Changed tweeters in my W212
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Changed tweeters in my W212
I have been disappointed in the sound from my HK audio system. Sound was good but I was not satisfied with the "staging"/lack of source separation. To me the HK was a big blob of good sound. Recently saw a post from RNBRAD re replacing tweeters in the A pillars with dome tweeters. oem's are not dome tweeters. Have made the change (my installer did it). Good move. I can now hear an improvement in the surround audio.
I have long experience in selling and sometimes installing higher quality sound systems so I am probably more critical than most. I am not suggesting to anyone else to make this or any other mod to the HK system;just passing on my experience. Cost was less than $100 for the speakers and an install time of 30-45 min.
I have long experience in selling and sometimes installing higher quality sound systems so I am probably more critical than most. I am not suggesting to anyone else to make this or any other mod to the HK system;just passing on my experience. Cost was less than $100 for the speakers and an install time of 30-45 min.
#3
Any more details you can provide? What tweeters did you replace the stock with?
Not sure what significance you attach to dome tweeters, but the stock HK tweeters are dome tweeters.
The factory tweeters have a capacitor inline, exact value I don't recall, but the resulting first order crossover is very high. If your installer didn't implement something to this effect, the result you may be hearing is simply a tweeter playing way lower frequencies than your factory hk tweeters did crossed over very high. You may have been able to achieve much of the same results as you have now simply by removing the inline capacitor on the factory tweeter. Of course the tweeters are more likely to blow out, but so are the ones you are currently using if they are not crossed over.
FYI, the mid and tweeter in the front doors run off the same channel from the amplifier. The tweeter is not crossed over at the amplifier and is only "protected" by the inline cap.
Not sure what significance you attach to dome tweeters, but the stock HK tweeters are dome tweeters.
The factory tweeters have a capacitor inline, exact value I don't recall, but the resulting first order crossover is very high. If your installer didn't implement something to this effect, the result you may be hearing is simply a tweeter playing way lower frequencies than your factory hk tweeters did crossed over very high. You may have been able to achieve much of the same results as you have now simply by removing the inline capacitor on the factory tweeter. Of course the tweeters are more likely to blow out, but so are the ones you are currently using if they are not crossed over.
FYI, the mid and tweeter in the front doors run off the same channel from the amplifier. The tweeter is not crossed over at the amplifier and is only "protected" by the inline cap.
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
As soon as I notice this topic , RNBRAD was 1st to cross my mind and you also mentioned that
So, may be you can also swap your X204's
So, may be you can also swap your X204's
#5
Super Member
Good stuff!!! Most any and all tweeters will have an inline capacitor acting as a filter (1st order) 6db per octave. The cap rating is based on frequency start of attenuation and also speaker ohm rating come into play for that. It's just a fail safe really, added protection. The internal amp has the crossover built in, so in essence the system is all electronically crossed over or in other words "active" versus "passive", which is really the best way to go. Let me delve into what I've learned about this system over the past few months and share it with you all, not to jack the thread but help everyone understand what "we" have. Oh and check the link below and read about the Aurovox among the other stuff.
Last night I got together with some car audio equipment reps, installers, competitors from the DIYMA (do-it-yourself-mobile-audio) web site, about 20of us from my area of the state. Now mind you I didn't take my (retired) world class competition truck, I took my Benz. We spent hours listening to each others cars. They were highly highly impressed with my W212. I can't say enough about this car, how dead it is and the limited sound refraction in the interior. The funky plastic piece under the windshield does just that. That captures and cancels sound waves, creating a very pleasant sound experience. Only thing I'm going to do is deaden the doors a little. I get some reverb from the panels, but man those midbass drivers get after it. One guy thought I had 8'' drivers in the doors, lol. Also our cars are very "tuned" from Harmon Kardon. The Alumaprene drivers are exceptional. The amplifier is a very efficient class D output design with a built in sophisticated DSP (digital sound processor). The entire system is digital to the amp with the amp having DAC's (digital-to-analog-covertors) built in. This means no noise intoduced through analog cables. The system needs a few tweaks cause it is designed for the "masses" or target audience. Tweeters needed a little more sparkle and more subbass and this thing really comes alive. I just can't say enough about the platform. I just feel sorry for the aftermarket world, they are falling so far behind and they are struggling. Reason is because of systems like this. Anyway glad someone made the leap and I'm always around to help if and whenever needed. I haven't found anything I would change, at least today. You know how car audio guys are, always looking for something to change. I've just never been more satisifed with a system and really worried that any changes from this point could go the other way. Anyway maybe the OP could give us some details and post up some pics, that would be great!!! Just an FYI, the wire that has the capacitor, that's the positive wire from the amp. I messed that up somehow and was reverse phased. Easy to hear after it happens. Anyway rock on!!!
