Burmaster.... Oh how I hate you so much!
11-17-2021, 05:30 PM
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Burmester.... Oh how I hate you so much!
I searched for threads to see if a GLE Burmester topic existed and I couldn't find one. If one exists, please move to appropriate thread. Sorry in advance.
I can not STAND Burmester sound system in 2021 GLE 53. Harman Kardon sounded SO much better. I'm a self proclaimed audiophile and I have a keen ear and was immediately able to tell the lower quality sound of the Burmester system. I could not afford the 3D sound upgrade which I read it has superior sound. I've adjusted and tweaked the settings to the best of my ability to get it to the level of sounding..... acceptable, And I'm being generous saying so. If you're an audiophile and also have a keen ability to hear the difference between a mid range system and a high end well balanced system, and are able to afford the $ for the 3D system, get it. This reminds me of when we had halogen headlights on our first 2006 ML lease and I regretted it for the entire length of the lease and when it was time to renew, I made sure I got the lighting package on 2009 ML and was so glad I did but the extra cost for it was not a wallet buster as the 3D sound is.
Just my opinion that I wanted to share. I know there are those that are very satisfied with the base Burmester and this is good that you're satisfied with it.
Happy I was able to barely afford the 53 but only because I ordered close to barebones with only a few options. Great vehicle! Blegh on the audio.
I can not STAND Burmester sound system in 2021 GLE 53. Harman Kardon sounded SO much better. I'm a self proclaimed audiophile and I have a keen ear and was immediately able to tell the lower quality sound of the Burmester system. I could not afford the 3D sound upgrade which I read it has superior sound. I've adjusted and tweaked the settings to the best of my ability to get it to the level of sounding..... acceptable, And I'm being generous saying so. If you're an audiophile and also have a keen ability to hear the difference between a mid range system and a high end well balanced system, and are able to afford the $ for the 3D system, get it. This reminds me of when we had halogen headlights on our first 2006 ML lease and I regretted it for the entire length of the lease and when it was time to renew, I made sure I got the lighting package on 2009 ML and was so glad I did but the extra cost for it was not a wallet buster as the 3D sound is.
Just my opinion that I wanted to share. I know there are those that are very satisfied with the base Burmester and this is good that you're satisfied with it.
Happy I was able to barely afford the 53 but only because I ordered close to barebones with only a few options. Great vehicle! Blegh on the audio.
Last edited by phoenixone; 11-17-2021 at 07:17 PM. Reason: Spelling error
11-17-2021, 06:14 PM
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What exactly is Burmaster? Is that some Chinese knockoff? It's Burmester. Spelling it correctly might find some more useful information. FWIW, in my C63 it sounded kinda **** until I turned on the surround sound. W/o it, it sounds like everything is coming out of a tin can in the dash. I also adjusted the equalizer a bit. I don't listen to high quality source material in the car, though, so the quality is mainly a function of the source. For me, the V8 sound, exhaust and road noise kinda makes it pointless to have a high quality sound system in a car.
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Ron.s (12-30-2021)
11-17-2021, 06:25 PM
#4
I agree the mid range (premium package) Burmester system sounds like complete crap. It is brutally punched up in the mid-bass. I know the kids like this kind of sound but they aren't the ones buying GLEs.
For my USB music I have to run the equalizer at Bass=-2, Mid=+7 and High=+6, and the sound is tolerable. There is no reduction in real bass, only the mud between I'm guessing 100-200 Hz.
This system coupled with the Satellite radio which is also punched up in this frequency range, results in unlistenable mud. Plus the muddy vibrations are transferred directly into the dead pedal - having the woofers in the footwells is another huge design flaw. I haven't driven another vehicle with this setup - does anybody else do this? It makes me feel like I have neuropathy in my left foot.
I rented a Chevy Traverse the other day and its stereo absolutely destroyed the one in my GLE. Magnificent quality of sound. Say what you like about GM, but somebody there has ears.
For my USB music I have to run the equalizer at Bass=-2, Mid=+7 and High=+6, and the sound is tolerable. There is no reduction in real bass, only the mud between I'm guessing 100-200 Hz.
This system coupled with the Satellite radio which is also punched up in this frequency range, results in unlistenable mud. Plus the muddy vibrations are transferred directly into the dead pedal - having the woofers in the footwells is another huge design flaw. I haven't driven another vehicle with this setup - does anybody else do this? It makes me feel like I have neuropathy in my left foot.
I rented a Chevy Traverse the other day and its stereo absolutely destroyed the one in my GLE. Magnificent quality of sound. Say what you like about GM, but somebody there has ears.
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phoenixone (11-17-2021)
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gordicello (05-16-2022)
11-17-2021, 07:02 PM
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@phoenixone It's also "Harman Kardon," but it wasn't hard to get your drift.
