W221 Harman Kardon Amp Blown - Help
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
s350
W221 Harman Kardon Amp Blown - Help
I have a 2012 W221 S350 that I am about to sell and the Harman Kardon amp has blown.
A new replacement is upwards of £1200 plus fitting
My Garage says they can get a refurb unit for around £780+fitting, but has to come from Germany
An audio specialist has taken a look and said that the fibre optic circuit has gone and that its an expensive repair
They want £900 all in and say that includes the re-programming (which I am not sure my garage appreciates needs doing) and a 12 month warranty
I'm out of my depth with audio electronics - Am I being told the truth?
A new replacement is upwards of £1200 plus fitting
My Garage says they can get a refurb unit for around £780+fitting, but has to come from Germany
An audio specialist has taken a look and said that the fibre optic circuit has gone and that its an expensive repair
They want £900 all in and say that includes the re-programming (which I am not sure my garage appreciates needs doing) and a 12 month warranty
I'm out of my depth with audio electronics - Am I being told the truth?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 133
From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
The Harman Kardon amplifiers in recent MBs have to be one the most unreliable components ever put into an automotive application. Many, many threads and personal experience are there to prove it.
In general, the MOST fiber connected H-K amps should need to be coded for the chassis/model they are in. If you could find one of the same part number from the same chassis/model at a breaker, you may be able to save some money as that should be plug and play.
In general, the MOST fiber connected H-K amps should need to be coded for the chassis/model they are in. If you could find one of the same part number from the same chassis/model at a breaker, you may be able to save some money as that should be plug and play.
Last edited by Floobydust; Aug 26, 2020 at 05:53 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
09 S550 W221
I just bought the amp from a 2010 Genisis, Confirmed it does play audio on aux however I have noticed I can turn the volume down if I Turn volume down > Press Mute > Unmute = Volume Will turn down.
Same process for volume up… HOWEVER it will not turn up all the way it only turns up to about 70% . When you press mute it will turn up all the way briefly before muting so you can hear the clear difference I will try to post a video for you guys .
I want to figure out this volume control so bad. If possible even just add a volume knob directly to the amp . I’m trying to figure out if volume is controlled by the fiber optic lines or via the pin out on one of the connectors going into the amp. Please don’t let this thread die or what’s so much potential to save all w221 owners money.
Same process for volume up… HOWEVER it will not turn up all the way it only turns up to about 70% . When you press mute it will turn up all the way briefly before muting so you can hear the clear difference I will try to post a video for you guys .
I want to figure out this volume control so bad. If possible even just add a volume knob directly to the amp . I’m trying to figure out if volume is controlled by the fiber optic lines or via the pin out on one of the connectors going into the amp. Please don’t let this thread die or what’s so much potential to save all w221 owners money.
