Project Dynavin - audio installation
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 8
From: Chicago (Palos Park)
2023 CLA 250, 2021 GLC43, 2003 CLK320
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,748
Likes: 0
From: A Canadian in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
'05 C200K SS, '05 Kleemann CLK500K, '08 Hummer H3 & '92 Z34 5sp (track car in Canada)
It would go something like this, "if you drive a Benz, you appreciate the details, now let's talk home audio/video..." Noing to it 
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 8
From: Chicago (Palos Park)
2023 CLA 250, 2021 GLC43, 2003 CLK320
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 8
From: Chicago (Palos Park)
2023 CLA 250, 2021 GLC43, 2003 CLK320
Update - the project is moving forward. All the parts are now ordered, speakers, amp cables, dynamat. There seems to be a delay with the speakers shipping but they are now on the way. I will post some details on the cabling, hardware selections and the plan soon. A bit swamped at the moment with work and side projects.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 8
From: Chicago (Palos Park)
2023 CLA 250, 2021 GLC43, 2003 CLK320
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 8
From: Chicago (Palos Park)
2023 CLA 250, 2021 GLC43, 2003 CLK320
I have just traced the opening with the tracing paper and cut out the shape. Placing it on the Dynavin unit that I got looks like a perfect fit.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,748
Likes: 0
From: A Canadian in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
'05 C200K SS, '05 Kleemann CLK500K, '08 Hummer H3 & '92 Z34 5sp (track car in Canada)
If you are going to do the floor, use the matting with the foam underlay rather than just the regular style, it isolates road noise far better and it great to cut channels into for wire routing
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Mercedes-Benz CLK AMG
Where Is the Amp In my Car Located? Or Do I Not Have An Amp
Hi There guys, apparently I do not have a Bose amp, however Im not sure If i even have an amp at all. I want to install Dynavin and I wanted to ask if it will be easy "plug and play" because I dont have a fiber optic amp, do you guys think I dont have a amp based on the pictures,or should I check other areas of teh car for an amp? Any help would be great guys, Thanks
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 8
From: Chicago (Palos Park)
2023 CLA 250, 2021 GLC43, 2003 CLK320
We should start a new thread in the Lifestyle forum https://mbworld.org/forums/audio-video-129/
I have to get going now to leave for a few day trip, but will be happy to post in it and chat about home audio when I get back.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 8
From: Chicago (Palos Park)
2023 CLA 250, 2021 GLC43, 2003 CLK320
Hi There guys, apparently I do not have a Bose amp, however Im not sure If i even have an amp at all. I want to install Dynavin and I wanted to ask if it will be easy "plug and play" because I don't have a fiber optic amp, do you guys think I don't have a amp based on the pictures,or should I check other areas of the car for an amp? Any help would be great guys, Thanks
If thats the case and you want to skip buying the amp, then you can use the Dynavin HU to power the speakers as it has 4x45w build in amp. Sure the sound will suffer in terms of fidelity but its your choice. So in theory you should be able to remove the existing HU, basically plug and play the Dynavin in to the same plugs and it should work. One other question is what speakers you have. As you mentioned it does not say Bose on the subwoofer located on the rear shelf and as you only have option 254 RADIO MB AUDIO 30 - USA per your VIN, you do not have Bose. Hopefully these will be normal 4ohm speakers and Dynavin HU will then power them fine. I think only Bose uses the 2ohm speakers as their amp is basically not build to be able to power anything bigger but I do not want to get in to Bose debate here
So confirm yo do not have an amp and the Audio 30 HU is powering the speakers and confirm these are 4ohm. Then you should be plug and play and no need to run wires, replace speakers and add amps. Now if you are after good sound then you will want to replace the speakers anyway and add a good amp. That will also require running power / audio signal cables to the amp and some rewiring for the tweeters and crossovers etc.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 8
From: Chicago (Palos Park)
2023 CLA 250, 2021 GLC43, 2003 CLK320
The rest of the gear is finally here!
Originally I was looking at the Focal Access 165 A1 and CA1 speakers and Alpine PDX-5 amplifier.