Oh also, if your experiencing a "big blob of sound", turn the flipping Logic 7 off. That is the worst piece of crap I have ever heard!!! It will totally trash the sound or any image whatsoever.
http://www.automotive.harmankardon.c.../discrete.aspx
Last night I got together with some car audio equipment reps, installers, competitors from the DIYMA (do-it-yourself-mobile-audio) web site, about 20of us from my area of the state. Now mind you I didn't take my (retired) world class competition truck, I took my Benz. We spent hours listening to each others cars. They were highly highly impressed with my W212. I can't say enough about this car, how dead it is and the limited sound refraction in the interior. The funky plastic piece under the windshield does just that. That captures and cancels sound waves, creating a very pleasant sound experience. Only thing I'm going to do is deaden the doors a little. I get some reverb from the panels, but man those midbass drivers get after it. One guy thought I had 8'' drivers in the doors, lol. Also our cars are very "tuned" from Harmon Kardon. The Alumaprene drivers are exceptional. The amplifier is a very efficient class D output design with a built in sophisticated DSP (digital sound processor). The entire system is digital to the amp with the amp having DAC's (digital-to-analog-covertors) built in. This means no noise intoduced through analog cables. The system needs a few tweaks cause it is designed for the "masses" or target audience. Tweeters needed a little more sparkle and more subbass and this thing really comes alive. I just can't say enough about the platform. I just feel sorry for the aftermarket world, they are falling so far behind and they are struggling. Reason is because of systems like this. Anyway glad someone made the leap and I'm always around to help if and whenever needed. I haven't found anything I would change, at least today. You know how car audio guys are, always looking for something to change. I've just never been more satisifed with a system and really worried that any changes from this point could go the other way. Anyway maybe the OP could give us some details and post up some pics, that would be great!!! Just an FYI, the wire that has the capacitor, that's the positive wire from the amp. I messed that up somehow and was reverse phased. Easy to hear after it happens. Anyway rock on!!!
Oh also, if your experiencing a "big blob of sound", turn the flipping Logic 7 off. That is the worst piece of crap I have ever heard!!! It will totally trash the sound or any image whatsoever.
http://www.automotive.harmankardon.c.../discrete.aspx
Last edited by RNBRAD; 02-02-2013 at 10:55 AM.
#6
RNBRAD, what do you mean most any and all tweeters will have a 6db first order? I'd have to say that most tweeters don't have any crossover built in. Take your LPG's for example, or any other DIY type tweeter. I have the wiring schematics for the HK system, and like I wrote before, the tweeter and midrange run off of the same channel at the amplifier. While the midrange is electronically crossed over, the crossover protection for the tweeter is only in the passive cap.
IIRC, the cap on our stock tweeters is glued onto the back of the tweeter, and wired after the plug harness.So if you remove the tweeter and simply wire in an aftermarket tweeter, you no longer have any passive protection of the tweeter and it will roll off naturally.
BTW, HK only started using the Alumaprene name for their E-class system in late 2012. Prior to that, they called it Metal-Matrix something or other. I don't know if the speakers actually changed, but the system in my early 2012 sounds different than the late 2012 loaner I got from the dealer.
I agree that the system is quite good for a factory system.
IIRC, the cap on our stock tweeters is glued onto the back of the tweeter, and wired after the plug harness.So if you remove the tweeter and simply wire in an aftermarket tweeter, you no longer have any passive protection of the tweeter and it will roll off naturally.
