greasykid

Have 2015 ML w/Base radio--No HK. Need info re.upgrades. MB dealer can supply Subwoofer from HK for $500. Has anybody done this? Also plan to install Processor & Amp,maybe some speakers if necessary.

Any info you can supply appreciated.

jbondox

if yoy go through all of those upgrades why settle for the mb woofer? it is not that good?

greasykid

One big advantage of HK is that it is an easy fit and should install without having to fab a custom build which would be more expensive. Do not want to have a separate enclosure added to rear hatch area. To keep within my budget will have better sound spending $ on a good processor & amp. Can always upgrade Sub later.

Always open for a better idea.

jbondox

makes sense, though not the optimal, but it wont take up space

City Rat

Not an expert by any means, I just went through this exercise. I have a cab. Very limited trunk space and precious few sub placement options in the passenger cabin.

Not to be johnny one note on this sub forum but you might want to do some research into low profile sub woofers. I did and went with a Helix, low profile 8 inch, which dropped right into the factory sub enclosure at less than half the price you were quoted by MBZ. A number of the major sub brands carry one ir two low profile options, but you have to get the measurements of the space, understand your application i.e can you find one that uses the factory enclosure or will you be able to move to a "free air" design, hunt down the low profile options and see what sounds best to you of those that you track down. As former colleague used to say"... easy peasy, lemon squeezy.." BTW, stay away from "basslink" amped sub options that will pop up on low profile searches.

greasykid

C R Good advise. Now I have to see if I can get the HK ONLY ENCLOSURE. Keep the ideas coming.

greasykid

You said that you "dropped the new Sub" into the enclosure. I take it that you changed the oem sub with your replacement sub. What was the base response difference? I wish that I had an enclosure. Would make this upgrade much easier.

City Rat

Yes, we pulled the oem Bose sub and put the Helix in the exact same spot, same sub enclosure. In my case, the sub is located between the rear seats and the enclosure is actually a horn/ funnel type set up. If you search under my name there should be a thread which shows this. If you have Bose, I gotta think the factory sub is enclosed in something. It may not look like a big box with vents and baffles but it should be there.

In terms if bass response difference hard to say as my base line was never established with the original head unit. After a few days the factory bass just sounded weak with the oem hu. I swapped the hu out for an Alpine at the same time the Helix sub went in, so old with old, new with new. The difference in bass response is noticeable and much better.

greasykid

Have HK system. Not Bose.

greasykid

Still @ it. Have researched JL Speakers & KICKER subwoofer. C2-650 & C3-650 speakers have my attention ,also KICKER amp powered sub. Would like to use sub but cannot find a way to install in the ML unless in well @ left rear wheel well area. Both C2 & C3 speakers have great reviews. If I do not use sub am considering C3's in all 4 doors.

COMMENTS?

jbondox

loo into hertzaudiovideo.com hertz hi energy line if you want a better sound for about the same price or bit more. online reviews aren't really going to help ya as most people have no clue to what really good audio is. hertz is used in every high end shop across the world.

greasykid

Thx. Will do. Also I agree with your comments on sound. Many feel that "good" is loud.

greasykid

1 My installer strongly recommends a Signal Processor.I understand the basics & agree.

2 Does anybody on this discussion have a Processor in their car audio system?

3 If so;which unit do you have?

4 Without getting too exotic my research has lead me to the Audison "Bit Ten D". @ $399.

5 Getting real specs on this unit is difficult. When I finally did find them I was blocked from printing.

Appreciate any info/help on this subject.

jbondox

audison prima amp built in processor... if you think the processor is expensive then you are in for a suprise, a lot of voodoo wizardry out there that is BS, audison is straight up and will leave you with the only best of sound quality.

You need to tell your shop that the signal on the ML is pretty flat throughout the audio spectrum with a slight bump at 40hz with eq settings at 0 using the speaker level outputs of the radio

greasykid

Have had shop run output channels on scope. Looked like a jagged sine wave. Nowhere near a flat response.

jbondox

This is a 2015 properly scoped, +/- 3db which is pretty flat in the real world, bump at 40 like previously stated.

greasykid

Am I correct? Audison AP4.9bit ? $1,000 +/-.

greasykid

Have decided on new amp. Alpine PDX-F4. Has excellent specs & users are VERY strong in their postings on Amazon.

jbondox

yes but realize besides an amp, it has the processor built in

jbondox

why not consider the PDX-V9 5 channel amp, you know your going to add a sub in the future and ya won't have to add wires or anything because it is built in sub amp... and of course, the coulda shoulda woulda post in a few months Just messing with ya, but there is not that much money difference between the 4 and 5 channel

greasykid

Will consider.

greasykid

Have the following ordered & in transit.

1. 2pr Hertz spkrs--ESK -165L.5

2. Alpine PDX-F4 4 channel amp

I ordered these items on line and they s/b here within a week. Other items needed will come from my installer. Have shopped for info about a month b4 making final decisions. The spkrs I ordered have a response of 50-23k & I expect that they will have enough base for my taste. Plan to have Dynamat in the 4 doors. Installer expects that the installation to take 8-10 hrs. There will be more items to the install than what I have stated here. When completed all the normal audio controls that are oem will be fully functional. The speakers are component style rather than coax. The amp has great specs & reviews. Final on all this is "tuning" to get the most out of the completed system. Expect final cost to be $2k+/-.

Starting to get to the anxious stage. All this started about 3 mos ago.

greasykid

THE END! Finally picked up my car & new sound system. Worth the wait. Do not need subwoofer. Used the components outlined above incl Hushmat Ultra on all 4 doors. Getting solid tight base. NO distortion! A bit over budget but that is to be expected. Great installer. You can"t tell anything was ever touched. Everything works as before.
Big surprise. Hushmat Ultra material installed in all 4 doors. Can't believe how quiet the cabin is now!