stock audio system with Bose & cd changer, how to replace with existing HU, amp, sub:
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From: Germany
MB E420T
stock audio system with Bose & cd changer, how to replace with existing HU, amp, sub:
Hi all,
as a newbie here, let me first say that this forum is fantastic! this is how the internet should work: people with similar interests coming together, discussing those interests and helping each other out in a productive way! great
now, i just bought a '97 E420T Avantgarde model, with a rather "old" stock audio system (cassette), Bose amp and cd changer.
from my current car, i have a Sony cd radio (reads mp3) so i no longer need the changer (10cd's fit as mp3 on one), with amp and Rockford Fosgate sub.
Would you advise changing all the door speakers (tweeters too), replace the Bose Amp, and install the new sub.... or other suggestions?
what to watch out for in terms of wiring, connectivity, etc.
thanks for your feedback!
as a newbie here, let me first say that this forum is fantastic! this is how the internet should work: people with similar interests coming together, discussing those interests and helping each other out in a productive way! great
now, i just bought a '97 E420T Avantgarde model, with a rather "old" stock audio system (cassette), Bose amp and cd changer.
from my current car, i have a Sony cd radio (reads mp3) so i no longer need the changer (10cd's fit as mp3 on one), with amp and Rockford Fosgate sub.
Would you advise changing all the door speakers (tweeters too), replace the Bose Amp, and install the new sub.... or other suggestions?
what to watch out for in terms of wiring, connectivity, etc.
thanks for your feedback!
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1999 E320
Hey there good luck with the situation. I have a 1999 E320 with the bose system and had the head unit replaced with the new Alpine X001 yesterday. I needed ipod integration. Check it out...it's amazing. I also added the bluetooth option for the phone. For the place i took it to, it was no problem...they just needed an alpine branded adpater between the HU and the bose amp. (if not, the volume would be at MAX at level 4 on the alpine.) It was 40 bucks. I don't know if you can use that adapter for a Sony HU...
As for changing out amps and what not...i believe that's a pretty big job. I believe you'll have to rewire everything.
Good Luck...
Bobby
As for changing out amps and what not...i believe that's a pretty big job. I believe you'll have to rewire everything.
Good Luck...
Bobby
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From: Germany
MB E420T
Hi bobby, thx for that info. i already asked somewhere and they told me i should be able to hook up the replacement HU (Sony) straight away. hope they were right.... good point on the bose amp... i will look into that...don't suppose i have a subwoofer somewhere.... haven't "heard" it yet
"check it out" you write... you got pics somewhere? would be great.
cheers
"check it out" you write... you got pics somewhere? would be great.
cheers
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1999 E320
ZX - I'm not sure, as i don't have the steering wheel controls on the 1999 E320. I think those might have come in 2000?
KC - ..well, i meant check the alpine website to see the new HU. It's really only logical if you use an ipod. ALL of my music is on the ipod, so it was perfect for me. The ipod sits in the glovebox. Here's a link.
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...model=iDA-X001
I got the bluetooth option as well...kinda pricey, but now my phone plays through the stereo and it automatically stops the radio when the phone rings etc etc...I know this stuff is standard on new vehicles, but it's cool to have it on a car that's 8 years old!
If you want pics of what the install looks like, let me know...
Bobby
KC - ..well, i meant check the alpine website to see the new HU. It's really only logical if you use an ipod. ALL of my music is on the ipod, so it was perfect for me. The ipod sits in the glovebox. Here's a link.
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...model=iDA-X001
I got the bluetooth option as well...kinda pricey, but now my phone plays through the stereo and it automatically stops the radio when the phone rings etc etc...I know this stuff is standard on new vehicles, but it's cool to have it on a car that's 8 years old!
If you want pics of what the install looks like, let me know...
Bobby
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From: Central NJ
97 E420 W210, 95 Volvo 850 Turbo Wagon
yea i did the same. i got a CDA-9887 alpine HU with bluetooth on it. It really changes the quality of the stock bose system. it has a parametric equalizer that is like fully tunable its complicated but man it makes everything ****ing amazing. theres a stock sub in there. i kno its pretty good i made it hit pretty damn hard haha. but yea i have a sealed box with 2 12" alpine type-s subs with a MRP-M650 amp and a 1.2 farad capacitor. if ur thinking of getting subs, get a capacitor. it makes a difference. you actually feel the bass. Now the bass isnt too much but thats for my tastes. i listen to alot of rap and hip-hop so yea.
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From: Germany
MB E420T
thanks for those replies.
so, the impression i get is this: the bose installed system is not benefited by the stock HU. hence, if i don'T feel impressed by it now, first i should change the HU and check how the equalizer settings etc affect the sound over the bose system. then, if still not satisfied, probably change the speakers etc.
actually, i thought of going one step further now.... since i am often on the road for longer trips, i have to keep my company entertained, so bought two tft monitors that i'd like to hook up to a dvd unit. checking that out right now.... if you have custom built console panels etc, pls send me pics... especially on the DIY. this would be very new to me, but with some examples to base myself on it should work.
happy posting
cheers from german autobahn-land....where every day you touch the Vmax!
so, the impression i get is this: the bose installed system is not benefited by the stock HU. hence, if i don'T feel impressed by it now, first i should change the HU and check how the equalizer settings etc affect the sound over the bose system. then, if still not satisfied, probably change the speakers etc.
actually, i thought of going one step further now.... since i am often on the road for longer trips, i have to keep my company entertained, so bought two tft monitors that i'd like to hook up to a dvd unit. checking that out right now.... if you have custom built console panels etc, pls send me pics... especially on the DIY. this would be very new to me, but with some examples to base myself on it should work.
happy posting
cheers from german autobahn-land....where every day you touch the Vmax!