BTW, HK only started using the Alumaprene name for their E-class system in late 2012. Prior to that, they called it Metal-Matrix something or other. I don't know if the speakers actually changed, but the system in my early 2012 sounds different than the late 2012 loaner I got from the dealer.
I agree that the system is quite good for a factory system.
Last edited by brauhaus313; 02-02-2013 at 02:20 PM.
#7
Super Member
Thread Starter
Tweeters
Any more details you can provide? What tweeters did you replace the stock with?
Not sure what significance you attach to dome tweeters, but the stock HK tweeters are dome tweeters.
The factory tweeters have a capacitor inline, exact value I don't recall, but the resulting first order crossover is very high. If your installer didn't implement something to this effect, the result you may be hearing is simply a tweeter playing way lower frequencies than your factory hk tweeters did crossed over very high. You may have been able to achieve much of the same results as you have now simply by removing the inline capacitor on the factory tweeter. Of course the tweeters are more likely to blow out, but so are the ones you are currently using if they are not crossed over.
FYI, the mid and tweeter in the front doors run off the same channel from the amplifier. The tweeter is not crossed over at the amplifier and is only "protected" by the inline cap.
Not sure what significance you attach to dome tweeters, but the stock HK tweeters are dome tweeters.
The factory tweeters have a capacitor inline, exact value I don't recall, but the resulting first order crossover is very high. If your installer didn't implement something to this effect, the result you may be hearing is simply a tweeter playing way lower frequencies than your factory hk tweeters did crossed over very high. You may have been able to achieve much of the same results as you have now simply by removing the inline capacitor on the factory tweeter. Of course the tweeters are more likely to blow out, but so are the ones you are currently using if they are not crossed over.
FYI, the mid and tweeter in the front doors run off the same channel from the amplifier. The tweeter is not crossed over at the amplifier and is only "protected" by the inline cap.
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#8
Super Member
RNBRAD, what do you mean most any and all tweeters will have a 6db first order? I'd have to say that most tweeters don't have any crossover built in. Take your LPG's for example, or any other DIY type tweeter. I have the wiring schematics for the HK system, and like I wrote before, the tweeter and midrange run off of the same channel at the amplifier. While the midrange is electronically crossed over, the crossover protection for the tweeter is only in the passive cap.
IIRC, the cap on our stock tweeters is glued onto the back of the tweeter, and wired after the plug harness.So if you remove the tweeter and simply wire in an aftermarket tweeter, you no longer have any passive protection of the tweeter and it will roll off naturally.
BTW, HK only started using the Alumaprene name for their E-class system in late 2012. Prior to that, they called it Metal-Matrix something or other. I don't know if the speakers actually changed, but the system in my early 2012 sounds different than the late 2012 loaner I got from the dealer.
I agree that the system is quite good for a factory system.
IIRC, the cap on our stock tweeters is glued onto the back of the tweeter, and wired after the plug harness.So if you remove the tweeter and simply wire in an aftermarket tweeter, you no longer have any passive protection of the tweeter and it will roll off naturally.
BTW, HK only started using the Alumaprene name for their E-class system in late 2012. Prior to that, they called it Metal-Matrix something or other. I don't know if the speakers actually changed, but the system in my early 2012 sounds different than the late 2012 loaner I got from the dealer.
I agree that the system is quite good for a factory system.
Last edited by RNBRAD; 02-02-2013 at 08:16 PM.
#9
Your test confirms that the single channel that drives both the midrange and tweeter are crossed over at the amplifier. The tweeter itself however is not crossed over at the amplifier. You're thinking the tweeter has it's own channel at the amp, but it does not.
As I wrote before, the channel that runs both the midrange and tweeter is electronically crossed over at the amplifier in the vocal range. Most any dome tweeter will begin to rolloff naturally well before the point where the midrange is high passed.
Well, glad you all are enjoying your setups. That LPG is one I've been itching to try.
As I wrote before, the channel that runs both the midrange and tweeter is electronically crossed over at the amplifier in the vocal range. Most any dome tweeter will begin to rolloff naturally well before the point where the midrange is high passed.
Well, glad you all are enjoying your setups. That LPG is one I've been itching to try.
