Harman Kardon L7 Rear Bass Speaker Rattles
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Vancouver, BC
2010 E350 Coupe, 2009 C300 4Matic, 2007 E350 4matic
Harman Kardon L7 Rear Bass Speaker Rattles
For those who have Harman Kardon audio in your W204, did you get serious rattling from the bass speaker location at the rear deck when playing music with heavy bass (e.g. Beyonce - DIVA, Video phone, Ave Maria etc.)?
My bass setting is at 4 and I get serious rattles even at normal listening volume. I could stop the rattles by pressing really hard on the plastic grille with my hand. It's really annoying, do you think the dealer will be able to fix that?
My bass setting is at 4 and I get serious rattles even at normal listening volume. I could stop the rattles by pressing really hard on the plastic grille with my hand. It's really annoying, do you think the dealer will be able to fix that?
Last edited by Winter230; Jun 7, 2009 at 02:21 AM.
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2008 C300 SPORT (white)
For those who have Harman Kardon audio in your W204, did you get serious rattling from the bass speaker location at the rear deck when playing music with heavy bass (e.g. Beyonce - DIVA, Video phone, Ave Maria etc.)?
My bass setting is at 4 and I get serious rattles even at normal listening volume. I could stop the rattles by pressing really hard on the plastic grille with my hand. It's really annoying, do you think the dealer will be able to fix that?
My bass setting is at 4 and I get serious rattles even at normal listening volume. I could stop the rattles by pressing really hard on the plastic grille with my hand. It's really annoying, do you think the dealer will be able to fix that?
Check in the trunk area, underneath where the speaker is mounting, and look for loose mounting bolts. I had a similiar issue when my quick park got installed.
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From: Vancouver, BC
2010 E350 Coupe, 2009 C300 4Matic, 2007 E350 4matic
I didn't see any mounting bolts on the under side of the rear deck in the trunk. I don't have quick park. What mounting bolts are you referring to? Thanks.
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From: Gibraltar
C320 CDI 4matic Brabus D6(III), Black.(SOLD). Current - EQE 350 W295
My rattling varies, sometimes it starts after a particularly bassey (not sure if that word exists) song and then all other songs will rattle even if the bass on them is not particualrly high.
I'm considering taking it to the dealer to see if they can sort it out.
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From: Read the name
C300 4matic Sport, CBR 954
I have the same problem, I don't think that turning down the bass is the solution I would like. After all what is the point of a sub-woofer?
My rattling varies, sometimes it starts after a particularly bassey (not sure if that word exists) song and then all other songs will rattle even if the bass on them is not particualrly high.
I'm considering taking it to the dealer to see if they can sort it out.
My rattling varies, sometimes it starts after a particularly bassey (not sure if that word exists) song and then all other songs will rattle even if the bass on them is not particualrly high.
I'm considering taking it to the dealer to see if they can sort it out.
ok well in that case u have the remember that the good comes with the bad, if u turn up the base its gonna rattle some, u gotta remember that although the L7 system is a nice stereo system i really doubt that they built this car to handle the base as loud that u want it to, so in essence its gonna rattle some, yeah could maybe tighten the screws but either way unless u get a pro to soundpoof ur trunk its gonna rattel. I mean people r all saying the same thing meaning there probably isnt anything wrong with ur base.
Last edited by CrAZyVeGAsBoY; Jun 8, 2009 at 04:52 PM.
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'09 C350 MM
off-topic, but 125 is all you could get that up to? You can do that in the US... get it back on the autobahn and push it farther.
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From: Gibraltar
C320 CDI 4matic Brabus D6(III), Black.(SOLD). Current - EQE 350 W295
ok well in that case u have the remember that the good comes with the bad, if u turn up the base its gonna rattle some, u gotta remember that although the L7 system is a nice stereo system i really doubt that they built this car to handle the base as loud that u want it to, so in essence its gonna rattle some, yeah could maybe tighten the screws but either way unless u get a pro to soundpoof ur trunk its gonna rattel. I mean people r all saying the same thing meaning there probably isnt anything wrong with ur base.
I'm not into very loud music or extremely heavy bass - I like to listen to music at above average levels and just feel the bass, I used to listen to music much louder on my Opel Zafira with Pioneer stereo and factory fitted loudspeakers and not one single rattle!!
I agree that the sub-woofer is not the problem there must be something loose in the rear deck and that is what Winter230 and myself want to find out.
The rattle I have in my car should not be there because the volume is not that high, expecially if you consider the cost of the MM package...
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From: Read the name
C300 4matic Sport, CBR 954
I would agree with you if I were to listen to music at a very high volume but I don't.
I'm not into very loud music or extremely heavy bass - I like to listen to music at above average levels and just feel the bass, I used to listen to music much louder on my Opel Zafira with Pioneer stereo and factory fitted loudspeakers and not one single rattle!!
I agree that the sub-woofer is not the problem there must be something loose in the rear deck and that is what Winter230 and myself want to find out.
The rattle I have in my car should not be there because the volume is not that high, expecially if you consider the cost of the MM package...
I'm not into very loud music or extremely heavy bass - I like to listen to music at above average levels and just feel the bass, I used to listen to music much louder on my Opel Zafira with Pioneer stereo and factory fitted loudspeakers and not one single rattle!!
I agree that the sub-woofer is not the problem there must be something loose in the rear deck and that is what Winter230 and myself want to find out.
The rattle I have in my car should not be there because the volume is not that high, expecially if you consider the cost of the MM package...
