DogWagen

Working up some improvements for the DogWagon - the current audio system is stock and leaves a lot to be desired. Do any of you have suggestions for a speaker upgrade for the C43 Wagon? I've searched the forum and not found any hints so...what's your experience?

The head unit is going to be an Alpine IDA-X305 (ipod ready etc)

Front door - Focal 165-A1 components
Rear Doors - Focal 130 CA1 co-ax
Load space -Infinity basslink2

Look forward to your input,

Mike

steve s

i don't suppose u have the weatherband thing down below the stock head unit? if u do, u could get a flip out nav (unless u don't want/need it) for the upper single din and then a dvd changer or sound processor in the lower single din

focals? they are very nice, but are u simply going to drive them with the head unit?

(btw, does ur system have lots of background noise? my bose does, and it's rather annoying)

silence

yeah- run image dynamics not focal

actually, for what those cost just buy jbl or infinity

the cheap focals really suck, the better ones still aren't great



there are some serious challenges to installing in this car (noise being one of them). The other two main ones are the difficulty in getting good mid-range punch up front and in keeping the sub-stage from sounding very directional in the trunk. The solutions I've found are likely beyond what you are interested in doing to your car. However, with proper expectations going in and decent speakers you should be happy with a basic "drop-in" installation.

unless you've listened to those focals and just love them I'd really recommend you look elsewhere though. I can go into more detailed review of them if need be (ie- point out weaknesses etc.)

MarcusF

I like the x305. I've bought two of them.

steve s

skip the infinity kappas.. seem to be lacking in the mid-range. their metallic tweeters are overly bright. the dls i have now are much warmer and richer. then again.. sound is very very subjective

i do have id as my subwoofer.. nice and compact. (see sig for my wagon)

DogWagen

Good feedback Guys - thanks.

I have heard the focals in store and they were pretty impressive...but that's just not the same as installed in the wagon. Image Dynamics I hadn't heard of and there doesn't seem to be many suppliers in the UK so some more digging needed.

Steve S - there's a bit of background noise with the current install but it's not that noticeable/annoying. I will amplify the fronts if the Alpine doesn't have the punch - probably Genesis profile 2 or 4. Were the Kappas you've used/heard amplified? You also mention dls - any specific model?

Silence - I would appreciate knowing a little more about the focal's weaknesses. Previously I've used JBL in my old 911 and Infinity Reference components in my Peugeot - all with good results so I do have a backup plan!

Mike

DogWagen

Thanks Marcus - that's good to hear.

steve s

i use id 12. i'm sure there's something else that u can find in uk

maybe it's diff in the c43, but the c36 bose system has a rather loud hiss/buzz. was pretty disappointed.

yes, the kappas were amplified by alpine v12 amps. i'm sure the references components u had were a lot smoother as they probably had silk tweets rather than kappa's metallic.

dls ultimate ur6 in kicker pods for the front. gotta keep swedish speakers in the swedish wagon right? . was powered by xtant amps, but i needed some more space so i switched to alpine pdx amps. they're kinda noise (the latter), wished i had went with jl audio's digital amps (altho quite a bit more expensive). oh well, got rid of all the noise except a turn-on pop from one of the two pdx.. for the rear i used jl audio vr600-csi just to keep the rear occupants happy.

dls has even more expensive speakers such as the nobeliums. not sure what ur price range is.. but seas and dynaudio speakers seem popular with high end installations. and i'm sure there are dynaudio dealers in uk.. (if not, steal some from volvo dealers hehehe.) the scandanavians really know how to make speakers huh?

either way, if u'r gonna get some nice speakers, might as well amplify them to get the best sound efficiently. easy to do since u'r not using the stock head unit. and even better, the battery is in the trunk, so no messy thick power wires running up and down the car. u could probably ground it directly to the battery too rather than the chassis.

DogWagen

Steve - useful stuff. I'll keep you all posted on how it turns out. Roll on November!

hcetzneb

Can you please post a pic of you car !!! Such a rare car you dont see many of them.

edemac8

Lets see some pictures! I want to find one for my dad, but there are none around!? Its the perfect car for the family and day at the beach with the dogs!

steve s

they never imported the w202 amg estate to the states

DogWagen

Pictures..? OK! Here you go...

The car was bought very much as a daily driver and family car 4 years ago so is stock for ease of use. I do take the dog in the back and have a proper MB Dog Guard and divider when I need to bring dog plus bags - it really does work well. In case you were wondering - yellow labrador retriever (not my choice, I'd have had a liver/white springer spaniel had the Boss let me...)

Plans - get car out of store, sort the audio and enjoy....perhaps some mild mods - grille and later wheels?

Mike

Benz360

Ooops