R230 speaker upgrades
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
2005 SL600, 2016 ES300h, 2012 Hayabusa
R230 speaker upgrades
I am planning to guy my stereo in my 05 sl600, so far I have a kenwood excelon xr1s and an xr4s and a JL 13tw5. I would like to use the new deck to power some new tweeters in the stock center channel location as well as the stock rear speakers. I would like to do some sort of setup in the doors with aftermarket but not sure on what brand, the local dealer is pushing boston pretty hard, I would like to stay all kenwood possibly, but there are other good brands out there. what brands have you used in the past or what do you think would be best? I do have a bit of a budget for the components so don't say I need to get some 5k set of hand woven egyptian tiger moth silk tweeters, I just want something good.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 5
From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
Jake...try Focal or Hertz...try to not skimp on the front stage. A good mid bass 6.5" in the doors is a must.
I've got Focal 6.5" mid bass and 5.25" midrange in the doors...but you can get away with a really good 6.5" in the doors. The Focal K2 Power series are a great setup...
Jon
PS. You will LOVE the JL 13W5...install it in the passenger side footwell and you will cream your pants. Also, over power the sub and front speakers...it gives better headroom and you can always pull back the gains...
I've got Focal 6.5" mid bass and 5.25" midrange in the doors...but you can get away with a really good 6.5" in the doors. The Focal K2 Power series are a great setup...
Jon
PS. You will LOVE the JL 13W5...install it in the passenger side footwell and you will cream your pants. Also, over power the sub and front speakers...it gives better headroom and you can always pull back the gains...
Last edited by AMGfan; Jul 17, 2010 at 05:52 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
2005 SL600, 2016 ES300h, 2012 Hayabusa
I was just reading up on the amps that I got a killer deal on and the xr1s is 2400 watts max (700 RMS)....I guess I didn't realize that, but that is 2 ohm and I know the JL is 3 ohm. the other amp is 120 x 4 at 4 ohms rms. I'm sure I will **** off my local installer on the speakers if I don't buy from them, but they don't have focal and I trust your opinion since you have the before and after. Do you think replacing the factory center channel with a set of tweeters powered by the deck would be a good idea or a big waste? I am planning to use the 9960 which has a center 5v pre-out but not sure if it is worth it to get an additional amp to power that.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 5
From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
I was just reading up on the amps that I got a killer deal on and the xr1s is 2400 watts max (700 RMS)....I guess I didn't realize that, but that is 2 ohm and I know the JL is 3 ohm. the other amp is 120 x 4 at 4 ohms rms. I'm sure I will **** off my local installer on the speakers if I don't buy from them, but they don't have focal and I trust your opinion since you have the before and after. Do you think replacing the factory center channel with a set of tweeters powered by the deck would be a good idea or a big waste? I am planning to use the 9960 which has a center 5v pre-out but not sure if it is worth it to get an additional amp to power that.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
2005 SL600, 2016 ES300h, 2012 Hayabusa
84.....year before I was born....hmmmm. I think I will just go with a similar setup to what you did. I guess my only question is did they use the rear pre-outs and front for the signal to your door speakers, I am just wondering if that will kill some of the front to back staging.
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA, USA
2005 SL500, 1977 450SL, 2007 Cadillac Escalade
Excuse my ignorance, but you guys seem to know of what you speak...
I have an 05 SL500. There's a factory speaker in the driver's footwell (3.5") - left side in the kick panel below the hood release - that doesn't work although it is connected. MB speaker and wiring. I don't see one on the pass side. I'm not sure if it's even part of the audio system. Any idea? Is there a fuse that may be blown?
Thanks.
I have an 05 SL500. There's a factory speaker in the driver's footwell (3.5") - left side in the kick panel below the hood release - that doesn't work although it is connected. MB speaker and wiring. I don't see one on the pass side. I'm not sure if it's even part of the audio system. Any idea? Is there a fuse that may be blown?
Thanks.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA, USA
2005 SL500, 1977 450SL, 2007 Cadillac Escalade
Update - I found the passenger side speaker - it's under the dash. But it doesn't work either. Checked all fuses associated with radio and sound system - all ok. Checked to make sure they're not for Gabby's voice (the nav). The car was never wired for phone so I doubt they'd put the speakers. Any ideas? Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,430
Likes: 12
From: Cleveland Ohio
beater with a heater
also, why would anyone want to replace a center channel with tweeters? you need a midrange... and hertz makes the HL70.4 which will drop right in
tweeters in the center = ear bleeding
Plus some center channels, depending on the amp combo/deck combo are wired from the factory utilizing the left + and the right - of the doors
tweeters in the center = ear bleeding
Plus some center channels, depending on the amp combo/deck combo are wired from the factory utilizing the left + and the right - of the doors
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 5
From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
also, why would anyone want to replace a center channel with tweeters? you need a midrange... and hertz makes the HL70.4 which will drop right in
tweeters in the center = ear bleeding
Plus some center channels, depending on the amp combo/deck combo are wired from the factory utilizing the left + and the right - of the doors
tweeters in the center = ear bleeding
Plus some center channels, depending on the amp combo/deck combo are wired from the factory utilizing the left + and the right - of the doors
