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Question about mercedes factory 9 channel burmester amplifier
Can the Mercedes Benz factory 9 channel Burmester (Harmon Kardon) amplifier handle 2 ohm speakers?
Background:
I have the factory Burmester system and recently installed an Audison Prima AP8.9 bit amplifier which can handle 4 ohm or 2 ohm (unbridged)
The Audison is currently bridged on channels 3/4 and 5/6 to feed the two front left and right factory Burmester subwoofers. They must be 4 ohm because the Audison does not do 2 ohm bridged (whoops)
Now the reason I ask is I would like to upgrade the two front subs and I have found several plug and play options. But two of those options are 2 ohm speakers sets.
If I revert back to the stock amplifier I don't want any issues if it can't handle 2 ohm speakers .
The fact that two manufacturers offer 2 ohm subs for the W205 leads me to believe the factory amplifier can handle 2ohm speakers??
Option #1 Rainbow IL-S8 MBL or R (right and left) $300 each
Peak Power Handling 90 Watt
Nominal power handling 50 Watt Impedance 4 ohms
8.0 inch (20 cm) subwoofer
Max. 90 Watts
Mounting Size: 65 x 45 x 4,5 mm
Option #2 Eton UG MB195 L $449 for pair.
195 mm (8“) air dryed, hand coated paper cone
50 mm ( 2“) voice coil
Neodym magnet system
Sound pressure level 87dB Impedance 2 Ohms
Nominal power 150/200W
Option #3 STEG BZW80L/R $460 a pair
Cone material:Special Paper DCR Impedance:2.2Ω
Maximum power Input:50 W
Frequency Range:55-1500Hz
Sensityvity 1W/1M:90dB
Found Option #4 MATCH UP W8MB-S4 $500
Power RMS / Max. 100/200 Watt
frequency range 25 Hz - 250 Hz impedance 4 Ω
Efficiency of 1 W / 1 m 88 dB
Which footwell subs did you end up going with? And are the results good? From the research I have done, it appears the Match Audiotech Fischer footwell subs go quite low , with a frequency response of 25 - 500 . Couldn't find any frequency response data on the Eton's though, which are "supposedly" a superior brand.... so I'm not sure how their footwell sub compares with the Match product... and I couldn't find any technical data on the frequency response for the Rainbow's either...so same question I guess. This company also offers a dizzying array of OEM upgrades https://allwoodsaudio.com/mercedes-385-c.asp but some of the "subs" are really just "woofers" I suspect..... they dont go particularly deep or low.
I've just had a Focal FDS1.350 installed in my C63S coupe today, to drive the OEM Burmeister Footwell subs. Feeding them more power has certainly brought them to life ... but really interested to know what you ended up doing and whether you feel it was worthwhile?
Which footwell subs did you end up going with? And are the results good? From the research I have done, it appears the Match Audiotech Fischer footwell subs go quite low , with a frequency response of 25 - 500 . Couldn't find any frequency response data on the Eton's though, which are "supposedly" a superior brand.... so I'm not sure how their footwell sub compares with the Match product... and I couldn't find any technical data on the frequency response for the Rainbow's either...so same question I guess. This company also offers a dizzying array of OEM upgrades https://allwoodsaudio.com/mercedes-385-c.asp but some of the "subs" are really just "woofers" I suspect..... they dont go particularly deep or low.
I've just had a Focal FDS1.350 installed in my C63S coupe today, to drive the OEM Burmeister Footwell subs. Feeding them more power has certainly brought them to life ... but really interested to know what you ended up doing and whether you feel it was worthwhile?
I got the complete Match speaker set for W205 and installed them.
The Match subwoofer frequency response is listed as 25 Hz - 250 Hz. I still run them on Full Range.
I went with MATCH because of price, performance and they provided full specs and proper information on their products.
Plus, I will be replacing the Audison Prima 8.9 DSP and driving them with a Helix V TWELVE DSP soon. (keep it in the family)
Happy with the result from the new subwoofers? Significant improvement?
Very much, yes. The Burmester factory subs (and speakers) are not actually terrible if you have the ability to tweak them right. But the match subs have a better range and deeper smoother bass. Mids have greater range.
I am expecting even better results after installing the V Twelve DSP and tweaking.
I have solder my adapter cables this week.
How were you going to get your hands on the Rainbow subs? I'm trying to get those as well as the door components and I'm not having any luck (The IL-C4.2S MB)
How were you going to get your hands on the Rainbow subs? I'm trying to get those as well as the door components and I'm not having any luck (The IL-C4.2S MB)
I wish, I just did another search. The only one they have are Rainbow’s bottom end IL C4.2C MB. I’m looking for the IL C4.2S MB. And no subs. (IL-S8 MB R or L). This is USA eBay. I checked UK eBay too but no luck.
If you’ve found them, please share the link.
I wonder if I can make a 4” set for a BMW fit? But still doesn’t solve the problem of no subs.
