Sound quality/reception with aftermarket head unit?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
From: Monterey, CA
'97 E320
Sound quality/reception with aftermarket head unit?
Has anybody with a Bose system switched to a decent aftermarket head unit while retaining stock speakers & amps? How is the sound quality...does it get better, worse, or stay about the same? Does it by chance improve upon the horrible radio reception of the 210 stock radio? Thanks.
Raj
'97 E320 (163k miles, all stock except 17" forged CL600 wheels)
'85 535i (285k miles, far from stock)
<img src=http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/336000-336999/336996_4_full.jpg>
Raj
'97 E320 (163k miles, all stock except 17" forged CL600 wheels)
'85 535i (285k miles, far from stock)
<img src=http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/336000-336999/336996_4_full.jpg>
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 588
Likes: 1
'98 E320 4Matic, '85 380SL
I haven't made the swap personally, but several others have replaced the Becker headunit only. Those that have say the sound quality is light years better. The Becker headunit is the weak link in the Bose system. Mercedes installed that piece of junk since the early 90s. The sound sucks, and I'd say about 75% of them have malfunctioning volume control knobs.
If you like clean, balanced sound, you can't beat the improvement of replacing only the headunit dollar-for-dollar. Sure, there are plenty of speakers out there that sound better than the Bose, but I'd replace the headunit first and see how you like it. Keeping the Becker headunit and replacing the speakers probably won't sound very good.
If you're a basshead, you'll never be content with the output of the small free-air subs in the back deck.
I recommend the Alpine CDA-9853 headunit since it matches everything fairly well. Silver headunits look like crap in the W210 IMO.
The Bose amp is picky about input voltages. Too low, and you get static. Too high, and it's way too loud.
The VW stereo wiring harness is a direct fit. No wire cutting necessary.
If you like clean, balanced sound, you can't beat the improvement of replacing only the headunit dollar-for-dollar. Sure, there are plenty of speakers out there that sound better than the Bose, but I'd replace the headunit first and see how you like it. Keeping the Becker headunit and replacing the speakers probably won't sound very good.
If you're a basshead, you'll never be content with the output of the small free-air subs in the back deck.
I recommend the Alpine CDA-9853 headunit since it matches everything fairly well. Silver headunits look like crap in the W210 IMO.
The Bose amp is picky about input voltages. Too low, and you get static. Too high, and it's way too loud.
The VW stereo wiring harness is a direct fit. No wire cutting necessary.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 620
Likes: 1
From: TX
13 Lunar Blue GL550, 06 Imola Red BMW X5 4.8is, 04 Gold Honda Ody
I installed the Alpine CDA-9833 head unit with the ipod interface using my stock Bose Amp/speakers. The sound quality is better than the stock unit. The only thing I miss is not being able to use the steering wheel controls.
The AM/FM reception is the same.
lexrex's cmments about the VW harness is correct, the installation was a breeze, even for a first time installer like myself.
The AM/FM reception is the same.
lexrex's cmments about the VW harness is correct, the installation was a breeze, even for a first time installer like myself.
Last edited by sbarsap; Jul 1, 2005 at 09:28 AM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
From: Monterey, CA
'97 E320
Thank you! Is there a particular model/year VW harness that works?
I'm thinking of using a Nakamichi CD400 since the amber illumination should be somewhat close to the stock interior lighting.
Raj
'97 E320
'85 535i
<img src=http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/336000-336999/336996_4_full.jpg>
I'm thinking of using a Nakamichi CD400 since the amber illumination should be somewhat close to the stock interior lighting.
Raj
'97 E320
'85 535i
<img src=http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/336000-336999/336996_4_full.jpg>
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