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How to upgrade the base sound system

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Old 09-22-2017, 01:52 PM
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W205 C250 AMG
Originally Posted by mikka4
Can someone here please share how they've managed to mount and fit the AP4 or similar speakers replacing the OEM fronts or rears?

The 2 issues I have is mounting depth and hardware to use to tether the speaker to the backside of the door panel.

There are only 3 holes where the rubber grommet sits in that holds the OEM speaker.

How has anyone managed to securely tether this aftermarket 4" speaker with the wider magnet and make it fit in the W205 ?
I looked into it. The depth of the AP4' was too much for the W205 doors so you would have to modify the door panels. Not a quick job. The only good speakers I found that can relatively easily fit based on depth (less than 40mm) were the Focals. Either the ES100K's or the 100KRS. The former being the better of the two. Both over £200 in the UK. I got the ES100k'S and helix V eight installed. 100% better. Might be looking at doing a sub at some point.
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Old 09-22-2017, 08:50 PM
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I just finish a W253 installation for the sound upgrade ..

Item to be used:
- Rainbow MP-C4.2: mid/ tweeter set for the front & rear
- Rainbow MP-S8.2: 8" woofer set (2 pcs)

All plug & play .. no cable cutting.

Sound improvement is quite huge over the stock speaker.

Last edited by KienPC; 09-22-2017 at 11:00 PM.
Old 09-22-2017, 08:52 PM
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Installation job is quite simple, almost every one can do it
Old 09-22-2017, 08:57 PM
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Smile

The woofer work but not in perfect condition (bass not deep & powerful enough) as my W253 has no external amp just HU.
My next step shall be to install the plug & play amp for Mercedes .. 6 channel ( 45w x 5 & 90w x1)





Shall update the project status ..
Old 09-22-2017, 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike5215
I have the Prima 8.9. Love it!
I just found other better one from Rainbow .. 8.10 .. 75w x 8 (4Ohm), 10 channel DSP .. more powerful ..
Old 09-22-2017, 09:06 PM
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2020 C63S, 2013 GLK 350
Originally Posted by KienPC

I just finish a W253 installation for the sound upgrade ..

Item to be used:
- Rainbow MP-C6.2: mid/ tweeter set for the front & rear
- Rainbow MP-S8.2: 8" woofer set (2 pcs)

All plug & play .. no cable cutting.

Sound improvement is quite huge over the stock speaker.
This thread is primarily about the W205 (C300) 4" speaker replacement. Your W253 (GLC) apparently accommodates 6" mids with greater depth in it's doors.

Those speakers won't fit at all in the C class doors.

Last edited by mikka4; 09-22-2017 at 09:18 PM.
Old 09-22-2017, 09:16 PM
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2020 C63S, 2013 GLK 350
Originally Posted by shaunds
I looked into it. The depth of the AP4' was too much for the W205 doors so you would have to modify the door panels. Not a quick job. The only good speakers I found that can relatively easily fit based on depth (less than 40mm) were the Focals. Either the ES100K's or the 100KRS. The former being the better of the two. Both over £200 in the UK. I got the ES100k'S and helix V eight installed. 100% better. Might be looking at doing a sub at some point.
I haven't given up looking for 40mm coax speakers quite yet, but it appears Focal is the only one offering a neodymium component set that would suit the W205. I've so far tried the MTX set, Kicker ES40 and some off-brand "Ultimate" 4", all are between 45-50mm deep with wide conventional magnets that like the AP4 will not fit.

Here's a lengthy German thread about both the Burmester and non-burmester upgrades in the W205 running since 2015 to now. The best solution there was a custom crossover designed by the chief car audio guy "Teddy / aka Ruediger" and adding 1" tweeter to the empty panel and utilizing the *existing* OEM mid-range. He then also suggested to upgrade the A20 subwoofer in the passenger compartment with the OEM Burmester versions both in the driver & passenger footwell. It's a lengthy 89 page read and many of you will need to filter the page thru a translation, but it's the best alternative I've come across yet.

https://www.motor-talk.de/forum/klan...-t5045052.html
Old 09-22-2017, 10:06 PM
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Originally Posted by mikka4
This thread is primarily about the W205 (C300) 4" speaker replacement. Your W253 (GLC) apparently accommodates 6" mids with greater depth in it's doors.

