2015 Mercedes C300 Base Speakers
#101
Yeah, I bought them on ebay for around 350. It's a little tricky to install the cross over box as there is virtually no room for it. But after it's installed, it sounds so much better. I compared it to Burmester and I couldn't tell the difference. Now if I have to go back to base speakers, I'd probably die.
#102
Yeah, I bought them on ebay for around 350. It's a little tricky to install the cross over box as there is virtually no room for it. But after it's installed, it sounds so much better. I compared it to Burmester and I couldn't tell the difference. Now if I have to go back to base speakers, I'd probably die.
I bought them brand new for $700.
#103
#105
MBWorld Fanatic!
I think if you go to a Media screen and scroll down to the little musical note icon in the lower right corner it will bring up tone controls in the Audio 20. It's been awhile since I've been in one.
#106
Member
I just came back from my local audio shop. We opened the center console to measure the speaker wires coming out of the Audio 20 unit. The impedance was under 1 ohm so it means that the Audio 20 has an amp somewhere in the back, just as the Burmester does. Of course it's a crappy amp but it's there. The funny thing was that out of the ISO connector on the Audio 20 they have 5 pairs of wires coming out of 4 pairs of connectors. So 5 signal pairs are going into the amp. The next step is to find the amp in the back and see how easy it is to replace it. It seems to be under the fuse box.
Does anyone know what kind of amp they use for the Audio 20? Is it a 5 channel? Separate channel for the sub?
5th pair of dark violet wires from the ISO
Does anyone know what kind of amp they use for the Audio 20? Is it a 5 channel? Separate channel for the sub?
5th pair of dark violet wires from the ISO
Last edited by vladarh; 06-11-2016 at 08:59 AM.
#107
MBWorld Fanatic!
It's in the trunk, under the well cover, small silver box in a rack on the right hand side, top unit. The system is standard 4ohm. 4 door speakers and 1 8" sub for channels.
#109
Member
The place where you're showing the factory amp on your photo is empty on my car. It seems that the basic audio amp is below the fuse box. I'll have a look tomorrow morning.
#110
MBWorld Fanatic!
That sucks. There's lots of room in the trunk for accessing the speaker out leads and adding aftermarket stuff. If you could post back maybe with some pics I'll add it to my 205 audio blog.
#111
Member
We're having the same conversation on two pages
But the mystery deepens for me. There's no amp in the back, but the wires coming from the HU don't seem to be connected directly to the speakers. There's something there...
But the mystery deepens for me. There's no amp in the back, but the wires coming from the HU don't seem to be connected directly to the speakers. There's something there...
Last edited by vladarh; 06-12-2016 at 06:03 AM.
#112
MBWorld Fanatic!
That slim vertical mounted white box on the left is a likely culprit. It would be unusual for MB to use different locations for A20 vs Burmester. They tend to use common harnesses in stuff. Do the speaker wire color codes show up in that big clump coming from that white box?
Edit. Never mind. My Burmester has it as well. Dang.
Edit. Never mind. My Burmester has it as well. Dang.
Last edited by Mike5215; 06-12-2016 at 09:24 AM.
#113
MBWorld Fanatic!
Originally Posted by vladarh
I just came back from my local audio shop. We opened the center console to measure the speaker wires coming out of the Audio 20 unit. The impedance was under 1 ohm so it means that the Audio 20 has an amp somewhere in the back, just as the Burmester does. Of course it's a crappy amp but it's there. The funny thing was that out of the ISO connector on the Audio 20 they have 5 pairs of wires coming out of 4 pairs of connectors. So 5 signal pairs are going into the amp. The next step is to find the amp in the back and see how easy it is to replace it. It seems to be under the fuse box.
Does anyone know what kind of amp they use for the Audio 20? Is it a 5 channel? Separate channel for the sub?
5th pair of dark violet wires from the ISO
Does anyone know what kind of amp they use for the Audio 20? Is it a 5 channel? Separate channel for the sub?
5th pair of dark violet wires from the ISO
#114
Member
I went to the local MB dealer today, and yes, you're right. They confirmed that the amp is integrated into the HU. The strange thing for me is (as I wrote above) that the HU has a standard 4 channel ISO connector with 5 pairs of wires coming out. The 5th pair seems to be the woofer connected to the FL+ and FR-.
But back to what you said, shouldn't the resistance be 4ohm when you measure at the ISO connector (which should in theory be connected directly to the speakers)?
But back to what you said, shouldn't the resistance be 4ohm when you measure at the ISO connector (which should in theory be connected directly to the speakers)?
#115
MBWorld Fanatic!
I went to the local MB dealer today, and yes, you're right. They confirmed that the amp is integrated into the HU. The strange thing for me is (as I wrote above) that the HU has a standard 4 channel ISO connector with 5 pairs of wires coming out. The 5th pair seems to be the woofer connected to the FL+ and FR-.
