Acapulco Bill

@ICON 1: The problem with sibilants, (spitting S's) is this from a CD, an mp3 encoded CD, or an iPod with mp3's?

jctevere

Your Dealer is just being lazy. Mine denied that I could update it as well, but you can. Just tell them that you want them to update the firmware on your comand/audio 20 system to the most up to date software. Print out this picture I have attached to show them as proof.

My audio 20 screen clearly says boost and if your wondering why I took such a strange picture, I tried to get the dumbo ears in to prove that mine is a 2009.

I just think the dealers are reluctant to do it because it takes a LONG time. I waited it out and it took nearly 3 hours...

Runamuck

I upgrade the speakers to the infinity kappa last weekend. Now I want to fine tune them some more but I dont have any EQ settings I can tweak.

ICON 1

Thanks for the info. I kind of got the feeling that was the case when I inquired. I'll try again and if they don't do it I'll check with another dealer. Which dealer accommodated your request for the software upgrade?

ICON 1

It is from my connected iPhone 4 with MP3s and streaming radio stations. IMO it is probably from setting the high end frequency too high and causing an emphasis on the "S". I turned down my treble setting and it has helped. I believe if I bring down the high frequency setting in the PE form 15,000 to 14 or 13,000 it will further correct it. Haven't had time to do it yet.

ICON 1

AB, very very impressive resume. Glad to have you part of this forum. My wife is a trained violinist and has played for the South Carolina philarmonic. I have been using her ears to tune the sound in my c300. If you are ever in NYC let me know.

Imageboi

I just got the i'm the most up to date on my car as well... i'm a 09' as well.. so i guess it is the 10' models that have this boost?? damn wish i wouldve saw this post before i went up there.. gotta go up there again..

jctevere

If you have a 2009, the boost option will be listed in the center of the audio 20 screen when you go to the AUX input. To do this press DISC, then on the bottom left of that screen use the Comand knob to go down to the bottom left button on the screen, click the knob down and select AUX. It is possible to get the BOOST on a pre 2010. See my picture above, I have a 2009 (as you can tell by the side mirrors). And I have the boost option selected on the screen.

@ ICON, I got it done at MB Huntington (in suffolk county on Long Island). I am sure that Rallye Motors near Great Neck will be able to update it as well (they are a lot closer to NYC). Try to call ahead and ask to speak with a service advisor or technician and confirm that they "know how to do it" or that they are sure its possible. The reason why I say this even though I KNOW it is possible is because you don't want to bring your car all the way out here for them to tell you its impossible or that they can't/don't know how to do it.

Good luck!

Also, @ Acapulco Bill What do you mean the problem with the chinese iPod Amplifier. Is there a way to remove it and get a better one? I would like to be able to get rid of the interference I have on my AUX port (the static when no music is playing).

sagar350z

Ahh. Thanks for the info guys, I guess I'll have to ask the dealership to update it the next time I'm down there. Also will they charge for updating? Just making sure in case they try pull a fast one lol.
@ Acapulco Bill & jctevere: Thanks for the pictures.

ICON 1

@ ICON, I got it done at MB Huntington (in suffolk county on Long Island). I am sure that Rallye Motors near Great Neck will be able to update it as well (they are a lot closer to NYC). Try to call ahead and ask to speak with a service advisor or technician and confirm that they "know how to do it" or that they are sure its possible. The reason why I say this even though I KNOW it is possible is because you don't want to bring your car all the way out here for them to tell you its impossible or that they can't/don't know how to do it.

Thanks I will do that. I know where they are as I grew up in Queens. Now that you have confirmed it can be done persistance is my middle name.

jctevere

Mine didn't charge to update. They shouldn't charge for it (especially if you are still within warranty). If you call ahead and ask they will tell you everything.

If they give you a problem just say that there is a problem with it and you need it to be updated. "The volume for the AUX port is too low, mercedes issued an update to fix this issue".

ICON 1

I'll give it a try and let you know if they "bite". Thanks.