#10
Super Member
Your test confirms that the single channel that drives both the midrange and tweeter are crossed over at the amplifier. The tweeter itself however is not crossed over at the amplifier. You're thinking the tweeter has it's own channel at the amp, but it does not.
As I wrote before, the channel that runs both the midrange and tweeter is electronically crossed over at the amplifier in the vocal range. Most any dome tweeter will begin to rolloff naturally well before the point where the midrange is high passed.
Well, glad you all are enjoying your setups. That LPG is one I've been itching to try.
As I wrote before, the channel that runs both the midrange and tweeter is electronically crossed over at the amplifier in the vocal range. Most any dome tweeter will begin to rolloff naturally well before the point where the midrange is high passed.
Well, glad you all are enjoying your setups. That LPG is one I've been itching to try.
http://mercedes.harmankardon.com/bro...Class_1012.pdf
#11
Super Member
I pulled the trunk cover to expose the amp. All I was able to verify is the actual color of wires for the tweeters run to the amp only thing I don't know is how the plug on top of the amp comes out. I could easily verify as to what speakers each output covers. Even though the colors match, I would have to pull the mids to verify their possible match as well. Anyway I'm highly curious as to what going on here. Noticed the amp has 2 fiber optic inputs. Maybe 1 is signal and the other volume control. if they are going to run 1 output for the mid tweeter combo, why didn't they add the 6.5 in there as well and cap the mid like the tweet? Rear doors have no mid, wonder what they did there. Look like to me there is enough wires from the amp for every single speaker in the car, but eventhough there is doesnt mean they are all for speakers. Anyway my saga continues and I'll try and pull the speaker terminal plug tomorrow or Monday and do some testing. See what's exactly going on.
#12
I hope you don't take offense, because I like what you've done with your car and your hands on approach to things going by your posts, but I've had to write the same thing over and over. I'm not making an assumption. Like I said, I have the wiring circuit papers and it shows what wires go where, and clearly, the same channel is shared by the midrange and tweeter, and its verifiable by the wires coming out of the amp.
As far as your testing goes, I'm not sure what it would show definitively, but there are alot of factors to consider. Perhaps those tweeters roll off naturally such that they won't be damaged by frequencies above that amplifier channels high pass crossover. Perhaps your midbass wasn't putting out much sound at all because it is wired together with the midrange an not seeing that much power. Who knows?
You can still choose to not believe me I guess. It doesn't really matter since you've installed an inline cap, and I'm not planning on changing anything except finally getting my sub installed.
As far as your testing goes, I'm not sure what it would show definitively, but there are alot of factors to consider. Perhaps those tweeters roll off naturally such that they won't be damaged by frequencies above that amplifier channels high pass crossover. Perhaps your midbass wasn't putting out much sound at all because it is wired together with the midrange an not seeing that much power. Who knows?
You can still choose to not believe me I guess. It doesn't really matter since you've installed an inline cap, and I'm not planning on changing anything except finally getting my sub installed.
#13
Super Member
I hope you don't take offense, because I like what you've done with your car and your hands on approach to things going by your posts, but I've had to write the same thing over and over. I'm not making an assumption. Like I said, I have the wiring circuit papers and it shows what wires go where, and clearly, the same channel is shared by the midrange and tweeter, and its verifiable by the wires coming out of the amp.
As far as your testing goes, I'm not sure what it would show definitively, but there are alot of factors to consider. Perhaps those tweeters roll off naturally such that they won't be damaged by frequencies above that amplifier channels high pass crossover. Perhaps your midbass wasn't putting out much sound at all because it is wired together with the midrange an not seeing that much power. Who knows?
You can still choose to not believe me I guess. It doesn't really matter since you've installed an inline cap, and I'm not planning on changing anything except finally getting my sub installed.
As far as your testing goes, I'm not sure what it would show definitively, but there are alot of factors to consider. Perhaps those tweeters roll off naturally such that they won't be damaged by frequencies above that amplifier channels high pass crossover. Perhaps your midbass wasn't putting out much sound at all because it is wired together with the midrange an not seeing that much power. Who knows?
