On the 2008 MB SUVs catalog states that the GL550 should have standard "Harman/Kardon logic7 boasting 14 speakers..." and yet on my window sticker says 11 speakers. I checked my car and it seems 11 speakers including the sub. What happened?

 

More like fact checking did not happen on the SUV catalog. This is Nevada Jack's speciality and he will be providing a lengthy discourse shortly

 

Hmm - I'm interested to hear about this as I have the same question.

 

It's 11 speakers and a subwoofer.

The description of harmon/kardon system for all SUV's on page 53 says: "Up to 11 optimally placed speakers..."
The description on the GL specific page is wrong.

 

11 or 14, either way the HK sounds lousy...

 

True, I'm not happy or impressed with HK sound system

 

"...lousy" ?

Pretty strong.

 

I agree with you GL.

I have no idea what could improve the sound system in the GL but from my standpoint I think it is fine. I am not a student of high quality sound but my iPod sounds really great, SAT radio seems fine, MP3's sound good and FM radio sound good. I know "good" is pretty subjective but I don't buy a car to listen to music...I buy it to drive. A good quality sound system like the HK just makes the trip more pleasant.

If you want studio sound in a noisy environment like a car doing 30-90mph, then you are going to have to pay the piper.

 

Sound is crisp and clear but it does not SOUND like a high end gadget. Should have some moore "Thump" and "Chirp" to it. The subwoofer is a 6" cheap speaker with no markings on it. Even if I were to buy a replacement, I wouldn't know what is the impedence and other ratings I should look for

 

My only complaint is, the bass is a little weak, and there is no (at least I haven't found it) mid range adjustment. Overall, I like it better than the Bose in my Silverado, but the Bose has it beat in this area. It is definitely the nicest factory installed stereo I have ever owned and more than meets my requirements. Other than that, it's a nice system in a truck with a diesel engine.

 

I wouldn't describe the sound as lousy. I'm not an audiophile, so I can't say that I know what I'm talking about.. but, for me its fine.

I use my iPod alot and enjoy the sound. Also find Sirius radio to be great and the sound more than aceptable. When mixed in with road and engine noise (albeit a moderate amount from the GL) the system sounds decent to me. My older ML has a Bose system in it and this HK system is much better. (Of course the Bose is an old system and my 99 ML320 is certainly no where near as quiet as the GL.)

My teenage kids have complained about the lousy MB earphones that the GL comes with for the rear seat entertainment system .. I have not tried the headsets.. so maybe it's just teens complaining.

 

From a back ground in audio, I will say that it sounds like poop. sure most of you never knew or will know what good sound let alone great sound is all about. Seriously how many have Bose home theater packages and think that is great sound?

The GL, like all the other vehicles lack impact, forget about imaging, separation, sound stage, height width.... there is no impact. Then thinking the iPod is a great music source... It lacks, just like everyone else's systems out there. they rather try and process the sound than really fix the flaws. I suggest you go listen to a quality high end car audio shop in your neighborhood, now here is the issue with that, there isn't many of them in the USA.

 

I agree with NJ. I bought the GL to ride in comfort and be able to carry my 5 grandkids.

I do have a Bose Home Theater system and except for the bass can't tell the difference in sound between my Bose system and the GL. But then again, my many years around tanks in the Army, may have something to do with my ability to be a good judge of sound quality. Heck, I have to put on the subtitles when I get movies to watch at home or else I drive my family away because the volume is too loud.

 

No one buys a $100k vehicle for its sound system (neither did I)...but the fact of the matter is that MB is charging for upgrading the sound system to HK and if one is paying for something, one has a right to get money's worth...

I've had the Bose in the Porsche Cayenne & Mark Levinson in Lexus, both are much superior...and by the way i'm not an audiophile...I listen to my favorite CDs once in a while and whenever I do that in the GL, I can only feel that the HK has a lot of shortcomings...

 

If sound is more important in an automobile than the driving features and a person doesn't like the way the HK sounds, then they should not buy a GL.

Sound quality is totally subjective and as jhcicco says, if your hearing capability is impacted by tank noise (or any other kind of deficiency), the best sound system in the world will sound like "poop" no matter how much you spend.

 

The HK in my GL sounds better than the $1200 DSP system in my BMW. Granted, the DSP is not regarded as a state-of-the-art audio upgrade, but both systems sound good to me. Sirius could be a little better, but that is an issue with the program source rather than the sound system. Again, it's all subjective, but to me the HK is worth the upgrade.

 

Let's see... The MB catalog advertises 14 speakers in the GL550 with a price tag of about $80k. That's approximately $5,715 per speaker. If MB shorted us 3 speakers, that means we should each get a refund from MB for $17,145. Am I right?

 

So, it's like buy 14 speakers and get the engine/seats/etc. free kind of deal. I like that.

 

You got it!

 

Where do I sign up?

 

It's still missing Distronic though Nish... so, you better wait just a little longer.

 

Ahhh......the voice of reason is back. Welcome back, Stumble

 

Sounds good to me too

 

Discrepencies like this can happen.......case in point was my efforts to clarify the literature ( both paper and website ) that spoke of "2nd gear startup and 2nd gear reverse" capabilities of the 450.............my 450 did not have that capability. Called MB and they initially said "sure it does....all you have to do is push a button" .... after a little more discussion, they agreed that the website and advertising literature did NOT jive with owner's manual which did NOT mention the "2nd gear" stuff. They referred the question to their engineering dept. who called back two days latter and confirmed that the GL's ( all models ) DO NOT have this system and that their literature and website info. is in error. Moral of story.....what is printed is not always what is!

 

Wait a minute! You stated that what is printed is not always true. I get all my news from the Enquirer, now I'll actually have to question what I read. I knew something was wrong when they claimed Hillary was Bigfoot's baby.