Hi - Audio Advice Needed
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Toronto, Canada
A
Hi - Audio Advice Needed
Hi
First time poster here, and have exhausted the search method in trying to find the answer to the following questions:
I currently have a 2003 C320 4-Matic, and found that spending 500 on a factory 6-disk changer was just insane.
Anyway,
1. Would it be better to buy a new head unit that plays mp3s (Alpine CDA-9815 ) or buy a 6 disk changer that plays mp3s (Alpine CHA-S634)? In the long run, which would be the better option?
2. What sort of adaptors would I need to install the above? I understand that the MB systems now use fibre-optics.
3. The stock MB head unit is huge. What sort of options other than a gigantic spacer would I have?
4. Anyone here can recommend a shop in Toronto, Canada?
Thanks
First time poster here, and have exhausted the search method in trying to find the answer to the following questions:
I currently have a 2003 C320 4-Matic, and found that spending 500 on a factory 6-disk changer was just insane.
Anyway,
1. Would it be better to buy a new head unit that plays mp3s (Alpine CDA-9815 ) or buy a 6 disk changer that plays mp3s (Alpine CHA-S634)? In the long run, which would be the better option?
2. What sort of adaptors would I need to install the above? I understand that the MB systems now use fibre-optics.
3. The stock MB head unit is huge. What sort of options other than a gigantic spacer would I have?
4. Anyone here can recommend a shop in Toronto, Canada?
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
You have lots of choice, starting from the best choices to worst are;
- Get another MB alternative like the Audio 10 CD (much better sound, deeper bass) or Comand navigation system. This option preserves your steering wheel controls and dash display.
- Get amps, speakers to try and improve the current radio.
- Get a metra bezel and wiring harness and put in an Alpine system of you choice with their steering wheel adapter. Lose the dash display but at least you can still use the steering wheel buttons. You'll have to change the speakers because I don't think the Bose setup you have will work with an aftermarket radio.
- Rip out everything and get a metra bezel and wiring harness and go completely aftermarket.
IMHO nothing cheapens a nice car more than to put a ricey looking radio with a cheezy adapter but that's just my opinion and I've seen a really cheezy radio with animated dolphins on a $130,000 Porche so to each his own.
- Get another MB alternative like the Audio 10 CD (much better sound, deeper bass) or Comand navigation system. This option preserves your steering wheel controls and dash display.
- Get amps, speakers to try and improve the current radio.
- Get a metra bezel and wiring harness and put in an Alpine system of you choice with their steering wheel adapter. Lose the dash display but at least you can still use the steering wheel buttons. You'll have to change the speakers because I don't think the Bose setup you have will work with an aftermarket radio.
- Rip out everything and get a metra bezel and wiring harness and go completely aftermarket.
IMHO nothing cheapens a nice car more than to put a ricey looking radio with a cheezy adapter but that's just my opinion and I've seen a really cheezy radio with animated dolphins on a $130,000 Porche so to each his own.
Thread Starter
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From: Toronto, Canada
A
Originally posted by Buellwinkle
You'll have to change the speakers because I don't think the Bose setup you have will work with an aftermarket radio.
You'll have to change the speakers because I don't think the Bose setup you have will work with an aftermarket radio.
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From: Champaign, Illinois
C- 230 Kompressor,C2,C7,Black,JL sub,A/D/S/ amps,Alpine hu and changer
I had a Alpine stereo put in mine, I love it. metra makes a kit for the dash. I also had the changer installed, it the same size as the MB changer, you can use the factory speakers if you do not have the bose upgrade
Thread Starter
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From: Toronto, Canada
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Crap that's exactly what I'm looking for, except since there are newer models out for alpine, I'm going to go with those.
Did you need any special adaptors to hook that up? Also, the steering wheel controls don't work anymore, right? What about that in-dash display for all your mileage/engine temperature/etc? I hope that still works...
Did you need any special adaptors to hook that up? Also, the steering wheel controls don't work anymore, right? What about that in-dash display for all your mileage/engine temperature/etc? I hope that still works...
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
I'm assuming that you have the C320 sedan, if you do then it comes standard with Bose. As far as I know, only Alpine offers an adaptor for the steering wheel controls. I'm pretty sure you'll lose the dash display. Keep the factory radio and don't cut any wires because many people that buy MB's, specially an expensive one like the C320 prefer the look and functionality of the factory radio. To do it right thought it's likely gonna cost at least $1,500 for a HU, steering wheel adapter, CD changer, metra kits and all new speakers and amps. More realistically over $2,000 for nice setup with a sub woofer.
Thread Starter
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From: Toronto, Canada
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Yes i do have the C320 sedan. If it comes standard with Bose sound system, then what does the Bose upgrade do? Is there anyway to check whether I have a Bose system installed? I don't see any Bose logos anywhere on the speakers.
It would be unfortunate if everything was Bose... that would mean I have to spend 500 bucks on a crappy 6 disk MB changer.. ARGH!
It would be unfortunate if everything was Bose... that would mean I have to spend 500 bucks on a crappy 6 disk MB changer.. ARGH!
