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

 

Great job and write up. :thumbup:

 

incredible... that's some in depth stuff right there... i guess you are a MB Tech!

how hard is it to get off JUST the speaker cover ?? i need to clean it :\

 

Ok, so I wasnt an MB Tech before this thread?

You need to remove the entire door panel to remove the speaker covers from the inside, they are melted in place.

 

vic, any plan to do the rear speakers??

 

As I wrote I will do them in time ..

 

Excellent write up. =)

 

Vic, what about sound quality before/after? :p

 

Doesnt anyone read the entire thread?
Check what I wrote in the end of the first post above.

 

Sigh..if the speaker price aren't that high here in the States..I would do this upgrade right now..
while vic paid only around $450 for 2xtweeters+2xfront speakers+2xrear speakers, dealer here in US want $1k for the speakers plus labor cost..

 

Why dont you install them yourself?, its not very hard.

 

Great Job. And thanks for taking the time to take and post picture! It really helps.

You didn't install the H/K amp, did you? So you got a big sound improvement just by changing the speakers and still feeding them though the head unit's internal amp? Interesting.

 

No, I wanted to but its to much work.

By just looking at the speakers it isnt hard to see why the h/k speakers perform better with the same feed.

The improvment was IMO so big that I didnt hesitate to order the rear h/k speakers today, strangely they were more expensive than the front door speakers

 

Cant wait for installing h/k tweeters next week when I come back

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH you proved yourself worthy with this one!

wtf @ melted in place tho... damn i guess i have to find another way to clean all up in the speaker holes.

 

Now I know what my next mod will be after the tweeters :p Is there a sub upgrade btw? I thought the LOGIC7 in BMW has an extra amp too. Does MB have it too? Are this standard connectors with MB? (Looking to retrofit L7 in E60 )

 

Yes the 204 sound system utilizes a separate amplifier, the S204 also houses a rear subwoofer located behind the left trunk panel.

 

wow vic, your building this car by yourself :P

 

Sure, why not? the modding is half the fun with a new car

 

Vic Viper you are my idol

I also want to do the retrofit



belong to a CLS

all 150 € and new. Hk the buy on eBay a month ago

which is the emblem of reference HK for doors?

 

Are those speakers from a CLS?, then I doubt they will fit the 204 bolt on..

The h/k emblems have part number: A463 723 00 60

 

Look for Joe:

Tweeters A2128201002 $ 40.00 each 2
Front A2048202102 $160.00 each 2
Rear A2048203002 $200.00 each 2
Blind Rivets A0009910037 $ .50 each 12
H/K Emblem A4637230060 $ 8.00 Each 4


Their service department also quoted $120 per door to replace the speakers. I'm still waiting for a quote from an independent mercedes shop in Antioch,CA.

Luis

 

Why not just go with aftermarket speakers - any issues?

 

Yes, they wont fit.

 

Hmmm....I did a search at crutchfield.ca (quite reputable) and they have a few that fit.

Most have to splice the speaker wires.

Are the front and rear door speakers different sizes?

Your thoughts?

Superb write-up & photos on the speaker change!