Burmester Stereo Issues :(
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2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
Burmester Stereo Issues :(
My C300 has barely 348 miles, but every time I'm listening to the radio or my media, I get crackling/popping noises from the speakers. I tend to listen to my music pretty loud, but even when I listen to the music softly and I keep the bass low, I will occasionally get the pop/crackle noise from the system.
Does anyone here these weird popping noises occasionally while listening to their music? I think maybe one of the speakers or wiring is defective.
Does anyone here these weird popping noises occasionally while listening to their music? I think maybe one of the speakers or wiring is defective.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
My C300 has barely 348 miles, but every time I'm listening to the radio or my media, I get crackling/popping noises from the speakers. I tend to listen to my music pretty loud, but even when I listen to the music softly and I keep the bass low, I will occasionally get the pop/crackle noise from the system.
Does anyone here these weird popping noises occasionally while listening to their music? I think maybe one of the speakers or wiring is defective.
Does anyone here these weird popping noises occasionally while listening to their music? I think maybe one of the speakers or wiring is defective.
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 199
Likes: 2
From: Midwest
2015 C 300
My C300 has barely 348 miles, but every time I'm listening to the radio or my media, I get crackling/popping noises from the speakers. I tend to listen to my music pretty loud, but even when I listen to the music softly and I keep the bass low, I will occasionally get the pop/crackle noise from the system.
Does anyone here these weird popping noises occasionally while listening to their music? I think maybe one of the speakers or wiring is defective.
Does anyone here these weird popping noises occasionally while listening to their music? I think maybe one of the speakers or wiring is defective.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
C300
Burmester system is broken!!!!! Do not buy!!!
I leased my 2015 C300 in October of 2014. Since the second day I've noticed the burmester system crackles when using it. I've been to the dealer about this 4 separate times and they can't seem to figure out what is wrong.
The crackling/distorted sound occurs when I use the Bluetooth phone, the Bluetooth audio and even the satellite radio that doesn't use Bluetooth.
I've played around with the tones of the system, but nothing works.
Once I found a way to replicate the sounds every time, I tried it along with several service and salespeople at the dealer, and all 5 C300's had the same issue.
If you have not yet noticed the crackling sound, call a company like Verizon or Apple from your Bluetooth and turn the volume up. It is the worst sounding/cheapest sounding system I have ever heard. Replicating this noise will allow you to hear the sound very clearly and you will then notice it when it happens while listening to music or the radio.
The sound most definitely is not coming from the phone or Bluetooth connection because you will hear the same sound while listening to satellite radio.
Once the dealer realized the issue, they had a dealer rep come in to discuss with me. His name was Tom Ishler and he basically said that not enough people have complained and until that happens, Mercedes can't do anything about it. He gave me a check for $2000 from what he called his "toolbox" and said he would escalate the issue, but that's BS. They just wanted me to go away.
Please check your systems when you get a chance and let your dealer know when you find it.
Mercedes better find a way to fix this or I will never buy or lease another vehicle from them.
-Patrick
The crackling/distorted sound occurs when I use the Bluetooth phone, the Bluetooth audio and even the satellite radio that doesn't use Bluetooth.
I've played around with the tones of the system, but nothing works.
Once I found a way to replicate the sounds every time, I tried it along with several service and salespeople at the dealer, and all 5 C300's had the same issue.
If you have not yet noticed the crackling sound, call a company like Verizon or Apple from your Bluetooth and turn the volume up. It is the worst sounding/cheapest sounding system I have ever heard. Replicating this noise will allow you to hear the sound very clearly and you will then notice it when it happens while listening to music or the radio.
The sound most definitely is not coming from the phone or Bluetooth connection because you will hear the same sound while listening to satellite radio.
Once the dealer realized the issue, they had a dealer rep come in to discuss with me. His name was Tom Ishler and he basically said that not enough people have complained and until that happens, Mercedes can't do anything about it. He gave me a check for $2000 from what he called his "toolbox" and said he would escalate the issue, but that's BS. They just wanted me to go away.
Please check your systems when you get a chance and let your dealer know when you find it.
Mercedes better find a way to fix this or I will never buy or lease another vehicle from them.
-Patrick
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
The only distortion I ever noticed on the Burmester was when I had the auto volume enabled. When I turned it off, the sound was fine again.
