Beams2Benzos

Hey all I just ordered a JL audio 12W7 and JL 1000/1amp. I was also interested in buying some upgraded speakers, my c350 comes with the Harmon Kardon. I have the money to do so, I was wondering what size the speakers in the c350 are if anyone knows?? I was thinking about buying an eclipse or JL audio component system and they come in different sizes like 5.25'', 6.5'', 6.'', etc. Any help on the speaker sizes I would need and if the upgraded speakers is really necessary, I have the money and would like a very nice sounding system. Any thoughts?

chilledbenz

I used to think the Hardon system wasn't that great until I got it in my new R and had the chance to turn it up to the higher levels. The speakers are quite good and at least in the R class are positioned at just the right spots. By the way, if you feel the need to replace all of them...there are 12.

Beams2Benzos

not all of them, I was looking at something like this-

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_ID=5780

aika

I have no idea if they will fit but you should seriously look into Elemental Designs for car audio. Top shelf.

dalazernet

Regarding the JL Audio -- rock on :-). I used to have a 12W3 in my last car along with Kenwood Excelon dualmag speakers in the cabin - overall the sound system was incredible. Oh, PS - there aren't really 12 speakers... there are some 2 and 3-way speakers which they could as 2 or 3 speakers each :P... kinda cheap way of saying there are really tons of speakers when in fact there are really, what... 8 maybe?

- Eric

Beams2Benzos

Thanks for the reply's so far. Today was a good day, ordered my c350 and my JL equipment. The car is ready tomorrow so I can't wait Yeah I believe there's 8 speakers. For those 2 main component speakers I'm not quite sure what size I should buy.

chilledbenz

There are 12 separate speakers in my R class and I'm pretty sure there are 12 separate speakers in the C class Hardon system as well. In the stock system I have in my C they do use the same location for two separate speakers, theres a tweater in front of a mid range they aren't connected from what I could tell with a flash light, but there are cut outs for the speaker location in the doors so I assumed thats where they would go if you got the Hardon system.

dalazernet

Umm... are you sure your not just talking about something like this?



...because thats just one speaker that happens to be a 3-way speaker (or 2-way...whichever). Its common for one single speaker to have multiple cones, but its still "one" speaker. Counting it multiple times is just for show and accounting purposes ;-).

QQQ

Audi A4 has Bang & Olufsen optional... why Benz doesn't offer them?

dalazernet

The Audi A4 does not offer Bang & Olufsen... only Bose (all highs, no lows bose)...

Only their higher end vehicles offer the B&O sound system, and in general it isn't a cheap upgrade (except for on the A5 coupe -- where I believe it was under $1k)...

chilledbenz

Well the stock C speakers appear to be a full mid with a plastic housing in front holding a tweeter (they do claim 8 speakers in the book). Could be wrong as I was using a flashlight to shine in there and check it out. But for the Hardon system there are 12 separate speakers in my R class and in the stock C there are location cut outs where they should be. Two in the front mirror housing of the doors, two in the kick pannels of the front doors, one in the center dash, two in the top of the rear doors near the door pulls, two in the kick pannels of the rear doors, two in the rear shelf on the corners and a sub in the middle of the rear shelf. If someone with the Hardon system could confirm that, that would be great. I know my R class is set up very similar but in different locations for the rear speakers obviously, but from looking at my stock C it appears thats where they would be.

chilledbenz

Ok so I can answer my own question now, sort of. I have a new C300 Luxo loaner car in the garage and it has the MultiMedia package. The Hardon system is not set up the same as in the R class and for that matter its set up completely stupid. There are tweeters in each of the front door mirror housings and there is a small woofer in each of the front doors as well. There is a mid range in the center of the dash just behind the flip up screen. Now is where it starts getting stupid, in the rear doors there are "screens" up next to the door handles, yet there aren't any speakers there, in my R class there are tweeters there for the rear occupants. It gets crazier from here, there are two woofers in the rear doors and a plastic ring in front of each holding a tweeter (same as the stock system). We are now at a total of 9 speakers, there are two mid range speakers in the rear shelf and once again..something stupid..what appears to be one 6x9 instead of a enclosed subwoofer as in the R class for a total of 12 speakers. I realize the R is much bigger and can support an enclosed subwoofer, but the mix match of speakers in the C is baffling.

Hazemonster

I added a 10" Rockford Fostgate P3 PUNCH and a 600W MTX amp...and my system sounds FINE to me!

No upgrades necessary on mine....clean and nice!

W0n6_3d4n

HK system on W204 sounds fine to me, imaging and staging is great. Low end is definitely lacking. Being integrated, i wouldn't hassle changing the speakers. Adding a sub is the way to go.
From an audiophile point of view, if you must change the speakers, i'll change the front speaker only. Purchase a high end split + sub then add amplifiers. I reckon you'll be needing $500+ worth of speaker to notice any significant difference. Don't skimp on the installation as well, Benz did a good job sealing those midwoofer.

StickyZ

fiber optic...need to replace everything or use a JL clean sweep to convert low end freq's.

AkaSigFreak

I was freaked when i heard about the whole "fiber optic" thing. I traded my car that I use to compete in Iasca with intent of installing all my equipment. I purchased the base audio system for that reason. I did install my MB Quart Q series Q25 tweeters in the stock a pillar location and it made a great improvement. I definitely have to install a sub and amp (just a modest install). I like the looks of the new JL HD amps
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_a...hp?page_id=250
or maybe a Zapco DC Reference
http://www.zapco.com/prod/DC_Ref/DC_3604Frame.htm
I still can't decide on subs

W0n6_3d4n

Find Image Dynamics MAX if you can still find any, best sub i've heard to date.

StickyZ

its not a big deal...if you competed in IASCA then you should know what your doing. pull everything...hardwire the head unit, run fresh wires, drill hole through firewall, run power, ground it...done. just a lot more work then changing the deck and using the existing wires. i did hear that a VW harness converts nicely since no one makes one for MB...cuz of da fiber optic.
side note: can't beat a W7. needs about 1000watts to push it but image dynamics, polk, boston, can't beat it. or if your not 18 and don't want to lose hearing anymore...w6 with the 500/1 jl amp should do it.

treffin

I just bought a 2010 C300 and am looking to up the ante on the bass by adding a sub. I'm running standard Audio20 system. Where did you hook into the stock system for the sub drive? Preamp or powered with stepdown conversion?

Thanks,
David

Norm01

The OEM HK system in these cars is great, it lacks on the low end however it was designed for tight bass. I added a JL 10W6 prowedge because it sits perfectly in the truck and will go under the rear deck cross bar, the W7 won't. I added their 500W mono amp and I can say the car pressurizes to the point it will hurt your ears. The system is now great, bass is very tight and more than enough.