My low-end Burmester sounded like cr*p, but I was able to tweak it so it's almost acceptable. It improved immensely after a software update, sometime last fall. But it's not anything you'd invite your fellow audiophiles over to show off.
I take it back - I had a fellow audiophile spend an hour in the car with me, listening to several high quality sources, and improved the sound a lot. But it's not M-B's normal quality, IMO.
It's one of the few systems that I actually prefer the Surround ON, so don't ignore that as you fiddle with the controls.
Your analogy to the headlights is appropriate. I WILL NOT own anything with plain lighting. This time, my High End Burmester was left off the order but I took it anyway because of all the delays.
The High End Burmester is worth every penny. I had one in our '20 GLE450, and I'd go to the garage, turn on the massage seats, and listen. There's a "VIP seat" setting that focuses the sound right there, and all the speakers are in phase right where you sit. It's an amazing experience, and it sounds good - quiet or loud.
But you do sacrifice a spare tire for the subwoofer.
Try searching for "subwoofer." Several people have posted about their experiences and installations. I'm not a Boom Boom listener, but I believe a lower bass takes a load off the other speakers, making them sound better. That's my experience with REL subs, too.
Also search for "audio," and you'll find references to some Euro speaker and amp kits that might work. I may go that route too.
I'm a Dynaudio Guy, and I was introduced to that brand by my 2010 VW Tiguan. Also an excellent system seldom duplicated, tuned for the interior.
Good luck.
Maybe just listen to the weather. That's been my solution.
My low-end Burmester sounded like cr*p, but I was able to tweak it so it's almost acceptable. It improved immensely after a software update, sometime last fall. But it's not anything you'd invite your fellow audiophiles over to show off.
I take it back - I had a fellow audiophile spend an hour in the car with me, listening to several high quality sources, and improved the sound a lot. But it's not M-B's normal quality, IMO.
It's one of the few systems that I actually prefer the Surround ON, so don't ignore that as you fiddle with the controls.
Your analogy to the headlights is appropriate. I WILL NOT own anything with plain lighting. This time, my High End Burmester was left off the order but I took it anyway because of all the delays.
The High End Burmester is worth every penny. I had one in our '20 GLE450, and I'd go to the garage, turn on the massage seats, and listen. There's a "VIP seat" setting that focuses the sound right there, and all the speakers are in phase right where you sit. It's an amazing experience, and it sounds good - quiet or loud.
But you do sacrifice a spare tire for the subwoofer.
Try searching for "subwoofer." Several people have posted about their experiences and installations. I'm not a Boom Boom listener, but I believe a lower bass takes a load off the other speakers, making them sound better. That's my experience with REL subs, too.
Also search for "audio," and you'll find references to some Euro speaker and amp kits that might work. I may go that route too.
I'm a Dynaudio Guy, and I was introduced to that brand by my 2010 VW Tiguan. Also an excellent system seldom duplicated, tuned for the interior.
Good luck.
Maybe just listen to the weather. That's been my solution.
11-17-2021, 07:09 PM
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11-17-2021, 07:12 PM
#8
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What exactly is Burmaster? Is that some Chinese knockoff? It's Burmester. Spelling it correctly might find some more useful information. FWIW, in my C63 it sounded kinda **** until I turned on the surround sound. W/o it, it sounds like everything is coming out of a tin can in the dash. I also adjusted the equalizer a bit. I don't listen to high quality source material in the car, though, so the quality is mainly a function of the source. For me, the V8 sound, exhaust and road noise kinda makes it pointless to have a high quality sound system in a car.
11-17-2021, 07:14 PM
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@phoenixone It's also "Harman Kardon," but it wasn't hard to get your drift.
My low-end Burmester sounded like cr*p, but I was able to tweak it so it's almost acceptable. It improved immensely after a software update, sometime last fall. But it's not anything you'd invite your fellow audiophiles over to show off.
I take it back - I had a fellow audiophile spend an hour in the car with me, listening to several high quality sources, and improved the sound a lot. But it's not M-B's normal quality, IMO.
It's one of the few systems that I actually prefer the Surround ON, so don't ignore that as you fiddle with the controls.
Your analogy to the headlights is appropriate. I WILL NOT own anything with plain lighting. This time, my High End Burmester was left off the order but I took it anyway because of all the delays.
The High End Burmester is worth every penny. I had one in our '20 GLE450, and I'd go to the garage, turn on the massage seats, and listen. There's a "VIP seat" setting that focuses the sound right there, and all the speakers are in phase right where you sit. It's an amazing experience, and it sounds good - quiet or loud.
But you do sacrifice a spare tire for the subwoofer.
Try searching for "subwoofer." Several people have posted about their experiences and installations. I'm not a Boom Boom listener, but I believe a lower bass takes a load off the other speakers, making them sound better. That's my experience with REL subs, too.
Also search for "audio," and you'll find references to some Euro speaker and amp kits that might work. I may go that route too.
