I have a stock speaker system but bypassed my factory amps when I had to install a new radio due to the original cassete deck going bad. The system just doesn't sound as good? Led Zeppelin used to sound amazing...great bass response and the equalizer would help plenty - loved the boost button.

So: Is there a way to go either back to the stock set up or have my speakers just gotten old - 1985 and need to be swapped?

If anyone has had any experience with the sound system in these cars please advise.

Would be great to get recommendations on upgraded speakers I can drop in.

Many Thanks.

yeh..probably due paertly to the OE speakers being 4ohm and the new deck expecting 8ohm partly....also partly due to some fancy footwork volvo did with
bandpass filters in the head units...

my advice replace all your speakers (i used panasonic 5 1/4" ones...) one thing i DIDNT do but WISH i had (and will one day) is as follows...

the origninal speakers are riveted in place...no big dela drill the rivets off and screw the new ones to the door panels...

the problem here is the door panels are nto very robust so they move with the speakers meaning a lot of the bass energy is just moving the panel...

what I intend to do is t ake the panels off (about 5 mins a panel!) and rivet the new speakers to the metal work of the door...which should be MUCH more ridged and improve the bass no end!

Thanks a lot - will take your advice. On my '85 I'm not sure if they are rivited - but I did notice that on an 88 this weekend at the junk yard. How does your system sound now? Were you able to replace the rear speakers in the boxes? I noticed allan bolts at the top but have never opened them to see if the internal speakers are replacable..

Thanks for the advice.

ok i replaced the door speakers in mine (being a wagon)...

system sounds ok....bass will improve when i do the rivet thing...

btw one cause of lost bass is if you have managed to wire speakers out of phase..this will KILL bass...