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1997 E320, 2000 Chevy Tahoe
I have been discussing some audio work on my 1997 E320 and have gotten some pretty good feedback. As far as changing the HU there are no issues, just get the correct harness and hook it right up. The amp and door speakers are a little different story. If you change the amp just install it in place of the old amp and use the stock wiring so that you do not have to re-wire all of the doors etc... you can also use the stock wiring if you install new door speakers, most component sets (woofer and tweeter) will come with a crossover. It is usually standard practice to put the crossover in the door with the speakers but it is much easier to install them in the trunk near the amp and use the stock wiring for that as well.
As for a subwoofer, be careful with a standard box in the trunk. Mercedes and BMW's have a steel plate behind the rear seat, therefore it is a very good sound insulator. You may spend a few hundred dollars for a sub and not even hear it. I would suggest a couple of high quality open-air 8's or 10's in the rear deck to get the most clarity. Otherwise the bass will be muffeled and you will just feel it, not actually hear it.
Good luck.
As for a subwoofer, be careful with a standard box in the trunk. Mercedes and BMW's have a steel plate behind the rear seat, therefore it is a very good sound insulator. You may spend a few hundred dollars for a sub and not even hear it. I would suggest a couple of high quality open-air 8's or 10's in the rear deck to get the most clarity. Otherwise the bass will be muffeled and you will just feel it, not actually hear it.
Good luck.
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Thread Starter
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From: Germany
MB E420T
thx Tjarrat for that info. surely, if it's easy enough to use the stock wiring that seems like a lot of hassle avoided with interior disassembly etc. good tip on the Xovers as well, will look into that! Indeed most replacement door speakers come with those, so would prefer to have them solid in the back rather than going at it in the door panel
btw, i have the Touring version, so no metal panel in the way to distort or hide the bass.... Will see, plan to install dvd player now instead. already got 2x 7"monitors. probably place one in the glovebox to entertain my main passenger, and one on the back of the center console for rear passengers. anybody have pics of such installations, always great to compare! thx, and happy posting
btw, i have the Touring version, so no metal panel in the way to distort or hide the bass.... Will see, plan to install dvd player now instead. already got 2x 7"monitors. probably place one in the glovebox to entertain my main passenger, and one on the back of the center console for rear passengers. anybody have pics of such installations, always great to compare! thx, and happy posting
Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 117
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From: Seattle
2002 E320 4MATIC
I never got around to the head unit...might not even happen in this car. Here are some pics of installing a sub though, twas good enough for me
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...690&highlight=
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...690&highlight=
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 47
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From: Germany
MB E420T
hi ajent420.
cool pics.
i've got the Tmodel, so lots of trunk space. decided to install a dvd radio system with twin tft monitors, ipod/mp3 and video-in connection under armrest, then sub in the huge trunk connected to amp. I always want everything nicely "hidden" and installed without drilling, screwing, etc. the neat thing is that as i took out the old stock cassette HU and the cd changer, i found the amp fitted in the space that was created on that bracket... not even one millimeter of space to spare. lucky so, way cool to be able to stow it away there. now got the bose amp still steering all the speakers, and the other one the sub (of course with remote power &all).
i took the whole interior apart to pull all the wires -a gazillion of them- through, on both sides and in the center. crazy, but worth it once done!
will build little consoles now that will hold the monitors for viewing in front (out of glovebox) and rear, center behind concole.
now i have one problem.... even before i did anything, and just took out the stock HU to connect my sony mp3 radio, it had a slight buzzing sound on low volume (later, volume up hides the buzzing). i do not understand how this is possible, as i did nothing to the speakers and all is linked to the standard iso-connector.
If anyone can help here, great!!!! it now is especially "annoying" with the dvd system, as the buzzing/distortion is well-heard when people just talk in a movie.
thanks in advance for sharing yr expertise, happy posting
cool pics.
i've got the Tmodel, so lots of trunk space. decided to install a dvd radio system with twin tft monitors, ipod/mp3 and video-in connection under armrest, then sub in the huge trunk connected to amp. I always want everything nicely "hidden" and installed without drilling, screwing, etc. the neat thing is that as i took out the old stock cassette HU and the cd changer, i found the amp fitted in the space that was created on that bracket... not even one millimeter of space to spare. lucky
so, way cool to be able to stow it away there. now got the bose amp still steering all the speakers, and the other one the sub (of course with remote power &all).i took the whole interior apart to pull all the wires -a gazillion of them- through, on both sides and in the center. crazy, but worth it once done!
will build little consoles now that will hold the monitors for viewing in front (out of glovebox) and rear, center behind concole.
now i have one problem.... even before i did anything, and just took out the stock HU to connect my sony mp3 radio, it had a slight buzzing sound on low volume (later, volume up hides the buzzing). i do not understand how this is possible, as i did nothing to the speakers and all is linked to the standard iso-connector.
If anyone can help here, great!!!! it now is especially "annoying" with the dvd system, as the buzzing/distortion is well-heard when people just talk in a movie.
thanks in advance for sharing yr expertise, happy posting
