Actually jimmy I am a 'Jersey boy (Moorestown, near Cherry Hill), just that life guided me to Mexico 35 years ago. Acapulco, except for the recent crime wave, is a wonderful place, and have a world-class philharmonic orchestra at my disposal to conduct. Even my Mother, when 80, moved from New Jersey to Mexico about 8 years ago, and loves it. "Another beautiful day".

Of course the Audio20 is all analog output, internally it is digital until the amplifier output stage. I am just not a 5.1 fan, and find decent (audiophile) stereo quite satisfactory. That said, the suggestion to improve the stock speakers with the Infinity Kappas is about as good as the Audio20 will sound, and it is inexpensive.

jimmy, did you get a JL audio Clean Sweep, or drive the HD750 JL amp right off the Audio20 speaker outputs? Waiting for you to post some pics, that would be great!

For those who want the surround experience, the JL audio is an excellent way to go. Of course the first option is to actually get the HK Logic 7 system with your W204 in the first place, no question. Despite the surround logic the JL audio system offers, equalization and time delay in the HK system are specifically tailored (read with about a several million dollar investment just in acoustic research) to the interior of the W204.

The only thing that degrades the Logic 7 system are the speakers (not the best, the Kappas are actually better) and the engineering of the subwoofer, the twin 5" speakers are really hard pressed to get the same output as a single 8" woofer (30% more driver cone area), 10" (100% more area) or 12" (180% more cone area).

The HK Logic 7 in our BMW M3, which if course has a completely different equalization and time-delay profile, my favorite listening position is actually in the right rear seat. Perhaps because it sounds more "stereo" than "surround". Had my first surround experience in the 1960's with the then Dynaco QD-1 Quadaptor, after spending hundreds of hours trying to make the experience sound realistic, always preferred stereo.

However, jimmy, if I get up to New Jersey again, I will let you know via personal post and we can set up a meeting, thanks for the invitation.

 

I am definitely envious of ur location, sounds like paradise for a jersey boy haha. I agree with the HK system, my last C was beautiful with it. I would have loved the chance to upgrade the HK speakers to infinitys and see what that sounds like

Yeah I bit the bullet and did the cleansweep, it made huge improvements in the EQ. The 2008 C350 I had had HK and all I did was add boston G2 matched subs and amp, it was perfect.

The new 2011 I got was a special edition, I couldnt find one in April when lease was up with the package I wanted and get HK, I got the MM but the 2010-2011 dont include it all, its an additional package, and this car has every option except keyless go and HK speakers, I have whats known as audio 50 now. That being said I figured I could live with it and upgrade to an aftermarket setup for 1k and change, it was 800 for HK speakers had it been ordered from MB so I bit it and bought it. I HAD to have dynamic handling package, I barely drive the car but when I do we like to have fun with it. Now I got the bug and just keep improving on stuff cause Im bored. And If you ever make it near jersey definitely PM me, would like to meet up w u. Im really jealous u sound like you got it all down there, even the orchestra, doesnt get much better LOL.......

 

For everyones information, the HK system is installed on W204s made on a separate assembly line as it requires fibre optic to feed the signal to the rear amplifier, the triangles in the rear door frames cut out to accept the tweeters, space for the amps, etc. The C63 chassis is also prepared on this line, hence the majority of C63's have the HK system.

In some countries, the HK option is not available in any W204 except the C63. In Mexico for instance the C300 and C350 are all Euro2 spec'd, but no MM, no Nav and no HK. Its a nice set of accessories but not being able to get the HK in my 2010 C300 was a disappointment, especially after the salesperson said it WOULD come with the HK and I had paid for the vehicle, waiting about a month for it to arrive. Dealer gave me the iPod Integration kit for free as compensation.

jimmy, yes it is nice to like in a "one season" climate like Acapulco. However you live in a "two season" part of the world... "winter" and "construction"!!!