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if you have the C320, i'm almost sure you have the upgraded BOSE. it comes standard on the C320's... gettin an aftermarket head unit and disc changer might not be necessarily cheaper than getting the mbz changer... besides i don't think audio quality will improve that much... just get a sub and amp to get more bass, that's what i did and it sounds a lil better... just $.02
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2010 C300 4matic
yeah, you should definitely have the bose on a C320. When you go into the audio settings, do you have an EXT function that changes between driver, ambiente, speech. If so, then that's bose.
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Originally posted by Matt230K
yeah, you should definitely have the bose on a C320. When you go into the audio settings, do you have an EXT function that changes between driver, ambiente, speech. If so, then that's bose.
yeah, you should definitely have the bose on a C320. When you go into the audio settings, do you have an EXT function that changes between driver, ambiente, speech. If so, then that's bose.
Lemme check asap.
EDIT: NO I DON"T HAVE THOSE OPTIONS!! Yay.. I don't have bose.
Last edited by Raxen; Apr 21, 2003 at 12:28 AM.
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From: Champaign, Illinois
C- 230 Kompressor,C2,C7,Black,JL sub,A/D/S/ amps,Alpine hu and changer
If you have the bose speakers it not that big a deal, just buy new speakers, I bought all my stuff last year, I am sure the newer stuff is better, I do not have steering wheel controls for the audio only, all other controls still work. I bet you can get a HU, changer, and speaker, installed for around 1,000, which is about the same cost as a changer installed from the dealer.
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Originally posted by Raxen
Actually, i don't recall having those!! Maybe I don't have bose. I know for a fact they are on the S-class cause i've seen those options on the colour screen, but i never checked on the C class cause it didn't have the screen.
Lemme check asap.
EDIT: NO I DON"T HAVE THOSE OPTIONS!! Yay.. I don't have bose.
Actually, i don't recall having those!! Maybe I don't have bose. I know for a fact they are on the S-class cause i've seen those options on the colour screen, but i never checked on the C class cause it didn't have the screen.
Lemme check asap.
EDIT: NO I DON"T HAVE THOSE OPTIONS!! Yay.. I don't have bose.
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Nope, I don't have those settings. Once i press AUD, it gives me BASS, TREBLE, BALANCE, and FADER. I press AUD to cycle through those menus and it eventually gives me back the screen in the picture.
I finally know why there is so much confusion. It seems that in the US the C320 comes standard with the BOSE system, but here in Canada, it is optional. Hence, my car does not have the BOSE system installed. So yay.... screw BOSE, go Alpine.
I finally know why there is so much confusion. It seems that in the US the C320 comes standard with the BOSE system, but here in Canada, it is optional. Hence, my car does not have the BOSE system installed. So yay.... screw BOSE, go Alpine.
Last edited by Raxen; Apr 21, 2003 at 02:36 AM.
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The best deal for you is the MB Audio 10 CD made by Becker (the unit you have now is made by Alpine), gives you an indash CD, sounds way better than the cassette radio. Steve can get you one for $225, a steal.
Last edited by Buellwinkle; Apr 21, 2003 at 11:51 AM.
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2010 C300 4matic
Originally posted by Raxen
I finally know why there is so much confusion. It seems that in the US the C320 comes standard with the BOSE system, but here in Canada, it is optional. Hence, my car does not have the BOSE system installed. So yay.... screw BOSE, go Alpine.
I finally know why there is so much confusion. It seems that in the US the C320 comes standard with the BOSE system, but here in Canada, it is optional. Hence, my car does not have the BOSE system installed. So yay.... screw BOSE, go Alpine.
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2010 C300 4matic
Originally posted by tifosiv122
I still don't understand what the big deal would be if he had BOSE.
I still don't understand what the big deal would be if he had BOSE.
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From: New Jersey
SLS AMG | S65 AMG | GL550
I have all aftermarket components...Screen/navi/dvd/cd changer and I have BOSE with no amp. Just change out the fiber optics to regular wires...its like a 1 hour job, no big deal. It sounds just as good or better then stock and cost almost nothing.
Erik
Erik
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From: Toronto, Canada
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Yea... I should have specified my location the moment I signed up. Many apologies for any confusion caused.
Anyway, thanks for the help. I'm going to check out how much trouble it will be to upgrade to Alpine, but will probably opt for the Audio 10 unit like Buellwinkle suggested.
Anyway, thanks for the help. I'm going to check out how much trouble it will be to upgrade to Alpine, but will probably opt for the Audio 10 unit like Buellwinkle suggested.
Last edited by Raxen; Apr 21, 2003 at 03:08 PM.
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SLS AMG | S65 AMG | GL550
Originally posted by KompMan420
The factory BOSE speakers run on a different impedence then normal speakers. That along with the fiber-optic wiring is the reason for change...
For other audio advise look...
HERE
The factory BOSE speakers run on a different impedence then normal speakers. That along with the fiber-optic wiring is the reason for change...
For other audio advise look...
HERE
Erik
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