Thread for proud S Class Owners to Post pictures from time to time
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2016 C300
Introducing myself to the W221 club (had a R230 about 6 years ago).
New to me 2012 S550 (only 13.5k miles!), Designo Magno Platinum (Matte Gray) over black Premium leather. Loaded with B&O, Driver's Assistance pkg, rear seat entertainment, pano, Sport Plus package, etc, etc.
New to me 2012 S550 (only 13.5k miles!), Designo Magno Platinum (Matte Gray) over black Premium leather. Loaded with B&O, Driver's Assistance pkg, rear seat entertainment, pano, Sport Plus package, etc, etc.
Nice! That's the coolest looking stock 221 I've seen. I'd love to hear the B&O audio system. It's a very rare option.
Last edited by Mike5215; Apr 14, 2014 at 11:01 AM.
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2005 SL500
I will also say that watching movies in the back seat with the audio piped through the B&O is like a mini theater.
Last edited by vantage78; Apr 14, 2014 at 02:08 PM.
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2016 S63 4D, 2015 G63, 2017 Macan Turbo, 2001 M5
That's a great color! I also have the B&O system. It was actually one of my requirements when looking for the right s550. It has a fantastic sound stage from every seat. The only weak point I would say is on very low end. It doesn't really keep up if you turn it up. I've pretty much always ripped out oem systems and replaced them with high end equipment (ie brax amps, or butler audio tube amps) but I have not thought about it for a second with this setup.
I also have the Tune2Air, but I don't feel the sound quality is as good as using the AUX cable connected to the headphone jack on my phone. It's too bad because I was really hoping to have a seamless connection and not have to deal with unsightly wires but the loss of sound quality was not worth it to me. I would suggest trying both to see if you can tell the difference in sound because I sure can. The B&O really shines when you play a high quality recording through it.
I feel that the command console is a bit lacking in terms of integration with pandora/spotify and bluetooth vs other cars of similar years. I guess that's because most of these cars are out of the price range of most enthusiasts and it's just a different consumer that generally may not be driving the car themselves or are at the age when they don't really care about such things....
I also have the Tune2Air, but I don't feel the sound quality is as good as using the AUX cable connected to the headphone jack on my phone. It's too bad because I was really hoping to have a seamless connection and not have to deal with unsightly wires but the loss of sound quality was not worth it to me. I would suggest trying both to see if you can tell the difference in sound because I sure can. The B&O really shines when you play a high quality recording through it.
I feel that the command console is a bit lacking in terms of integration with pandora/spotify and bluetooth vs other cars of similar years. I guess that's because most of these cars are out of the price range of most enthusiasts and it's just a different consumer that generally may not be driving the car themselves or are at the age when they don't really care about such things....
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2016 C300
Thanks!! I'm no audiophile, but the B&O sounds amazing. The only other end comparison point would be my wife's Mark Levinson in her GS300;it's no contest. My main input source is Spotify's premium service via bluetooth (extreme setting, 320kbit/s) through a Tune2Air. I've heard lossless (ALAC, FLAC, etc) files are even better, but I haven't tested it out yet.
I will also say that watching movies in the back seat with the audio piped through the B&O is like mini theater.
I will also say that watching movies in the back seat with the audio piped through the B&O is like mini theater.
Here's what I deal with to end up at an audio quality level I can live with:
IPod -> HRT Istreamer Outboard DAC-> Clarion 7 Band EQ-> Fiio Headphone Amp-> Aux In.
You, meanwhile, apparently need only push "Play" and you're in business.
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From: NYC
2016 S63 4D, 2015 G63, 2017 Macan Turbo, 2001 M5
I have a hi-res portable player and some stuff in hi res ALAC (192khtz/24 bit) which has a bitrate of 9400kbs and I actually prefer my 256kbs AAC files in the car. That may have something to do with the stock system, which leaves a lot to be desired.
Here's what I deal with to end up at an audio quality level I can live with:
IPod -> HRT Istreamer Outboard DAC-> Clarion 7 Band EQ-> Fiio Headphone Amp-> Aux In.