You can still choose to not believe me I guess. It doesn't really matter since you've installed an inline cap, and I'm not planning on changing anything except finally getting my sub installed.
I scrolled back and saw your statement, not sure how I missed it, my apologies.
Last edited by RNBRAD; 02-02-2013 at 11:31 PM.
#16
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HK not as good as they say
With all due respect, if members from DIYMA got together and were impressed with the HK system then i must be going nuts. In no way do i agree with that statement, do i believe its a decent setup for stock, yes, do i believe that its ideal, no way. i have run a 3 way set up in my porsche where i put 9" midbass in the doors, 3.25 in the doors as well and a tweeter in the A pillar to ensure a good blend, that is not idea, as i believe an ideal 3 way set up would be kickpannels, nevertheless, the system came alive when i really deadned the doors and added the 9" midbass over the standard 6.25.
Now with that being said the HK set up decent but in no way impressive, who in the world puts tweeters in the mirror housing, that is the ultimate sin in audio soundstage, in any case i find having only one midrange as a center channel is not enough voice, whenever you plug in the IPOD or listen to Pandora the bass response is a bit flat and the highs are not optimized.
next momday i will be installing or trying to to install a possible set up 9" midbass deadning the doors and building an internal door pod for my 3.25 midranges, i will add a high end tweeter and utilize my amp as crossovers.
I'm adding 2 12" JL Audio wv6v2, we will utilize 3 amps and run all HK speakers and tuning the whole car with the PXE h6000 i know its not the best processor but it will do just fine in comparison to the HK system. I expect a drastic improvement in TA and overall sound quality. in the remote case we can't fit the 9" midbass with 225 wrms I will just swap the stock speakers with Diamond Audio D971 and run a 2 way set up and run TA with the PXE. i think either of those 2 set ups will definately blow the HK sytem away. Just my .02
Now with that being said the HK set up decent but in no way impressive, who in the world puts tweeters in the mirror housing, that is the ultimate sin in audio soundstage, in any case i find having only one midrange as a center channel is not enough voice, whenever you plug in the IPOD or listen to Pandora the bass response is a bit flat and the highs are not optimized.
next momday i will be installing or trying to to install a possible set up 9" midbass deadning the doors and building an internal door pod for my 3.25 midranges, i will add a high end tweeter and utilize my amp as crossovers.
I'm adding 2 12" JL Audio wv6v2, we will utilize 3 amps and run all HK speakers and tuning the whole car with the PXE h6000 i know its not the best processor but it will do just fine in comparison to the HK system. I expect a drastic improvement in TA and overall sound quality. in the remote case we can't fit the 9" midbass with 225 wrms I will just swap the stock speakers with Diamond Audio D971 and run a 2 way set up and run TA with the PXE. i think either of those 2 set ups will definately blow the HK sytem away. Just my .02
#17
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HK not as good as they say
With all due respect, if members from DIYMA got together and were impressed with the HK system then i must be going nuts. In no way do i agree with that statement, do i believe its a decent setup for stock, yes, do i believe that its ideal, no way. i have run a 3 way set up in my porsche where i put 9" midbass in the doors, 3.25 in the doors as well and a tweeter in the A pillar to ensure a good blend, that is not idea, as i believe an ideal 3 way set up would be kickpannels, nevertheless, the system came alive when i really deadned the doors and added the 9" midbass over the standard 6.25.
Now with that being said the HK set up decent but in no way impressive, who in the world puts tweeters in the mirror housing, that is the ultimate sin in audio soundstage, in any case i find having only one midrange as a center channel is not enough voice, whenever you plug in the IPOD or listen to Pandora the bass response is a bit flat and the highs are not optimized.
next momday i will be installing or trying to to install a possible set up 9" midbass deadning the doors and building an internal door pod for my 3.25 midranges, i will add a high end tweeter and utilize my amp as crossovers.
