Want to upgrade (w211 E55)
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Joined: May 2007
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From: San Diego
2004 E55
Want to upgrade (w211 E55)
So like many others I want to upgrade the sound in my car, and I want to retain the factory command and all of it's functionality along with the steering wheel controls. I know the sound from the Harmon Kardon system isn't perfect but it's livable for me for the most part... But I do have one gripe: the equalization that the system performs at higher volume (especially where it introduces more mid-bass).
I have been looking into the JL Cleansweep to get rid of that nonsense but after doing some research, I still have questions that I can't find answers for. I thought I read somewhere on JL's website that you can still use the master volume on your factory head unit, but everything I have read in forums says that you must use the master volume knob that comes with the cleansweep. Please tell me it ain't so!
If the cleansweep can't/won't do that for me, then I need an alternative that does. Aside from getting an aftermarket H/U, is there a way to do this? Somewhere down the road I would like to add aftermarket amplification and speakers to the system, maybe even a new sub, but this sound as it stands right now is killing me! I don't even like to turn the volume up because it sounds so bad. Thanks for the help!
Oh and yes I did the search thing, not much help
I have been looking into the JL Cleansweep to get rid of that nonsense but after doing some research, I still have questions that I can't find answers for. I thought I read somewhere on JL's website that you can still use the master volume on your factory head unit, but everything I have read in forums says that you must use the master volume knob that comes with the cleansweep. Please tell me it ain't so!
If the cleansweep can't/won't do that for me, then I need an alternative that does. Aside from getting an aftermarket H/U, is there a way to do this? Somewhere down the road I would like to add aftermarket amplification and speakers to the system, maybe even a new sub, but this sound as it stands right now is killing me! I don't even like to turn the volume up because it sounds so bad. Thanks for the help!
Oh and yes I did the search thing, not much help
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
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From: San Diego
2004 E55
So that means I'll have to use an LC8, and buy aftermarket amps for all channels, then all new speakers right??
There's gotta be a way to leave the factory equipment in place and by adding a device, be able to correct for the "OEM Equalization" issue.
There's gotta be a way to leave the factory equipment in place and by adding a device, be able to correct for the "OEM Equalization" issue.
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From: Livingston NJ
C63, Grigio Medio E46 M3
I believe all you hgave to do to disable the auto equalization is unplug the mic above your rearview mirror.. Its in that lil hole.. Thats what i did, and it works great..
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
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From: San Diego
2004 E55
Was that mic hard to get to?
EDIT
I went in there to check it out and I was able to get the cover off easy enough but I didn't see a plug for the mic. I saw a brown and a white wire going up into the dome light assy and that was it. Does the whole light assembly need to be taken apart?
Last edited by bobgodd; Aug 16, 2008 at 06:58 PM.
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From: Livingston NJ
C63, Grigio Medio E46 M3
Thats it! You actually have to pull down the rearview mirror. Very easy, but can be scary. Just grab hold of the mirror, and pull down, hard.. It will disengage, and than u can get to to plug for the mic. Just follow the brown, white wire, uplug and remove the mic.. Thats it.. Worked perfectly for me.. If youd like i have the JL cleansweep im looking to get rid of.. Perfect conditon, all wiring, instructions, and setup cd.. PM me if interested..
BTW, if you do disconnect the mic, you will also disable your handsfree if you have it..
BTW, if you do disconnect the mic, you will also disable your handsfree if you have it..
Last edited by obsidian05e55; Aug 18, 2008 at 02:59 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: San Diego
2004 E55
So you have to actually take out most if not all of the dome light assembly apparently because even after pulling down the mirror (which was indeed frightful) I could not see the connector for the mic, nor could I figure out how to break into the dome light housing. Alas, after a tug or two the connector came off without a problem, so the mic is currently disconnected.
I still however, have the same issue with the sound. So it looks like I'll definitely have to explore some other options. Now I just gotta figure out how to reconnect the mic LOL.
I still however, have the same issue with the sound. So it looks like I'll definitely have to explore some other options. Now I just gotta figure out how to reconnect the mic LOL.
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From: San Diego
2004 E55
Anybody else got any feedback? I still haven't found a solution.
I would like to keep the COMMAND and keep its functionality also, but I would like to upgrade the speakers, and add amps and a sub as well (just decided lol) any thoughts??
I would like to keep the COMMAND and keep its functionality also, but I would like to upgrade the speakers, and add amps and a sub as well (just decided lol) any thoughts??