You, meanwhile, apparently need only push "Play" and you're in business.
Here's what I deal with to end up at an audio quality level I can live with:
IPod -> HRT Istreamer Outboard DAC-> Clarion 7 Band EQ-> Fiio Headphone Amp-> Aux In.
You, meanwhile, apparently need only push "Play" and you're in business.
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2016 C300
I feel that the command console is a bit lacking in terms of integration with pandora/spotify and bluetooth vs other cars of similar years. I guess that's because most of these cars are out of the price range of most enthusiasts and it's just a different consumer that generally may not be driving the car themselves or are at the age when they don't really care about such things....
As for the lack of BT audio it's the strangest thing. If you drive any other current MB product you get a terrific streaming BT audio and integrated COMAND set up. Word was that the designers of the 221 (back in 04 and 05 while it was being developed) did not want to risk the possibility of interference with the car's multiple internal communication systems.
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2016 C300
But the best bang for the buck by far is the Istreamer DAC. Holy crap! stuff sounds amazing through it versus the device's internal DAC. Can't imagine how good it would sound on a B&O car. But I guess I'll have to imagine because. again, I had no f'ing idea there was a factory audio upgrade on a 221.
Last edited by Mike5215; Apr 14, 2014 at 12:03 PM.
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2016 C300
This would work:
It would be better if it could simultaneously charge the phone while performing as a DAC but I couldn't find any that do that for Android. This one does have a "power bank" function which toggles between phone charging and DAC function. I would wire it hot (pick up unswitched 12v power from the passenger side dash fuse block) so it remains in a fully charged state and toggle "power bank" off so it's a dedicated DAC, but it would require that your phone is charged independently.
I'll keep looking.
It would be better if it could simultaneously charge the phone while performing as a DAC but I couldn't find any that do that for Android. This one does have a "power bank" function which toggles between phone charging and DAC function. I would wire it hot (pick up unswitched 12v power from the passenger side dash fuse block) so it remains in a fully charged state and toggle "power bank" off so it's a dedicated DAC, but it would require that your phone is charged independently.
I'll keep looking.
Last edited by Mike5215; Apr 14, 2014 at 02:26 PM.
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2005 SL500
That's a great color! I also have the B&O system. It was actually one of my requirements when looking for the right s550. It has a fantastic sound stage from every seat. The only weak point I would say is on very low end. It doesn't really keep up if you turn it up. I've pretty much always ripped out oem systems and replaced them with high end equipment (ie brax amps, or butler audio tube amps) but I have not thought about it for a second with this setup.
I also have the Tune2Air, but I don't feel the sound quality is as good as using the AUX cable connected to the headphone jack on my phone. It's too bad because I was really hoping to have a seamless connection and not have to deal with unsightly wires but the loss of sound quality was not worth it to me. I would suggest trying both to see if you can tell the difference in sound because I sure can. The B&O really shines when you play a high quality recording through it.
I feel that the command console is a bit lacking in terms of integration with pandora/spotify and bluetooth vs other cars of similar years. I guess that's because most of these cars are out of the price range of most enthusiasts and it's just a different consumer that generally may not be driving the car themselves or are at the age when they don't really care about such things....
I also have the Tune2Air, but I don't feel the sound quality is as good as using the AUX cable connected to the headphone jack on my phone. It's too bad because I was really hoping to have a seamless connection and not have to deal with unsightly wires but the loss of sound quality was not worth it to me. I would suggest trying both to see if you can tell the difference in sound because I sure can. The B&O really shines when you play a high quality recording through it.
I feel that the command console is a bit lacking in terms of integration with pandora/spotify and bluetooth vs other cars of similar years. I guess that's because most of these cars are out of the price range of most enthusiasts and it's just a different consumer that generally may not be driving the car themselves or are at the age when they don't really care about such things....
