Zman9398

Hello, I just got my 2005 Clk500 with the HK system in it. I want to upgrade the sound system. I have a few questions based on the MOST fiber optic cables and the best sound quality I can get. I am mainly concerned with the fiber optic to analog conversion.

1. What cables do I need if I just want a new head unit and amplifier?

2. Is it worth it to get just a new head unit and amplifier?

3. Is there another route I can take that offers better sound quality?

4. Should I upgrade the sub?

5. Will a head unit and amplifier offer better bass or is that just the sub woofer that will offer that?

I don't want a system that is going to make the car shake. I just want something that offers a crisper, cleaner sound.

Rudeney

Basically, you'll end up replacing the head unit and amp, and having to run your own speaker or low-level wiring from the dash to the trunk. And with that, the sky is the limit - put int he best audio system you can afford.

If you just find the factory HK subwoofer to be insufficient, then you could just tap in with your own amp and sub - just us an amp that accepts speaker-level inputs and tap into the existing HK sub speaker wiring.

SteveCLK

Zman, could I buy your existing amp from you? Is it the black one with fin detail on the outside - fibre optic?

I'm searching for a replacement as mine has packed up

S

SteveCLK

Have got one now, good luck with your upgrade Zman

S

Zman9398

You found one? because I am going to sell mine after I replace it

SteveCLK

Unfortunately yes, I saw one on Ebay that was local to me, so just been to pick it up this afternoon, and while it had a grey connection, whereas mine is black meaning it had an ever so slightly different clip in design, I did a little tweak at the breakers garage where it was located and it slotted in okay, and hey presto the speakers did their thing once again.

The Bose W209 amps seem to be advertised for between £50 and £100 online for when you sell yours

Best

Steve

Zman9398

So I found the amp and, I looked into the speakers. So I decided to pull the door panel off and I basically broke 3 of the clips and can't get the rest to line up so the door panel is semi on right now. Just enough to where the door closes properly.

I ordered new clips but how do I get the clips to line up. It seems as if I can't get the door panel down far enough.

NickLouis

Can just the speakers be replaced on 05 CLK500 or those fiber optic too? I dont want to complicated replacing the head unit and amp.

Rudeney

The speakers are traditional analog. The fiber is only between the head unit and amp. From the amp to the speakers is copper. Just be mindful of the ohms rating. The old Bose system used 2ohm speakers. I don't know what the HK system uses - maybe 4ohm?

NickLouis

What size speaker is in the dash board?

irokdastar

I did this a few month back and basically if you are changing one part in the system you need to change the whole system . What I did was I got a new headunit and ran RCA cables to the rear where I mounted a 5ch amp . I used 4 channel to run the 4 speakers and 1 for the subwoofer . You can actually do this all in 1 day and the beauty of it is you can get the latest and greatest . I did also upgrade the door speakers just because they don't handle to much power . You don't need hi dollar speaker . Just get 6.5" components for the front and 2 way 6" for rear . I kept my stock sub and it works fine but if your looking for more sub power you can easily just get a new sub later on . Btw you can tap into the oem speaker wires in the rear without having to run new speaker wires to each speaker . Just unplug the amp harness and there you can tap into all the speaker wires from the car .


Cost breakdown


1. 5 ch amp from $100-$500
2. 4 or 8 gauge wiring kit $30 . You don't need 0 gauge since 5ch amp don't need that much current .
3. head unit $200 to $600
4. Speakers you can get component from $50 all the way to $600 . at the low end you will get 50 watt rms which is way better than stock . remember 6.5" for the front and 6" for the rear .

NickLouis

I dont feel like investing too much money and time in this project. Im not interested so much in changing out the head unit and amp, basically everything after which is analog. Figured new speakers will sound better than the old ones.

irokdastar

you system will actually sound worse with aftermarket speakers . The thing is better speakers need more power to work . if you dont give them sufficient power you will actually destroy them or get horrible sound . Also there is no way you will be able to run components in the front on your stock sound system .