Need Audio Help
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Joined: Apr 2009
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S-550
Need Audio Help
Need help getting replacement audio system for this crappy HK system in my S-550 posted before and got limited help . Can't find shop in my area to work on car. I can't be the only owner that thinks this system sucks. Also the sat. radio sucks as well , loses signal ,dealer say's they can't find a problem anyone else with this. What can i do????Any solutions
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S-550
You have to be kidding
Chipps you have to be kidding this is my 5th mb and by far this is the worst audio system of the bunch .I am not a boom boxer but this is bad, as someone told me in an earlier post sound or audio is a personal preference so maybe your taste and mine are different or maybe you haven't hear what a nice system really sounds like but either way in my opinion the system in the 2008-2009 S-550 SUCKS so if you can't help me I understand maybe someone else can
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: TX
2013 SL550 Tectite Black
This is my 5 S-class as well....
Chipps you have to be kidding this is my 5th mb and by far this is the worst audio system of the bunch .I am not a boom boxer but this is bad, as someone told me in an earlier post sound or audio is a personal preference so maybe your taste and mine are different or maybe you haven't hear what a nice system really sounds like but either way in my opinion the system in the 2008-2009 S-550 SUCKS so if you can't help me I understand maybe someone else can
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S-550
Average folks
gyzmo123 I am a average person ,I am not a audio expert that's why I am on this site looking for advise on way's to improve the sound in my car, I thought that I would find someone that would be above -average audio wise that could provide me with some help or set me off on a path that could help me. I can't tell you what a good system is but I know one when I hear one and the 2008-2009 s-550 is not one in my opinion
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From: Los Angeles, CA
07 S550
rrobin, i recently traded my Audi A8 for the s550, the S550 is in a different league, outperform the A8 in most of the things but i will have to agree with you regarding the sound of the HK... bad, really bad! in my old A8 the sound was amazing.
and if someone thinks that the HK on the s550 is good... step into an Audi show room.
and if someone thinks that the HK on the s550 is good... step into an Audi show room.
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
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From: Los Angeles, CA
07 S550
Yes i Got an HK system.
I have a someone who is going to do my audio adding a nice amplifier and replacing that useless sub-woofer in the rear.
he is located in san fernando valley in Ca.
I have a someone who is going to do my audio adding a nice amplifier and replacing that useless sub-woofer in the rear.
he is located in san fernando valley in Ca.
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2007 S600
I think it needs more bass. Mine sounds better with the Logic 7 turned off. Sounds less airy and has more punch. I too wish it had a better bass punch. But overall, I'm happy.
The Bose system in the S classes of the '90's sounded really good IMO because they didn't have so much silly processing going on back then. Seems there were 13 speakers in those systems....even a tweeter located in the rearview mirror!!
The Bose system in the S classes of the '90's sounded really good IMO because they didn't have so much silly processing going on back then. Seems there were 13 speakers in those systems....even a tweeter located in the rearview mirror!!
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From: USA
S600
Best way to improve any factory 'premium' sound system is to bypass the factory amp and replace all of the speakers. My car is gearing up for Focal components front and rear powered by a boston acoustics 4 channel amp. The sorry excuse for a subwoofer (that I blew in a month) is getting replaced by a free-air sub that I haven't chosen yet. I will leave the rear door and center speaker alone and to remain powered by the factory amp. The 'Bose' or 'Harmon-Kardon' means nothing, most of the time these are bottom shelf components (in all relativity) with paper cones and low wattage. I think it sounds pretty good for a stock system - but stock is boring, new cars are like a blank slate.
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2015 S550 Palladium/Deep Sea Blue, 2016 Tesla Model S 70D, 2015 Volvo XC70
rrobin,
I agree with you, the sound system in my S550 is my biggest dissapointment with the car.
Anyone who thinks the S550 sound system is great and can't be improved upon in a factory vehicle should go over to a Lexus dealer with some favorite CDs, and try out the optional Mark Levinson sound system in an LS460.
I agree with you, the sound system in my S550 is my biggest dissapointment with the car.
Anyone who thinks the S550 sound system is great and can't be improved upon in a factory vehicle should go over to a Lexus dealer with some favorite CDs, and try out the optional Mark Levinson sound system in an LS460.
