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W204 Third Party Component Speaker Upgrade
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 955
Likes: 0
From: NNJ
'11 C350 '13 F150 lariat
Well I bit the bullet and got a 4 channel amp. After much consideration Im going with a JL audio XD400. It super rated everywhere I read and a local shop has a few cars the guys drive with them in and it sounds great. Finny u should mention the C2-650s, they mostly have those in their rides and sound PHENOMINAL. I was blown away. Im gonna throw the amp in this weekend and see how I make out. Big point was the great xover system on the JL. Its tiny and has super control of each channel and cleans up the music. I played my flash drive in bosses truck and its night and day. Im gonna do teh amp first and If im not satisfied swap out the 62.9s in front for components. I DONT have parametric equilizer in my 2011, but I got the feeling if you have the screen that doesnt flip you may have it. I have MM screen but no HK, seperate options since 2010, and I dont have the EQ. But I think from reading on here the MM with no HK is considered audio 50 not audio 20. I just cant live w this car with just the infinitys and the head unit power, I have every option possible in this car except the one I REALLY needed, HK. Never again will I buy a benz without it. theres no comparison.
And Bill I am hearing the compression and crap from the music, the unbeleivable HK logic system filtered it all out, I couldnt spend 2 grand and get what that 850 gets you, they should make it standard w multimedia, it was in my 08 thank god...........jimmy
And Bill I am hearing the compression and crap from the music, the unbeleivable HK logic system filtered it all out, I couldnt spend 2 grand and get what that 850 gets you, they should make it standard w multimedia, it was in my 08 thank god...........jimmy
Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Richardson TX
c300
I've been looking for a higher end alternative for the speakers to improve the quality in the audio system in my car but like bill has been pointing out it's hard finding a 2ohm component set out there or a coaxil at that... i wished more companies would make a 2ohm component set.. I'm used to using image dynamics and mb quart q series in the past and theres not much that touch those as far as bass and quality never heard cdt thou yet... another that i've heard that sounds awesome is aura.. but none of these companies make a 2ohm speaker.. kindof bs i think especially cause most amps are 2 ohm stable..
Well the whole point of the story is like bill was saying for the stock application nothing beats what his choice is.. now if going amplified there is alot better options.. image dynamics for the money you cant beat..
Well the whole point of the story is like bill was saying for the stock application nothing beats what his choice is.. now if going amplified there is alot better options.. image dynamics for the money you cant beat..
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 374
Likes: 1
From: Flahrida
2011 C300 Sport
Metal tweeters have always been too harsh for me, too bright, too piercing. Tough to EQ. Most of the people I competed with in IASCA & USAC used silk tweeters (or horns if they were brave) just for the more natural smooth sound and the ability to more accurately reproduce the "tss", "shh", and "pss" sounds in lyrical prefix/suffixes at higher volumes.
Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Richardson TX
c300
wonder whats changed with them to make em worse thou?? oh another good company i used before is elemental designs.. havent tried they're highs but the subs are awesome for the money.. they're shallow 10" sub mite mount into the factory sub location and the woofer is a free air sub too now that mite be something to look into for a flush mount sub application.. http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_...roducts_id=106
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 374
Likes: 1
From: Flahrida
2011 C300 Sport
Sad that it was maybe only ten years ago that most of the best equipment (well amps and speakers anyway) were still made in the USA. I've always thought you can't do better than ID on a budget and Dynaudio if the sky's the limit.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 374
Likes: 1
From: Flahrida
2011 C300 Sport
wonder whats changed with them to make em worse thou?? oh another good company i used before is elemental designs.. havent tried they're highs but the subs are awesome for the money.. they're shallow 10" sub mite mount into the factory sub location and the woofer is a free air sub too now that mite be something to look into for a flush mount sub application.. http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_...roducts_id=106
Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Richardson TX
c300
eD has nice subs definitely... that sq10 i'm thinking about retroing that to the rear deck location to see how that works out.. cause it only has a 3" depth... that would be way better then the boss for sure.. but looking for options that i can still keep my trunk space currently i got 2 jbl gti1000 in there not hooked up was in my last car..
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 374
Likes: 1
From: Flahrida
2011 C300 Sport
eD has nice subs definitely... that sq10 i'm thinking about retroing that to the rear deck location to see how that works out.. cause it only has a 3" depth... that would be way better then the boss for sure.. but looking for options that i can still keep my trunk space currently i got 2 jbl gti1000 in there not hooked up was in my last car..
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 374
Likes: 1
From: Flahrida
2011 C300 Sport
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: dallas TX
but yea with the sq10 i think it'll be a very nice upgrade and i got a bunch of their sound dampening mat and got eD's paintable one too... so that'll kill that pretty easy... guess i'd have to break out the dremel and cut out some of the metal back there... anyone know the actual size of the hole back on the rear deck?
Last edited by ImageX; May 12, 2011 at 05:33 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 19
From: Acapulco Mexico
2010 C300 Sport
@AskDrTood - I agree that generally metal dome tweeters can generate lots of artifacts due to flexing where the dome and voicecoil meet. However, all soft dome tweeters I have had, without exception, have deteriorated in performance over time. Plus their power handling is lower, no way to dissipate heat, ferrofluid in the gap helps this somewhat.
Dont get me wrong, soft dome is fine, but I do have to swap out the diaphragms every couple of years on 4 pairs of them (buy them by the dozen). However my best system has aluminum dome tweeters, properly engineered, and no nasty artifacts.