I'm a Dynaudio Guy, and I was introduced to that brand by my 2010 VW Tiguan. Also an excellent system seldom duplicated, tuned for the interior.
Good luck.
Maybe just listen to the weather. That's been my solution.
My low-end Burmester sounded like cr*p, but I was able to tweak it so it's almost acceptable. It improved immensely after a software update, sometime last fall. But it's not anything you'd invite your fellow audiophiles over to show off.
I take it back - I had a fellow audiophile spend an hour in the car with me, listening to several high quality sources, and improved the sound a lot. But it's not M-B's normal quality, IMO.
It's one of the few systems that I actually prefer the Surround ON, so don't ignore that as you fiddle with the controls.
Your analogy to the headlights is appropriate. I WILL NOT own anything with plain lighting. This time, my High End Burmester was left off the order but I took it anyway because of all the delays.
The High End Burmester is worth every penny. I had one in our '20 GLE450, and I'd go to the garage, turn on the massage seats, and listen. There's a "VIP seat" setting that focuses the sound right there, and all the speakers are in phase right where you sit. It's an amazing experience, and it sounds good - quiet or loud.
But you do sacrifice a spare tire for the subwoofer.
Try searching for "subwoofer." Several people have posted about their experiences and installations. I'm not a Boom Boom listener, but I believe a lower bass takes a load off the other speakers, making them sound better. That's my experience with REL subs, too.
Also search for "audio," and you'll find references to some Euro speaker and amp kits that might work. I may go that route too.
I'm a Dynaudio Guy, and I was introduced to that brand by my 2010 VW Tiguan. Also an excellent system seldom duplicated, tuned for the interior.
Good luck.
Maybe just listen to the weather. That's been my solution.
11-17-2021, 07:18 PM
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11-17-2021, 07:22 PM
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11-17-2021, 08:50 PM
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Relatively common complaint, some say tweaking the settings (one of them has to do with the surround sound superswiss mentioned above), the rest is about a software update performed, please see the posts below (same thread)
Post #53: https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ml#post8278595
Post #57: https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ml#post8279094
Post #86: https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ml#post8323929
Post #98: https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ml#post8389456
Post #106: https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ml#post8390927
Post #53: https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ml#post8278595
Post #57: https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ml#post8279094
Post #86: https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ml#post8323929
Post #98: https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ml#post8389456
Post #106: https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ml#post8390927
Last edited by W205C43PFL; 11-17-2021 at 08:53 PM.
11-17-2021, 09:19 PM
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Thank you so very much for the update info. I will most definitely take mine in and see if they can run this update and hopefully it will sound better. Once again, thanks for all the help! 👍🎶
11-17-2021, 09:20 PM
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11-17-2021, 09:50 PM
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Will do. It may take a while. Had medical issue from back Mar 2020 that compromised my immune system and have to limit my exposure to public but definitely will follow up when I can. 😉
11-17-2021, 10:14 PM
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Sorry to hear that : ( Your health is more important obviously, hope you recover soon!
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jsa1983 (11-18-2021)
12-28-2021, 08:24 PM
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Ok. Dropped off my vehicle at service to see if they can perform the Burmester update. Long story short, when I called the service dept, told them the problem I have with my Burmester and mentioned that I found out there was an update for it and have the update # if needed, she said that I just can't call and make an appt for a specific update. I have to bring it in, let them know what I'm experiencing and they will see if one is available.
Ohhhhhhh kay. Sure. I can do that.
. Also mentioned that disabling the volume adjustment when stopped doesn't work and that hopefully the update, IF they have it available (hehe, oh boy), will fix that as well as I read in the forums that it did.
I'll keep you updated when they call and tell me what they were able to do.
Ohhhhhhh kay. Sure. I can do that.
. Also mentioned that disabling the volume adjustment when stopped doesn't work and that hopefully the update, IF they have it available (hehe, oh boy), will fix that as well as I read in the forums that it did.I'll keep you updated when they call and tell me what they were able to do.
12-28-2021, 10:43 PM
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Thanks for updating us, looking forward to hearing the good news.
12-29-2021, 01:38 AM
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Ok. Dropped off my vehicle at service to see if they can perform the Burmester update. Long story short, when I called the service dept, told them the problem I have with my Burmester and mentioned that I found out there was an update for it and have the update # if needed, she said that I just can't call and make an appt for a specific update. I have to bring it in, let them know what I'm experiencing and they will see if one is available.
Ohhhhhhh kay. Sure. I can do that.. Also mentioned that disabling the volume adjustment when stopped doesn't work and that hopefully the update, IF they have it available (hehe, oh boy), will fix that as well as I read in the forums that it did.
I'll keep you updated when they call and tell me what they were able to do.
Ohhhhhhh kay. Sure. I can do that.