I'm adding 2 12" JL Audio wv6v2, we will utilize 3 amps and run all HK speakers and tuning the whole car with the PXE h6000 i know its not the best processor but it will do just fine in comparison to the HK system. I expect a drastic improvement in TA and overall sound quality. in the remote case we can't fit the 9" midbass with 225 wrms I will just swap the stock speakers with Diamond Audio D971 and run a 2 way set up and run TA with the PXE. i think either of those 2 set ups will definately blow the HK sytem away. Just my .02
Now with that being said the HK set up decent but in no way impressive, who in the world puts tweeters in the mirror housing, that is the ultimate sin in audio soundstage, in any case i find having only one midrange as a center channel is not enough voice, whenever you plug in the IPOD or listen to Pandora the bass response is a bit flat and the highs are not optimized.
next momday i will be installing or trying to to install a possible set up 9" midbass deadning the doors and building an internal door pod for my 3.25 midranges, i will add a high end tweeter and utilize my amp as crossovers.
I'm adding 2 12" JL Audio wv6v2, we will utilize 3 amps and run all HK speakers and tuning the whole car with the PXE h6000 i know its not the best processor but it will do just fine in comparison to the HK system. I expect a drastic improvement in TA and overall sound quality. in the remote case we can't fit the 9" midbass with 225 wrms I will just swap the stock speakers with Diamond Audio D971 and run a 2 way set up and run TA with the PXE. i think either of those 2 set ups will definately blow the HK sytem away. Just my .02
#18
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h
With all due respect, if members from DIYMA got together and were impressed with the HK system then i must be going nuts. In no way do i agree with that statement, do i believe its a decent setup for stock, yes, do i believe that its ideal, no way. i have run a 3 way set up in my porsche where i put 9" midbass in the doors, 3.25 in the doors as well and a tweeter in the A pillar to ensure a good blend, that is not idea, as i believe an ideal 3 way set up would be kickpannels, nevertheless, the system came alive when i really deadned the doors and added the 9" midbass over the standard 6.25.
Now with that being said the HK set up decent but in no way impressive, who in the world puts tweeters in the mirror housing, that is the ultimate sin in audio soundstage, in any case i find having only one midrange as a center channel is not enough voice, whenever you plug in the IPOD or listen to Pandora the bass response is a bit flat and the highs are not optimized.
next momday i will be installing or trying to to install a possible set up 9" midbass deadning the doors and building an internal door pod for my 3.25 midranges, i will add a high end tweeter and utilize my amp as crossovers.
I'm adding 2 12" JL Audio wv6v2, we will utilize 3 amps and run all HK speakers and tuning the whole car with the PXE h6000 i know its not the best processor but it will do just fine in comparison to the HK system. I expect a drastic improvement in TA and overall sound quality. in the remote case we can't fit the 9" midbass with 225 wrms I will just swap the stock speakers with Diamond Audio D971 and run a 2 way set up and run TA with the PXE. i think either of those 2 set ups will definately blow the HK sytem away. Just my .02
Now with that being said the HK set up decent but in no way impressive, who in the world puts tweeters in the mirror housing, that is the ultimate sin in audio soundstage, in any case i find having only one midrange as a center channel is not enough voice, whenever you plug in the IPOD or listen to Pandora the bass response is a bit flat and the highs are not optimized.
next momday i will be installing or trying to to install a possible set up 9" midbass deadning the doors and building an internal door pod for my 3.25 midranges, i will add a high end tweeter and utilize my amp as crossovers.
I'm adding 2 12" JL Audio wv6v2, we will utilize 3 amps and run all HK speakers and tuning the whole car with the PXE h6000 i know its not the best processor but it will do just fine in comparison to the HK system. I expect a drastic improvement in TA and overall sound quality. in the remote case we can't fit the 9" midbass with 225 wrms I will just swap the stock speakers with Diamond Audio D971 and run a 2 way set up and run TA with the PXE. i think either of those 2 set ups will definately blow the HK sytem away. Just my .02
#19
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h
With all due respect, if members from DIYMA got together and were impressed with the HK system then i must be going nuts. In no way do i agree with that statement, do i believe its a decent setup for stock, yes, do i believe that its ideal, no way. i have run a 3 way set up in my porsche where i put 9" midbass in the doors, 3.25 in the doors as well and a tweeter in the A pillar to ensure a good blend, that is not idea, as i believe an ideal 3 way set up would be kickpannels, nevertheless, the system came alive when i really deadned the doors and added the 9" midbass over the standard 6.25.