After a bunch of research I settled on Polk Audio DB6501 and DB651 speakers and the Kenwood Excelon XR-5S Class-D amp. The speakers have very good review everywhere I looked and cost quite a bit less then the Focal's. The Kenwood is a 5 channel amp, is the same size and about same specs as the Alpine PDX-5, had good reviews and was less then the Alpine. I also got a bunch of RCA cables, power cable/fuse, etc. and a roll of Dynamat for now just for the doors. I'm still missing the subwoofer but have not decided on one and its an easy add on later.
It was $890 for Focal's + Alpine
verses $515 for Polk's + Kenwood
As I'm replacing Bose, its a car and not sure how long I will own it, I decided to go with the lower cost. After all even the lower cost setup should blow the Bose away
Originally I was looking at the Focal Access 165 A1 and CA1 speakers and Alpine PDX-5 amplifier.
After a bunch of research I settled on Polk Audio DB6501 and DB651 speakers and the Kenwood Excelon XR-5S Class-D amp. The speakers have very good review everywhere I looked and cost quite a bit less then the Focal's. The Kenwood is a 5 channel amp, is the same size and about same specs as the Alpine PDX-5, had good reviews and was less then the Alpine. I also got a bunch of RCA cables, power cable/fuse, etc. and a roll of Dynamat for now just for the doors. I'm still missing the subwoofer but have not decided on one and its an easy add on later.
It was $890 for Focal's + Alpine
verses $515 for Polk's + Kenwood
As I'm replacing Bose, its a car and not sure how long I will own it, I decided to go with the lower cost. After all even the lower cost setup should blow the Bose away
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,748
Likes: 0
From: A Canadian in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
'05 C200K SS, '05 Kleemann CLK500K, '08 Hummer H3 & '92 Z34 5sp (track car in Canada)
Love the amp! Those new digital amps from Kenwood are fantastic, lots of power and absolute tiny frame.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 8
From: Chicago (Palos Park)
2023 CLA 250, 2021 GLC43, 2003 CLK320
The Class-D amps used to have issues with the lower frequencies but that was maybe 8 years ago when I looked at them for a speaker setup. I think the best ones were from Meridian at that time and my Proton Class-A solid state mono blocks were far superior. I'm 100% in Class-A Tube amps for my headphone rigs.
For the car this should be great and more then sufficient. I'm after sound quality and not quantity.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,748
Likes: 0
From: A Canadian in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
'05 C200K SS, '05 Kleemann CLK500K, '08 Hummer H3 & '92 Z34 5sp (track car in Canada)
Yes, it looks great both physical and on paper. Will see how it sounds. The footprint is awesome for a 5 channel amp at 9-1/4" x 7-9/16" x 2-3/16"
The Class-D amps used to have issues with the lower frequencies but that was maybe 8 years ago when I looked at them for a speaker setup. I think the best ones were from Meridian at that time and my Proton Class-A solid state mono blocks were far superior. I'm 100% in Class-A Tube amps for my headphone rigs.
For the car this should be great and more then sufficient. I'm after sound quality and not quantity.
The Class-D amps used to have issues with the lower frequencies but that was maybe 8 years ago when I looked at them for a speaker setup. I think the best ones were from Meridian at that time and my Proton Class-A solid state mono blocks were far superior. I'm 100% in Class-A Tube amps for my headphone rigs.
For the car this should be great and more then sufficient. I'm after sound quality and not quantity.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 8
From: Chicago (Palos Park)
2023 CLA 250, 2021 GLC43, 2003 CLK320
It was actually the opposite for the car amps, they (D class) struggled with the high frequencies, that's why they have only been offered (for the most part) for sub amp up until recently. When I started with Kenwood back in '99 they were working on the D class amps for front stage (as was Alpine and Pioneer), now finally 12 years later we're seeing them in fairly good quantities. They still haven't caught up to A/B class amps in terms of distortion rates though, I believe they are still quite a bit higher but it's not an issue unless you are competing professionally and getting RTA'ed.
If I want HiFi, I got that at home
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
W211
Hi Darius,
Congratz on your purchase of Dynavin HU.
How is the peformance so far?
I had installed a unit to my 2006 W211 but facing poor radio reception..and same problem also happens on my other W203
Do you face the same problem...?
There is one thing which I dont really understand that the stock unit has two fakra connection on unit where 1 is black (RF radio antenna) and yellow (ZF). As shown as per below 1st picture..
but Dynavin unit has only one input for FM antenna as shown in 2nd picture.. this really puzzle me as i only connected the black cable to the adapter and to the dvn-mbe antenna connection, and left the yellow one (zf) disconnected.
