Stereo Upgrade
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clk430 coupe black opal
Stereo Upgrade
I know a number of members have discussed the woeful CLK Speakers. I'm looking to get info on any successful Stereo Replacements/Upgrades. I saw a couple of folks have the Alpine IVA-c800 with amps and speakers. How much did it cost. Also, would I still be able to use steering controls? Anyway, any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
2001 CLK-430 Black Opal, K3, K4
Thanks
2001 CLK-430 Black Opal, K3, K4
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Pennsylvania
2002 MB CLK55
I've got a quote from my local guy for an "invisible" upgrade as follows:
a/d/s 850 amp and front speakers
mb quart rear speakers
JL Audio 8" subs in back deck
Head unit and cd changer remaining untouched
I don't know the model numbers for the speakers, they all retail in the $300-400 range per pair
Price: $2400 incl install
Thoughts would be most appreciated.
a/d/s 850 amp and front speakers
mb quart rear speakers
JL Audio 8" subs in back deck
Head unit and cd changer remaining untouched
I don't know the model numbers for the speakers, they all retail in the $300-400 range per pair
Price: $2400 incl install
Thoughts would be most appreciated.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Ny, NY
ok, You are getting severly ripped off, I cant get you all those things for like 1000 and then you could take it to get installed for like 200 max. Tell me exactly what he is putting in, also model number if you can, and I gaurantee you I can get a much better price.
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Did he ask you what kind of music you listen to or did he just make up this list for you? From the look of your list, this set up is not for Bon Jovi kind of stuff. I hope thats what you want.
I'm very surpised he'll put a/d/s speakers in front and MBQuart in rear. The MBQuart has nicer treble than a/d/s, why is he putting them on the rear? Strange!!! If you really dont listen to some very heavy bass/metal music, I would suggest you to have something like this:
Focal PolyKevlar speakers in front
Focal PolyGlass 8" sub on the rear deck (This is optional. To increase mid-bass because the CLK's two 4" speakers on the rear door panels are useless, they are facing right on your seat! The sounds are getting no where. Take them out.)
Focal PolyKevlar 13" sub in the trunk (one is good enough)
Get a nice headunit and a 4 or 6 channels Amp (a MUST!)
There's no point for you to change to all these nice speakers without changing the head unit and adding an amp. Just a waste of money! The headunit and the amp are the most important thing when you want to upgrade yr stereo.
And I am no stereo retailer, dont ask me for prices. Just wanna give you some suggestions. Good luck!
I'm very surpised he'll put a/d/s speakers in front and MBQuart in rear. The MBQuart has nicer treble than a/d/s, why is he putting them on the rear? Strange!!! If you really dont listen to some very heavy bass/metal music, I would suggest you to have something like this:
Focal PolyKevlar speakers in front
Focal PolyGlass 8" sub on the rear deck (This is optional. To increase mid-bass because the CLK's two 4" speakers on the rear door panels are useless, they are facing right on your seat! The sounds are getting no where. Take them out.)
Focal PolyKevlar 13" sub in the trunk (one is good enough)
Get a nice headunit and a 4 or 6 channels Amp (a MUST!)
There's no point for you to change to all these nice speakers without changing the head unit and adding an amp. Just a waste of money! The headunit and the amp are the most important thing when you want to upgrade yr stereo.
And I am no stereo retailer, dont ask me for prices. Just wanna give you some suggestions. Good luck!
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From: Pennsylvania
2002 MB CLK55
Harris, got another dealer's idea today.
BTW, the first setup did include an a/d/s amp, you must have missed it in my post.
Anyway, dealer #2:
sat radio xm receiver and antenna
alpine 5 channel amp, 357
focal polykevlar in front (ironic, huh, just what you said)
boston acoustic pro series 4.5 rear, with tweeters mounted up high
single JL audio 10" subwoofer
alpine xm radio/ single cd head unit, 7893
alpine 6 cd changer in back
$2900 including install and cables, etc, if I trade in my factory changer
I am beginning to think that replacing the rear door speakers is a total waste of money.
What do you folks think?
BTW, the first setup did include an a/d/s amp, you must have missed it in my post.