Those speakers won't fit at all in the C class doors.
​​​​​​w205 & w253 in Vietnam is the same, x205 glk come with 6" mid that maybe what you concern about

Last edited by KienPC; 09-22-2017 at 10:10 PM.
Old 09-22-2017, 10:52 PM
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2020 C63S, 2013 GLK 350
Originally Posted by KienPC
​​​​​​w205 & w253 in Vietnam is the same, x205 glk come with 6" mid that maybe what you concern about
No I'm not. You stated that you've used Rainbow MP-C6.2 in your W253. Those are 6" mids. If they fit in your W253 then that's great. What I'm telling you and what everyone in this thread has been discussing is that the W205 only fits 4" mids, NOT 6".

To note, the GLC300 and C300 share a common chassis, but the W253 is an SUV and the W205 is a Sedan. I don't see how you can claim they are "the same".
Old 09-22-2017, 10:55 PM
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Originally Posted by mikka4
This thread is primarily about the W205 (C300) 4" speaker replacement. Your W253 (GLC) apparently accommodates 6" mids with greater depth in it's doors.

Those speakers won't fit at all in the C class doors.
it's 4" mid, may be I get the model wrongly ... Glc & C all use 4" mid not 6".
GLC & C share most of electric items, HU, speaker ..

Last edited by KienPC; 09-22-2017 at 10:59 PM.
Old 09-22-2017, 10:58 PM
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2020 C63S, 2013 GLK 350
Originally Posted by KienPC
​​​​​​w205 & w253 in Vietnam is the same, x205 glk come with 6" mid that maybe what you concern about
No I'm not. You stated that you've used Rainbow MP-C6.2 in your W253. Those are 6" mids. If they fit in your W253 then that's great. What I'm telling you and what everyone in this thread has been discussing is that the W205 only fits 4" mids, NOT 6".

To note, the GLC300 and C300 share a common chassis, but the W253 is an SUV and the W205 is a Sedan. I don't see how you can claim they are "the same".
Old 09-22-2017, 11:16 PM
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Originally Posted by mikka4
No I'm not. You stated that you've used Rainbow MP-C6.2 in your W253. Those are 6" mids. If they fit in your W253 then that's great. What I'm telling you and what everyone in this thread has been discussing is that the W205 only fits 4" mids, NOT 6".

To note, the GLC300 and C300 share a common chassis, but the W253 is an SUV and the W205 is a Sedan. I don't see how you can claim they are "the same".
​​​​​​I have done various coding & retrofitting for the C & GLC ... trust me, they share the same electrical platform ..
Old 09-22-2017, 11:21 PM
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2020 C63S, 2013 GLK 350
Originally Posted by KienPC


Installation job is quite simple, almost every one can do it
Ok. I zoom in on that picture and it has C4.2 on it, so it appears you misquoted the part number.

Thanks for pointing to a brand I wasn't aware of.
Question:
On the manufacturers website
http://www.rainbow-audio.de/en/speaker/dream-line/

The DL-C4.2 only comes with 4 corner mounting holes. Where and how did you manage to source what looks like the custom 3-mount that seem to just pop into the OEM mount.
Old 09-22-2017, 11:44 PM
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Originally Posted by KienPC
​​​​​​I have done various coding & retrofitting for the C & GLC ... trust me, they share the same electrical platform ..
I believe that, it's just that you first stated C6.2 and now edited your original post to correctly reflect C4.2.

So far so good. Rainbow is a German product but I cannot find your specific MP-C4.2 on their website, it appears there's a Chinese manufacturer potential "knock-off" that sells in your region. I've emailed the manufacturer with questions.

I'm very surprised that a German speaker manufacturer would not be selling a German car brand specific OEM replacement speaker on their own website, but instead find this model on chinese websites.

