Disssatisfied with COMAND and HK Audio
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
08 ML 350
Disssatisfied with COMAND and HK Audio
I love my 08 ML 350, but am I the only one that thinks the COMAND system is weak? The volume is terrible - I can't even drive on the highway with my windows down without drowning out the radio. And the Navigation is from the 1980's.
I'm really considering doing away with the entire system and custom installing an Alpine or Clarion system with new speakers and sub. And, before you ask, I have the 'upgraded' Harmon Kardon system.
Before I go spend 3-4k on a custom system, someone please tell me that I'm crazy. I bought the car used with about 20k miles on it, so I may be experiencing someone else's problem.
I love the truck otherwise.
I'm really considering doing away with the entire system and custom installing an Alpine or Clarion system with new speakers and sub. And, before you ask, I have the 'upgraded' Harmon Kardon system.
Before I go spend 3-4k on a custom system, someone please tell me that I'm crazy. I bought the car used with about 20k miles on it, so I may be experiencing someone else's problem.
I love the truck otherwise.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 389
Likes: 4
2002 E430
I have no complaint with mine. It's decent but I have my windows up on the hwy. If you want it to sound good with windows down you need custom system. Take into consideration you may be losing your factory warranty if you splice any wires.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 2
From: California
06 C55, 09 E350
It's a very common complaint with customers and I am willing to agree with. The system is terrible. The only good thing is the phone system and if I didn't want the phone system I would have got rid of it all a long time ago.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
W203-4M W163
Windows down on the highway (75MPH?) with a truck profile and you expect to hear the radio easily? These are great cars, but MB cannot overturn the laws of acoustics. Close your windows, close the sunroof and the visor, and turn the AC on.
PREMIUM SPONSOR
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 615
Likes: 3
From: Chicago, IL
ML350, Lotus Elise
I love my 08 ML 350, but am I the only one that thinks the COMAND system is weak? The volume is terrible - I can't even drive on the highway with my windows down without drowning out the radio. And the Navigation is from the 1980's.
I'm really considering doing away with the entire system and custom installing an Alpine or Clarion system with new speakers and sub. And, before you ask, I have the 'upgraded' Harmon Kardon system.
Before I go spend 3-4k on a custom system, someone please tell me that I'm crazy. I bought the car used with about 20k miles on it, so I may be experiencing someone else's problem.
I love the truck otherwise.
I'm really considering doing away with the entire system and custom installing an Alpine or Clarion system with new speakers and sub. And, before you ask, I have the 'upgraded' Harmon Kardon system.
Before I go spend 3-4k on a custom system, someone please tell me that I'm crazy. I bought the car used with about 20k miles on it, so I may be experiencing someone else's problem.
I love the truck otherwise.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,430
Likes: 12
From: Cleveland Ohio
beater with a heater
YEP! it is weak, and I hear it alot...
there is a few ways to approach it, replace it or add onto it. you can get a decent audio signal out of it in hi-level mode but takes some changing of parameters, you can feed that audio to an audison bit1 processor and onto an audison 6 channel amp(lrx5.1mt) which will sound awesome even powering the factory speakers and sub if you have it. I would make a passive crossover network for the front speakers though as it is 100 watts going to them and the tweeter isn't very capable of the extra power
there is a few ways to approach it, replace it or add onto it. you can get a decent audio signal out of it in hi-level mode but takes some changing of parameters, you can feed that audio to an audison bit1 processor and onto an audison 6 channel amp(lrx5.1mt) which will sound awesome even powering the factory speakers and sub if you have it. I would make a passive crossover network for the front speakers though as it is 100 watts going to them and the tweeter isn't very capable of the extra power
