rear subwoofer upgrade
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I have just fitted a Kicker powerd sub to my beloved CLK. It is a temporary measure. I am looking for the right units to install into the rear parcel shelf.
The options as I see them are:
1 - Fit freeair 8" subs to the parcel shelf. I am assured this will do an OK job. Free air subs are quite difficult to find. Most subs are designed to fit an enclosure. Those ugly great boxes covered in black carpet. Freeair do not work as well as enclosed subs, but will a better job than the nasty units already in the car.
2 - Fit mid range speakers to the parcel shelf and install a sub in the boot (or trunk for you americans). The type of enclosure you opt for can either be of the stealth variety, ie designed to look like a part of the vehicle, or the kind favoured by those who want to make a big bass statement from two blocks away
I would strongly recommend replacing the head unit first, then the door speakers, add a decent ampifier, then worry about the sub last.
What do you have at the moment?
The options as I see them are:
1 - Fit freeair 8" subs to the parcel shelf. I am assured this will do an OK job. Free air subs are quite difficult to find. Most subs are designed to fit an enclosure. Those ugly great boxes covered in black carpet. Freeair do not work as well as enclosed subs, but will a better job than the nasty units already in the car.
2 - Fit mid range speakers to the parcel shelf and install a sub in the boot (or trunk for you americans). The type of enclosure you opt for can either be of the stealth variety, ie designed to look like a part of the vehicle, or the kind favoured by those who want to make a big bass statement from two blocks away
I would strongly recommend replacing the head unit first, then the door speakers, add a decent ampifier, then worry about the sub last.
What do you have at the moment?
Last edited by Nic Sadler; Jun 22, 2003 at 11:36 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 845
Likes: 0
From: West Covina, CA
S60R, ML320, W211/E350
The amps are actually in the picture too.... they are under the top cover, the bottom bigger cover are the subs, the top is the amps.
It took my stereo shop a while to figure out this design, cause I told them I wanted my trunk, it was a major concern for me...
I had to give up my spare tire and tools, but heck, my dealer drives to where I am to replace flats anyways, so I figure I don't need my spare tire...
It took my stereo shop a while to figure out this design, cause I told them I wanted my trunk, it was a major concern for me...
I had to give up my spare tire and tools, but heck, my dealer drives to where I am to replace flats anyways, so I figure I don't need my spare tire...
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 845
Likes: 0
From: West Covina, CA
S60R, ML320, W211/E350
I am using a combination of Kenwood, Eclipse, and Diamond components.
Kenwood headunit, Naigation, Eclipse Amps, and Diamond speakers.
Just added the Kenwood Digital proessor, so now I have 5.1 digital douby surround sound....
And because of that, I had to add 2 monitors on my headrests... for my rear passengers..... Oh and I also have a P2 hooked up.
Kenwood headunit, Naigation, Eclipse Amps, and Diamond speakers.
Just added the Kenwood Digital proessor, so now I have 5.1 digital douby surround sound....
And because of that, I had to add 2 monitors on my headrests... for my rear passengers..... Oh and I also have a P2 hooked up.
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Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
I really like the Rockfords they can handle the power without a box. The JL's are designed for a enclosure. They would work but chances are that the bottom will drop out of then in no time. I actually had to turn down the gains on my amp because there was to much bass in the car. The Rockford's kick ***.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
My current setup:
Alpine 7811R head unit.
Kenwood Dual Mag component and coaxials in the doors.
Kicker self powered sub in the boot.
My intention:
Replace original subs in parcel shelf with coaxial speakers, probably another set of Kenwood dual mags.
5 channel amp to run the front door speakers, sub and rear speakers.
12" sub in custom box fitted to recess in the left of the boot area.
Coaxial speakers in the rear of the door running off the head unit also connected to a bluetooth hands fee phone kit.
Am I insane? Anyone tried running midrange speakers on the parcel shelf? Any other recommendations other than Rockford?
Alpine 7811R head unit.
Kenwood Dual Mag component and coaxials in the doors.
Kicker self powered sub in the boot.
My intention:
Replace original subs in parcel shelf with coaxial speakers, probably another set of Kenwood dual mags.
5 channel amp to run the front door speakers, sub and rear speakers.
12" sub in custom box fitted to recess in the left of the boot area.
Coaxial speakers in the rear of the door running off the head unit also connected to a bluetooth hands fee phone kit.
Am I insane? Anyone tried running midrange speakers on the parcel shelf? Any other recommendations other than Rockford?
Last edited by Nic Sadler; Jun 24, 2003 at 04:02 AM.
Super Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: Asheville, NC
13 S550 4Matic
I would kill the kenwood speakers and go with higher quality stuff like MbQuart, Diamond Audio, or the DynAudio setup. DynAudio is exspensive but once you've heard them there is no comparison to any other brand! I don't have them in my car yet, but I plan on upgrading soon.
If you truely want quality sound then you really need to upgrade the whole setup from the deck to the amp. Then worry about the speakers.
L8tr
Jeremy
If you truely want quality sound then you really need to upgrade the whole setup from the deck to the amp. Then worry about the speakers.
L8tr
Jeremy
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,974
Likes: 5
From: Southern California
2017 W205 C43 AMG
I agree
I was told to upgrade everything (H/U, Changer, Speakers, 2 amps and Subs) and that doing piece by piece would not sound much more different than stock.
The whole deal using Alpine stuff was running around $2500 total, which I'd rather spend towards rims and tires!
The whole deal using Alpine stuff was running around $2500 total, which I'd rather spend towards rims and tires!
Super Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: Asheville, NC
13 S550 4Matic
It will sound totally different than stock if done right! It takes a certain amount of experience to get things correct as well. You can't just replace the speakers or head unit and expect anything, you have to at least amp them (not just the sub) in order to get proper sound.
It also depends where you want to spend the money. I did my stereo first then rims and so on......as long as you do it all who cares right hahahaha.
L8tr
It also depends where you want to spend the money. I did my stereo first then rims and so on......as long as you do it all who cares right hahahaha.
L8tr
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 14,362
Likes: 1
From: Staples Center
w211 & w124
Hey Bruce I like your setup but what's behind the enclosure? I can't imagine the subs need that much space from the back of the seats. It may be just the picture angle or do you have your amps hidden back there as well.
Either way, looks clean and I bet it sounds good too.
Did you do any insulation for the vibration? Does your trunk rattle when you're bumpin'?
Either way, looks clean and I bet it sounds good too.
Did you do any insulation for the vibration? Does your trunk rattle when you're bumpin'?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
Thanks for the compliments guys, I pushed the subs further away from the backseat and custom made the setup myself, I'll work on it a little more this summer, this one is just temporary. The trunk does not rattle at all when I have the bass to max. The license plate frame was rattling before so I put some double-sided tape under it. Those 10s sound pretty clean.
-Bruce
-Bruce
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
You are lucky, I have two 12's, and something in the back of my car is rattling like hell even at low volume. When I find the time, I am going to tear the thing apart and get to the source of it.
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
check behind the first aid kit. Thats where I experiences the biggest rattle problem. I use foam in behind there to get rid of the rattle and it worked great. Also the rear head liner. You can fit thin foam in there and that helps too