If you have any other information, I'm sure there's a huge market here in North America for custom fit OEM speaker upgrades.
Old 09-22-2017, 11:51 PM
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Originally Posted by mikka4
Ok. I zoom in on that picture and it has C4.2 on it, so it appears you misquoted the part number.

Thanks for pointing to a brand I wasn't aware of.
Question:
On the manufacturers website
http://www.rainbow-audio.de/en/speaker/dream-line/

The DL-C4.2 only comes with 4 corner mounting holes. Where and how did you manage to source what looks like the custom 3-mount that seem to just pop into the OEM mount.
It's not Dline range .. this is new developed dedicated plug & play for Mercedes .. The international Rainbow website has not updated it, I think they shall update it soon ..
Mercedes kit has 4" mid/tweeter & woofer .. 3 grade from low,mid to hing but the woofer only has the highest model.
Depend on what country then the Distributor might have .. I'm from Vietnam & not sute those model available in your country .. Where are you from ??
You should try it .. The sound is imaging ..
Old 09-22-2017, 11:52 PM
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Originally Posted by mikka4
Ok. I zoom in on that picture and it has C4.2 on it, so it appears you misquoted the part number.

Thanks for pointing to a brand I wasn't aware of.
Question:
On the manufacturers website
http://www.rainbow-audio.de/en/speaker/dream-line/

The DL-C4.2 only comes with 4 corner mounting holes. Where and how did you manage to source what looks like the custom 3-mount that seem to just pop into the OEM mount.
It's not Dline range .. this is new developed dedicated plug & play for Mercedes .. The international Rainbow website has not updated it, I think they shall update it soon ..
Mercedes kit has 4" mid/tweeter & woofer .. 3 grade from low,mid to high but the woofer only has the highest model.
Depend on what country then the Distributor might have .. I'm from Vietnam & not sute those model available in your country .. Where are you from ??
You should try it .. The sound is imaging ..

Last edited by KienPC; 09-23-2017 at 09:45 AM.
Old 09-23-2017, 12:00 AM
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Originally Posted by KienPC
It's not Dline range .. this is new developed dedicated plug & play for Mercedes .. The international Rainbow website has not updated it, I think they shall update it soon ..
Mercedes kit has 4" mid/tweeter & woofer .. 3 grade from low,mid to hing but the woofer only has the highest model.
Depend on what country then the Distributor might have .. I'm from Vietnam & not sute those model available in your country .. Where are you from ??
You should try it .. The sound is imaging ..
I'm in Canada. Cannot find any distributor here or in the neighbouring US. Typically stuff like that sells on Amazon or eBay, but again these MP models only come up on Google in various Asian language countries.
Old 09-23-2017, 12:19 AM
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Originally Posted by mikka4
I'm in Canada. Cannot find any distributor here or in the neighbouring US. Typically stuff like that sells on Amazon or eBay, but again these MP models only come up on Google in various Asian language countries.
Let me check with Rainbow if they have the american regional distributor who can provide it in the Canada & come back later.

Last edited by KienPC; 09-23-2017 at 09:45 AM.
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Old 09-23-2017, 04:46 AM
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2017 C300 coupe Designo Diamond White Metallic
I too am in Canada and have been quoted different amounts for coax speakers including installation but I don't feel confident that the audio shops have worked on my model (C205) before. I do not have the alternative to install tweeters in my coupe so the speakers have to be coax.

I'm anxiously waiting for a success story that I can replicate.
Old 09-23-2017, 05:03 AM
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Originally Posted by mikka4
I haven't given up looking for 40mm coax speakers quite yet, but it appears Focal is the only one offering a neodymium component set that would suit the W205. I've so far tried the MTX set, Kicker ES40 and some off-brand "Ultimate" 4", all are between 45-50mm deep with wide conventional magnets that like the AP4 will not fit.

