W212 Harmon Kardon Speaker Distortion
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 9
Likes: 7
2015 E220
W212 Harmon Kardon Speaker Distortion
Hi,
Ive a 2015 E220 with the Harmon/Kardon Logic 7 sound system. The problem I have is theres a distortion coming from the rear speakers / subwoofer. It happens in many various songs with bass, the songs are all good quality etc. The noise im hearing is a distortion in the speakers or subwooder, its not like the song is being played too loud etc., and the sound adjustments are all in place. I suspect its the subwoofer but cant be sure. I have removed the the black cover thats on the rear shelf that covers the subwoofer and the noise can still be heard, theres nothing obviously loose there or in the boot either from underneath. i have carried out a diagnostics on the sound system and theres no faults. Im going to book it into Mercedes and see what they say, but just wondering before I do has anyone else come across this problem in there W212 with the harmon kardon system?
Thanks
Ive a 2015 E220 with the Harmon/Kardon Logic 7 sound system. The problem I have is theres a distortion coming from the rear speakers / subwoofer. It happens in many various songs with bass, the songs are all good quality etc. The noise im hearing is a distortion in the speakers or subwooder, its not like the song is being played too loud etc., and the sound adjustments are all in place. I suspect its the subwoofer but cant be sure. I have removed the the black cover thats on the rear shelf that covers the subwoofer and the noise can still be heard, theres nothing obviously loose there or in the boot either from underneath. i have carried out a diagnostics on the sound system and theres no faults. Im going to book it into Mercedes and see what they say, but just wondering before I do has anyone else come across this problem in there W212 with the harmon kardon system?
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 210
From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
Im not sure if 2010 and 2015 HK logic 7 is the same , but ive got this probably a year after i bought the car(atleast i noticed that in a year lol)
There are threads on this forum , and from what i remember reading is that your subwoofer speaker is burnt (the coil in it). Too much bass , or music too loud.. idk what could be a real reason to this.
maybe there are different ways to fix this , but easiest one is probably to replace the sub.
There are threads on this forum , and from what i remember reading is that your subwoofer speaker is burnt (the coil in it). Too much bass , or music too loud.. idk what could be a real reason to this.
maybe there are different ways to fix this , but easiest one is probably to replace the sub.
Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 125
Likes: 13
From: Vancouver BC
2014 E63S Sedan
I’m actually getting the same distortion, almost like a static. I haven’t had a chance to open the back speaker cover up but is there only that one speaker? Anyone fix this issue yet?
Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 80
Likes: 22
From: Lexington KY
2016 E350 4matic
I had a similar issue. In my case, I could hear some "rattle" from the rear shelf when music was bass loaded.
I could make "rattle" stop by pressing on the shelf and the grill.
Since it is still under warranty, I found a specific song on my SD card that would cause this to appear and took it to local MB dealer. It did take two attempts. On the first one they claim usual "can not replicate the problem". On the second attempt I got shop foreman to confirm the issue and than fix it. Based on the feedback that I got, the shelf was removed and some foam/padding was glued to it to quiet it down.
Max
I could make "rattle" stop by pressing on the shelf and the grill.
Since it is still under warranty, I found a specific song on my SD card that would cause this to appear and took it to local MB dealer. It did take two attempts. On the first one they claim usual "can not replicate the problem". On the second attempt I got shop foreman to confirm the issue and than fix it. Based on the feedback that I got, the shelf was removed and some foam/padding was glued to it to quiet it down.
Max
Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 125
Likes: 13
From: Vancouver BC
2014 E63S Sedan
I had a similar issue. In my case, I could hear some "rattle" from the rear shelf when music was bass loaded.
I could make "rattle" stop by pressing on the shelf and the grill.
Since it is still under warranty, I found a specific song on my SD card that would cause this to appear and took it to local MB dealer. It did take two attempts. On the first one they claim usual "can not replicate the problem". On the second attempt I got shop foreman to confirm the issue and than fix it. Based on the feedback that I got, the shelf was removed and some foam/padding was glued to it to quiet it down.
Max
I could make "rattle" stop by pressing on the shelf and the grill.
Since it is still under warranty, I found a specific song on my SD card that would cause this to appear and took it to local MB dealer. It did take two attempts. On the first one they claim usual "can not replicate the problem". On the second attempt I got shop foreman to confirm the issue and than fix it. Based on the feedback that I got, the shelf was removed and some foam/padding was glued to it to quiet it down.