Which in automobile use, aluminum dome can provide excellent service and quality, IMO.
Dont get me wrong, soft dome is fine, but I do have to swap out the diaphragms every couple of years on 4 pairs of them (buy them by the dozen). However my best system has aluminum dome tweeters, properly engineered, and no nasty artifacts.
Which in automobile use, aluminum dome can provide excellent service and quality, IMO.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 19
From: Acapulco Mexico
2010 C300 Sport
Actually I had bought two pairs of the Inifinity 60.9's. hoping that they would also fit in the rear lower door and door frame. They won't, the magnet structure is too deep on the woofer, and the door frames have no hole for the tweeter, it is just a solid piece of hard urethane plastic unless you have the HK system, which actually has its own assembly line, I understand.
You would notice that the rear speakers "bark" a lot on certain musical material, the stock tweeters have terrible peaks (over 10 dB), and the paper cone woofers create lots of mid-range distortion. But in the front, it is certainly better than just sticking with the stock speakers.
Three months later when I finally had the chance to get the Infinity 6032si shallow mount speakers plus the self-powered sub, after the installation and breaking things in moderately for a week, the sound (IMO) is truly very, very good and balanced. It is NOT of course a surround sound system, as you cannot compare apples and oranges (nor Apples with PCs). I do not need the interior of the car to emulate a cathedral or a football stadium, just have clean, clear, accurate, detailed reproduction with FLAT response.
Many others of course just love the sound of 5.1 surround, and a simple speaker substitution will NOT accomplish that. As this thread was initiated just for third party speaker substitution, perhaps HK Logic7 and 5.1 surround fans should begin a thread about getting a DSP, amplifiers and substantial subwoofers installed, as it is quite a different and expensive undertaking, with sometimes frustrating and disappointing results.
As for the other pair of Kappa 60.9's? Probably install them in my V12 located in another country, when I have the time.
You would notice that the rear speakers "bark" a lot on certain musical material, the stock tweeters have terrible peaks (over 10 dB), and the paper cone woofers create lots of mid-range distortion. But in the front, it is certainly better than just sticking with the stock speakers.
Three months later when I finally had the chance to get the Infinity 6032si shallow mount speakers plus the self-powered sub, after the installation and breaking things in moderately for a week, the sound (IMO) is truly very, very good and balanced. It is NOT of course a surround sound system, as you cannot compare apples and oranges (nor Apples with PCs). I do not need the interior of the car to emulate a cathedral or a football stadium, just have clean, clear, accurate, detailed reproduction with FLAT response.
Many others of course just love the sound of 5.1 surround, and a simple speaker substitution will NOT accomplish that. As this thread was initiated just for third party speaker substitution, perhaps HK Logic7 and 5.1 surround fans should begin a thread about getting a DSP, amplifiers and substantial subwoofers installed, as it is quite a different and expensive undertaking, with sometimes frustrating and disappointing results.
As for the other pair of Kappa 60.9's? Probably install them in my V12 located in another country, when I have the time.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 682
Likes: 4
W204
.....since i already messed around with my para eq settings can you post up what the best settings to have with these infinitys? thanks
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 682
Likes: 4
W204
just finished the install, kept the og tweeters in place didnt really feel like setting up the crossover, bill was right about the paper stock speakers, infinitys fit well in og housing....now if i can get bills front/rear setting i will be on to my next mod
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 19
From: Acapulco Mexico
2010 C300 Sport
@caligreenzzz: You really should get the tweeters installed in the front, that is where all the "action" is. Once broken in, I left the Fader centered. The stock tweeters just bark and chirp, the Infinity tweeters are like wearing electrostatic headphones in comparison.
Remember to leave the Infinity xovers on 0 dB, NOT -6 dB when you do the tweeter install in the door pillars.
Remember to leave the Infinity xovers on 0 dB, NOT -6 dB when you do the tweeter install in the door pillars.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 98
Likes: 2
2013 C300 Sport
Your Dealer is just being lazy. Mine denied that I could update it as well, but you can. Just tell them that you want them to update the firmware on your comand/audio 20 system to the most up to date software. Print out this picture I have attached to show them as proof.
My audio 20 screen clearly says boost and if your wondering why I took such a strange picture, I tried to get the dumbo ears in to prove that mine is a 2009.
I just think the dealers are reluctant to do it because it takes a LONG time. I waited it out and it took nearly 3 hours...
My audio 20 screen clearly says boost and if your wondering why I took such a strange picture, I tried to get the dumbo ears in to prove that mine is a 2009.
I just think the dealers are reluctant to do it because it takes a LONG time. I waited it out and it took nearly 3 hours...
Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Richardson TX
c300
also has anyone tried to mounter a center channel to the car? if so can someone post how they went about doing it..
Last edited by Imageboi; Jul 15, 2011 at 06:04 AM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 98
Likes: 2
2013 C300 Sport
I beleive it is for the HK system but the wiring colors for + & - are the same throughout. Don't know if there is a seperate amp for the audio 20.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 955
Likes: 0
From: NNJ
'11 C350 '13 F150 lariat
There is not a seperate amp for audio 20 or the newer 50. Only the HK system has the amp in the drivers side trunk, the regular systems use the head unit as the amp and speaker wires are straight off the back of the head unit. There are 4 channels LF, RF, LR, RR, and they claim 8 speakers because of the tweeters up front and the coaxials out back, but only 4 channels, and the only physical crossover is on the tweeter in the form of a capacitor.....