I am wondering, leaving the yellow one (zf) disconnected would it be the possible cause of the poor reception..
How bout you? Did you left the yellow one (zf) disconnected as well?
Would like to hear your experience...thanks
Congratz on your purchase of Dynavin HU.
How is the peformance so far?
I had installed a unit to my 2006 W211 but facing poor radio reception..and same problem also happens on my other W203
Do you face the same problem...?
There is one thing which I dont really understand that the stock unit has two fakra connection on unit where 1 is black (RF radio antenna) and yellow (ZF). As shown as per below 1st picture..
but Dynavin unit has only one input for FM antenna as shown in 2nd picture.. this really puzzle me as i only connected the black cable to the adapter and to the dvn-mbe antenna connection, and left the yellow one (zf) disconnected.
I am wondering, leaving the yellow one (zf) disconnected would it be the possible cause of the poor reception..
How bout you? Did you left the yellow one (zf) disconnected as well?
Would like to hear your experience...thanks
Last edited by bonson; Jun 7, 2011 at 01:56 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 8
From: Chicago (Palos Park)
2023 CLA 250, 2021 GLC43, 2003 CLK320
Hi Darius,
Congratz on your purchase of Dynavin HU.
How is the peformance so far?
I had installed a unit to my 2006 W211 but facing poor radio reception..and same problem also happens on my other W203
Do you face the same problem...?
There is one thing which I dont really understand that the stock unit has two fakra connection on unit where 1 is black (RF radio antenna) and yellow (ZF). As shown as per below 1st picture..
but Dynavin unit has only one input for FM antenna as shown in 2nd picture.. this really puzzle me as i only connected the black cable to the adapter and to the dvn-mbe antenna connection, and left the yellow one (zf) disconnected.
I am wondering, leaving the yellow one (zf) disconnected would it be the possible cause of the poor reception..
How bout you? Did you left the yellow one (zf) disconnected as well?
Would like to hear your experience...thanks
Congratz on your purchase of Dynavin HU.
How is the peformance so far?
I had installed a unit to my 2006 W211 but facing poor radio reception..and same problem also happens on my other W203
Do you face the same problem...?
There is one thing which I dont really understand that the stock unit has two fakra connection on unit where 1 is black (RF radio antenna) and yellow (ZF). As shown as per below 1st picture..
but Dynavin unit has only one input for FM antenna as shown in 2nd picture.. this really puzzle me as i only connected the black cable to the adapter and to the dvn-mbe antenna connection, and left the yellow one (zf) disconnected.
I am wondering, leaving the yellow one (zf) disconnected would it be the possible cause of the poor reception..
How bout you? Did you left the yellow one (zf) disconnected as well?
Would like to hear your experience...thanks
Also I still have not installed it, short on free time, but starting to run the wires so if all goes well I'm hoping to have the install done by next week.
UPDATE: sorry misunderstood, the first pic is your stock HU
Last edited by dariusf; Jun 7, 2011 at 02:11 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
W211
As I am aware, I am not the only one facing this problem.
Quite a lot (not 100%) of Dynavin purchasers for Benz range from C class , E to ML class having the same problem
Good luck and all the best mate .
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 8
From: Chicago (Palos Park)
2023 CLA 250, 2021 GLC43, 2003 CLK320
Yes. The first pic is my stock unit. As you can see there are 2 fakra connectors i.e Black(FM/AM) and Yellow(ZF) but Dynavin unit only come with one input.
As I am aware, I am not the only one facing this problem.
Quite a lot (not 100%) of Dynavin purchasers for Benz range from C class , E to ML class having the same problem
Good luck and all the best mate .
As I am aware, I am not the only one facing this problem.
Quite a lot (not 100%) of Dynavin purchasers for Benz range from C class , E to ML class having the same problem
Good luck and all the best mate .
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,971
Likes: 3
From: SF
2003 CLK 320
sorry it took so long to reply to this one guys
i think i added about 100lbs+
i did the doors, ALL of the trunk. basically stripped the drunk and did everything around it. trunk lid included and license plate to eliminate the rattle lol
i think i added about 100lbs+
i did the doors, ALL of the trunk. basically stripped the drunk and did everything around it. trunk lid included and license plate to eliminate the rattle lol
