Bose speaker upgrade

Apr 9, 2004 | 11:36 AM

sarb

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From: Bay Area - CA

2003 SL500

Bose speaker upgrade

I am looking to possibly upgrade the speaker system with a sub system and amp. I am wonder if any one has experience iwth this while using the MB command system. Is there a notice difference in sound quality or is it limited by the command, and if so in what way.

Also any speaker system you all may recommend.

Thanks

Apr 10, 2004 | 06:46 AM

clkal

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From: Bay Area, CA

01' CLK55

Re: Bose speaker upgrade

Quote:

Originally posted by sarb
I am looking to possibly upgrade the speaker system with a sub system and amp. I am wonder if any one has experience iwth this while using the MB command system. Is there a notice difference in sound quality or is it limited by the command, and if so in what way.

Also any speaker system you all may recommend.

Thanks

you can upgrade your speakers to pretty much any brand you want. Whatever you upgrade to, you will find that the aftermarket speakers are a lot more clear and precise. As far as a sub goes, all the installer needs to do is tap into the wire for the rear speakers , hook up a high-to-low converter, and add the sub amp . It's a pretty straight forward install.

i prefer jl audio , mb quart, or focal for my highs. JL audio for subs =)

Apr 10, 2004 | 11:56 PM

sarb

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2003 SL500

Thanks for the insight.

Have you ever heard of a/d/s speakers, and how do they compare.

Apr 11, 2004 | 10:11 AM

amdeutsch

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From: www.Traben-Trarbach.de

MPG+ ROLFCOPTER

A/D/S speakers are definitely up there.

Apr 11, 2004 | 10:35 AM

prsmith777

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From: Alexandria, Lousiana

06 Infiniti FX35, 07 SL55

I am having my SL500 system upgraded next month.

I am going with a trusted installer in Houston (4 hours drive and well worth the trip). They have done several 500s and 55s and know what it takes to get it right.

The most important thing for them to do is pull the command unit and send it out to have it altered slightly. I dont know the details, but I was told that they need to combine the low and high frequency into a single signal for much better audio clarity. I dont know if this is a hardware or software change, but I think it might be hardware. They sent it to NY and it takes three days total turnaround time.

They put two 8" or 10" subs in the passenger footwell, two large amps in the trunk against the back wall with a custom fiberglass enclosure trimmed in carpet, and they use DynAudio separates in the doors. Dynamat is used in the doors and rear.

The sound is SO much better and there is full integration with the command system

I can post pics next month of the install

Paul

Apr 11, 2004 | 11:39 AM

amdeutsch

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Quote:

Originally posted by prsmith777
I am having my SL500 system upgraded next month.

I am going with a trusted installer in Houston (4 hours drive and well worth the trip). They have done several 500s and 55s and know what it takes to get it right.

The most important thing for them to do is pull the command unit and send it out to have it altered slightly. I dont know the details, but I was told that they need to combine the low and high frequency into a single signal for much better audio clarity. I dont know if this is a hardware or software change, but I think it might be hardware. They sent it to NY and it takes three days total turnaround time.

Paul

If they mess with your command in a way you describe you just lost the warranty on it. I would hope for your sake that they themselves would then cover the remaining warranty.

Apr 11, 2004 | 11:51 AM

prsmith777

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Joined: Apr 2002

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From: Alexandria, Lousiana

06 Infiniti FX35, 07 SL55

You have a good point about the warranty. I will check into exactly what is done to the unit and what the warranty issues are before going ahead.

Thanks

PAul

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Apr 11, 2004 | 08:20 PM

Harris

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Joined: Jan 2002

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Modifying the Comand system would most likely void the warranty as Mercedes never liked anyone to put ANY aftermarket parts on their cars.

I was sitting on a SL55 with Bose system the other day and I have to say the sound quality on that car is pretty okay for a stock system. If you guys are not happy with that system, I am not sure whether you can improve a lot just by changing the speakers, adding a sub and amp.

If the Comand system is not "that" important to you, I would suggest you guys to change the headunit as well. Remember, everything comes from the "head".

For speakers: Focal ALL THE WAY!

Apr 21, 2004 | 11:10 AM

#10

prsmith777

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Joined: Apr 2002

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From: Alexandria, Lousiana

06 Infiniti FX35, 07 SL55

Here's an update on the upgrade:

Talked at length with the installer. The command modification is a software only mod and therefore wouldnt be a warranty issue. If any problems arise, the command could be reset to baseline at any dealer. Of course this would then erase the mods and you would have to have it redone.

However, in talking with the installer, he was not completely happy with the mod and thinks it wasnt done right. The issue is the frequency of the crossovers that MB uses. It is at 200, which is not a usable frequency for aftermarket equipment. The signal out of the command can be combined and then re-crossovered at better frequencies without messing with the command. He thinks this can be done without signal degradation.

Also, of interest, is something he has noticed that MB has done to discourage upgrades on the system. The command, for no apparent reason other than to screw with people, takes the right signal out of the command and flips the phase 180 degrees. The amp then flips the signal back 180 degrees so that sound quality is returned to normal. If you were unaware of this and added an new amp, then the right speakers would be 180 out of phase and sound would surely suck. Thanks MB.

I am going to go for it next week, probably.

Paul

Last edited by prsmith777; Apr 21, 2004 at 11:12 AM.

Apr 21, 2004 | 12:33 PM

#11

m444

Super Member

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 538

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From: Silicon valley

Audi C7.5 S6

Bose speaker polarities

I noticed the speaker wiring anonmally on the 2003 Mb C32 Bose wiring diagram. It shows the rear speaker polarities reversed from the front speakers. It seems very odd.

Jun 2, 2004 | 01:36 PM

#12

sarb

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From: Bay Area - CA

2003 SL500

Here is the upgrade;

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...0&pagenumber=3

Enjoy!

Jun 5, 2004 | 08:51 AM

#13

MeeM

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Joined: Jan 2004

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hehehe

I have to admit: that's a pretty clever idea to flip the phase. I commend Mercedes-Benz on that basis.

By the way, I'm a big fan of Bose AND Focal ... so I really can't say which I like better. They're both superb.