Need Audio Help
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
S-550
I thought about doing an aftermarket upgrade too but the audio guys that I talked to were concerned with signal processing with an aftermarket amp. They were afraid of "losing" the center channel of the system setup by bypassing the factory amp. Anyone heard of this problem or are the guys I talked to just not up to par on their knowledge?
Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
E350 4matic
I Agree
I have a new E350 and the Harmon Kardon system is awful. The treble and bass controls make very little difference and do not contour the sound. The highs and midranges dominate to the extent that the music is harsh. I have had it back to the dealer, but they were unable to improve the sound. If it had a workable equalizer, that might help. The bass only sounds good if the volume is turned up to a level that is ear-splitting. I think the only answer is a qualified audio shop.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
07 S550
well, here is what i did today...
Front & rear speakers and twitters got replaced with JL c5
Sub woofer got replaced with an "in box" 10" w3v2 sub.
added a JL amplifier and connected only to the sub and the side speakers (did not touched the center channel)
Sound is ... ha ... how do i say it?! AMAZING!!!
One day without the car and $2550 gone from my pocket could not be happier!
Front & rear speakers and twitters got replaced with JL c5
Sub woofer got replaced with an "in box" 10" w3v2 sub.
added a JL amplifier and connected only to the sub and the side speakers (did not touched the center channel)
Sound is ... ha ... how do i say it?! AMAZING!!!
One day without the car and $2550 gone from my pocket could not be happier!
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 650
Likes: 24
From: Texas
2015 White/brown Nappa S550, '13 S550 4 matic, 11 S550 sold, '10 S550 Sports BLACK 08 S550 P3 sport
well, here is what i did today...
Front & rear speakers and twitters got replaced with JL c5
Sub woofer got replaced with an "in box" 10" w3v2 sub.
added a JL amplifier and connected only to the sub and the side speakers (did not touched the center channel)
Sound is ... ha ... how do i say it?! AMAZING!!!
One day without the car and $2550 gone from my pocket could not be happier!
Front & rear speakers and twitters got replaced with JL c5
Sub woofer got replaced with an "in box" 10" w3v2 sub.
added a JL amplifier and connected only to the sub and the side speakers (did not touched the center channel)
Sound is ... ha ... how do i say it?! AMAZING!!!
One day without the car and $2550 gone from my pocket could not be happier!
Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
07 S550
side speakers were replaced instead of the original using component adopters ($60 each x4) if you look at the doors you wont see any change from the original "don't judge a book by its cover" because whats inside is what counts.
and no i did not replaced the original amp i just bypassed it for the the left and right channels.
no reason for me to post pictures since every thing looks like it was before i did it.
the only thing that you CAN see is a box in the trunk, under the sub woofer, it sticks down about 6".
the new amplifier that controls the sides channels and the sub woofer is installed on the top of the trunk next to the back of the rear seat, i will post a picture of that soon.
and no i did not replaced the original amp i just bypassed it for the the left and right channels.
no reason for me to post pictures since every thing looks like it was before i did it.
the only thing that you CAN see is a box in the trunk, under the sub woofer, it sticks down about 6".
the new amplifier that controls the sides channels and the sub woofer is installed on the top of the trunk next to the back of the rear seat, i will post a picture of that soon.
Last edited by coco135; May 9, 2009 at 01:48 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
S-550
well, here is what i did today...
Front & rear speakers and twitters got replaced with JL c5
Sub woofer got replaced with an "in box" 10" w3v2 sub.
added a JL amplifier and connected only to the sub and the side speakers (did not touched the center channel)
Sound is ... ha ... how do i say it?! AMAZING!!!
One day without the car and $2550 gone from my pocket could not be happier!
Front & rear speakers and twitters got replaced with JL c5
Sub woofer got replaced with an "in box" 10" w3v2 sub.
added a JL amplifier and connected only to the sub and the side speakers (did not touched the center channel)
Sound is ... ha ... how do i say it?! AMAZING!!!
One day without the car and $2550 gone from my pocket could not be happier!
Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Bellevue, WA
2009 VW CC
side speakers were replaced instead of the original using component adopters ($60 each x4) if you look at the doors you wont see any change from the original "don't judge a book by its cover" because whats inside is what counts.
and no i did not replaced the original amp i just bypassed it for the the left and right channels.
no reason for me to post pictures since every thing looks like it was before i did it.
the only thing that you CAN see is a box in the trunk, under the sub woofer, it sticks down about 6".
the new amplifier that controls the sides channels and the sub woofer is installed on the top of the trunk next to the back of the rear seat, i will post a picture of that soon.
and no i did not replaced the original amp i just bypassed it for the the left and right channels.
no reason for me to post pictures since every thing looks like it was before i did it.
the only thing that you CAN see is a box in the trunk, under the sub woofer, it sticks down about 6".
the new amplifier that controls the sides channels and the sub woofer is installed on the top of the trunk next to the back of the rear seat, i will post a picture of that soon.
You can not "bypass" the OE amplifier w/o using some type of 3rd party summing device. I'm calling BS until I see pics....
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
07 S550
"BrabusMan" after reading your post i was concerned, i did ask my audio guy and he did use one of those "summing devices". don't call BS to any of my post, i am not trying to impress any one here so...
as soon as i get my newly ordered DMC-TS1S i'll post some pics
as soon as i get my newly ordered DMC-TS1S i'll post some pics