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Vancouver, BC
2010 E350 Coupe, 2009 C300 4Matic, 2007 E350 4matic
well honestly it depends on the song, some have louder bass noise compared to others, like i said before even if u tighten the screws i think ur still gonna get some noise but thats my .02 cents, when factory installs these units ur usually always gonna get some rattle, but i do agree that it shouldnt but what can we do?
Just wondering if anyone had any luck getting their dealer to fix this or find a DIY solution for it.
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From: Read the name
C300 4matic Sport, CBR 954
I understand that something could rattles if the volume or the bass is really loud. I also agreed that it depends on the song too. However the rattle seems to be quite excessive even at average/low volume when there is really low frequency bass (e.g. DIVA-Beyonce). It felt like a resonnance causing something to vibrate excessively. I played the same song in my E-class at a louder volume and it was completely rattle free (which also has the HK L7 system with an even bigger subwoofer). It's hard to convince myself that it's the way it's supposed to be, it's just doesn't sound right....
Just wondering if anyone had any luck getting their dealer to fix this or find a DIY solution for it.
Just wondering if anyone had any luck getting their dealer to fix this or find a DIY solution for it.
well if thats the case then u should probalby just go to the dealer and have them mess with it.
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2009 Black C63 AMG
I am also interested in the rear deck removal. My motive is to see the sub-woofer and figure out how/what to upgrade for a bit better, read fuller, deeper bass, without any box in the trunk. I want to know how big and how deep the actual woofer is.
As far as the rattles, I am sure that the dealer can/will fix it without too much trouble.
As far as the rattles, I am sure that the dealer can/will fix it without too much trouble.
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From: Los Angeles (213)
w205 - Black
I've looked into the rattle coming from the rear shelf area; my preliminary findings indicate that the rattle source is actually the center seat belt device caused by certain bass levels. I'm looking at ways to insulate the belt device surrounding to minimize the rattle.
fyi...If anyone here has the song Amazing - Kanye West ft. Young Jeezy; pop it in & you will hear some serious rattling - even at low volume levels (& bass @ 0).
fyi...If anyone here has the song Amazing - Kanye West ft. Young Jeezy; pop it in & you will hear some serious rattling - even at low volume levels (& bass @ 0).
Last edited by woedee; Jun 15, 2009 at 04:32 PM.
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From: Vancouver, BC
2010 E350 Coupe, 2009 C300 4Matic, 2007 E350 4matic
Thanks for sharing your findings but I think my rattle may be due to a different cause. I checked everywhere and the rattle definitely came from the rear deck directly above where the bass speaker is. And I was able to stop the rattle by pressing hard with my hand on the rear deck at the location.
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Rattle
Thanks for sharing your findings but I think my rattle may be due to a different cause. I checked everywhere and the rattle definitely came from the rear deck directly above where the bass speaker is. And I was able to stop the rattle by pressing hard with my hand on the rear deck at the location.
Well, except for my car which doesn't have the rattles. Yet.
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From: Vancouver, BC
2010 E350 Coupe, 2009 C300 4Matic, 2007 E350 4matic
Yes, I think I'm gonna bring it to the dealer to have them look at it. But I just wanna do a little troubleshooting for them first because a lot of the time the dealer is pretty useless in solving rattles or other noise problems. In my old C class, it took me 3 trips to the service department to get them to fix a speaker problem. They said nothing was wrong and blamed the problem on my audio source, my "non-commercial" CD, mp3 etc.. And on my 3rd visit I skipped the service advisor and ask for the foreman directly and he finally admitted that it was a speaker problem and got it replaced for me and the problem was resolved. Similar situation happens all the time and sometimes you really need to tell them exactly what to fix otherwise they will just tell you nothing is wrong!
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From: Michigan
W203-4M W163
HK rattle
I had a rattle issue with my HK system in my '06 C280 4Matic. It happened playing acoustic music (solo piano) and AM radio (talk stations). I tried a few things, but nothing worked. I replaced the speaker, and the rattle disappeared. I suspect there is some design flaw in the rear passenger side speaker--get them to change it under the warranty.
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From: Michigan
W203-4M W163
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From: PA
2002-C230k 2005-C230K-SS 2005 Infinity G35 2008-C350
Rattle - Maybe not your sub
For those of you with the rattle. I too thought it was the sub
the I relized it was the rear sunshade
Play the music until you hear the rattle then "lift" the shade rattle stops
It only just started to do this for me. Have not looked yet to see what the problems is.
the I relized it was the rear sunshade
Play the music until you hear the rattle then "lift" the shade rattle stops
It only just started to do this for me. Have not looked yet to see what the problems is.
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From: Bay Shore, NY
2009 C300 4Matic Sport P2/MM/Steel Gray
I too have this sunshade rattle! Now I just keep the sunshade up all the time. I'll ask next time I bring it in for service if theres anything they can do. Maybe line where the sunshade sits with a different material
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From: Gibraltar
C320 CDI 4matic Brabus D6(III), Black.(SOLD). Current - EQE 350 W295
I took in my car to the dealer to sort out the rattle once and for all. At first the mechanic assumed that the bass level was too high (as everybody else seems to), he then checked it out and found out that it wasn't. He then cranked up th volume far too high and we couldn't hear the rattle!! I turned the volume to the level I usually do and lo and behold there was the rattle...
I left the car with them for a few hours and when they finished with it the rattle was GONE!!!
I have tested the fix by listening to really heavy bass music quite loudly and no rattle!
Apparently the mechanic put extra padding under the speaker grille.
I left the car with them for a few hours and when they finished with it the rattle was GONE!!!
I have tested the fix by listening to really heavy bass music quite loudly and no rattle!
Apparently the mechanic put extra padding under the speaker grille.
Last edited by lug; Jul 24, 2009 at 07:15 PM.