 

can u guys help me out upgradig my system?

i got stock system, the very basic one, no amp, in my c220 (2008)

i got an alpine small amp V12 50x2 @ 14.4 from a friend and though ill add it if its not too much trouble

will upgrade speakers later too but first i wanted to try the amp

can i use the exist speakers wires to plug the amp or do i need to run new ones from the head unit? (no command)

 

if anyone is looking for a set of the infiniti's, I have one that's unused, I'm getting rid of my C and never got around to putting the system in. PM me.

 

can anyone tell me what are my stock speakers specs/brand please?

 

Infinity Kappa 60.9cs in the Classifieds, brand new in box and cheap!

 

Can anyone please tell me if those will fit my car and if its better than my stock ones?

INFINITY KAPPA 652.9I 6.5 INCH/17CM 225 WATT 2WAY

 

The Kappa 6529i may be too deep for the rear. They will fit in the front, however since they are co-axial, the point is to have the tweeters firing from the window frame triangles into your ears, not into your ankles.

For the few dollars more they cost, still the Kapps 60.9 with their separate tweeter for the fronts, and the 6032si shallow mount for the rears are recommended over the 6529i.

 

...aannnnnnnddddd considering there is a brand new set of 60.9's for sale in the classifieds for cheap, it's a no-brainer!

 

PM me Doc, I am interested in these, thank you.

 

I have to be honest, as an ex car stereo freak kind of guy I am very impressed at what I achieved with the EQ in the engineering mode on the fully stock system.

Thanks to everyone in this and related threads that provided this information. I bought a set of Boston Acoustic SR60 speaker for my new W204 as I was very unimpressed with the stock sound. My last MB had the HK and was quite good, to the extent that I left the amps and subs in the basement rather installing anything. But this Audio 20 setup was unacceptable. Before I went down the path of installing and mounting all the cross overs and components I searched and found this thread.

I haven't even installed the new speakers yet. I spent the day tweeking the EQ in teh head unit. I can't believe how that flat and dull stock system came to life. Don't get me wrong, I will be installing the SR60s tomorrow... but I could have lived with the stock system had I known before purchase what was possible with the engineering menu.

Now it's time to make it supurb. I never though I could get away with running good components on the stock head power.... but I think I might be having a change of heart tomorrow. APBill is dead on, the loss in conversion isn't worth the conversion to new power without replacing the head, which isn't an option to most of us that like to keep a new clean MB looking stock.

Thanks everyone, looking forward to my weekend.

 

Hey cbc mind posting the settings you have on the eq at the moment?

 

+1....

 

After a few hours in the car listening to everything I could think of from country, to rap, to acoustic folk this was where I was happy. I mirrored it on all 4 and suggest experimentation to everyone. Don't be scared to play around. I'm not sure what the grade on is. I can't hear much change going from extreme ends on each one. I'm guessing its the width of the frequencies affected from the center of each of the 4 freq settings. I might still make these wider as I prefer a smooth EQ transition on other devices and want to play around with it still. I'm gonna change speakers today but I'll put another hour into finding the sweet spot on the stocks just for prosperity.


all 4 are on:

freq 60 2000 9000 13000

grade/Q 1.5 3.0 3.0 1.0

db boost +4 +5 +6 +3.5

Any one have any input on the volume boost? I've got these DBs boosted up and maxed every thing in the sound menu but it's still not loud enough to distort these speakers. It's louder than I would listen but I expected to be able to run it up more. ENTVol must be entertainment? Or is it German?!?! TEL... easy one, TAvol?


Am I reading correctly that this head units stock out put to each wire is at 2ohms impedance? That would be great with high end 4ohm / 2ohm capable speakers going in!
Cheers
Chris

 

Cant help on the rest but I am pretty sure ENTVol is for the entertainment. I assume it has something to do with the AUX input sound levels. TA = Traffic Announcement volume.

 

Good call.

I was not going to go with the cutting out of the stock speaker route and do it custom. But in taking them out of the door and looking at them I can't help but use this method. It's so obvious once you look at them side by side that using the existing frame is the way to go. the fit is spot on.

and wow, what cheap crap these stockers are. Plastic frames! easier to cut I suppose.