Max
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 766
2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
Yep, have the same issue (2014). Rear passenger area, static in mid/treble music like classical or jazz. Not all of the time, but getting more and more frequent. Almost like your old radio would sound if you didn’t dial I the channel perfectly via the rotator knob. But on the ssd card or Bluetooth connection, doesn’t happen on the higher recorded coding, but on the old mp3 format from my Napster days, I get it quite a bit..
Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 80
Likes: 22
From: Lexington KY
2016 E350 4matic
Found one more reference where the sub speaker itself got damaged:
https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w22...epair-fyi.html
This reference is for the S-class but I think the one used in E-class is nearly identical.
Max
https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w22...epair-fyi.html
This reference is for the S-class but I think the one used in E-class is nearly identical.
Max
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 125
Likes: 13
From: Vancouver BC
2014 E63S Sedan
Found one more reference where the sub speaker itself got damaged:
https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w22...epair-fyi.html
This reference is for the S-class but I think the one used in E-class is nearly identical.
Max
https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w22...epair-fyi.html
This reference is for the S-class but I think the one used in E-class is nearly identical.
Max
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 125
Likes: 13
From: Vancouver BC
2014 E63S Sedan
Got impatient and removed the speaker cover just now. My fear of it being the speaker attached to the sub has been confirmed. Before I remove the whole rear shelf does anyone know if that speaker can be purchased separately or is it one unit with the sub? Anyone have have part numbers?
Thanks
Thanks
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 9
Likes: 7
2015 E220
I took my car to the dealer. They carried out diagnostics and there was no fault codes which i knew already as i had checked it. They took up the rear parcel shelf and checked was everything tight etc. They heard the distortion however they told me that they checked another car they had with the Harmon Kardon sound system and that it made the same distortion noise and could not replace the sub-woofer as its a fault with them sound systems. I heard the distortion in the other vehicle thet had which was a C class W204. End result was they told me to remove to the rear pacel shelf and install some sound deadening.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
2016 eclass cabriolet
2016 Eclass Cabriolet, Harmon Kardon speaker distortion, mine is strange:
1. When top is up, system is booming. Can't make it distort.
2. If top is lowered while system is turned up, will continue to blast perfectly (speakers must be OK).
3. If ignition turned off for 10-15 min (with top down), when started up,distortion is obvious.
4. Only solution is to raise top for a few seconds and lower it again. Not good for wear and tear on top systems.
5. When top finishes operation cycle and makes final latching(locks into place), system sound booms again.
Will take to MB ASAP.
1. When top is up, system is booming. Can't make it distort.
2. If top is lowered while system is turned up, will continue to blast perfectly (speakers must be OK).
3. If ignition turned off for 10-15 min (with top down), when started up,distortion is obvious.
4. Only solution is to raise top for a few seconds and lower it again. Not good for wear and tear on top systems.
5. When top finishes operation cycle and makes final latching(locks into place), system sound booms again.
Will take to MB ASAP.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
2016 eclass cabriolet
Follow up to distortion. Took to MB. Shop says no code stored. I am convinced that code storing more often than not, not a good indicator of most bad sounds. Had to get shop tech to sit in car with me. Used fader to move sound to center, and front dash tweeter was scratchy and sounding horrible. Tech agreed that tweeter was bad. Found an article that said sun shining through windshield will cause them to go bad. Part on order, will give follow once installed.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 443
Likes: 69
From: California
2013 E550 4MATIC - P1, P2, SPORT
Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 195
Likes: 46
From: Bath, OH
‘12 Mclaren 12C, ‘19 W213 E450, ‘15 S63 Coupé
I just purchased a W212 with HK logic 7 and it also had a distorted sound coming from the rear. My buddy was riding with me and heard the noise and immediately went into my settings under Bluetooth audio and turned off the “boost” mode. The sound changed to what I would expect from the system immediately.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 129
From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
The stock "subwoofer" if you can even call it that is horrible garbage. I disconnected it when I installed a proper subwoofer in the trunk. The rest of the system actually sounds pretty good. I balanced the new sub level with the rest of the system, I'm happy with the outcome for years now. I've had a lot of extensive stereo installs in the past, and this keeps me happy.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...r-install.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...r-install.html
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 443
Likes: 69
From: California
2013 E550 4MATIC - P1, P2, SPORT
I just purchased a W212 with HK logic 7 and it also had a distorted sound coming from the rear. My buddy was riding with me and heard the noise and immediately went into my settings under Bluetooth audio and turned off the “boost” mode. The sound changed to what I would expect from the system immediately.
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