. Also mentioned that disabling the volume adjustment when stopped doesn't work and that hopefully the update, IF they have it available (hehe, oh boy), will fix that as well as I read in the forums that it did.I'll keep you updated when they call and tell me what they were able to do.
It seems that Mercedes releases updates in waves, and it's possible if they can't install it for you.
And the reason why they wouldn't accept your car to "install the update number XX," might be that if it's incompatible or doesn't work with your car, her that version might not be free to you.
Ask questions so you understand why they're doing things the way they do. Sometimes there's more going on behind the scenes then can be explained over the phone. Good luck
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12-29-2021, 11:34 AM
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About two weeks ago, I had the MBUX system updated on our 22 GLE 450 since I was having issues with the initial start-up with the COMAND system. This software upgrade has been on-going for awhile according to the technician. Perhaps similar update may address your radio issue. Good luck.
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Imanone (12-29-2021)
12-29-2021, 10:43 PM
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About two weeks ago, I had the MBUX system updated on our 22 GLE 450 since I was having issues with the initial start-up with the COMAND system. This software upgrade has been on-going for awhile according to the technician. Perhaps similar update may address your radio issue. Good luck.
TIA
12-30-2021, 06:56 AM
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Yes, the update did work . The vehicle was built on or around late October 2021. Here is some "code" information taken from the RO: " ZM 82-9905 1.0 -software update for radio and comand perform 210129."
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Imanone (12-30-2021)
12-30-2021, 07:31 AM
#23
I still don't quite get the MB process in regards to software updates. Last time when at the service center I spoke to an advisor in regards to the lack of continuous updates for the vehicle (only received 1 update in 2+ years of ownership).
His comment was in the line of "well it's not an iPhone". It appears that they would only update if you come in with a specific issue. I don't quite get why MB has not released at least 10 marginal / functionality updates in the past 2-3 years.
The Model Y Tesla we have gets updates with fixes and new functionality every 4-6 weeks. I feel like most legacy car makers have fallen behind significantly on the software front and need to catch up with the new reality, vehicles are now tablets on wheels.
Looking at the EQS and it's very marginally updated MBUX I feel like MB is stuck in the past on that platform. It looks old by now, and they added almost nothing new. Starting to contemplate whether I should pre-order a Lucid or Tesla SUV instead of MB EQE Suv.
His comment was in the line of "well it's not an iPhone". It appears that they would only update if you come in with a specific issue. I don't quite get why MB has not released at least 10 marginal / functionality updates in the past 2-3 years.
The Model Y Tesla we have gets updates with fixes and new functionality every 4-6 weeks. I feel like most legacy car makers have fallen behind significantly on the software front and need to catch up with the new reality, vehicles are now tablets on wheels.
Looking at the EQS and it's very marginally updated MBUX I feel like MB is stuck in the past on that platform. It looks old by now, and they added almost nothing new. Starting to contemplate whether I should pre-order a Lucid or Tesla SUV instead of MB EQE Suv.
12-30-2021, 09:52 AM
#24
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I still don't quite get the MB process in regards to software updates. Last time when at the service center I spoke to an advisor in regards to the lack of continuous updates for the vehicle (only received 1 update in 2+ years of ownership).
His comment was in the line of "well it's not an iPhone". It appears that they would only update if you come in with a specific issue. I don't quite get why MB has not released at least 10 marginal / functionality updates in the past 2-3 years.
The Model Y Tesla we have gets updates with fixes and new functionality every 4-6 weeks. I feel like most legacy car makers have fallen behind significantly on the software front and need to catch up with the new reality, vehicles are now tablets on wheels.
Looking at the EQS and it's very marginally updated MBUX I feel like MB is stuck in the past on that platform. It looks old by now, and they added almost nothing new. Starting to contemplate whether I should pre-order a Lucid or Tesla SUV instead of MB EQE Suv.
His comment was in the line of "well it's not an iPhone". It appears that they would only update if you come in with a specific issue. I don't quite get why MB has not released at least 10 marginal / functionality updates in the past 2-3 years.
The Model Y Tesla we have gets updates with fixes and new functionality every 4-6 weeks. I feel like most legacy car makers have fallen behind significantly on the software front and need to catch up with the new reality, vehicles are now tablets on wheels.
Looking at the EQS and it's very marginally updated MBUX I feel like MB is stuck in the past on that platform. It looks old by now, and they added almost nothing new. Starting to contemplate whether I should pre-order a Lucid or Tesla SUV instead of MB EQE Suv.
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cupecoy (12-31-2021)
12-30-2021, 10:05 AM
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Thanks very much. I picked up my 450 on 10/13. I plan to cc your update info only and show it to SA. They typically give me a song and dance about no updates when I know there have been some. They also seem to take forever to do the updates when they do acknowledge them. Hope it works out for me as well.
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haibieb (12-30-2021)
