M-Class (W166) Produced 2012-2015

Adding a DSP to the H/K Sound System

Old Jul 23, 2021 | 07:05 AM
  #1  
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Question Adding a DSP to the H/K Sound System

G'day all.

I am wishing to add a digital signal processor to my ML63 W166 with the H/K sound system. (AudioControl DM-810 most likely).

1. Does anyone have access to a wiring diagram for this W166 HK sound system showing whether there are RCA outputs or just line level outputs.
2. Also, any knowledge of what color wires are for which speakers (especially given there are 14 of them!)
3. Where will I find the HK amplifier. HK sound brochure diagram (which i do have) shows it sticking out of the passenger front door (driver front door for USA people), but it is not clear whether that means it is in the door or under the front seat, or possibly somewhere else.

Ideally I want to connect my DSP straight after the head unit and before the amplifier and any other "boxes", unless anyone advises otherwise.
After reading the below, it would seem i need to put in the DSP after the amp utilizing the speaker outputs. Whilst this article is all about an S550, i get the impression the systems are very very similar. Same 14 speakers, just a higher powered amp in my case.

w221/W216 AUDIO UPGRADE GUIDE – UPGRADES FOR THE HARMAN/KARDON LOGIC 7 2007-2012 S & CL CLASS (wordpress.com)

Still keen to get as much information as possible, as I am still waiting on some parts before I start, so anything you can answer on is appreciated.

If anyone can think of anything I might also need to know, I am happy to hear.

Thanks in advance.

I haven't managed to find anything on here or you tube showing someone having done this, so if anyone has any links that would be appreciated.

Last edited by Qikslime; Jul 23, 2021 at 08:55 AM.
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Old Jul 23, 2021 | 02:16 PM
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I had the logic 7 in two different cars and to be honest you dont really need to add a DSP to it. The sound quality you get already is amazing, just me though
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Old Jul 23, 2021 | 08:21 PM
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In my car it sadly does not sound amazing. The quality of the sound that your hear is good, without distortion, and turned up the bass is surprisingly good too, but there is a massive prominence to vocals, and this makes it very harsh sounding, which is exactly what the guy in the S550 was finding, and so i need to tune that out and try and improve it.

If anyone has any of the info I am after i am keen to get hold of it.
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Old Aug 1, 2021 | 03:46 AM
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Ok, so after removing front seat LHS, scuff plates, b-pillar column plastic panel, and lifting up the carpet (no cutting), removing air vent tubes, various connectors and removing a cover plate, I finally found the Harman Kardon amplifier. (along with all sorts of other electronic boxes. Tv Tuner, DAB tuner, and suspension controller and something else). Somewhat of an expedition I have to say!







There are many many wires coming out of that amplifier, so if anyone can help with identifying which wires are for which speakers that would be appreciated.



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Old Aug 22, 2021 | 09:10 AM
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Ok, so I now have a wiring diagram from buying the WIS thingy as a download off ebay and doing some searching. Based on this diagram and photos I have of my plug that goes into the amplifier, there are 11 separate pairs of left and right speaker connections coming out of the amp. There seems to be 9 channels plus 2 pairs to the subwoofer.

This indicates to me a 9 channel amp plus whatever is happening with the subwoofer which gets 2 pairs making, 10/11 channels overall.

1-4. The mid and tweeter in all four doors are on one channel each.
5-6 Each of the woofers in the 2 front doors are on one channel each
7-8 The rear surround speakers
9 The center channel
10-11 2 pairs of speaker connections are going to the subwoofer. Not sure why there are two pairs. Anyone provide any insight on this?

This diagram is a USA diagram and it would seem that in the USA the front right speakers are with the violet and violet/black on the right side of the car, whilst having already pulled off my left door panel and taken photos I know that for my Australian car the violet and violet/black are on the left side! Go figure. Same with the woofer colors. Probz means the rear doors colors are reverse as well.

For anyone that this info ever helps, the wiring diagram attached (at least the USA one) is pe82.62-p-2101-97aa . The data card code for the sound system is 810 (which was changed to 811 at some point in 2016).

Also, I have ordered an Connects2 CT10MC03 Connects2 - Vehicle Integration (Aerpro brand in Australia) which provides a way to make a bridging plug for connecting a DSP like I wish to do. (the product is for phones or something but it is a good way of getting the required connectors, male and female.

Anyway, i hope I help someone get going faster than I was able to if the ever want to do similar.

If anyone out there can confirm this channel arrangement and why there are 2 pairs of wires going to the subwoofer, your help would be appreciated.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
810 without 811.pdf (285.5 KB, 481 views)
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Old Aug 22, 2021 | 11:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Qikslime
10-11 2 pairs of speaker connections are going to the subwoofer. Not sure why there are two pairs. Anyone provide any insight on this?

.
Ok, some more realizations, i should have known this one at the time. Two pairs of wires going to the sub as it is a dual voice coil (double voice coil) sub.

This then seems to suggest that the amp is indeed an 11 channel amp, which given its size seems very surprising.

Just some more learning, learning, learning.
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Old Jan 13, 2024 | 11:05 AM
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Thanks for this!! I'm thinking of adding some after market subwoofers and possibly amping the door speakers. Did you ever find a harness that can be used for the HK system?

Originally Posted by Qikslime
Ok, some more realizations, i should have known this one at the time. Two pairs of wires going to the sub as it is a dual voice coil (double voice coil) sub.

This then seems to suggest that the amp is indeed an 11 channel amp, which given its size seems very surprising.

Just some more learning, learning, learning.
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Old Jan 14, 2024 | 02:38 AM
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Originally Posted by ii__tesh__ii
Thanks for this!! I'm thinking of adding some after market subwoofers and possibly amping the door speakers. Did you ever find a harness that can be used for the HK system?

I ordered a Connects2 CT10MC03 Connects2 - Vehicle Integration (Aerpro brand in Australia) which provides a way to make a bridging plug for connecting a DSP like I wish to do. (the product is for phones or something but it is a good way of getting the required connectors, male and female).

I never ended up doing anything as i considered selling my ML63, although of course that didnt happen, and so i have done nothing! I may or may not get back to completing it.......................

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