Anyway, dealer #2:
sat radio xm receiver and antenna
alpine 5 channel amp, 357
focal polykevlar in front (ironic, huh, just what you said)
boston acoustic pro series 4.5 rear, with tweeters mounted up high
single JL audio 10" subwoofer
alpine xm radio/ single cd head unit, 7893
alpine 6 cd changer in back
$2900 including install and cables, etc, if I trade in my factory changer
I am beginning to think that replacing the rear door speakers is a total waste of money.
What do you folks think?
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I have a feeling that this post is going to be moved to the stereo forum in the near future....
Anyways, this quote seems a bit more logic & reasonable than the previous one. As I mentioned before, the rear 4" speakers should be left blank. It doesnt make sense to spend $300 on a pair of speakers which are directly hitting the side of the seats. Boston Acoustics makes good speakers, but IMO they are a bit out-dated. If you're into "that" class of speakers (like a/d/s, boston, mbquart, focal), Focal is the best of all. And JL Audio subs are pretty cheap, one JL 10" sub will not get you anywhere! Trust me, I used to have 2 10" sub in the trunk and I didnt feel anything. (I'm a pop Jazz/Orchestra guy, but I still like solid bass).
You have two speakers on the rear deck, did anyone tell you what to do with them?
Your factory changer worth nothing. So dont worry about it.
If you want to ask me in details, feel free to send me an e-mail:
admin@mercedesbenzamg.com
Anyways, this quote seems a bit more logic & reasonable than the previous one. As I mentioned before, the rear 4" speakers should be left blank. It doesnt make sense to spend $300 on a pair of speakers which are directly hitting the side of the seats. Boston Acoustics makes good speakers, but IMO they are a bit out-dated. If you're into "that" class of speakers (like a/d/s, boston, mbquart, focal), Focal is the best of all. And JL Audio subs are pretty cheap, one JL 10" sub will not get you anywhere! Trust me, I used to have 2 10" sub in the trunk and I didnt feel anything. (I'm a pop Jazz/Orchestra guy, but I still like solid bass).
You have two speakers on the rear deck, did anyone tell you what to do with them?
Your factory changer worth nothing. So dont worry about it.
If you want to ask me in details, feel free to send me an e-mail:
admin@mercedesbenzamg.com
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,633
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From: Dallas, TX
W212 E63, Audi R8 4.2, Panamera S, Range Rover Sport GT
I would run:
McIntosh MX406 head unit
McIntosh MPM4000 meter module
McIntosh MCD4000 CD changer
McIntosh MCC404M and MCC302 amplifiers
Focal poly kevlar drivers in cabin
Sub(s) of your choice on rear deck
or
Alpine IVA-C800
Alpine DVA-5205
Xtant X604 and X1001 amplifiers
Focal poly kevlar drivers in cabin
Xtant X1244 subs on rear deck or in trunk
Just my opinion.
McIntosh MX406 head unit
McIntosh MPM4000 meter module
McIntosh MCD4000 CD changer
McIntosh MCC404M and MCC302 amplifiers
Focal poly kevlar drivers in cabin
Sub(s) of your choice on rear deck
or
Alpine IVA-C800
Alpine DVA-5205
Xtant X604 and X1001 amplifiers
Focal poly kevlar drivers in cabin
Xtant X1244 subs on rear deck or in trunk
Just my opinion.
Last edited by lee2375; Mar 7, 2002 at 04:10 PM.
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Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 41
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From: Pennsylvania
2002 MB CLK55
Lee, do you agree no speakers in the rear door factory location?
When I mentioned this to the installer he agreed with Harris that they could be bypassed without any real loss of quality.
When I mentioned this to the installer he agreed with Harris that they could be bypassed without any real loss of quality.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,633
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, TX
W212 E63, Audi R8 4.2, Panamera S, Range Rover Sport GT
Yes, I believe the rear speakers can be bypassed w/o sacrifice in sound quality. However, it's just knowing that you don't have matching rear speakers that bothers me.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 59
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From: Ny, NY
If you dont want to change the head unit, because you will lose steerign wheel controls:
-mb quarts all around about 7-800
-kicker 12 solobaric in trunk about 300 with box
-zapco amp about 500
- kicker zr360 amp for sub about 300
Really anything decent you put, will make the sound better than what it is now, just put it that way
-mb quarts all around about 7-800
-kicker 12 solobaric in trunk about 300 with box
-zapco amp about 500
- kicker zr360 amp for sub about 300
Really anything decent you put, will make the sound better than what it is now, just put it that way
