HK Amp ugrade
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Joined: Oct 2021
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2016 e350 W212
HK Amp ugrade
New to the group! I have been looking at options to upgrade the HK amp on my 2016 E350 W212. I have replace all the speakers but looking for more of a punch. I understand that the input is fiber optic is there a way to tap into the speaker wires going to the HK amp and using this all in one amp? https://www.audiocontrol.com/car-aud...iers/lc-61200/
Looks like a viable option since it has channel summing and an LOC.
Thanks in advance.
Looks like a viable option since it has channel summing and an LOC.
Thanks in advance.
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Joined: Jan 2014
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From: USA - Minnesota
2014 GL350
New to the group! I have been looking at options to upgrade the HK amp on my 2016 E350 W212. I have replace all the speakers but looking for more of a punch. I understand that the input is fiber optic is there a way to tap into the speaker wires going to the HK amp and using this all in one amp? https://www.audiocontrol.com/car-aud...iers/lc-61200/
Looks like a viable option since it has channel summing and an LOC.
Thanks in advance.
Looks like a viable option since it has channel summing and an LOC.
Thanks in advance.
Ironically, having factory HK makes the effort more difficult and the few cases I've heard of, folks have also replaced the head unit to enable a complete retrofit.
Last edited by cadetdrivr; Oct 15, 2021 at 05:44 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2021
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2016 e350 W212
Thanks, I have been looking for a wiring harness for the fiber connection but have come up empty. I would like to retain the factory radio and replace the amp. Any guidance would be appreciated.
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Joined: Jan 2014
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From: USA - Minnesota
2014 GL350
https://www.audiocontrol.com/downloa...tart-guide.pdf
Or is that what you were originally asking and I misread the question?
Last edited by cadetdrivr; Oct 15, 2021 at 05:56 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2021
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2016 e350 W212
It looks like that can be done. I just wasn't sure how the fiber connection came in to the equation. My thought was cutting the speaker wires and using the amp side for the input and the speaker side for the output to keep all the factory radio features. Not a complete novice but by no means an expert.
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From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
indeed, I would tap each of the speaker wires between the HK amp and the factory and put your aftermarket amp(s) there. this is like a 7 channel system or something.
me, I'm not messing with mine, its about the best sounding factory system I've ever heard, and I'm way past wanting ear damage volume levels. I could see /maybe/ going for a little more bass at higher volume levels, but not upgrading the whole thing. I mostly listen to acoustic kind of music at sane volume levels.
me, I'm not messing with mine, its about the best sounding factory system I've ever heard, and I'm way past wanting ear damage volume levels. I could see /maybe/ going for a little more bass at higher volume levels, but not upgrading the whole thing. I mostly listen to acoustic kind of music at sane volume levels.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 41
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2016 e350 W212
Thank you for the responses. I guess the magic question is does the head unit have speaker inputs or is that all driven through the fiber connection to the amp? From what I can decipher, I have the Command NTG 4.5 head unit.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2020
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From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
the head unit has the MOS(?) digital bus output on fiber to the amp. the amp decodes this, drives all the speakers, and probably has a fair bit of equalization built in, as well as the subwoofer output to the separate sub amp.
