Aftermarket Audio system question
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 186
Likes: 2
2004 clk500
Aftermarket Audio system question
I am putting new door speakers beyma . My question is how can I keep my original head unit ? I really don't want to buy another radio . Is their a way I can tap the wires to my original head unit ? I seen that I can't connect the wire from the new amp to the heady unit. If their is a way to do it id really appreciate it
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 186
Likes: 2
2004 clk500
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 197
From: Austin, TX
2006 E55, 2012 GLK350 & 1992 190e sportline
door speakers are not your answer. Swapping the head unit is the only thing that is really going to help. the systems in these systems run at a different ohm rating than normal aftermarket and they are a balanced output so you will need a converter to run an amp. Do some searching this has all been covered many many times
Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 217
Likes: 19
From: Chicago, IL
2003 CLK500, 2003 CLK55, 2008 CLK550
To answer your original question, yes, you can just replace the front speakers. And yes, it has the potential to go a little louder.
insame1 mentioned that the bose systems run at a different ohm rating than normal systems. This is true, as the bose systems use a 2 ohm rated speaker. Most car audio is 4 ohm. While most home audio is 8 ohm. This is simply a rating of their impedance or resistance. Here is a few examples of 2 ohm speakers you could use to replace the bose ones: 2 ohm speaker link
If you look at the equation for power, its P = (v^2) / R. So lets quickly compare why a 2 ohm system should be louder than if you put a 4 ohm speaker in. Lets just assume we have 12 volts to deal with.
4 Ohm
P = (12 volts ^2) / 4 ohms = 144 / 4 = 36 watts
2 Ohm
P = (12 volts ^2) / 2 ohms = 144 / 2 = 72 watts
1 Ohm (for fun, because this is what some subwoofers run at)
P = (12 volts ^2) / 1 ohm = 144 / 1 = 144 watts
So, if you just want to replace the speakers, make sure to find something that is 2 ohm. Now, to make it louder, you will either need a higher sensitivity of speaker, or just plain old more power. The sensitivity of a speaker might only change 1 or 2 decibels, so its not the most effective way to go louder. Really, if you want it to be louder, a new amp is really your best bet.
insame1 mentioned that the bose systems run at a different ohm rating than normal systems. This is true, as the bose systems use a 2 ohm rated speaker. Most car audio is 4 ohm. While most home audio is 8 ohm. This is simply a rating of their impedance or resistance. Here is a few examples of 2 ohm speakers you could use to replace the bose ones: 2 ohm speaker link
If you look at the equation for power, its P = (v^2) / R. So lets quickly compare why a 2 ohm system should be louder than if you put a 4 ohm speaker in. Lets just assume we have 12 volts to deal with.
4 Ohm
P = (12 volts ^2) / 4 ohms = 144 / 4 = 36 watts
2 Ohm
P = (12 volts ^2) / 2 ohms = 144 / 2 = 72 watts
1 Ohm (for fun, because this is what some subwoofers run at)
P = (12 volts ^2) / 1 ohm = 144 / 1 = 144 watts
So, if you just want to replace the speakers, make sure to find something that is 2 ohm. Now, to make it louder, you will either need a higher sensitivity of speaker, or just plain old more power. The sensitivity of a speaker might only change 1 or 2 decibels, so its not the most effective way to go louder. Really, if you want it to be louder, a new amp is really your best bet.
Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 217
Likes: 19
From: Chicago, IL
2003 CLK500, 2003 CLK55, 2008 CLK550
Now, to talk a bit about your second issue, the amp. The stock amps use a fiber optic connection. If you want to use an aftermarket amp with the stock deck, there are a few option.
1. You will need an optical to rca converter. This will convert the optical signal to analog rca which aftermarket amps can use.
2. Use the speaker line level input. The amp will literally take the input from the speakers as the input. In this case, that means keeping the stock amp as the signal to an aftermarket amp.
1. You will need an optical to rca converter. This will convert the optical signal to analog rca which aftermarket amps can use.
2. Use the speaker line level input. The amp will literally take the input from the speakers as the input. In this case, that means keeping the stock amp as the signal to an aftermarket amp.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 186
Likes: 2
2004 clk500
Now, to talk a bit about your second issue, the amp. The stock amps use a fiber optic connection. If you want to use an aftermarket amp with the stock deck, there are a few option.
1. You will need an optical to rca converter. This will convert the optical signal to analog rca which aftermarket amps can use.
2. Use the speaker line level input. The amp will literally take the input from the speakers as the input. In this case, that means keeping the stock amp as the signal to an aftermarket amp.
1. You will need an optical to rca converter. This will convert the optical signal to analog rca which aftermarket amps can use.
2. Use the speaker line level input. The amp will literally take the input from the speakers as the input. In this case, that means keeping the stock amp as the signal to an aftermarket amp.
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 784
Likes: 29
From: NYC
2004 CLK 500
I just did a conversation and replaced the speakers and headunit . It depends what year car you have I'd you have 03 to some 06 they do not make the fiber optic to analog converter . And those converters are a couple of hundred dollars . Which means you can buy a brand new headunit and have SD caRd and back up cameras. To do the entire system is easy and will give you the best bang for your buck . You just need a good headunit like pioneer , kenwood , jvc etc, 5 ch amplifier to power the speakers and subwoofer . You just run rcas from the new headunit to the rear on the driver side and on the passenger side you run the amp wire . If you use rcas the signal is cleaner than using a hi low converter .
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
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
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 217
Likes: 19
From: Chicago, IL
2003 CLK500, 2003 CLK55, 2008 CLK550
Ive never even heard of Beyma, who carries them?
Agreed with irok, the hi - low converters work, but typically have more noise than directly using rcas.
My last system was a Pioneer AppRadio2, CDT 6.5 comps in front, Image Dynamics 10" sealed, and Massive Audio amps. Sounded really great! Pretty simple but sounded great.
Agreed with irok, the hi - low converters work, but typically have more noise than directly using rcas.
My last system was a Pioneer AppRadio2, CDT 6.5 comps in front, Image Dynamics 10" sealed, and Massive Audio amps. Sounded really great! Pretty simple but sounded great.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 784
Likes: 29
From: NYC
2004 CLK 500
Just want to add the rear speakers are 6" not 6.5 and you will need a coaxial speaker for the rear not a component . The front are 6.5 and would fit ok . let us know what route you end up taking.