Now with that being said the HK set up decent but in no way impressive, who in the world puts tweeters in the mirror housing, that is the ultimate sin in audio soundstage, in any case i find having only one midrange as a center channel is not enough voice, whenever you plug in the IPOD or listen to Pandora the bass response is a bit flat and the highs are not optimized.
next momday i will be installing or trying to to install a possible set up 9" midbass deadning the doors and building an internal door pod for my 3.25 midranges, i will add a high end tweeter and utilize my amp as crossovers.
I'm adding 2 12" JL Audio wv6v2, we will utilize 3 amps and run all HK speakers and tuning the whole car with the PXE h6000 i know its not the best processor but it will do just fine in comparison to the HK system. I expect a drastic improvement in TA and overall sound quality. in the remote case we can't fit the 9" midbass with 225 wrms I will just swap the stock speakers with Diamond Audio D971 and run a 2 way set up and run TA with the PXE. i think either of those 2 set ups will definately blow the HK sytem away. Just my .02
Now with that being said the HK set up decent but in no way impressive, who in the world puts tweeters in the mirror housing, that is the ultimate sin in audio soundstage, in any case i find having only one midrange as a center channel is not enough voice, whenever you plug in the IPOD or listen to Pandora the bass response is a bit flat and the highs are not optimized.
next momday i will be installing or trying to to install a possible set up 9" midbass deadning the doors and building an internal door pod for my 3.25 midranges, i will add a high end tweeter and utilize my amp as crossovers.
I'm adding 2 12" JL Audio wv6v2, we will utilize 3 amps and run all HK speakers and tuning the whole car with the PXE h6000 i know its not the best processor but it will do just fine in comparison to the HK system. I expect a drastic improvement in TA and overall sound quality. in the remote case we can't fit the 9" midbass with 225 wrms I will just swap the stock speakers with Diamond Audio D971 and run a 2 way set up and run TA with the PXE. i think either of those 2 set ups will definately blow the HK sytem away. Just my .02
#20
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h
With all due respect, if members from DIYMA got together and were impressed with the HK system then i must be going nuts. In no way do i agree with that statement, do i believe its a decent setup for stock, yes, do i believe that its ideal, no way. i have run a 3 way set up in my porsche where i put 9" midbass in the doors, 3.25 in the doors as well and a tweeter in the A pillar to ensure a good blend, that is not idea, as i believe an ideal 3 way set up would be kickpannels, nevertheless, the system came alive when i really deadned the doors and added the 9" midbass over the standard 6.25.
Now with that being said the HK set up decent but in no way impressive, who in the world puts tweeters in the mirror housing, that is the ultimate sin in audio soundstage, in any case i find having only one midrange as a center channel is not enough voice, whenever you plug in the IPOD or listen to Pandora the bass response is a bit flat and the highs are not optimized.
next momday i will be installing or trying to to install a possible set up 9" midbass deadning the doors and building an internal door pod for my 3.25 midranges, i will add a high end tweeter and utilize my amp as crossovers.
I'm adding 2 12" JL Audio wv6v2, we will utilize 3 amps and run all HK speakers and tuning the whole car with the PXE h6000 i know its not the best processor but it will do just fine in comparison to the HK system. I expect a drastic improvement in TA and overall sound quality. in the remote case we can't fit the 9" midbass with 225 wrms I will just swap the stock speakers with Diamond Audio D971 and run a 2 way set up and run TA with the PXE. i think either of those 2 set ups will definately blow the HK sytem away. Just my .02
Now with that being said the HK set up decent but in no way impressive, who in the world puts tweeters in the mirror housing, that is the ultimate sin in audio soundstage, in any case i find having only one midrange as a center channel is not enough voice, whenever you plug in the IPOD or listen to Pandora the bass response is a bit flat and the highs are not optimized.
next momday i will be installing or trying to to install a possible set up 9" midbass deadning the doors and building an internal door pod for my 3.25 midranges, i will add a high end tweeter and utilize my amp as crossovers.
