2002 c-class speaker upgrade
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 19
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2002 c320
2002 c-class speaker upgrade
I have searched the forums and could not find any information on upgrading my 2002 c-class speakers. I am looking to do this soon to my car, however I have no idea what I an getting into. Suggestions and all the information I can get would be greatly appreciated!
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 968
Likes: 62
From: San Francisco, CA
2005 c230SS
Does this help at all?
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ck-mounts.html
It's how I started.
It would probably help to know if you have a sedan or coupe.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ck-mounts.html
It's how I started.
It would probably help to know if you have a sedan or coupe.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
2002 c320
Does this help at all?
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ck-mounts.html
It's how I started.
It would probably help to know if you have a sedan or coupe.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ck-mounts.html
It's how I started.
It would probably help to know if you have a sedan or coupe.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 968
Likes: 62
From: San Francisco, CA
2005 c230SS
My link should help you somewhat. Door panel removal is covered elsewhere, but reuse of the stock speaker housings will space the drivers out enough to allow them to fit nicely in the door with clearance both in fron of and behind the speaker.
I installed Alpine S at first, and then changed over to Hertz ESK/ECX once I installed my amp.
I don't think Hertz HSK would fit in the stock mounts as the baskets and magnets are pretty big, but you can always cut your own mounting blanks out of 3/4" MDF or marine plywood to hold them.
You can definitely fit 6.5" speakers in the rear doors as well as the front.
As for wiring connections, if you want to use the stock car speaker wiring, then if you reuse the stock speaker housing you will have the wiring plugs already in the housing and can just wire your speakers to those leads on the inside of the housing. Again look at my thread.
Do you have any other specific questions?
I installed Alpine S at first, and then changed over to Hertz ESK/ECX once I installed my amp.
I don't think Hertz HSK would fit in the stock mounts as the baskets and magnets are pretty big, but you can always cut your own mounting blanks out of 3/4" MDF or marine plywood to hold them.
You can definitely fit 6.5" speakers in the rear doors as well as the front.
As for wiring connections, if you want to use the stock car speaker wiring, then if you reuse the stock speaker housing you will have the wiring plugs already in the housing and can just wire your speakers to those leads on the inside of the housing. Again look at my thread.
Do you have any other specific questions?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
2002 c320
My link should help you somewhat. Door panel removal is covered elsewhere, but reuse of the stock speaker housings will space the drivers out enough to allow them to fit nicely in the door with clearance both in fron of and behind the speaker.
I installed Alpine S at first, and then changed over to Hertz ESK/ECX once I installed my amp.
I don't think Hertz HSK would fit in the stock mounts as the baskets and magnets are pretty big, but you can always cut your own mounting blanks out of 3/4" MDF or marine plywood to hold them.
You can definitely fit 6.5" speakers in the rear doors as well as the front.
As for wiring connections, if you want to use the stock car speaker wiring, then if you reuse the stock speaker housing you will have the wiring plugs already in the housing and can just wire your speakers to those leads on the inside of the housing. Again look at my thread.
Do you have any other specific questions?
I installed Alpine S at first, and then changed over to Hertz ESK/ECX once I installed my amp.
I don't think Hertz HSK would fit in the stock mounts as the baskets and magnets are pretty big, but you can always cut your own mounting blanks out of 3/4" MDF or marine plywood to hold them.
You can definitely fit 6.5" speakers in the rear doors as well as the front.
As for wiring connections, if you want to use the stock car speaker wiring, then if you reuse the stock speaker housing you will have the wiring plugs already in the housing and can just wire your speakers to those leads on the inside of the housing. Again look at my thread.
Do you have any other specific questions?
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 968
Likes: 62
From: San Francisco, CA
2005 c230SS
Do you have the upgraded HK or Bose system with the amp already in the trunk? If so, you may have a fiber connection between your head unit and the amp, in which case your Alpine amp would require you to rewire that connection with copper.
Another note -- common audiophile theory says that if you are going to upgrade your sound system, start at the source of the signal and move your way downstream. Which means, upgrade your head unit first, then amp and speakers. I would suggest that if you already have an upgraded stock sound system in your car you might not get great results if you replace amp and speakers without replacing the head unit.
Another note -- common audiophile theory says that if you are going to upgrade your sound system, start at the source of the signal and move your way downstream. Which means, upgrade your head unit first, then amp and speakers. I would suggest that if you already have an upgraded stock sound system in your car you might not get great results if you replace amp and speakers without replacing the head unit.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 19
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2002 c320
I totally agree.. but all the aftermarket head units just look ghetto to me I like the clean look of oem. Are the radios for the 03 and up better? If so could I be able to do the facelift? I have the premium sound package code 810 with the factory amp under the rear seat.
Last edited by MercLifeStyle; Aug 6, 2014 at 01:10 PM.
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Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 968
Likes: 62
From: San Francisco, CA
2005 c230SS
I have heard of people doing the facelifts. There may be a DIY or two online somewhere. Others will have to comment on this as I have an '05 and started out with the facelift.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 968
Likes: 62
From: San Francisco, CA
2005 c230SS
The rear deck houses only a sub, and I believe only in the upgraded stock stereos.
Mine did not have one by default, but I purchased one and stuck it in there for a while to see how much it helped the sound.
Unfortunately not much.
So I pulled it out and instead placed a JL Audio 10" sub in the trunk up against the back of the rear seat on the left side, and face up so it was facing the stock sub vents from underneath.
Much better sound. That specific location and orientation of the sub IMHO produces the least amount of unwanted low frequency resonance from the trunk.
I'm actually pretty happy with this sub location, but my next step is to try out a custom enclosure that will allow me to tuck the sub even tighter in there up against the rear of the seat back, still with 1 cu ft volume but intruding less into the trunk area, and maybe closing off access to the rest of the trunk to get rid of as much resonance as possible.
Mine did not have one by default, but I purchased one and stuck it in there for a while to see how much it helped the sound.
Unfortunately not much.
So I pulled it out and instead placed a JL Audio 10" sub in the trunk up against the back of the rear seat on the left side, and face up so it was facing the stock sub vents from underneath.
Much better sound. That specific location and orientation of the sub IMHO produces the least amount of unwanted low frequency resonance from the trunk.
I'm actually pretty happy with this sub location, but my next step is to try out a custom enclosure that will allow me to tuck the sub even tighter in there up against the rear of the seat back, still with 1 cu ft volume but intruding less into the trunk area, and maybe closing off access to the rest of the trunk to get rid of as much resonance as possible.
