Jun 9, 2015, 02:02 PM
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front door h/k speaker retrofit (how to)
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
W204 C180 / W176 A45
Good tutorial. I've got a couple questions though. What's the size of the speakers that were removed? If they were 6-1/2" then you could make a baffle and replace with 5-1/4" speakers. This would allow aftermarket speakers to be installed without having to mod the door.
I'm also curious as to the size of the tweeter that was removed. I would like to replace with aftermarket equipment as I'm sure that I can get a better sounding set of component speakers than the HK.
I'm also curious as to the size of the tweeter that was removed. I would like to replace with aftermarket equipment as I'm sure that I can get a better sounding set of component speakers than the HK.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
W204 C180 / W176 A45
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 4
From: Portugal
'13 E500 Coupe AMG// '17 E350d // '24 E53 AMG
You can go with aftermarket, they will fit with some Phonocar speaker adapters. No need to be specific, just get some that do the job.
http://www.phonocar.it/easysite/leve...tegory=Speaker adapters&pg=1&lingua=inglese
Pioneer normaly also have speakers that will fit.
http://www.phonocar.it/easysite/leve...tegory=Speaker adapters&pg=1&lingua=inglese
Pioneer normaly also have speakers that will fit.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
W204 C180 / W176 A45
Vic, do you have any instructions on how to remove the grill that's on the front dash? If I'm upgrading tweeters, I think that's going to be the optimal location to get better imaging. It should also push the stage back significantly.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,135
Likes: 272
From: Sweden
S213
Use a plastic wedge or butter knife, snap out from the front and then lift the grille upwards.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Mercedes C Klasse
Hi, I have pursued the issue, and i want to change my normal speakers with H/K.
I have the Audio aps 50. It seems to be easy to change it in the front. My question is vic what about the rear speakers? Can't find an finally statement how it is done. Thx
I have the Audio aps 50. It seems to be easy to change it in the front. My question is vic what about the rear speakers? Can't find an finally statement how it is done. Thx
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 117
Likes: 2
From: NJ
2010 Silver/Black C300 6-spd Manual - SOLD
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...fit-howto.html
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Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 98
Likes: 2
2013 C300 Sport
Has anyone changed the front original speakers for a 2009 C300 with a full set of after market component speakers that fit perfectly? If yes what did you do with the crossover module for the third party component speakers? Since the original speakers are components they probably have a crossover module somewhere in the system factory installed. is it necessary to install the crossover from the third party component speakers? Can I properly run the third party component speakers using the factory installed crossover module?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,108
Likes: 7
From: Dix Hills, New York
2012 C250 Coupe
Vic, being that you took off the door, do you know if it is possible to access the orange led door handle lights while doing this mod? I would love to replace them to blue/white, and would you know any part numbers or bulb type?
Lastly, is it true that the audio 20 stock system doesn't have a subwoofer?
Lastly, is it true that the audio 20 stock system doesn't have a subwoofer?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,135
Likes: 272
From: Sweden
S213
You can see the lamp unit here http://www.geting.se/viewimage.php?i...6-IMG_2834.JPG a stick of acrylic plastic transfers light from a amber LED behind the handle.
The Audio 20 system does not have a separate subwoofer.
The Audio 20 system does not have a separate subwoofer.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,108
Likes: 7
From: Dix Hills, New York
2012 C250 Coupe
Yes, I do see it up top. Thanks vic! Any idea as to what type of LED it is? 194?
I am amazed that the audio 20 system has no separate sub, it sure shakes my butt and sounds great!
I am amazed that the audio 20 system has no separate sub, it sure shakes my butt and sounds great!
Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 243
Likes: 1
From: Hanoi
Mercedes C300 AMG
VIC, please continue with your rear doors speaker mods .... I found this also
http://mercedes.harmankardon.com/en/...technical.aspx
http://mercedes.harmankardon.com/brochures/c-class.pdf
Can we install the number 6 and 7 speakers? What about the original amlifier? I asked Mercedes the H/K amplifier is not cheap....
http://mercedes.harmankardon.com/en/...technical.aspx
http://mercedes.harmankardon.com/brochures/c-class.pdf
Can we install the number 6 and 7 speakers? What about the original amlifier? I asked Mercedes the H/K amplifier is not cheap....
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
C300
I'm trying the front door speaker replacement but I'm a little gun-shy about removing the trim around the door (one of the first steps). Does anyone have any advice on the best way to remove this without breaking the plastic trim.
Also, are there any clips to remove for the trim?
Thanks.
Also, are there any clips to remove for the trim?
Thanks.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
w204 c220 cdi
Hello Vic.I've made the retrofit and the results are outstanding...but i read that we can play with the equalizer in the engineering mode...did you change anything?Thanks for your perfect instructions!(i also did the comand refrofit 
)
)
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Brussels, Belgium
'09 S204 C220 CDI Avantgarde
Did this upgrade today, in little less than one and a half hour. First door took more than an hour, going slowly and helped by Vic's guide (photos are not showing anymore, though), second door about 20 minutes.
Some tips: Buy at least 10 additional clips and the black square lock is defeated when you pull out the pin, turn it 180 degrees and then insert it again to release the lock pins, and can then be pulled out.