I'm adding 2 12" JL Audio wv6v2, we will utilize 3 amps and run all HK speakers and tuning the whole car with the PXE h6000 i know its not the best processor but it will do just fine in comparison to the HK system. I expect a drastic improvement in TA and overall sound quality. in the remote case we can't fit the 9" midbass with 225 wrms I will just swap the stock speakers with Diamond Audio D971 and run a 2 way set up and run TA with the PXE. i think either of those 2 set ups will definately blow the HK sytem away. Just my .02
#22
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W212 E250 Sport Blue Efficiency
I have been disappointed in the sound from my HK audio system. Sound was good but I was not satisfied with the "staging"/lack of source separation. To me the HK was a big blob of good sound. Recently saw a post from RNBRAD re replacing tweeters in the A pillars with dome tweeters. oem's are not dome tweeters. Have made the change (my installer did it). Good move. I can now hear an improvement in the surround audio.
I have long experience in selling and sometimes installing higher quality sound systems so I am probably more critical than most. I am not suggesting to anyone else to make this or any other mod to the HK system;just passing on my experience. Cost was less than $100 for the speakers and an install time of 30-45 min.
I have long experience in selling and sometimes installing higher quality sound systems so I am probably more critical than most. I am not suggesting to anyone else to make this or any other mod to the HK system;just passing on my experience. Cost was less than $100 for the speakers and an install time of 30-45 min.
#25
Super Member
With all due respect, if members from DIYMA got together and were impressed with the HK system then i must be going nuts. In no way do i agree with that statement, do i believe its a decent setup for stock, yes, do i believe that its ideal, no way. i have run a 3 way set up in my porsche where i put 9" midbass in the doors, 3.25 in the doors as well and a tweeter in the A pillar to ensure a good blend, that is not idea, as i believe an ideal 3 way set up would be kickpannels, nevertheless, the system came alive when i really deadned the doors and added the 9" midbass over the standard 6.25.
Now with that being said the HK set up decent but in no way impressive, who in the world puts tweeters in the mirror housing, that is the ultimate sin in audio soundstage, in any case i find having only one midrange as a center channel is not enough voice, whenever you plug in the IPOD or listen to Pandora the bass response is a bit flat and the highs are not optimized.
next momday i will be installing or trying to to install a possible set up 9" midbass deadning the doors and building an internal door pod for my 3.25 midranges, i will add a high end tweeter and utilize my amp as crossovers.
I'm adding 2 12" JL Audio wv6v2, we will utilize 3 amps and run all HK speakers and tuning the whole car with the PXE h6000 i know its not the best processor but it will do just fine in comparison to the HK system. I expect a drastic improvement in TA and overall sound quality. in the remote case we can't fit the 9" midbass with 225 wrms I will just swap the stock speakers with Diamond Audio D971 and run a 2 way set up and run TA with the PXE. i think either of those 2 set ups will definately blow the HK sytem away. Just my .02
Now with that being said the HK set up decent but in no way impressive, who in the world puts tweeters in the mirror housing, that is the ultimate sin in audio soundstage, in any case i find having only one midrange as a center channel is not enough voice, whenever you plug in the IPOD or listen to Pandora the bass response is a bit flat and the highs are not optimized.
next momday i will be installing or trying to to install a possible set up 9" midbass deadning the doors and building an internal door pod for my 3.25 midranges, i will add a high end tweeter and utilize my amp as crossovers.
I'm adding 2 12" JL Audio wv6v2, we will utilize 3 amps and run all HK speakers and tuning the whole car with the PXE h6000 i know its not the best processor but it will do just fine in comparison to the HK system. I expect a drastic improvement in TA and overall sound quality. in the remote case we can't fit the 9" midbass with 225 wrms I will just swap the stock speakers with Diamond Audio D971 and run a 2 way set up and run TA with the PXE. i think either of those 2 set ups will definately blow the HK sytem away. Just my .02
Keep us posted on your install. I hope your plans include tapping into the fiber optic and using some type of Toslink adapter, cause using the high level speaker outs will be impossible to achieve any level of sq.
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...t-pillars.html