Car speakers update

[fenton_jd]

One more thing to remember:

Run audio cables to the amp down one side of the floor, and power cables down the other side. Stops interference.

[v40bart]

Bump!

Did more research and this is what I found.

There is a standard amp for "performance" system according to VIDA. It is rated at 4x25W part number 30732823, at the cost of £316,20. High performance amp is 4x40W with rear speaker out (Subwoofer?). I was unable to find out the rating for Premium sound amp.

Question: would the standard amp have enough oomph to drive High Performance speakers without shagging the amp? It's only 15W difference after all...

It used to be possible to download apps for system upgrade so it was technically possible to upgrade one's audio system to higher spec. Sadly the apps are now listed as no longer available? Can dealers still do it?

The cost of High Performance audiomodul is $571 in good ole US of A. To make that work it needs $22 application for the system to work. Obviously those will be higher by VAT on our side of the pond. In theory you could cannibalize High performance speakers from a wreck, stick them in, order the module and maybe a new head, install it and then go back to the dealer to get the apps loaded. In theory...

[Guru]

Premium amp has an output of 130 W per channel, and has 5 channels, making that a 650W output all together.

These .pdf files may help a bit:

[v40bart]

Guru, you rock, man!
Soooooo... If the amp is integrated into the IAM what the hell is the booster I found? Is it an accessory that amplifies the IAM signal to facilitate speakers upgrade? Your help clarified a few things but I got more confused about the others.

[v40bart]

Well then. Looks like the least problematic way of upgrading the 'performance' system is getting an aftermarket amp with hi level inputs to intercept the speaker signal from the head unit. This presents me with two options:
- Get a set of premium sound speakers from a wreck, find out their rated power and get amp specced accordingly. This should be easiest as the speakers would be very easy to install without any modifications to the door or mounting and stock connectors. That way one would need four crossovers (one for each door) and about 600W 4 channel amp. Of course providing the standard wiring is up to spec. Of course you could go the whole hog and try to do the sub and the centre speaker. One can find amps with switch-on detection in-built into the hi level inputs. This way extra wiring is not needed and you save time on trying to find a place to connect your remote-on wire!
- Get a set of aftermarket speakers, coaxial or component. I would probably get 4 x two way coaxial for the main door speakers and still try and get Volvo tweeters for front and rear to avoid the grief of trying to install new tweeters in the doors.

And where to mount the amp? Boot? Under the passenger seat? Hmm...

[youngmun]

1. Aftermarket speakers all the way if budget and motivation permit otherwise: front speakers can stay stock and be careful not to overload, tweeters can stay stock, not really worth going aftermarket.
2. A sub will add much needed depth.
3. Nowadays most good amps have bult in protection including a fuse (30 amp in my case)
4. Amp easily mounted on the back of the upper passenger seat (so it shows from the boot). Others prefer under the seat, so a matter of choice and convenience.
5. Best of luck!

[ajaycad]

v40bart, did you get round to doing this project. If so what did you eventually install and how?

[v40bart]

So far I settled for Premium tweeters front and back. Got them from USA, cheap. Haven't got round to fitting them yet (only arrived last Saturday). If that makes it a lot better...

[VenomS40]

Was that from a website or a breakers over there? How much were they please? Are they expensive over here then from the main stealers?

[ajaycad]

I called my local dealer yesterday and they quoted £31.44 for each rear door tweeter (genuine Volvo parts). I thought that was a bit steep so will see how v40bart gets on with his project