Audio Help!!!
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Joined: May 2005
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Audio Help!!!
I'm needing some help with finding out what's wrong with my speakers. I have a 98 E430 with a 8 speaker system. 2 in dash, 2 in front doors, 2 in rear doors and 2 that were mounted in the rear back panel. I removed those and added 2 10" subs. I'm not sure if this is a Bose system or not, but my problem is with the 2 speakers in the dash.
Initially, I thought that both speakers were blown, because the speakers in the front doors are still working and I figured the ones in the dash were tied in with those speakers. Went to MB and paid $40 for each speaker, hooked them up, and got nothing.
I would really like to keep the system stock, even though the sound is not that great, it's decent enough to keep me from ripping out the entire stock system and putting in an aftermarket system.
What I would like to hear is if anyone has any idea of why the speakers in the dash isn't working. Is there an amplifier that might have blown channels and where is it located? Also, any suggestions as to where I can get the amp fixed would also be greatly appreciated.
TIA
Bam
Initially, I thought that both speakers were blown, because the speakers in the front doors are still working and I figured the ones in the dash were tied in with those speakers. Went to MB and paid $40 for each speaker, hooked them up, and got nothing.
I would really like to keep the system stock, even though the sound is not that great, it's decent enough to keep me from ripping out the entire stock system and putting in an aftermarket system.
What I would like to hear is if anyone has any idea of why the speakers in the dash isn't working. Is there an amplifier that might have blown channels and where is it located? Also, any suggestions as to where I can get the amp fixed would also be greatly appreciated.
TIA
Bam
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 17
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From: Karratha Western Australia
96 e 320
I have a 96 and it also has the 8 speaker system but the tweeters are behind the "sail"in the door opposite the wing mirror all the info i have for my model indicates there were never speakers in the dash they might be there for a communication (phone or whatever)option iam not sure, like you i have replaced all my speakers with MB Quart and was going to put mids in the dash but was happy with the upgrade i did also i believe unless you have the bose system ther was no independant amp and if there is it will be in the boot LHS near the boot hinge
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
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Thanks for the response guys.
Horse- So, there is a 8 speaker system that isn't Bose, correct? If this isn't a Bose system, is it correct to assume that the head unit was supplying the power for the speakers. I thought the 3" dash speakers were running off of the midbass in the door, kinda like a component set. But my midbass is working, but my dash speakers are not. At first, I thought I had a10 speaker system, because there are speaker grills opposite the side mirrors. I thought I had blown the tweeters that were in there, but upon opening my door panel to get a part number for the tweeter because the dealership couldn't find a P/N for it, I found out there was nothing there.
mystic- There are definitly 3" speakers in the dash. I actually bought the replacements but it wasn't the speakers that were bad. It must be channels on the amp.
I really can't stand the missing sound from the dash speakers, but I do not want to change head units. Is there any way to get the wiring diagram of the head unit? I would like to install some line converters for a 4 channel amp and replace the fronts and rears with MB Quarts.
Horse-What size speakers were in the front doors? 5.25 or 6.5?
Thanks again guys.
Horse- So, there is a 8 speaker system that isn't Bose, correct? If this isn't a Bose system, is it correct to assume that the head unit was supplying the power for the speakers. I thought the 3" dash speakers were running off of the midbass in the door, kinda like a component set. But my midbass is working, but my dash speakers are not. At first, I thought I had a10 speaker system, because there are speaker grills opposite the side mirrors. I thought I had blown the tweeters that were in there, but upon opening my door panel to get a part number for the tweeter because the dealership couldn't find a P/N for it, I found out there was nothing there.
mystic- There are definitly 3" speakers in the dash. I actually bought the replacements but it wasn't the speakers that were bad. It must be channels on the amp.
I really can't stand the missing sound from the dash speakers, but I do not want to change head units. Is there any way to get the wiring diagram of the head unit? I would like to install some line converters for a 4 channel amp and replace the fronts and rears with MB Quarts.
Horse-What size speakers were in the front doors? 5.25 or 6.5?
Thanks again guys.
