Wardsweb

I have a 2003 C240 without the Bose system. Does the head unit drive the small sub or is there an amp somewhere?

bdgdl08

I wasn't aware there was a sub in the non-Bose system. In the non-bose/-harmon/kardon systems, all of the power is from the head unit. Though, if you plan to add to it, it's no that hard to do.

Glyn M Ruck

There is no subwoofer standard with the Audio 10. If you have one it is either self powered or there is a separate amp mounted somewhere - likely trunk.

Standard setup is 4 full range (barely) door speakers & 2 front door tweeters.

Wardsweb

I don't know which system I have, but it is factory. AM/FM/Cassette with CD changer in the glove box, front doors have larger speakers low and tweeters up high. The rear doors only have the larger speakers low. There are what look like two speaker grills in the rear package shelf. From the trunk I don't see those speakers but I do see this, which appears to be a 10" sub.

Glyn M Ruck

Very interesting. That looks neat but was never originally fitted to my knowledge. Looks OE - Maybe it was an option. The head unit does not have a sub amp in it???

I have heard of people complaining about the sub in the rear parcel shelf rattling. I always assumed that was with the Bose system. Maybe the US is different.

Wardsweb

A VIN decoder said, " AM/FM stereo/weatherband, cassette player, scan & seek, music search, 7 speaker audio system, speed compensated volume." Another option line listed the CD changer.

Given this the doors account for 6 speakers and the sub would be the 7th.

The mystery continues...

Star Rider

My '03 C240 has that exact sub pictured above and as fas as I know it is not a Bose system. It does however have the factory 6 disc changer in the glovebox. My system is as described above also. The sub is in the rear deck under the drivers side grill. The passenger side grill must be a vent for it.

Glyn M Ruck

OK - different setup to what I'm used to. Now to understand what powers it. Maybe US headunits are different & have an extra amp module built in for the sub.

The Bose system has a center speaker in the dash as well.

LILBENZ230

Are you absolutely sure something is there and it is not just a placeholder for the Bose sub? This is not on the facelift cars.

Star Rider

Now that you mention it, mine has a triangular grill in the center of the dash also (non-Bose). If I count the "grills" there are 9, dash center, 2 in each front door, one in each rear door, and two on the rear deck. But I know there is no speaker in the rear deck passenger side as I believe that is the sub vent. I don't know if there is a speaker under the grill in the center of the dash or not. I will investigate tomorrow.

LILBENZ230

No premium audio system means no speaker in the grille on the dash, no speakers in rear deck.

Standard audio is 1 in each door and tweeters mounted high on the front door.

This was my understanding. I really don't think the non-Bose cars have subs even if there is a place for them.

Star Rider

There is most definitely an OEM sub there on my non-Bose system. The picture above a few post is it. I draw my signal for my amp & subs from the OEM sub.

EDIT - Could it be it is a Bose system after all? It does not say it anyplace on it so I am assuming it is not.
This pic...

fookoo303

It's a sub. I have the same on in my 240. Theres only one on the driver side and the passenger side is empty.

crucialone

It's a sub. They are standard. Signal comes from the head unit through the back door speakers. Highs are filtered and only the lows pass through to the sub. You can do a search and find there are many threads on this very topic.

Glyn M Ruck

OK - interesting. So it uses the rear channel amp/amps. Benz configure their cars very differently by market.

Wardsweb

Thanks, just what I needed to know. I'm going to pull that sub and use the signal for a new amp and pair of slim subs in a custom enclosure. Right now thinking about bolting it to the bottom of the rear deck. I won't know for sure until I do some mockups. Worse case, I can build to sit on the trunk floor and facing the rear seats. Should only be about 5 inches thick.

Xhale707

Good luck pulling that thing out.. I can tell you its a paiiiin in the ***.. If you have the rear sunshade.. Whole rear deck has to be removed.. Without hurting the sunshade..

Your right about the rattling tho

Glyn M Ruck

Well - You guys got me interested so I went & looked PROPERLY in the trunk of my 7 year old C240 that I've owned from new. Guess what? While my shelf panel is properly painted I too have a sub hidden in there that I never knew I had. You learn something everyday!!!!!

I knew my Audio 10 did not have a 5th channel amp so I stupidly took it for granted that there was no sub. None so blind!!!! Please excuse my ignorance.

Xhale707

Check to see if it works.. I remember my friends c240 and his system sounded no where near my bose system..

I Wonder if mercedes tapped into a rear speaker to drive the subwoofer

Glyn M Ruck

It does work now that I've checked & the sound has always been pretty reasonable from the Audio 10. You know my attitude to car audio - being a high end audio freak. Car audio is always a horrible compromise due to the hostile environment.

If you are fitting subs to a car only fit JL Audio.

Xhale707

Whats funny is i loved subs.. I had kickers in my car for a while.. Something clicked and told me to remove the baby sitting in my trunk.. Car lost 100 pounds and gained more MPG =D

Im thinking about putting back in the stock bose sub but i couldn't stand that rattle it use to make.

Also looking at that woofer it looks different then my bose one

Wardsweb

I'm right there with you, but I can do better with the low end in my car. I'm more into the musical tone and not slam.

My 2-channel rig at home.



And my home theater.



I do like my tunes.

Norwichdelta06

Most cars nowadays are equipped with a component speaker setup. Where the highs are on the tweeters uptop and the deep bass and lower noise goes on the woofers below. Dont get them confused with 3 way speakers or 2 way speakers. I believe our cars are manfuacter with 2 WAY Component speakers. Unless equipped with the bose

Glyn M Ruck

What a civilised chap - Love your Logans. My little Theatre with Maggies all round. And Audio Research/Maggie for the stereo system. The room has been properly decorated since this pic - I was still unpacking from yet another international move - excuse stickers on TV etc.

samaritrey

you both are crazy lol how much does an awesome system like that set you back?