Aftermarket audio options for an 07
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 636
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From: Oakland, California
07 E550, 02 C32, 91 300E
Aftermarket audio options for an 07
Our 07 E550 has the H&K system and frankly, the high end sounds distorted compared to the C32's BOSE, which IMO is still garbage. Not very promising considering this is supposed to be an "upgrade" over the old systems. However, the low end is much better on the 550, but we still think it needs the two 12" subs from our old 300E.
I need to find out what can be done and what the aftermarket options are. We are serious audiophiles and if the car came with a McIntosh option or any better system that integrated COMAND functionality, we would have jumped on it.
I mean our C32 used a friggin 2 ohm system (BLOSE indeed) and we had to throw a 12" Boston sub with 1000 watts of power from a mono amp to make it sound decent at all. But with that car you couldn't replace the stock amp powering the mids/tweeters without losing the steering wheel controls or COMAND functionality (can't even have a good aftermarket CD changer in that car due to the OEM optical connection).
So what options do we have and what has everyone done here? We want to keep control over the steering wheel buttons, COMAND, navigation, etc. Is the H&K system 2ohms just like the BOSE or did they grow up and go with a 4ohm system?
I need to find out what can be done and what the aftermarket options are. We are serious audiophiles and if the car came with a McIntosh option or any better system that integrated COMAND functionality, we would have jumped on it.
I mean our C32 used a friggin 2 ohm system (BLOSE indeed) and we had to throw a 12" Boston sub with 1000 watts of power from a mono amp to make it sound decent at all. But with that car you couldn't replace the stock amp powering the mids/tweeters without losing the steering wheel controls or COMAND functionality (can't even have a good aftermarket CD changer in that car due to the OEM optical connection).
So what options do we have and what has everyone done here? We want to keep control over the steering wheel buttons, COMAND, navigation, etc. Is the H&K system 2ohms just like the BOSE or did they grow up and go with a 4ohm system?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 636
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From: Oakland, California
07 E550, 02 C32, 91 300E
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Huntington NY
S560
I find the stock stereo actually quite good. I am surprised at the clarity when turned up and the bass extension. I also like the imaging quality. It is one of the best OEM systems I have ever heard and I think it rivals many good aftermarket systems. I listened to the Mark Levinson system in the LS460 and I would say they are fairly equal...
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Agreed. For an MB system It is VERY good. Unless you are an audiophile who has ears that can hear a butterfly's wings in motion. Its a very nice sounding system.
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From: The OH
'03 E500 Sport, Giant NRS Composite 2, Specialized Roubaix
I have to say I was skeptical at first about the HK system but I have very quickly grown to love it. I find though that I have to keep the balance biased quite a bit towards the rear to make it sound balanced. Anyone else experience this? Now if only you could save preferences (fade, bass, treble, etc) by input that would be ideal!
Emilner... if only you were selling a '67 Chevelle (I'm looking). You should bring it to the Goodguys PPG Nationals in Columbus this weekend. Over 6,000 cars 1972 and earlier and private sales happening everywhere (http://www.good-guys.com/news/newsStory.aspx?newsid=776).
Emilner... if only you were selling a '67 Chevelle (I'm looking). You should bring it to the Goodguys PPG Nationals in Columbus this weekend. Over 6,000 cars 1972 and earlier and private sales happening everywhere (http://www.good-guys.com/news/newsStory.aspx?newsid=776).
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From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
Our 07 E550 has the H&K system and frankly, the high end sounds distorted compared to the C32's BOSE, which IMO is still garbage. Not very promising considering this is supposed to be an "upgrade" over the old systems. However, the low end is much better on the 550, but we still think it needs the two 12" subs from our old 300E.
I need to find out what can be done and what the aftermarket options are. We are serious audiophiles and if the car came with a McIntosh option or any better system that integrated COMAND functionality, we would have jumped on it.
I mean our C32 used a friggin 2 ohm system (BLOSE indeed) and we had to throw a 12" Boston sub with 1000 watts of power from a mono amp to make it sound decent at all. But with that car you couldn't replace the stock amp powering the mids/tweeters without losing the steering wheel controls or COMAND functionality (can't even have a good aftermarket CD changer in that car due to the OEM optical connection).
So what options do we have and what has everyone done here? We want to keep control over the steering wheel buttons, COMAND, navigation, etc. Is the H&K system 2ohms just like the BOSE or did they grow up and go with a 4ohm system?
I need to find out what can be done and what the aftermarket options are. We are serious audiophiles and if the car came with a McIntosh option or any better system that integrated COMAND functionality, we would have jumped on it.
I mean our C32 used a friggin 2 ohm system (BLOSE indeed) and we had to throw a 12" Boston sub with 1000 watts of power from a mono amp to make it sound decent at all. But with that car you couldn't replace the stock amp powering the mids/tweeters without losing the steering wheel controls or COMAND functionality (can't even have a good aftermarket CD changer in that car due to the OEM optical connection).
So what options do we have and what has everyone done here? We want to keep control over the steering wheel buttons, COMAND, navigation, etc. Is the H&K system 2ohms just like the BOSE or did they grow up and go with a 4ohm system?
EDIT here is the link.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ighlight=royce
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...t=royce&page=2
Last edited by Yacht Master; Jul 13, 2007 at 10:01 AM.
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Originally Posted by Barry45RPM
. . . Unless you are an audiophile . . .
Originally Posted by DarkXerox
We are serious audiophiles . . .
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From: Frisco, Texas
2005 E500 Pewter/Ash
Clean Sweep !
I've been very happy with the JL Clean Sweep box as the center figure in my audio upgrades, which allows me to keep all functionality of the OEM head unit and controls. It neutralized all of the crappy factory EQ settings, and the system sounds great. Other additions are Infinity Kappa series component speakers, Alpine V Series amps for the mains and the JL 10" sub enclosure. The only downside is the remote gain/volume control that has to be mounted where the cig lighter used to be, but the steering wheel volume and other controls are left functional too.
For more :
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_c...php?page_id=94
For more :
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_c...php?page_id=94
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 636
Likes: 0
From: Oakland, California
07 E550, 02 C32, 91 300E
I've been very happy with the JL Clean Sweep box as the center figure in my audio upgrades, which allows me to keep all functionality of the OEM head unit and controls. It neutralized all of the crappy factory EQ settings, and the system sounds great. Other additions are Infinity Kappa series component speakers, Alpine V Series amps for the mains and the JL 10" sub enclosure. The only downside is the remote gain/volume control that has to be mounted where the cig lighter used to be, but the steering wheel volume and other controls are left functional too.
For more :
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_c...php?page_id=94
For more :
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_c...php?page_id=94
I'll spend some time at the car audio place today then.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 636
Likes: 0
From: Oakland, California
07 E550, 02 C32, 91 300E
ok cool, I'll definitely look into that. It seems like what needs help are the tweeters since all the top end stuff is distorted (voices, etc.).