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From: Wisconsin
07 S550
rrobin,
I agree with you, the sound system in my S550 is my biggest dissapointment with the car.
Anyone who thinks the S550 sound system is great and can't be improved upon in a factory vehicle should go over to a Lexus dealer with some favorite CDs, and try out the optional Mark Levinson sound system in an LS460.
I agree with you, the sound system in my S550 is my biggest dissapointment with the car.
Anyone who thinks the S550 sound system is great and can't be improved upon in a factory vehicle should go over to a Lexus dealer with some favorite CDs, and try out the optional Mark Levinson sound system in an LS460.
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S-550
Hey coco135 that sounds like it may do the trick, I contacted Reus audio and they recommended something similar hope it helps. let me know how your upgrade turns out and I will keep you posted on mine
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S-550
I think it needs more bass. Mine sounds better with the Logic 7 turned off. Sounds less airy and has more punch. I too wish it had a better bass punch. But overall, I'm happy.
The Bose system in the S classes of the '90's sounded really good IMO because they didn't have so much silly processing going on back then. Seems there were 13 speakers in those systems....even a tweeter located in the rearview mirror!!
The Bose system in the S classes of the '90's sounded really good IMO because they didn't have so much silly processing going on back then. Seems there were 13 speakers in those systems....even a tweeter located in the rearview mirror!!
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2007 S600
I'm not a Bose fan, but that system in the W140(I think) was great.
The best speakers I've ever heard in an aftermarket variety was a speaker called "Quart". 20 years ago , I put a set in a 1989 Acura Legend and those things were incredible. I forgot the kind of amp I had at the time
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2007 S550 2009 SL550
I have also owned a Lexus with the Mark Levinson system. It was no better than the MB system.
However, I think I have found the source of the wide divergence in views on the system in the S550. Let me quote from above:
"The sorry excuse for a subwoofer (that I blew in a month)"
Blew up a subwoofer? An S550 is not a boom box on wheels.
However, I think I have found the source of the wide divergence in views on the system in the S550. Let me quote from above:
"The sorry excuse for a subwoofer (that I blew in a month)"
Blew up a subwoofer? An S550 is not a boom box on wheels.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 33
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From: USA
S600
I have also owned a Lexus with the Mark Levinson system. It was no better than the MB system.
However, I think I have found the source of the wide divergence in views on the system in the S550. Let me quote from above:
"The sorry excuse for a subwoofer (that I blew in a month)"
Blew up a subwoofer? An S550 is not a boom box on wheels.
However, I think I have found the source of the wide divergence in views on the system in the S550. Let me quote from above:
"The sorry excuse for a subwoofer (that I blew in a month)"
Blew up a subwoofer? An S550 is not a boom box on wheels.
Last edited by itschase; May 5, 2009 at 01:16 PM.
Need Audio Help...
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2015 S550 Palladium/Deep Sea Blue, 2016 Tesla Model S 70D, 2015 Volvo XC70
http://www.mbquartusa.com/index.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
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2007 S600
That would probably be MB Quart...they are still around, though I don't know how they are currently regarded
http://www.mbquartusa.com/index.html
http://www.mbquartusa.com/index.html
YES! That was it! MB Quart. Ironic how they start with the letters MB. Maybe those should have been Mercedes' choice of speakers. LOL
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From: Australia
2012 MB E63 Wagon, 2012 BMW M5, 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo S, 2010 Ferrari 458
I've got the HK in my S65 and rate it as OK only for sound. The Bose in my 911 sounds fatter and generally better. I'd love to upgrade the HK if I could do it invisibly but it isn't so bad to motivate me to do it.
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S-550
Sounds like a bunch of owner's agree that the HK system is not very good in the S-550 I think it sucks,but the funny thing is that in my wife's ML it doesn't sound that bad go figure!!!! I have contacted this company that was referred to me called Reus Audio they state that they can provide a stealth upgrade, nevertheless I have heard that Mercedes has contacted another audio company to supply them with audio equipment in the future has anyone heard this?????
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2007 s600 2007 cls63
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?