With regards to the Tune2Air, I've noticed that it doesn't display the correct title in the COMMAND unless you've manually changed the song to the next one. If I just let it play my playlist sequentially, it just has the song where it last picked up on the COMMAND display. Am I missing something here? Song media on my iPhone 5s play and display just fine via the Tune2Air, so maybe it's just Spotify?
On a side note, I can pipe the audio of a video (internet based or iPhone based) through the Tune2Air just fine, but I can't see anything on the COMMAND screen. I wonder if that's the video in motion blocking it? I'm also curious if I can pipe that video to my rear screens if VIM is an issue.....so much tech to play with!
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From: NYC
2016 S63 4D, 2015 G63, 2017 Macan Turbo, 2001 M5
Mike5215, whats your thought on the sound quality difference in this scenario:
1. Playing music from a USB disk plugged into the USB port in the glove box and therefore using the built in DAC from the command system
or
2. Playing the exact same music file from a phone or some other device connected to an external DAC (ie FiiO E18) and fed in through AUX
I guess, is the DAC built into the stock system high quality?
1. Playing music from a USB disk plugged into the USB port in the glove box and therefore using the built in DAC from the command system
or
2. Playing the exact same music file from a phone or some other device connected to an external DAC (ie FiiO E18) and fed in through AUX
I guess, is the DAC built into the stock system high quality?
MBWorld Fanatic!
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2016 C300
Mike5215, whats your thought on the sound quality difference in this scenario:
1. Playing music from a USB disk plugged into the USB port in the glove box and therefore using the built in DAC from the command system
or
2. Playing the exact same music file from a phone or some other device connected to an external DAC (ie FiiO E18) and fed in through AUX
I guess, is the DAC built into the stock system high quality?
1. Playing music from a USB disk plugged into the USB port in the glove box and therefore using the built in DAC from the command system
or
2. Playing the exact same music file from a phone or some other device connected to an external DAC (ie FiiO E18) and fed in through AUX
I guess, is the DAC built into the stock system high quality?
I have to presume that the B&O cars get the same COMAND unit with different firmware (and equalization) specific to the B&O system, and that the differences are in the amp and speakers.
In the stock system, the speakers are decent but the way the internal EQ is configured there's no way to get good results, so in the Harman Kardon system you have to let go of all the added functionality (USB input, SD card input, Music Register) for the sake of audio quality and use the Aux In, where you can add enough processing to compensate for the crappy factory EQ.
On the other hand, having never experienced the B&O that may not be the case with your cars. If you're committed to the Aux In with the loss of COMAND interface and having a cable in the cabin already, take the next step and do the DAC, and the Clarion EQ and I think it'll take the B&O to the next level.
Here's a write-up I did on the EQ. The DAC would go between the mobile device and the "Main In" on the Clarion.
https://mbworld.org/forums/5777581-post1.html
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2016 C300
Unless the B&O cars are capable of playing back HD digital media, like BluRay or high res 24 bit audio I can't see why MB would bother to put a more robust DAC chip on the COMAND board of just those cars.
The outboard DAC will improve the output of your mobile device, and is likely more advanced and powerful than what's in the COMAND simply because the COMAND hardware dates back to 2005.
The reason I suggested the EQ was your comment earlier about not getting enough punch and fullness at the low end. I can tell you as far as the H&K system goes, adding the outboard EQ made an enormous difference.
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2016 C300
Man that CLS63 looks good! That car is tops on my list when the 2010 comes off CPO warranty. Not crazy about the look of the 222 yet. I'm usually one entire generation behind in what I think looks good in an S Class. Bought a 220 the year the 221 came out, didn't like the 221. Bought the 221 the year the 222 launched. Maybe I just don't like the look of S's I can't afford yet.
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From: NYC
2016 S63 4D, 2015 G63, 2017 Macan Turbo, 2001 M5
Love the 222. Not particularly a fan of the 2 spoke steering wheel, but everything else about it is gorgeous (except for the depreciation). I'll likely grab one in 3 yrs for 1/2 MSRP with some warranty left.
Hyperion667 - how is real world gas mileage? I don't particularly care about gas prices, but it's annoying having to fill up all the time.
