mike vee

I just got an 05 E500 about 2 months back and under completely normal listening I have already blown 3 speakers in this car (center channel, rear deck full range and I think the sub is party blown as well.) I only have the bass about 60%.

This system SUCKS. The dynamic range is horrible and the frequency cut off for the center channel is all wrong (way too much bass allowed to hit it.) I am an audio engineer for a living so I know a thing or two, but even by anyone standards this is unacceptable.

The thing is I'm pretty sure regardless of sound quality the blown speakers are the result of a malfunction in the amp or head unit. You see, sometimes is seems like the max volume (on any source) can vary GREATLY. One day I'll get in my car and be able to use full volume and it will sound great....it's not even that loud at all. I can tell there is no stress on the system. Then the next day at half volume the bass will literlaly be bouncing the sub and center chanenel speaker through the grill on the SAME SONG. The max volume/amp output seems to double along with the bass. Anyone else every notice this??????

Anyway, enough negativity...I'm ready to replace the whole thing. I was thinking of doing a 5 channel amp with 2 sets of full range speakers and a 12. Can someone please tell me the sizes of speakers in the front/rear doors?

cleankutazn

Never had any problems with the h/k system. It's pretty decent for stock though. How are you able to hear the center channel only?

Dtv211

Front center: 3.5
Front door (L&R) 6.5x2
Back Doors 6.5x2
Rear deck: 3.5 x2 (I think)

Not too sure about the front speakers, but the rear speakers are kind of a pain to remove. I have the same problem with my subwoofer, it sounded like crap (like it was blown), so I disconnected the wires from it, installed a 10" JL audio and now it sounds great. My rear right speaker was also blown, and I am in the process of replacing it myself. Was told guitar strings can split the glue between the speaker housing and the door. GL to you.

mike vee

i cant...but its easy to tell. speaker sizes? u cant search good on here cause of everyones signatures with their specs...search results turn up every post

mike vee

thanks dtv!

what model jl??? a freeair model?

Roehl

Let us know how would you do the 5 channel amp. I agree with you, the sound quality isn't to great on this HK.

mike vee

thanks i will.....i'm going all blaupunkt.

Dtv211

Take a look at this amp. Only 4 channels but the it looks pretty nice and doesn't seem to be insanely overpriced. I've been thinking of getting this for a while.

http://www.woofersetc.com/p6989/PA41...-Amplifier.htm

Dtv211

I don't like too much thumping bass and have my car rattle with my stereo cranked up so I went with the 150 watt rms jl audio 10w1v2 in a ported box powered by a monoblock 175/275 max watt amp. Very good bang for the buck.

If you're wondering how loud this is, well I can say that the bass is a little bit stronger than the stock Harmon Kardon subwoofer, and it is almost perfect to me. Maybe in the future, I would probably upgrade to a 200-300 watt rms sub if I want a little more vibration in my seats, but for now it's good. Definitely do not want the Mrs. to complain on our road trips to Vegas.

bobgodd

Sux about your speakers. I don't think the sound is perfect either but my bass is always set to 100% and I go full-turn on the volume and haven't blown anything yet.

MJ50

works perfectly fine for me...
u must really turn up the volume...

cleankutazn

Anybody surprised that the h/k subwoofer is 10"

CLEK500

i think the w211 have best sound system so far, specially with Logic7. I've owned different MB ( W220, w208, W163, W209) but still like W211 sound the most. you may want to check it out in your ride, may be some fiber optic cable got loose

dannieboiz

since you're a sound engineer. Can you tell me why you favor blaupunkt. Sorry, I don't mean to put down your judgement, but I've never considered blaupunkt as an audiophile product.

Back to the subject... IMO, our HK system isn't going to win any competition, but for a stock system I'm quite impressed. I disconnected my stock sub and installed an IDMax 12 with a JL 500/1 which is pretty good. You may need to remove your stock subs to let air through to maximize your sub. I was fortunate to have a ski bag so I just fold the rear armrest down.

mike vee

i wanted blaupunkt to keep it German. To put a bunch of riced out electronics in a benz would be sac religious to me....but im a sound engineer not a car stereo specialist...once i looked into blaupunkt I saw that they don't really make anything high end at this point...so i'll decide later.

By the way this system is HORRIBLE...if you really think it's good you should really go listen to a good stereo. You will thank yourself.

dannieboiz

Trust me, I know what a good stereo sounds like. I won't sit here and brag about my stereo, but I think there's a problem with your HK system itself. Like I said, it sounds very good for a stock system.