This may have no bearing on your issue, but have you tried turning off the auto volume?
This may have no bearing on your issue, but have you tried turning off the auto volume?
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 3
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C300
I'm not quite sure what you mean by auto volume. Where is the auto volume located?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
There is an auto volume on/off setting in the Sound menu. It's supposed to adjust the volume based on speed and noise, but all it does is introduce artifacts into the system. I tried mine both with it enabled and disabled, and the difference in sound quality was dramatic. It functions in all playback modes so, before getting too upset with the Burmester, it's always a good idea to make sure you have this setting disabled.
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Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 151
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From: Boston, MA
2015 C300 Luxury
There is an auto volume on/off setting in the Sound menu. It's supposed to adjust the volume based on speed and noise, but all it does is introduce artifacts into the system. I tried mine both with it enabled and disabled, and the difference in sound quality was dramatic. It functions in all playback modes so, before getting too upset with the Burmester, it's always a good idea to make sure you have this setting disabled.
I'm getting one of my speakers replaced as part of this crackle/rattle. Will see what happens.
It's very obvious when Siri is on, or some songs...
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2015
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C300
Auto volume doesn't change crackling
I didn't have the auto volume enabled and it still doesn't stop the crackling. Thanks for the tip though. Not quite sure what to do about this, but I cannot stand the noise. This is my first Mercedes, I've had several BMW's and the quality is truly lacking from my point of view.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 20
Likes: 1
C400
Try putting pressure with your fingers on different parts of the aluminum Burmester speaker grill on the front door. For me that usually dampens the crackling noise. It seems like certain frequencies causes something to vibrate in either the speaker assembly or how the speaker is set in the door.
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Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
The proper way to trouble shoot this would have to be from the amp out at this point. Every dealer should have access to an audio technician they can use for these types of issues.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 327
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From: USA
2015 C300 RWD Sport Premium
Same crackling noise on mine. Only when I use my iPhone and iPod via Bluetooth. I'll have to try it hard wired see if I have the same problem. Haven't tried it on a CD yet.
Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 151
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From: Boston, MA
2015 C300 Luxury
I got my car back with a speaker replacement... thought it helped at first but crackle came back.
It's intermittent and I'm not sure what the cause is. It does sound like a speaker issue rather than a rattle.
I called MBUSA Customer Care to document and also about the rear bumper.
It's intermittent and I'm not sure what the cause is. It does sound like a speaker issue rather than a rattle.
I called MBUSA Customer Care to document and also about the rear bumper.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Boston 'burbs
2018 E300 Lux, 2006 Corvette Z51, 2015 Mercedes ML350 (wife's)
Is it truly just one speaker that is crackling? That would lead me to believe that one of the channels on the amp is no good (as Stan mentioned as well).
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
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B200T
I got my car back with a speaker replacement... thought it helped at first but crackle came back.
It's intermittent and I'm not sure what the cause is. It does sound like a speaker issue rather than a rattle.
I called MBUSA Customer Care to document and also about the rear bumper.
It's intermittent and I'm not sure what the cause is. It does sound like a speaker issue rather than a rattle.
I called MBUSA Customer Care to document and also about the rear bumper.
Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
2015 C300 Luxury
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 38
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From: New York
2021 MB GLA 250 4Matic
Hi new here just got my c300 a few days ago and I also have the crackling noises. That's what brought me here to find out if its me or the car. I only experience the problem with listening to satellite radio but I can't say it won't happen during bluetooth as well just haven't used that much.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Manchester, UK
BMW e89 Z4 sDrive 35i & MB S205 C200 AMG Premium Plus
Is it worth actually trying to contact Burmester themselves for their thoughts? I've sent them an email with a link to this topic for you to see if they might help.
Last edited by ManiacGT; Feb 24, 2015 at 06:47 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 11
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c 300 2015
Hey guys, I had this issue, expect it was with every kind of sound(bluetooth/phone/radio etc). I took it to dealership, shop guy says its due to the speaker placement and holder causing the sounds. He fixed it up by himself and managed to make the noise go away. I don't know whether to be happy about him taking away the noise or be angry about the fact that he had to create his own technique to fix it since new speakers/trims didnt.