Hyperion667 - how is real world gas mileage? I don't particularly care about gas prices, but it's annoying having to fill up all the time.
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2013 S550 4matic (AMG sport package), 2016 Corvette Stingray.
The pics look great gentleman, not overly saturated with mods nice and clean n sexy!
Rudy; love the wheels and the fact that you lowered it still looks good, I dont mind a lowered car I just hate when they have the slammed look.
Mike; Love the S63-65 wheels nice touch. In regards to the CLS as ur next car sounds great altho I think they feel way small for me inside like a C or E class. I was looking at one b4 I made my purchase and thats what killed the deal along with the small nav, but the car looks great! Also im loving that 222 in the pic those are sweet! I may ****** up a 2016 model depending on the what the reviews are in regards to reliability, also I hate runflat tires ugh I just came from a 7 series c'mon man!
Keep up the good work fellas, lets not turn this into mod station, if so keep it classy like you have been...
Rudy; love the wheels and the fact that you lowered it still looks good, I dont mind a lowered car I just hate when they have the slammed look.
Mike; Love the S63-65 wheels nice touch. In regards to the CLS as ur next car sounds great altho I think they feel way small for me inside like a C or E class. I was looking at one b4 I made my purchase and thats what killed the deal along with the small nav, but the car looks great! Also im loving that 222 in the pic those are sweet! I may ****** up a 2016 model depending on the what the reviews are in regards to reliability, also I hate runflat tires ugh I just came from a 7 series c'mon man!
Keep up the good work fellas, lets not turn this into mod station, if so keep it classy like you have been...
Last edited by wilassasin; Apr 15, 2014 at 04:20 PM.
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2012 CLS63
Man that CLS63 looks good! That car is tops on my list when the 2010 comes off CPO warranty. Not crazy about the look of the 222 yet. I'm usually one entire generation behind in what I think looks good in an S Class. Bought a 220 the year the 221 came out, didn't like the 221. Bought the 221 the year the 222 launched. Maybe I just don't like the look of S's I can't afford yet.
Love the 222. Not particularly a fan of the 2 spoke steering wheel, but everything else about it is gorgeous (except for the depreciation). I'll likely grab one in 3 yrs for 1/2 MSRP with some warranty left.
Hyperion667 - how is real world gas mileage? I don't particularly care about gas prices, but it's annoying having to fill up all the time.
Hyperion667 - how is real world gas mileage? I don't particularly care about gas prices, but it's annoying having to fill up all the time.
gas......hmmmmmm........got almost 400 miles out of the first tank, and not that much on my second, although I have been gunning it a bit more....I'm not thinking the MPG is that great; but the trip is very comfortable on the way
Last edited by hyperion667; Apr 15, 2014 at 04:28 PM.
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From: NYC
2016 S63 4D, 2015 G63, 2017 Macan Turbo, 2001 M5
thanx man, I love my cls, but after driving the S all week it actually feels kind of cheapish......I know that's crappy to say, but it's true, the 222 is so posh
yes, depreciation will surely suck bad, but I'm also paying a price to have it first; in the sense of it being not used and possibly damaged, plus full warranty as well of course.....
gas......hmmmmmm........got almost 400 miles out of the first tank, and not that much on my second, although I have been gunning it a bit more....I'm not thinking the MPG is that great; but the trip is very comfortable on the way
yes, depreciation will surely suck bad, but I'm also paying a price to have it first; in the sense of it being not used and possibly damaged, plus full warranty as well of course.....
gas......hmmmmmm........got almost 400 miles out of the first tank, and not that much on my second, although I have been gunning it a bit more....I'm not thinking the MPG is that great; but the trip is very comfortable on the way
MBWorld God!
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
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2016 C300
The curse of the S Class owner. Nothing else comes close, not even something as stunning as an AMG CLS. I sat in a used low miles 06 Bentley Continental GT last month...started it up, played with the buttons etc. It was cool, but I wasn't blown away by it. I'd rather have a nice CL AMG car.