Are you looking to replace the headunit and go all out or keeping it looking stock and replacing speakers and adding amps?

jdhoang

I've listened to decent sound systems. My brother-in-law has B&W speakers with Musical Fidelity components (close to $20K), and my home theater system is over $10K (Denon, Definitive Technology -- okay it's not really audiophile equipment). That said, IMHO the Harmon Kardon system sounds great for a stock system. I set my bass really high and crank my system up when listening and never blown a speaker, so I'm wondering if you have a problem with your system?

My wife's Lexus has a Mark Levinson system, which is an audiophile name brand, but I certainly like the HK system sound much better. And yes -- I know Harmon International owns Mark Levinson as well.

mike vee

ive just come from a nice stereo place that knows what's up. they suggested replacing the front door woofer/tweeter, back door 2 ways and ading a 12 inch sub and 5 channel amp, all boston acoustics. removing all rear deck speakers. would use a rockford fosgate hi input converter to take the stock sound and make it best possible quality for after market amp. 2200 installed. hmm. i like the idea just not sure if i want to go THAT high end. that amp alone is 650.

PS as i stated befoe there has GOT to be something wrong with my stereo...but whatever it is i do not want to deal with it. this system has like 15 watts each speaker haha.

ap10046

Have any of ya'll changed the stock centre speaker, its really funny sized...it does tend to crackle a fair bit if you turn the volume up.
I agree on our cars having really nice sounding stock systems!

Dtv211

For all those who claim that they have no crackling problems with their HK speakers, I have one thing to say: It'll happen sooner or later unfortunately

ruffrob

The HK system does sound good except for the bass. Guess they thought buyers of this car are all classical music lovers. I put a dual JL Audio subwoofer in my trunk ,and now my non classical music sounds ,well ,classic..

storm

[quote=mike vee;3464342]I just got an 05 E500 about 2 months back and under completely normal listening I have already blown 3 speakers in this car (center channel, rear deck full range and I think the sub is party blown as well.) I only have the bass about 60%.

This system SUCKS. The dynamic range is horrible and the frequency cut off for the center channel is all wrong (way too much bass allowed to hit it.) I am an audio engineer for a living so I know a thing or two, but even by anyone standards this is unacceptable.

The thing is I'm pretty sure regardless of sound quality the blown speakers are the result of a malfunction in the amp or head unit. You see, sometimes is seems like the max volume (on any source) can vary GREATLY. One day I'll get in my car and be able to use full volume and it will sound great....it's not even that loud at all. I can tell there is no stress on the system. Then the next day at half volume the bass will literlaly be bouncing the sub and center chanenel speaker through the grill on the SAME SONG. The max volume/amp output seems to double along with the bass. Anyone else every notice this??????




I know a thing or 2 about audio as well,, use to sell AV stuff,
and I can tell you something must be wrong with your system
cause the HK audio amp and tuner is excellent..

it is a whopping 8 seperate channel discrete fiber optic digital amp
that suport 7.1 digital surround sound and is one of the most balanced systems in a car today, besides maybe the 14 speaker AUDI B and O

granted it is slightly underpowered, instead of 420 watts it really needs about 600, but still its balanced..
it plays surround movies, and Audio perfectly, which even a thumping 1200 watt ghetto boomy will not do correctly

its not some window shaking ghetto blaster, that has way too much bass,

its a harmonically balanced audio system designed for that dimentioned car interior.

about the only thing that would improve it without ripping out all the speakers, would be to add a more powerfull AMP to co join the power, to bring it to maybe 750 w or so,

so you may want to check your AUDIO GATEWAY 8 channel amp,
if you got the car used, maybe someone messed it up or the dealer did something,, or its just messed up, cause they sound really good,,normally

dannieboiz

I echo everything Storm just said.

Why not go find another W211 and demo the HK system? Perhaps go do some tire kicking at the dealer ship.

But seriously though, I've always replace stocks speakers in the cars that I've own in the past. It was difficult to achieve a good mid bass and well balance system without spending lots of money.

I assure you that you'll have to spend more than just a few hundred bucks to get cleaner sound than the stock system.

Decent components for the fronts and back would set you back $600 subs is another $300-ish. Then you'll need 2 amps, a 4 channel and a mono another 400 to 500 each. I think the shop that you went to must have quoted you the Fosgate 3Sixty which is like another 200-300

oonick

Im tired of hearing my w211's center channel crackling away.
Its killing me everytime i turn it on
Will just upgrading the speakers do justice without re-configuring the whole system,i dont need it to be loud, I just like clean crisp sounding music.

QuadBenz

You NEED to go listen to the demo CD that comes and only works in a W221 (and probably CL W216). It will absolutely change your above opinion.