Newbie
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 17
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From: Karratha Western Australia
96 e 320
Bam,
I don't know if each country has different requirements for stereo (local content and all that) but in OZ mine had Nokia speakers, Eurovox head unit and 10 stack cd, the front mid bass are 6'' in diameter but if you pulled your trims off you will find that if you want to keep your stock enclosures they are pretty shallow and you will have to play around to get much else to fit and yes all the speakers were fed off the head unit and they did not have a dedicated crossover but had common leads with chokes as i said i was going to go with a three way in the front but was happy with two way Quarts and a set of three ways in the rear
I don't know if each country has different requirements for stereo (local content and all that) but in OZ mine had Nokia speakers, Eurovox head unit and 10 stack cd, the front mid bass are 6'' in diameter but if you pulled your trims off you will find that if you want to keep your stock enclosures they are pretty shallow and you will have to play around to get much else to fit and yes all the speakers were fed off the head unit and they did not have a dedicated crossover but had common leads with chokes as i said i was going to go with a three way in the front but was happy with two way Quarts and a set of three ways in the rear
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 588
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'98 E320 4Matic, '85 380SL
Both the Bose and regular sound systems have 8 speakers. The Bose system looks like a 6 speaker system, but it places the front tweeters & midbass together in the door for better imaging, whereas the regular system separates the midbass (door) & tweeters (in triangular sail panel in front of the side view mirrors). The 2 dash speakers are for the integrated cellular phone, which you may or may not have.
The head unit powers all the speakers in the regular system; the Bose system passes the signal through an amp in the left side of the trunk.
If you PM me, I can send you a wiring diagram by e-mail.
The head unit powers all the speakers in the regular system; the Bose system passes the signal through an amp in the left side of the trunk.
If you PM me, I can send you a wiring diagram by e-mail.
Member
Joined: Mar 2005
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does anyone know if you can add tweeters to the "triangular sail" area with a bose system? The location of the front speakers is usually blocked by my leg or that of a passenger making the system sound pretty poor. I am concerned as I have been informed that this may blow the amp. I would prefer not to replace the entire system, just to enhance what I have. Any suggestons would be appreciated.
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Horse- Again, thanks for the reply. I did some more searching last night and found out that here, the fronts are 6.5"s and rears are 4"s
Lexrex- Thanks for the info. Exactly what I was looking for. I guess the guys at the dealership doesn't deal with factory speaker replacements. He didn't even know that the speakers in the dash are for the mobile phone. I didn't even know that, but I've been reading around and getting same info.
Lexrex- Thanks for the info. Exactly what I was looking for. I guess the guys at the dealership doesn't deal with factory speaker replacements. He didn't even know that the speakers in the dash are for the mobile phone. I didn't even know that, but I've been reading around and getting same info.
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: HK (but constantly travelling)
98 W210 Advantgarde
As mentioned, the speakers (if they are there) are for the integrated phone system. The tweeters are located in the triangular sail next to the side mirrors, albeit, very small (<1" and very thin like a mobile phone speaker!) and ineffective - you can hardly hear anything coming out of them. I replaced mine with larger ones and the difference was tremedous. I would definitely recommend this as a the cheapest way to enhance the sound quality.
Liz: The tweeters should already be on the sail part (normally), although in another thread someone swore they didn't find any inside. Are you referring to the larger one (mid-range, I think) in the footwells or doors?
Another forum member had wired up some larger tweeters in the dash grill (i.e the ones on the dash at the base of the A-pillars) apparently with good results - that location, if you don't have the integrated phone setup, is probably better "acoustically" than the mirror sail...I would imagine.
Liz: The tweeters should already be on the sail part (normally), although in another thread someone swore they didn't find any inside. Are you referring to the larger one (mid-range, I think) in the footwells or doors?
Another forum member had wired up some larger tweeters in the dash grill (i.e the ones on the dash at the base of the A-pillars) apparently with good results - that location, if you don't have the integrated phone setup, is probably better "acoustically" than the mirror sail...I would imagine.
Newbie
Joined: May 2004
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From: Karratha Western Australia
96 e 320
Liz,
As Whitey said there is a place behind the "sails" for a tweeter and i also upgraded the originals with a set of 1 inch MB Quart tweeters and the difference was substantial, there should not be any drama changing your tweeters up to that location as long as there is enough room ,it was avery tight fit for the Quarts, the imaging is another story and is quite subjective and as long as it sounds OK to you it does not matter,i was previously going to have three way splits in the front with the mid in the phone location in the dash but was told the imaging would be no good so did not do it but would be interested to hear it.
As Whitey said there is a place behind the "sails" for a tweeter and i also upgraded the originals with a set of 1 inch MB Quart tweeters and the difference was substantial, there should not be any drama changing your tweeters up to that location as long as there is enough room ,it was avery tight fit for the Quarts, the imaging is another story and is quite subjective and as long as it sounds OK to you it does not matter,i was previously going to have three way splits in the front with the mid in the phone location in the dash but was told the imaging would be no good so did not do it but would be interested to hear it.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Thanks so much for the replies. very very helpful. I have the integrated phone system in the dash. The bose system uses a 3-way in the lower door panel which leaves the triangular sail area vacant (brought it to an audio specialist, who veriified this). SA said no additional speakers should be used due to the amp issues, however, the audio sounds pretty lame as is. I think I will use the 1 in. MB quartz (had these in my older C-220 -FANTASTIC). Thanks again for the great input.
