SC- stereo clarification

[Cookeh]

Morning,

I was hoping someone could clarify the differences between the different SC- stereos available for the P80s? I have heard of the Premium Sound System options (SC801 and 805), and I'm aware some models (SC900 and 901) came with amplifiers.

My question is how does the sound quality vary between the non-premium sound system variants and the standard options. Do they have in-built amps, or different DACs?

I am also aware that the amps work with all SC-models, but often they don't include the harness, which ends up costing the same again. I have found a rather good deal on an SC801 Premium Sound System, however, and I'm wondering if its worth the investment over the standard SC805 I have currently.

I've been trying to track down accessory catalogues to find the specs of each SC-unit in order to check stuff like power output, but I've had very little luck.

Thanks!

[Derek UK]

You may find what you need here. 3 pages, use the arrows above the info to go from page to page.

https://accessories.volvocars.com/sv...7/2001?lang=en

[Cookeh]

Originally Posted by Derek UK

You may find what you need here. 3 pages, use the arrows above the info to go from page to page.

https://accessories.volvocars.com/sv...7/2001?lang=en

Thank you, whilst not quite what I was looking for it did lead me to the full accessories pack for the 850/S/V/C70s, so thank you.

For anyone else, here is the link:

https://accessories.volvocars.com/sv.../R.H.D?lang=en

Referring specifically to the audio system, whilst several options aren't in this accessories book (i.e. SC801, SC900), it appears that the headunits remain the same and have the same power output regardless of whether they have "Premium Sound System" written on them or not. It seems to be that the 'Premium' part comes from a different set of speakers being fitted.

I'd welcome any personal experiences to confirm or dispute this though, as that accessories pack does not give the full picture.

[Derek UK]

I've actually got a hard copy of that accessories book but couldn't find it to reference the radio specs.

[Cookeh]

Originally Posted by Derek UK

I've actually got a hard copy of that accessories book but couldn't find it to reference the radio specs.

Ah excellent, there's a lot of options that I've never seen before - will have to keep my eyes open. Its a great reference, too.

[amazondean]

Originally Posted by Cookeh

Thank you, whilst not quite what I was looking for it did lead me to the full accessories pack for the 850/S/V/C70s, so thank you.

For anyone else, here is the link:

https://accessories.volvocars.com/sv.../R.H.D?lang=en

Referring specifically to the audio system, whilst several options aren't in this accessories book (i.e. SC801, SC900), it appears that the headunits remain the same and have the same power output regardless of whether they have "Premium Sound System" written on them or not. It seems to be that the 'Premium' part comes from a different set of speakers being fitted.

I'd welcome any personal experiences to confirm or dispute this though, as that accessories pack does not give the full picture.

When I stripped an 850 for parts for my car, it had a premium sound system fitted. It did indeed have speakers with a slightly higher output. So I believe you could be right about the fact that the only difference is only the speakers!

[Cookeh]

Originally Posted by amazondean

When I stripped an 850 for parts for my car, it had a premium sound system fitted. It did indeed have speakers with a slightly higher output. So I believe you could be right about the fact that the only difference is only the speakers!

Dont suppose you can recall the appearance of the front ones? On the 'standard' setup, the fronts are just paper bass/mid cones - there is no tweeter. On the 'Premium Sound System' options the fronts are cones + tweeters.

Both front and rear would be different, but the differences are more noticeable on the fronts. Premium are on the right of the attached image. Might be easier to see in the actual pdf - better resolution!

[Derek UK]

I think you are reading this wrong. The standard has the full range speaker with the tweeter in the centre. The premium set up has the bass unit in the door and the tweeter elsewhere, maybe the dash edge or lower part of the side trim adjacent. Text says + tweeter and gives a number. That tweeter possibly listed on another page. I will have to find my book!!
Power ratings are the same but note the sensitivity and ohm ratings. I think that the full range speakers might need less power to get the same volume levels. With the same sensitivity speakers an 8ohm unit will need approx double the power a 4 ohm unit needs for the same output in db.'s. In this case the differences might cancel each other out in real life usage.

[amazondean]

When I stripped everything out, there wasn't a separate tweeter as far as I can remember, but the speakers had a higher ohm rating and watts. the stereo was a premium sound system and as far as I can tell would have been original.