I wish, I just did another search. The only one they have are Rainbow’s bottom end IL C4.2C MB. I’m looking for the IL C4.2S MB. And no subs. (IL-S8 MB R or L). This is USA eBay. I checked UK eBay too but no luck.
If you’ve found them, please share the link.
I wonder if I can make a 4” set for a BMW fit? But still doesn’t solve the problem of no subs.
Ask the seller, audio for fun if he can get the Mercedes version.
So Audio for Fun couldn’t help me but you did give me a great idea and I’ve messaged most of the people selling Rainbow speakers on eBay. So far I’m striking out with the subs but I did find a set of components (IL-C4.2S MB). It looks like the subs may be a lost cause.
So Audio for Fun couldn’t help me but you did give me a great idea and I’ve messaged most of the people selling Rainbow speakers on eBay. So far I’m striking out with the subs but I did find a set of components (IL-C4.2S MB). It looks like the subs may be a lost cause.
You could also try contacting online stores from UK.
They might be! For me, it’s sticking with the familiar as I’ve never heard any of Match/Eton etc speakers.
It looks like they don’t sell the woofers in the UK because in the UK, cars are RHD and the set only works for LHD. Oh well. I tried eBay, Finland, Switzerland, Romania, and Germany and no one will ship to the US.
time to go a different route. Probably Match or GZ.
They might be! For me, it’s sticking with the familiar as I’ve never heard any of Match/Eton etc speakers.
It looks like they don’t sell the woofers in the UK because in the UK, cars are RHD and the set only works for LHD. Oh well. I tried eBay, Finland, Switzerland, Romania, and Germany and no one will ship to the US.
time to go a different route. Probably Match or GZ.
The steg subs have an interesting frequency range.
55-1500Hz
That means better mid tuning. I am curious, but i dont get the 50w.
Yes. It’s funny you brought that up as I was just looking at that. As a relatively uneducated person in the technical aspects of car audio. I was looking at power handling and frequency of these aftermarket footwell woofers.
Steg - 55Hz-1500Hz, 200W RMS
“Special paper cone”
Match - 25Hz-250Hz, 100W RMS
Coated paper cone
Eton - None listed - 200W RMS
Coated paper cone
Rainbow - None Listed - 90W max
Who knows what the cones are made of (The white cones are supposed to be upgraded but I can’t find the info on it)
Ground Zero (LHD) - 40Hz-2500Hz, 50W to 90W
Pressed paper cone
much higher than the Steg...
Oddly enough, Ground Zero makes a completely different footwell sub for right hand drive cars.
Ground Zero (RHD) - 30Hz-1500Hz, 110W to 220W
Coated glass fiber cone
Yes. It’s funny you brought that up as I was just looking at that. As a relatively uneducated person in the technical aspects of car audio. I was looking at power handling and frequency of these aftermarket footwell woofers.
Steg - 55Hz-1500Hz, 200W RMS
“Special paper cone”
Match - 25Hz-250Hz, 100W RMS
Coated paper cone
Eton - None listed - 200W RMS
Coated paper cone
Rainbow - None Listed - 90W max
Who knows what the cones are made of (The white cones are supposed to be upgraded but I can’t find the info on it)
Ground Zero (LHD) - 40Hz-2500Hz, 50W to 90W
Pressed paper cone
much higher than the Steg...
Oddly enough, Ground Zero makes a completely different footwell sub for right hand drive cars.
Ground Zero (RHD) - 30Hz-1500Hz, 110W to 220W
Coated glass fiber cone
Hey BenzDude, did you get your Helix V Twelve DSP installed yet?
Nope. Been busy and haven't even made the cables. Plus, I loaded a different calibration to my JL Audio Fix 82 and audio quality has been so sweet, I just keep driving around town.
Are you going to use a JL Fix? I’ve read the Helix doesn’t need one but I’ve never installed one. I think you’ve convinced me to go the Helix route so please, all the info you can provide. I may go the 8 channel route and jettison the center channel.
Are you going to use a JL Fix? I’ve read the Helix doesn’t need one but I’ve never installed one. I think you’ve convinced me to go the Helix route so please, all the info you can provide. I may go the 8 channel route and jettison the center channel.
Depends on your situation. I have a Burmester factory AMP in my chain.
The JL Fix 82 ($300) provides me with a FLAT, summed signal from the Burmester AMP into the new DSP AMP via optical. (All Delays and EQs are removed for me)
(I am only using the Front L/R and Sub L/R into the Fix 82 to get a full range signal )
You can use the Helix V EIGHT DSP standalone, but then you have to flatten and adjust the INPUT signal yourself using the input RTA and audio tuning skills. (I am not an expert yet)
Another option would be to use Nav TV ZEN-M MOST150 box ($700), which allows you to remove the factory (Burmester) amp completely out of the chain and provides output signals via optical and (12) analog outputs. (all outputs generate audio and can be used simultaneously into a DSP. )
The zen-m also provides automatic ON/OFF remote trigger (from the head unit) and retains volume control, full fade and balance (on analog only).