Acapulco Bill

@jctevere: MB is always looking to save some $ by subcontracting overseas in this global economy. The C Sport hood badge is one example (I will start another thread), but in the case of the iPod amplifier, there is just no excuse for the horrible engineering and shoddy electronic construction of this critical component.
MB socks you more than $800 for the cable, interface and (supposedly included) iPod amplifier. Supposedly included, because MB SCREWED UP TERRIBLY in the gain specifications of the iPod interface, so to solve this issue, you the consumer and "loyal" Benz fan, get stuck paying another $100 for the iPod amplifier, a stupid German engineer couldnt figure out that another 12dB of gain was needed (that´s 8 TIMES THE VOLTAGE!!!).
So MB began production of the iPod amplifier patch/band-aid in Germany, then decided to save $0.80 and outsource them to China (this on a $100 retail MB part).
The result is your Chinese iPod amplifier with NO GAIN AT ALL!!! Worse yet, the unit produces 30% THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) which makes Sarah Brightman sound like Janis Joplin. (Worse actually, can you imagine?) Its just HORRIBLE. Didnt drive my W204 for 7 MONTHS because I was heartbroken that first the MB salesperson PROMISED me in writing that the C300 Sport came with the Harman Kardon system, made me pay for the installation of the iPod interface/amplifier, and then this gawd awful noise...
Besides the paint-flaking hood badge (ALSO Chinese), the defective leather seats, the exhaust system of two different lengths, doors that didnt close correctly, etc, etc etc.
Anyway, check out YOUR iPod amp, or make the MB dealer who installed the thing prove to you that you got your money´s worth, and not both economically and sonically RIPPED OFF by cheap, inferior China-outsourced parts that have no quality control at all, period.

Imageboi

wonder if theres a way we can jack up the internal components to make it better... like changing certain resistors or caps to enhance the quality of the small component.. i know theres tons of people that modify power amplifers to make them cheater amps wonder if theres a way to do it on these units to boost the preamp on the piece... also is using the aux headphone jack louder then using the ipod intergration unit??

also so wait your saying theres 2 different ipod amplifers for our cars?? if there is... is there a difference in sound quality between the 2?

Acapulco Bill

@Imageboi: The two iPod amplifiers, one from China and one from Germany, have the same MB part number but very different quality and distortion issues (only in the China-sourced, the German manufactured iPd amplifier s fine). Check out the thread:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ff-beware.html

BMMV

Hi everyone, this is my first time owning a MB and posting on this forum. I just purchased a 2008 C300 and am trying to figure out if I have the amplifier built into my car. I called the local MB dealer and gave them my VIN and they said that I have the Audio 20 stereo but didn't say if I had the amplifier. I looked in the vehicle and didn't physically see an amp. I have the componant set in the front doors and I have the speakers in the rear doors and that is it, as far as I know.

Also, can the 2008 models receive the firmware update?

I too am going to do the speaker upgrade. I just wanted to thank everyone, all of this information is extremely helpful.

BMMV

Acapulco Bill, How did you install the Boss sub?

ImageX

the amplifier me and bill are discussing is the ipod inline amplifier cause if you have the ipod adapter you'll soon realize it sucks... but as far as the speaker amplifiers is there a certain reason your looking for the car amp?? but everyone has just been doing the infinity upgrade and alot of people say its a huge increase in sound right off the bat without amplification... but every system has a amp just i think with the audio 20 it's in the headunit itself..

BMMV

ImageX, I understand now, it's in the head unit. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't an external amp. I understand (especially with the detailed instructions) how everyone is doing this upgrade. My speakers are on order as of today. Thank You.

Acapulco Bill

@BMMV: I will take some photos and post them on Tuesday (holiday here in Mexico, all offices closed).

BMMV

Sounds good. Thank You.

Acapulco Bill

of the installation of the Boss Bass600 8 1/2" self-amplified subwoofer.
Nice, clean install. Unit turns on with radio, has level control wired in under the steering column.
Best $120 investment for your non-HK Merc, after upgrading to the Infinity Kappa 60.9 and 6032si speakers.

Imageboi

wow that thing is definitely smaller then i thought it was.. mite have to chunk the jbl gti 1000's away and swap to this... think the jbl gti 1000's would be too much speaker for the car.. it was fine with the audi cause i was able to run amplified image dynamics components all the way around.. wonder if theres a good way to run a amplifier to the mids without hacking up all the wires... thats really what i want.. i would think even after the infinity speaker upgrade it wouldn't be too much sound for me.. i like to go deaf lol =D but when you upgraded to the infinity speakers bill how great of a increase was the volume?? i know sound clarity would increase dramatically.. but wondering about volume..

Acapulco Bill

@Imageboi: The Infinity speaker upgrade is so inexpensive and simple that one cannot imagine not doing it. You get close to 9 dB more volume (combination of 6 dB more efficient and double the amplifier wattage due to the 2 ohm impedance). This compact sub rounds out the low bass.
Volume now can be turned up to 106 dB average with 116 dB peaks.
No other amp needed. Got my local MB dealer to do the install.

Imageboi

hmmm ok guess i'll be doing this very soon then.. been procrastinating..