Audio question specific to W211
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Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 213
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From: SF Bay Area
2015 GLK 250 BT
Audio question specific to W211
Does anyone know what are the OEM speakers? Are the speakers the typical junk OEM quality? I acquired my 2005 E320 used, so I don't know whether I have HK or Bose. I do know that there are no speakers mounted on rear deck so I assume I do not have a premium setup.
The point being, I find that the sound system lacks in the higher frequencies, ie. a need to upgrade the tweeters.
The point being, I find that the sound system lacks in the higher frequencies, ie. a need to upgrade the tweeters.
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
If you look at the soft key sound adjustment buttons and one of the choices listed is "Surround" in addition to "Speech (or Talk... who remembers)" you have Bose.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 213
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From: SF Bay Area
2015 GLK 250 BT
Oh, ok. That definitely means that I don't have Bose. So does that mean I have the typical junk OEM speakers, ie. two-buck-a-piece drivers & tweeters? What have you folks upgraded to? MBQuarts or KEFs or Dynaudio?
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From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
Just about everyone I have seen comment on here says the HK systems are superior to the Bose. I have Bose in my W210, and in 2001 that was an upgrade from whatever else was offered. I am not totally happy since I have (what I consider anyway) as a higher end system at home e.g. McIntosh electronics and Polk SDA speakers. My advice would be to upgrade your home system rather that drop money into a car set-up that you will probably sell/trade away when you get tired of your car. How good can a car system be anyway? Despite our high end cars with a lot of sound deadening for the road noise, it just doesn't get that good no matter what you buy.
Last edited by Musikmann; Jul 10, 2007 at 07:32 PM.
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S560
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From: Raleigh, NC
2003 E 500
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 343
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From: Palm Beach Gardens, Fl
‘08 E-350 Sport, C6 Vette & Harley Davidson
Very glad for this subject.
As I've stated elsewhere, I'm just an old guy who is pretty hard of hearing.
In my Parktronic, for example, I can’t hear the beep. I think it’s the high
frequency sounds I can’t hear good.
My 08 E-350 probably has as good of speaker system as ANY new car. I don’t
know anything about them. But, even with the treble clear up, the bass clear
down and in speech, it’s not as clear and crisp as I’d like.
I listen to almost no music. 99% talk. One radio guy was going to put “tweeters”
or something, in my Corvette which he said would help. I haven’t done that yet.
I don’t care if I reduce the music quality. Speech Clarity is what I'm after.
I notice in my 350 that there’s a little speaker on each side, about dash level. I
can’t hear anything coming out of them. Could those be replaced with “sharper”
and “more effective” speakers? They’re closer to “ear level” and seemingly
would be ideal for loud, clear speech production.
So, any advice on achieving my “clarity” goal would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
jimm
==========
‘08 E350 Sport, P2, Black/black,Parktronic,
Voice, Bluetooth, Burl Walnut, Split rear seat,
Wood/leather steering wheel
As I've stated elsewhere, I'm just an old guy who is pretty hard of hearing.
In my Parktronic, for example, I can’t hear the beep. I think it’s the high
frequency sounds I can’t hear good.
My 08 E-350 probably has as good of speaker system as ANY new car. I don’t
know anything about them. But, even with the treble clear up, the bass clear
down and in speech, it’s not as clear and crisp as I’d like.
I listen to almost no music. 99% talk. One radio guy was going to put “tweeters”
or something, in my Corvette which he said would help. I haven’t done that yet.
I don’t care if I reduce the music quality. Speech Clarity is what I'm after.
I notice in my 350 that there’s a little speaker on each side, about dash level. I
can’t hear anything coming out of them. Could those be replaced with “sharper”
and “more effective” speakers? They’re closer to “ear level” and seemingly
would be ideal for loud, clear speech production.
So, any advice on achieving my “clarity” goal would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
jimm
==========
‘08 E350 Sport, P2, Black/black,Parktronic,
Voice, Bluetooth, Burl Walnut, Split rear seat,
Wood/leather steering wheel
Last edited by jimm; Jul 17, 2007 at 09:34 AM.
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From: Huntington NY
S560
I wish I had an answer for you, but this is one of the clearest car audio systems I have ever heard, I find it rivals some aftermarket ones. I would recommend playing with the soundfields, you might be able to find one that changes the equalizer to suit talk radio best. I also think dropping the bass too low actually hurts your ability to hear voices. All sound is comprised of a frequency range, and buy severly limiting that frequency range you are cutting off part of the voice. I would see why with treble on maxx and bass on min you would find the clarity poor, reset them to neutral, play with the soundfields, and then make minor adjustments from there...
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 48
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From: New York
05 E500 Wagon
I just bought a used E500 with the HK system and must say that I am somewhat disapointed with the sound. I have owned some decent audio for the car and home for some time now and was hoping that the HK system was going to change everything I thought about OEM radios. Not at all, it sounds like a echo chamber and the highs are non-existent. I guess it was wishfull thinking that someone put a good system in a car from the factory.
The radio will stay the same due to the warranty and overall complication of upgrading although my wife uses the car more than me anyway. I don't think its that hard or expensive to offer a clear sound thats not concert hall sounding, so whats the problem?
The radio will stay the same due to the warranty and overall complication of upgrading although my wife uses the car more than me anyway. I don't think its that hard or expensive to offer a clear sound thats not concert hall sounding, so whats the problem?
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 343
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From: Palm Beach Gardens, Fl
‘08 E-350 Sport, C6 Vette & Harley Davidson
Oh, I definitely need hearing aids!
But, I've tried them and - for me - they don’t increase clarity, just
volume .. which includes all the noise.
At 76, my best advise to all of you is, “don’t get old.”
Ain’t nothin good about it.
Regarding the MB radios, they are probably the best available. It’s not
the radios; it’s me. I just keep hoping I can tweak them a “tiny bit” ..
somehow, to make them a “tiny bit” clearer. You know, only a hope.
jimm
But, I've tried them and - for me - they don’t increase clarity, just
volume .. which includes all the noise.
At 76, my best advise to all of you is, “don’t get old.”
Ain’t nothin good about it.
Regarding the MB radios, they are probably the best available. It’s not
the radios; it’s me. I just keep hoping I can tweak them a “tiny bit” ..
somehow, to make them a “tiny bit” clearer. You know, only a hope.
jimm
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: nyc
2004 e320
i know this is a moot point, BUT, you know the best stock sound system i ever had was on a 99 740il. dont recall what type but my god that was an incredible sound system. miss that car.
but love my benzo's much more!
but love my benzo's much more!
