Need Advice on Upgrading Standard Audio System
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2
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From: Toronto, Canada
2003 - E500
Need Advice on Upgrading Standard Audio System
Just took possession of a demo 2003 E500. Love it - has everything I need. Well everything except the HK audio! Of course that means I'm now looking for advice on upgrading standard audio system.
Any info on the following would be much appreciated:
a) Is the HK upgrade possible as a retrofit?
b) Is the amp for the standard audio external to the head unit.? i.e.Can I upgrade the amp without losing any of the audio controls that are accessed via the head unit (e.g. fader controls)?
c) Any sugestions on amp and/or sub-woofer upgrade?
thx
Any info on the following would be much appreciated:
a) Is the HK upgrade possible as a retrofit?
b) Is the amp for the standard audio external to the head unit.? i.e.Can I upgrade the amp without losing any of the audio controls that are accessed via the head unit (e.g. fader controls)?
c) Any sugestions on amp and/or sub-woofer upgrade?
thx
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,559
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From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Re: Need Advice on Upgrading Standard Audio System
Originally posted by chkstr
Just took possession of a demo 2003 E500. Love it - has everything I need. Well everything except the HK audio! Of course that means I'm now looking for advice on upgrading standard audio system.
Any info on the following would be much appreciated:
a) Is the HK upgrade possible as a retrofit?
b) Is the amp for the standard audio external to the head unit.? i.e.Can I upgrade the amp without losing any of the audio controls that are accessed via the head unit (e.g. fader controls)?
c) Any sugestions on amp and/or sub-woofer upgrade?
thx
Just took possession of a demo 2003 E500. Love it - has everything I need. Well everything except the HK audio! Of course that means I'm now looking for advice on upgrading standard audio system.
Any info on the following would be much appreciated:
a) Is the HK upgrade possible as a retrofit?
b) Is the amp for the standard audio external to the head unit.? i.e.Can I upgrade the amp without losing any of the audio controls that are accessed via the head unit (e.g. fader controls)?
c) Any sugestions on amp and/or sub-woofer upgrade?
thx
The audio gateway really takes the function of "head unit" from older cars. It has the radio, amplifier, and interface to the car. The head unit really is just an interface to the other audio components, a controller; it also contains the navigation info (such as memory and settings).
Any amplifier upgrades would have to be done by taking the output of the current amplifier and reamplifying it, therefore, an amplifier with speaker level inputs would be better suited.
A user here (kyee) has added a subwoofer to his system. I didn't hear it (yet) but when I looked at it, it was a JL Audio sub in its own enclosure with a JL amp. Surprisingly, the enclosure takes very little room in the trunk! Search in the forum here for pics.
-s-
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From: Northern NJ
2014 BMW 550i
A retrofit would be tough, but not worth it in my opinion. Much better to spend your money on upgrading to some other system, which basically would involve some amps and new speakers. I know little details, but with the cost of what you would most likely have to spend on a retrofit, you would be able to get a much better aftermarket alternative.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
2003 - E500
Thx, that helps ... and from another thread I can see now that the audio gateway is located in the trunk compartment. Given the audio gateway's function and integration with other components it doesn't look like the audio gateway itself can be upgraded.
So, as per scorchie's reply, any system upgrades will necessarily involve amps with speaker level inputs - not ideal but I'll explore.
On a related note - I've seen mention of 'Aux In' showing up in some w211 glove boxes? Not so in mine. Does anyone know if the standard 2003 audio gateway comes with a Aux in or do I have to 'steal' the tape in.
thx
So, as per scorchie's reply, any system upgrades will necessarily involve amps with speaker level inputs - not ideal but I'll explore.
On a related note - I've seen mention of 'Aux In' showing up in some w211 glove boxes? Not so in mine. Does anyone know if the standard 2003 audio gateway comes with a Aux in or do I have to 'steal' the tape in.
thx
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally posted by chkstr
Thx, that helps ... and from another thread I can see now that the audio gateway is located in the trunk compartment. Given the audio gateway's function and integration with other components it doesn't look like the audio gateway itself can be upgraded.
So, as per scorchie's reply, any system upgrades will necessarily involve amps with speaker level inputs - not ideal but I'll explore.
On a related note - I've seen mention of 'Aux In' showing up in some w211 glove boxes? Not so in mine. Does anyone know if the standard 2003 audio gateway comes with a Aux in or do I have to 'steal' the tape in.
thx
Thx, that helps ... and from another thread I can see now that the audio gateway is located in the trunk compartment. Given the audio gateway's function and integration with other components it doesn't look like the audio gateway itself can be upgraded.
So, as per scorchie's reply, any system upgrades will necessarily involve amps with speaker level inputs - not ideal but I'll explore.
On a related note - I've seen mention of 'Aux In' showing up in some w211 glove boxes? Not so in mine. Does anyone know if the standard 2003 audio gateway comes with a Aux in or do I have to 'steal' the tape in.
thx
-s-
