
I’ve got the bestest sound system
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
![]() 11/16/2018 at 13:54 |
|
Zaph audio two way kit plus under seat subs. As with real estate, location location location is critical for imaging and response.
![]() 11/16/2018 at 13:56 |
|
Holy shit, I’m actually using the exact same marine amp
![]() 11/16/2018 at 14:00 |
|
Can you move to Seattle plz
![]() 11/16/2018 at 14:00 |
|
It's a nice little amp!
![]() 11/16/2018 at 14:06 |
|
Portland is the only west coast city I can afford :(
![]() 11/16/2018 at 14:07 |
|
Yeah, tucks away nice, sounds good, pairs to my phone reliably. Waterproof controller is a big plus also.
![]() 11/16/2018 at 14:08 |
|
I stuffed a JL audio 1 0" subwoofer in the trunk (custom enclosure) , Pioneer head unit in the dash, JL Audio XD600/6 amplifier in the front , Infinity Re ference speakers, in the door, dash, rear pillars.
All thi s in a 2007 Porsche Cayman.
![]() 11/16/2018 at 14:18 |
|
Our Miatas are basically the same
![]() 11/16/2018 at 14:40 |
|
![]() 11/16/2018 at 14:50 |
|
I think Infinity might be the next speaker brand I try. Thanks for the jumping off point.
![]() 11/16/2018 at 15:08 |
|
Zaph seems to be outside my budget! And unfortunately there is absolutely zero room under the seats in the Volvo. I’m thinking maybe a custom enclosure where the spare tire would go. There's a good amount of space down there
![]() 11/16/2018 at 16:32 |
|
I'd look at some Dayton speakers from parts express. You’ll be able to easily make your own crossovers and can find somebody who has more than likely already assembled a setup that you’re after. It can be done on a budget and will sound way better than most budget component systems.
![]() 11/16/2018 at 21:11 |
|
I used to identify as an audiophile, but lately I’ve tried to be able to shed that mindset. I can still appreciate a good sound system (and have high standards for my own stuff), but I can still enjoy listening to music on a crappy portable Bluetooth speaker at the beach (which used to just irritate me).
I haven’t done anything extra to my own car, especially since I’m thinking of getting rid of my DD in the 3-6 month time frame, but I am interested to see where this goes. That said, the first thing I do whenever I get in any car for the first time is to turn the bass down by 3-5 clicks.