Burmester stereo settings
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
C63 AMG S
Burmester stereo settings
The premium Burmester system looks absolutely incredible but unfortunately just doesn't have the high quality sound I got from my previous factory HK system. The volume gets plenty loud but it's somehow missing the fullness and punch of the HK.
Is it because the Burmester system uses smaller speakers and frontbass?
Whatever the reason, I just can't get it to sound "right."
Anyone figured out the best settings to use? In particular, I'm interested in knowing if you have the surround on or off, what numbers you have the dials set to for treble, mid, and bass, and if you adjust the balance.
I'm hoping Mercedes didn't make a mistake by switching to Burmester...
Is it because the Burmester system uses smaller speakers and frontbass?
Whatever the reason, I just can't get it to sound "right."
Anyone figured out the best settings to use? In particular, I'm interested in knowing if you have the surround on or off, what numbers you have the dials set to for treble, mid, and bass, and if you adjust the balance.
I'm hoping Mercedes didn't make a mistake by switching to Burmester...
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 324
Likes: 9
From: Chapel Hill, NC
2015 C63S E1; 2016 C450 AMG
Initially, I found the treble quite harsh. However, after about 20 hours of initial break-in, the sound mellowed. Now the treble sounds detailed but not harsh. On the other hand, the bass was out of balance with the rest of the sound. I like good, strong bass, but when set at 0, the bass is just too loud compared to the mids and highs. This effect also diminished some over time, but even after hundreds of hours, I find the bass too strong when set to 0.
My settings are, surround on, no adjustment to balance or fade, treble and mid at 0 and bass at -2. It sounds quite good to me, but everyone has different tastes and preferences.
My settings are, surround on, no adjustment to balance or fade, treble and mid at 0 and bass at -2. It sounds quite good to me, but everyone has different tastes and preferences.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
C63 AMG S
Initially, I found the treble quite harsh. However, after about 20 hours of initial break-in, the sound mellowed. Now the treble sounds detailed but not harsh. On the other hand, the bass was out of balance with the rest of the sound. I like good, strong bass, but when set at 0, the bass is just too loud compared to the mids and highs. This effect also diminished some over time, but even after hundreds of hours, I find the bass too strong when set to 0.
My settings are, surround on, no adjustment to balance or fade, treble and mid at 0 and bass at -2. It sounds quite good to me, but everyone has different tastes and preferences.
My settings are, surround on, no adjustment to balance or fade, treble and mid at 0 and bass at -2. It sounds quite good to me, but everyone has different tastes and preferences.
Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 194
Likes: 2
From: East Coast
15 AMG C63S ED1
Try turning the rear speakers off and only using them for passengers. This starts the beginning of a great front soundstage and you'll experience better bass response. Surround isn't needed at all. I have that turned off. Perhaps surround sound is useful for video files you load and play through the stereo.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 73
C204 C250-CDI
The premium Burmester system looks absolutely incredible but unfortunately just doesn't have the high quality sound I got from my previous factory HK system. The volume gets plenty loud but it's somehow missing the fullness and punch of the HK.
Is it because the Burmester system uses smaller speakers and frontbass?
Whatever the reason, I just can't get it to sound "right."
Anyone figured out the best settings to use? In particular, I'm interested in knowing if you have the surround on or off, what numbers you have the dials set to for treble, mid, and bass, and if you adjust the balance.
I'm hoping Mercedes didn't make a mistake by switching to Burmester...
Is it because the Burmester system uses smaller speakers and frontbass?
Whatever the reason, I just can't get it to sound "right."
Anyone figured out the best settings to use? In particular, I'm interested in knowing if you have the surround on or off, what numbers you have the dials set to for treble, mid, and bass, and if you adjust the balance.
I'm hoping Mercedes didn't make a mistake by switching to Burmester...
I get to drive a new W205 on weekends with the new top spec Burmester sound system and always then look forward to getting back into my C204 for the weekly daily commute with the Harmon Kardon that sounds a lot better even without having to adjust anything at all, with this new Burmester I've tried heaps of adjustment and still it sounds inferior...but is supposed to be better go figure
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane
W205 C63S
I agree that the Burmester is a massive let down give the hype behind it. The HK in my old BMW was much better overall sound - however the clarity of the Burmester I will admit is absolutely awesome. I didn't know sounds could be that clear from the same sources.
However the Bass is absolutely woeful and the fact that listening to audio through a USB cable to the iPhone is the only "good" way to listen to it is so poor. Normal DAB/FM just has no bass to it - even if maxed out at 10. It sounds like its stuck on 3 compared to via the USB/iPhone. Even using Bluetooth the sound just sounds so inferior compared to USB.
I run my settings at -4 -4 10 to get any decent deep sounding output. I listen to EDM a fair bit so it does make it sound a little woeful. Even then the bass is really short and very full/smooth.
I have also noticed that slight volume adjustments can impact the bass processing and suddenly it can go from sounds pretty good to suddenly missing bass without any setting change. I just wish we could access the full EQ for each audio input!
Plus the vibrating speaker issues is just so poor - any audio book is just unbearable to listen to for a long time as it happens on certain sounds or words only (and unexpected).
Very disappointed in the sounds system for a car that costs this much.
However the Bass is absolutely woeful and the fact that listening to audio through a USB cable to the iPhone is the only "good" way to listen to it is so poor. Normal DAB/FM just has no bass to it - even if maxed out at 10. It sounds like its stuck on 3 compared to via the USB/iPhone. Even using Bluetooth the sound just sounds so inferior compared to USB.
I run my settings at -4 -4 10 to get any decent deep sounding output. I listen to EDM a fair bit so it does make it sound a little woeful. Even then the bass is really short and very full/smooth.
I have also noticed that slight volume adjustments can impact the bass processing and suddenly it can go from sounds pretty good to suddenly missing bass without any setting change. I just wish we could access the full EQ for each audio input!
Plus the vibrating speaker issues is just so poor - any audio book is just unbearable to listen to for a long time as it happens on certain sounds or words only (and unexpected).
Very disappointed in the sounds system for a car that costs this much.
