hi, i have a 2006 c230. i have the base headunit with a 6disc changer.

i was planning on either changing out the headunit to a pioner avic d3 or just adding a sub to the stock HU.

my questions are....

1. my car has the Audio 20 system correct or does all the post face-lifted models even with the H/K audio called Audio 20?

2. does my audio system use fiber optics or just regular wiring? cause i heard that if i have fiber optics i would have to get it rewired to change out the HU.

thanks.

i tried searching but im getting confused

 

anyone

 

HK system is an option, if you want to confirm, the amp is located in the trunk passenger side wheel well behind the carpet.....it will have the orange fiber cables running into it.

 

1. Your head unit is the same for all cars except those with COMAND. Your car might or might not have premium audio. The amp for standard cars is located in the head unit, and copper wires connect to the speakers. The audio signal in Premium audio cars is sent to the amp package in the trunk via MOST fiber optics. MOST fiber optics are used to distribute the audio signal if you have a telephone, a satellite receiver, tele-aid, a six disc cd changer, or the previously mentioned Premium audio. Cars before the face-lift had a different fiber optic protocol called D2B.

2. Changing the head unit is possible, but if you have any of the above mentioned devices on the MOST fiber optic cable loop, you will need to throw them away. They cannot be "re-wired." If you have premium audio with the amp in the trunk (under the carpet on the right wheel arch) you will need to connect all the speakers to the new amp. It takes 8 discrete channels of amplification to replicate the Premium amp. The speakers might have a strange sound because the premium amp has a DSP that tailors the sound field for the Mercedes interior.

If you want to add a sub, I suggest an infinity basslink unit. I installed several in C class cars.

 

It would say Harman/Kardon on speaker grilles in premium audio cars. At least that's been my experience.

 

or just re-wire all the speakers with new aftermarket amps like i did! pain in the butt duh!

 

thx guys. i dont hv the premium system for sure.

im going to buy the infinity basslink ii. i know i need to wire the 12v and ground. but do i need to wire the remote on also. i think i see the basslink has a auto on feature.


Moviela....
also, i should use the rear speakers for the basslink rite?
can someone tell me the color wires for the rear left and right - pos and neg speakers
where did u access the wires to hookup the basslink?

 

Does your non-HK car have rear deck speakers? My 05 does not.

 

no, its in the rear doors.

i was hoping to get the speaker wire colors so i can tap into them by the b pillar instead of taking off the door panels.

also can u hookup the power wire to the rear SAM?

 

anyone know this?

 

ttt

 

I have a c280 2006 and trying to install an avic ito it. The speakers say nothing on them so i don't know what kind of speakers i have. If its the case that its a standard system with no fiber optics, then will any rewiring have to be done? Can i still use the stock amp? If not, can i just power the speakers/subwoofer through the avic?

 

Yes , you can use the stock amp. What are you trying to do with your car ? new speakers ? a sub ? the whole deal? i wanted something nicer than the stock speakers , i had standard speakers (non-bose) , so i rewired everything, its a pain in the *** but its really worth it, when it comes to sound

 

Like i said i'm installin an avic into it. therefore i dont know if the amp can power the speakers and hook up to the avic, or if i have to power the speakers through the avic and bypass the amp. Dont know how the subwoofer would play into either of those scenarios. Any clues anyone?

 

I have an 05 C230 with the stock system, and I would like to get the command head unit, and either get rear deck speakers or the infinity basslink that everyone has been talking about.

I pulled up all the carpeting in the trunk and while I have no amp, I do have a ton of wires, some orange, white, purple and various other colors all will plugs at the end and covered in like a gray pad. What should I do, will the command interfere, do I have to rewire, or what. I am out of my league with this car. I can do anything to the body, but when it comes to electronics on a German car I am lost.

 

Honestly, the easiest way to enhance the sound would be to simply add subs. I tapped into the rear speakers (left and right) and ran that through a high/low converter. Used a two-channel amp powered from the battery with the switched power to the HU as the trigger. It may not be the cleanest way to run everything, but it was fairly cheap and very effective. I turned the bass way down from the HU and turned up the subs from their amp. Now the stock speakers don't distort like they did before. Just my 2 cents. Good luck either way.

 

Thanks, which equipment did you have? Like I said I am looking into getting the Navi Command HU, but currently I have the base HU 6 speaker sound system. I don't mind taking up a lot of space in the trunk, I just don't want it to look bad or rattle.

 

Specifically, I have the Audio 20 6 speaker system. I can't remember what the amp is. It's powering 2 12" Rockford Fosgate P1 punch speakers (old ones), and the box was custome from a friend of mine (who build competition boxes). It does take up alot of trunk space, but I love the sound. It's not horribly loud, but is enough. Nothing on the outside of the car rattles (unless it's really cranked), and only a couple little things inside (but those were there before). You might be able to get away with 1 12" P2 I love the way it sounds, and I got really good deal on it all. $200 for everything with installation. Let me know if you need any more info.

 

Wow I am very jealous, that's a steal!! I was starting to get my hopes up, because I was going to wait to get the new command sys, but that is $$. So I think I will look into what you did and see if I can make it work. Again thanks Andrew! Love your color, btw.

 

In dash factory navigation is a bit crude compared to available dash top units that sell for less than $ 200. That is only for information, not to talk you out of making your car the way you like.

If you do want that system, it is doable. You must get a US market COMAND or you will not receive radio stations correctly, and the navigation data is a bit difficult to install on a European or Japan market unit. You will need to install a GPS antenna under the dash, and some version coding may need to be done depending on the audio options on your car.

If you want a COMAND and have it done right, I suggest forum sponsor MbenzNL.com Contact them with your car details and VIN to get a quote.

They purchased a number of brand new MOST units, and sell them at a tiny fraction of the price at the parts counter.

I believe the COMAND will work with either the stock audio or the premium audio. Adding a Basslink II (if you can still find one) is an inexpensive alternative to a full blown premium sound conversion. Basslink II needs some sound absorbing matting in the rear doors to prevent a nasty rattle on Stairway to Heaven.

 

I believe that the CLK Comand system will fit the w203 plus it folds down and has that WOW factor. There is a shop here in Dallas that does custom work on MB's and Bimmers only and they only use US compatible products. I have been forewarned about buying off ebay for the comand system because most are from Europe. Thanks though. I think I am going to go with the 12's that Andrew was suggesting. It's a bit more than what I wanted, because I am not one to blast my music, I just want a more unified sound, throughout the car. I do miss the navigation from my previous car... gosh. Plus I am moving to Las Vegas this year, and will not know my way around.