For immediate release
FRANKFURT (September 12, 2005) – The new Volvo C70 is two cars in one: a traditional coupe or an open air convertible. However, thanks to a sophisticated audio system, occupants in the C70 can also experience two audio environments from one car: a concert hall or an outdoor arena. The audio system has been developed to offer high-class sound reproduction with the roof up or down.
Volvo Car Corporation is one of the few automotive manufacturers to internally develop its own audio system and components. With the new C70, the company will launch a high-class digital amplifier and, through its collaboration with Dynaudio®, a speaker system that is world-class in every respect.
“A car represents one of the most difficult challenges for an audio engineer,” says C70 Project Manager Patrik Widerstrand. “The passenger compartment has irregular shapes, a mixture of hard and soft materials and considerable variation in surface structures. In addition, the road surface changes as you are driving. In a convertible the situation is further complicated by the fact that the roof is sometimes up and sometimes down.”
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology is used to manipulate the sound from the audio system in an effort to adapt it to the design of the passenger compartment and the positioning of the speakers. DSP is also used for the fine adjustment of the tone curve, contributing to the creation of natural sound quality.
With the launch of the new Volvo C70, Volvo Cars will introduce a digital class D amplifier that is considerably more efficient than its analogue equivalent. A digital amplifier of 130 W, for example, requires less power to operate than an analogue equivalent of 100 W. It can also be made more compact and generates less heat.
Volume and tone adjusted automatically
Thanks to digital technology, the sound can be adapted to fit the driving situation. Not only the volume but also the tone settings are adjusted automatically with the car’s speed. The sound is also adjusted automatically when the car’s roof is up or down to ensure that the listener gets the same sound experience regardless of ambient conditions.
There is also scope for individual preferences. In the car’s personal settings menu it is possible to choose how much adjustment is to be done according to vehicle speed.
Three levels of performance
There are three audio system levels available for the new Volvo C70:
Each subwoofer has an integrated class D 130 W amplifier. In total, the Premium Audio system with dual subwoofers has an output of almost 1 kW.
Dynaudio’s logotype on the dashboard
“The C70’s Premium Sound audio system is indicated by the Dynaudio® logo on the dashboard,” says Widerstrand. “It is a sign that the car is equipped with the very best speakers.”
Dynaudio® is one of the world’s foremost developers and manufacturers of speaker systems, both for home use and professional studios. The company has received a numerous awards for its products, which are developed according to extremely strict quality demands.
With the launch of the new Volvo C70, co-operation between Volvo Cars and Dynaudio® has entered a new, more intense phase since the introduction of the S80 luxury sedan in 1998. The Premium Sound speakers in the C70 are of extremely high quality for a mass-production car of this type.
The doors are fitted with well-proportioned three-way speakers. The bass drivers are 8" in diameter with powerful 3" voice coils that can withstand high output. Even the midrange drivers have powerful voice coils. The silk dome tweeters are a Dynaudio® speciality that helps produce a cleaner sound. Each speaker has a passive crossover to produce a harmonious, total sound experience with the best possible bandwidth and dynamics.
Specially developed centre speakers on the dashboard interact with the door speakers to create a natural, homogeneous sound. The rear side panels have combined bass/midrange drivers. Even these have powerful voice coils and the same type of tweeters as in the front doors.
To achieve even deeper, richer bass tones, the system can be complemented with dual 8" subwoofers, mounted in the wall behind the rear backrest.
“It is certainly no exaggeration to use the term ‘concert hall quality’ for the sound reproduction in the new Volvo C70,” says Widerstrand. “We can offer what is the best sound experience ever in a Volvo regardless of whether the roof is up or down.”
Volvo Cars of Canada Ltd. is part of the Volvo Car Corporation of Göteborg, Sweden. The company provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to the 43 Volvo automobile retailers across the country. The company’s product range includes the flagship S80 luxury sedan, the versatile V70 wagon, the S60 sports sedan, and the completely redesigned S40 sports sedan and V50 sportswagon. For buyers looking for more rugged versatility, the Volvo XC-line of vehicles that includes the XC70 and the award-winning XC90 sport utility vehicle.
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