May still need to fine-tune it but the tweeters are very noticeable and the speakers do have more punch (and are twice as heavy as the stock ones). Also first time I ever played with a rivet gun, pleased that it was smooth sailing!
All in all a very satisfying first mod!
Some tips: Buy at least 10 additional clips and the black square lock is defeated when you pull out the pin, turn it 180 degrees and then insert it again to release the lock pins, and can then be pulled out.
May still need to fine-tune it but the tweeters are very noticeable and the speakers do have more punch (and are twice as heavy as the stock ones). Also first time I ever played with a rivet gun, pleased that it was smooth sailing!
All in all a very satisfying first mod!
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Mercedes C class W204
I wonder if you can fit 7" speaker in front door. I am hoping to fit Dayton Audio speaker RS180 in the front door. http://www.daytonaudio.com/lspeakers...-4_295-374.pdf
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Houston
W204 C350 Sport
Is vic still around to re-upload the pictures for the install? I have an 08 C350 with harmon kardon and i have a nasty clipping/buzzing/static sound from the Front driver area. Im thinking the front midbass driver has left the building. Does anyone know where you can source replacement HK components? Is it worthwhile to replace them with something aftermarket? I know if its anything like the pricing for the oem Dynaudio components in my passat, im in for a ride here.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,135
Likes: 272
From: Sweden
S213
Finally after four long days the speakers arrived from Germersheim Germany
After I got home from work I got to it, removing the door panel is acually pretty straight forward and easy, here´s how you replace the front door speakers:
Wind the window all the way down and start by removing the tweeter grille, its just snapped in place and comes off easy, then remove this trim, its also just snapped and folded around the door frame.
This will reveal this clip, DO NOT push the middle part inwards (been there done that
) pick it out, twist it 90 degrees and push it in again to release the plastic hooks.
Push in a wedge in the bottom part of the panel and twist it so that the panel snaps out, pull it out to release the clips around it edges, lift the upper part over the lock knobs.
disconnect the two connectors shown here, purple and blue
Unhook the inside handle wire, very easy.
Now the panel is free and looks like this, remember to check the orange clips, the MUST be intact as well as the small foam seal at each clip
Just in case bought 10 new clips as well as the blind rivets needed for the speakers, the side airbag sensors are triggerd by door air pressure difference, this is why its really important that all clips and seals remain intact.
Stock Audio 20 front door cheapo speaker
The stock speaker rivets drilled out, be careful not to crack the window while doing this:
Comparison between h/k and stock, quite some difference, h/k has stronger cone material instead of paper, larger magnet and voice coil as well as sturdier rubber suspension.
Look at the Audio 20 speaker voice coil, a simple roll of paper
New speaker riveted in place:
Mount door panel in reverse order, dont forget to connect connectors and the door handle wire, place in top first and then slam the panel in place using your hand only.
As you can see I have also retrofitted the h/k emblems, look really great
And the difference in sound is really significant, I didnt think I would hear an improvement this big, the increase in bass is the primary improvment, and the overall sound is a lot fuller, especially in combination with the h/k tweeters.
As the improvement IMO was so great I will also replace the rear door speakers in time.
The speakers cost here in Sweden about $100 a piece, compare that with the Audio 20 speakers that cost $22
After I got home from work I got to it, removing the door panel is acually pretty straight forward and easy, here´s how you replace the front door speakers:
Wind the window all the way down and start by removing the tweeter grille, its just snapped in place and comes off easy, then remove this trim, its also just snapped and folded around the door frame.
This will reveal this clip, DO NOT push the middle part inwards (been there done that
) pick it out, twist it 90 degrees and push it in again to release the plastic hooks.Push in a wedge in the bottom part of the panel and twist it so that the panel snaps out, pull it out to release the clips around it edges, lift the upper part over the lock knobs.
disconnect the two connectors shown here, purple and blue
Unhook the inside handle wire, very easy.
Now the panel is free and looks like this, remember to check the orange clips, the MUST be intact as well as the small foam seal at each clip
Just in case bought 10 new clips as well as the blind rivets needed for the speakers, the side airbag sensors are triggerd by door air pressure difference, this is why its really important that all clips and seals remain intact.
Stock Audio 20 front door cheapo speaker
The stock speaker rivets drilled out, be careful not to crack the window while doing this:
Comparison between h/k and stock, quite some difference, h/k has stronger cone material instead of paper, larger magnet and voice coil as well as sturdier rubber suspension.
Look at the Audio 20 speaker voice coil, a simple roll of paper
New speaker riveted in place:
Mount door panel in reverse order, dont forget to connect connectors and the door handle wire, place in top first and then slam the panel in place using your hand only.
As you can see I have also retrofitted the h/k emblems, look really great
And the difference in sound is really significant, I didnt think I would hear an improvement this big, the increase in bass is the primary improvment, and the overall sound is a lot fuller, especially in combination with the h/k tweeters.
As the improvement IMO was so great I will also replace the rear door speakers in time.
The speakers cost here in Sweden about $100 a piece, compare that with the Audio 20 speakers that cost $22
Here you go guys!
