Seth Mamane

I see 3 options for a speaker system when building my GLE and i want to know if people find the factory speaker system to be adequate?

I plan to listen to a mix of talk radio and music. I blast music maybe once a month if that.

What are the impressions between the factory (the free one), harman/kardon LOGIC7® sound system and the 5k Bang & Olufsen® BeoSound™ Premium Sound System.

thanks

William Kayen

Harmon Kardan system is fantastic. I highly recommend it. The base system is ok for talk radio only.

Alvam

That's a tough call and a personal preference but I did listen to both (which was tough given not a lot of these cars are built with the B&O) and for me the B&O was superior. I trial listened to some CD's and local HD FM signals and I just felt the B&O had much better all around clarity and sound balance with the just the right amount of bass punch. Not an audiophile by any stretch but just felt the higher end system was better. Is it worth the money? That's also a personal preference and budget question only you can answer.

Nanook

I agree...really great (HK) especially playing a cd/dvd

alphainfinity

I have the base system in my GLE and it is OK. I will be adding a sub and amp to help the low end. Once that is done, it still won't be like the B&O but I am confident it will sounds like or be better than the HK, especially when my iphone is connected to the media interface(I stopped using CD's and DVD's back in the 90s).

cupertino

Hi Nanook,
Which iphone cradle are you using ?

BACnMercedes

My opinion is where do you plan on "getting the music" from mostly? I think the system in my current 2014 E class is the same (someone maybe able to confirm it) and when either my S5 or the wife's iphone is connected and we play Pandora, or stream something from a phone, it sounds like an old am/fm radio. My factory installed '14 tundra truck radio blows it away. CDs are a little better in the MB but they still don't sound great and they are about the same when uploaded to the hardrive. So if you can afford it, spring for the B&O.
Just my $.02.

skw

Listen, this is the final word here. If you are into high end music and your music will be only from quality sources, then consider the B&O. If not, get the H/K. Don't even consider "saving money" and just going with the base. I had the H/K in my previous ML. I have the base system in my GLE now. First few days of having it, we already said our next one would have the H/K again (benefit of leasing, not being tied to a vehicle). My wife listens to more mainstream, pop, and satellite radio. I listen to either news/talk/sports or bass heavy music from the iPod. The base system is lacking on all fronts.

Nanook

It's a proclip..taped to dash

Kenn1926

The H and K is a great deal for the $850 or so it costs. Used through the interlink in the console the sound is excellent, so so via Bluetooth. Have had the base system in numerous loaner vehicles, can't compare. Never heard the B and O system. Tough to imagine it being $4500 better though...

Kenn1926

Also, if you "blast" the tunes on occasion you will be disappointed. Doesn't have the guts.

William Kayen

You have to adjust the bass, treble, and balance separately when using Bluetooth and adjust again when using the radio.

BACnMercedes

No one is paying attention. The "final word" was given. This discussion is over. Haha

alphainfinity

I love it when people say that, like their opinion warrants and end to the discussion. lol

As stated before, I have the stock system in my GLE and will be adding an 8 inch sub and amp. I am very confident that once that is done the sound will be on par with the HK. On a side note, it costs about the same as the HK option to add the sub and amp, so if you are ordering, add the HK option. If you are like me and managed to find a Mercedes with all the options except the HK, you can add and amp and sub later and the sound will be adequate.

BACnMercedes

Where are they going to install this? I may want to do it once my GLE gets here.

alphainfinity

There is a side compartment in the back-left of the car where one might put tools, etc etc. They are going to put the sub enclosure there and make it look as stock as possible. There is also panel that you can pull out in the back left, the amp will be hidden there. My requirement to the installers were to make the enclosure look as stock as possible, don't use any cargo space and hide the amp.