Here's a lengthy German thread about both the Burmester and non-burmester upgrades in the W205 running since 2015 to now. The best solution there was a custom crossover designed by the chief car audio guy "Teddy / aka Ruediger" and adding 1" tweeter to the empty panel and utilizing the *existing* OEM mid-range. He then also suggested to upgrade the A20 subwoofer in the passenger compartment with the OEM Burmester versions both in the driver & passenger footwell. It's a lengthy 89 page read and many of you will need to filter the page thru a translation, but it's the best alternative I've come across yet.

https://www.motor-talk.de/forum/klan...-t5045052.html
the DLX 4 (coax) here
Amazon Amazon

is quoted to have a mounting depth of 48mm...

in your experience, even if this speaker had 3 point mount, would it fit inside a W205 (or C205) door without modification?
Old 09-24-2017, 02:45 AM
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Originally Posted by shaunds
I looked into it. The depth of the AP4' was too much for the W205 doors so you would have to modify the door panels. Not a quick job. The only good speakers I found that can relatively easily fit based on depth (less than 40mm) were the Focals. Either the ES100K's or the 100KRS. The former being the better of the two. Both over £200 in the UK. I got the ES100k'S and helix V eight installed. 100% better. Might be looking at doing a sub at some point.
Thanks for that. However, it appears damianw was able to install those along with the entire Audison system, but never shared how he was able to mount the AP4 mids.

The Focals are too pricey, so currently I'm leaning towards a tweeter upgrade only in the mirror sails until more affordable mid-range 4" become available.

I understand neodymium magnets are more expensive, but the spread between say a MTX Thunder40 and Focal is hundreds of dollars. There's gotta be something in between.

In any case, I won't need a coax 4" after adding tweeters, so if anyone here can suggest a 4" component that the A20 HU can drive in the sub $200/pair bracket and with a 40mm depth, then this would help out many W205 owners wanting to upgrade.
Old 09-24-2017, 02:52 AM
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Originally Posted by raihak
the DLX 4 (coax) here https://www.amazon.com/Rainbow-DL-X4.../dp/B0062MVMVQ

is quoted to have a mounting depth of 48mm...

in your experience, even if this speaker had 3 point mount, would it fit inside a W205 (or C205) door without modification?
Well, I'm fishing for an answer as well, not much experience beyond the 45mm+ speakers I've tried. The MP code version of the that Rainbow speaker appears to have a modified enclosure that fits the tri-lobe chassis of the OEM.
There's a very similar ILX4 with a 3-lobe chassis fit for the BMW, but so far the only source for the MP designed for the W205 seems to exist in Asia as per KienPC's comments.

I've sent an email to Rainbow.de directly and hope to hear back next week, I'll share the answer.
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Old 09-24-2017, 02:55 AM
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Originally Posted by raihak
I too am in Canada and have been quoted different amounts for coax speakers including installation but I don't feel confident that the audio shops have worked on my model (C205) before. I do not have the alternative to install tweeters in my coupe so the speakers have to be coax.

I'm anxiously waiting for a success story that I can replicate.
Isn't that the crux with most things in Canada, eh ?
I've emailed various Car HiFi shops around Vancouver including Visions, not one has responded.

Today I returned the non-fitting 4" drivers to Visions and their Car Audio guy has never worked on a European car.
Old 09-24-2017, 06:32 PM
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W205 C220d AMG LINE 2019
Can anyone recommend a place in London who can upgrade the sound system for me in my C220d (2016).
Old 09-26-2017, 01:26 AM
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Originally Posted by mikka4
Isn't that the crux with most things in Canada, eh ?
I've emailed various Car HiFi shops around Vancouver including Visions, not one has responded.

Today I returned the non-fitting 4" drivers to Visions and their Car Audio guy has never worked on a European car.
I got quotes from 3 different shops. 2 sounded like cowboys, wasn't very reassuring.

none had worked on a W205 or a C205. There is a gentleman on this forum who had new coax (i can't remember the brand) installed on his coupe in Ottawa but he didn't specify if the door had to be modified or not.

The poor audio is really taking away from the gloss of my very first luxury vehicle.
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