 

I purchased the Kappa 60.9's that askdrtodd had for sale in the classified section and had this excellent upgrade completed over the weekend - I ended up paying a professional to do the work, but walked through the install with him. Couple hours and $120 later and Scat01 is a very happy man...

I do have a tendency to overly appreciate enhancements (Sprint booster is the best performance mod on earth for the w204 for example), and this one is no exception - The clarity, crispness, separation, highs, lows, etc is just outstanding. I was another disappointed owner when it came to the audio 20 system, but have listened to music only since the install (sorry Stern)..

Couple pics - we found what is most likely the same "pocket" most used to mound the crossover into and the for the (massive) tweeters we fabbed up some brackets and hot glued them down nice and tight. (sorry for the bad pics, but you can get the idea)

Thanks for the great idea - really appreciate this one.

 

Here's some more pics of the install I did. The tweeter snaped right into the mount with the Bostons I used. I have two very large crossovers, one for each speaker in each door. So the woofer one I sheet metal screwed into the door above the woofer. The tweeter one is mounted in the access cover for the control box.

I soldered the wires back into the frame and reused the original speaker plug in my wiring and re-riveted the speaker to the door. All in all this method was excellent for the upgrade.

C

 

Hi Scat, one question about your upgrade, did you install all 4 speakers and adjusted the equalizer as cbc indicated on his post or left the equalizer as it came without any changes?

Could you please again indicate the model of the Infinity you bought? All the same for four doors?

Thanks

 

Hi
New MB owner here, 2008 MB C300 sport 4matic audio 20. I did this upgrade myself all speakers plus Boss amplified sub woofer. The speakers sound real good. I recommend this upgrade to anyone. But:I mounted the sub where Acupulco Bill didand it cased some bad vibration so I put dynamat on the bottom trunk deck and put some on the sub itself to try to seal it but i still hear either distortion or vibration so i just turned the sub volume all the way down until I decide to upgrade to a real sub and amp.
I have a few questions maybe someone could help with.

What could I use in the door speakers to seal the sound since the foam padding got ripped off

 

@Bobby Benzo: When first installed, my sub didnt have any resonances. However now that it has been about 10 months, it does vibrate on extremely low frequencies. I suspect that the rear shelf consists of two steel stampings, so when the sub gets screwed into the shelf, it compresses the layers, causing the metal-to-metal contact one hears.

Maybe unmounting the sub and purchasing some rubber grommets to place between the two stamped steel panels where the screws go through may be a solution. I will try and find the time to do this mid January.

As for replacing the foam around the speakers in the door panels, air conditioning supply stores sell a black sponge foam cover for keeping the refrigeration lines insulated. About six feet will be needed for all 4 speakers. Just bend around the speaker, perhaps some double-sided tape can hold it in place until you get the door panel back on.

 

hey guys, this is an old thread i know but i was hoping someone could help me
i have a 2009 c300 sport without the folding seats, audio 20, have the ipod hookup, and the aux port both set up in the glove box, problem is the MP3 is the loudest, then the ipod hookup, and then when i get to the aux port its even quieter, i use the aux port because i have a bluetooth a2dp adapter hooked up to it, and that way i can play music off my iphone via bluetooth through the speakers.
So what i need help
- I want to upgrade all the speakers inside the vehicle, what speakers should i look for and what is better or equal to the harmon kardon system?
- Also i have a amp, and 2 12" mtx audio thunders in a box that i have which i could install but i dont know how
- also post 122 in this thread that has the small amp/sub in the back, would it be possible to add that inside the vehicle under the passenger seat? ( i ask that because i read something about a firewall and that subs being useless in the trunk :s )

 

You want good sounding speakers and have a good budget get some FOCAL's.. Done. If a little less get some Boston Pro's. Then if your in tighter budget... JL's.

 

its a retrofit... u wont regret. (HK owns infinity)

Kappa 60.9cs/Kappa 60.7cs front
Kappa 62.9i/Reference 6022si rear