But back to what you said, shouldn't the resistance be 4ohm when you measure at the ISO connector (which should in theory be connected directly to the speakers)?
But back to what you said, shouldn't the resistance be 4ohm when you measure at the ISO connector (which should in theory be connected directly to the speakers)?
I guess pull a door panel and see what they have in there. My guess would be it's the same flimsy paper cone 4" in the "Burmester". Hard to imagine anything even less robust. Makes sense to pull sub signal from combining polarity from two channels like that.
#116
Member
I replaced the front 4'' with Focals as well. That's why it's even stranger to get sub 1ohm resistance. And you're right. Almost the same paper cone speaker as in the Burmester. Weighed 15g... Terrible...
#120
Junior Member
I just bought these from Crutchfield for $450 (new). The Focal KRS100's are now discontinued so good time to buy while they last.
After reading several threads, I'm still a bit confused. Can these Focals work "as is" with our stock amp? I have the standard stereo, non-Burmeister.
After reading several threads, I'm still a bit confused. Can these Focals work "as is" with our stock amp? I have the standard stereo, non-Burmeister.
Yeah, I bought them on ebay for around 350. It's a little tricky to install the cross over box as there is virtually no room for it. But after it's installed, it sounds so much better. I compared it to Burmester and I couldn't tell the difference. Now if I have to go back to base speakers, I'd probably die.
#121
Member
Yes they do work. But since they're 4ohm and the stock speakers are 2ohm, the Focals will pull a lot of the power so the back speakers become too quiet. That in itself isn't a problem. The main issue with the system is the built in setup. It's too bass heavy (with a poor stock subwoofer). You're left with a "hole" between 120 and 200Hz I would say, and a muddy, sloppy low end. The only cure is an amp with a DSP. That's my next step. I'll either go with a Prima 8.9, like Mike, or a Match 5DSP by Fischer.
Don't get me wrong, there's a big difference with the Focals, but it just makes you notice the terrible bass even more.
Don't get me wrong, there's a big difference with the Focals, but it just makes you notice the terrible bass even more.
Last edited by vladarh; 06-14-2016 at 06:52 PM.
#122
MBWorld Fanatic!
Originally Posted by vladarh
So since the speakers...whether Burmester or A20...use a harman/kardon form factor, they can be replaced by a line of speakers developed by Focal as drop in replacements for BMW. They'll work in the 205 with some minor mod to the terminals.
There are sets on EBay for around 1k, which isn't bad since retail for each 8" woofer is $550.
Put the 2 ways in the front doors, coaxials in the rear, two subs up front. Done. Add a 6 channel amp pulling signal right from the HU. It would kill a stock Burmester.
These were built to run off the factory amp in an H/K system which aren't powerhouses by any stretch but they'll be 4 ohm. Their output will be halved vs the 2 ohm. Short version, they'll need an external amp.
#123
In the C450 the Burmester amp is on the passenger side of the trunk just behind the wheel well. Looking at Mike's picture it is behind where his Prima is located, you can just make out purple release for the cable connector. You might want to check to see if there's anything there in non-Burmester cars. The box that is labeled factory amp in his picture is what I believe is the Sirius and maybe HD Radio tuner.
#124
MBWorld Fanatic!
Originally Posted by KSP1138
In the C450 the Burmester amp is on the passenger side of the trunk just behind the wheel well. Looking at Mike's picture it is behind where his Prima is located, you can just make out purple release for the cable connector. You might want to check to see if there's anything there in non-Burmester cars. The box that is labeled factory amp in his picture is what I believe is the Sirius and maybe HD Radio tuner.
#125
Junior Member
Thanks that is good news. So I read Mike's install .pdf about issues finding slim 4" speaker for rear doors. I would be happy with the Focals in front drawing more power accordingly.
So the amp is under the center console or is it that vertical white box near fuse box?
And has anyone else had any luck finding slim 4" co-axials for rear doors?
So the amp is under the center console or is it that vertical white box near fuse box?
And has anyone else had any luck finding slim 4" co-axials for rear doors?
Yes they do work. But since they're 4ohm and the stock speakers are 2ohm, the Focals will pull a lot of the power so the back speakers become too quiet. That in itself isn't a problem. The main issue with the system is the built in setup. It's too bass heavy (with a poor stock subwoofer). You're left with a "hole" between 120 and 200Hz I would say, and a muddy, sloppy low end. The only cure is an amp with a DSP. That's my next step. I'll either go with a Prima 8.9, like Mike, or a Match 5DSP by Fischer.
Don't get me wrong, there's a big difference with the Focals, but it just makes you notice the terrible bass even more.
Don't get me wrong, there's a big difference with the Focals, but it just makes you notice the terrible bass even more.