When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Finally got around to adding an upgraded subwoofer to my 2015 S550. The Burmester system in these cars is decent but lacks the oomph needed for a really strong sound system. I went with a JL Audio W7 10" woofer and JL Audio VXi 1000/1 Sub amp with LC2 for line conversion of the signal from the front woofers. I have owned several very high end car sound systems and used to compete a bit in the car audio space but got out of the hobby back in the 90s. I was stunned when I heard this single 10" sub in a sealed box. It produces more low to mid bass than I could ever use and the gains are turned way down most of the time. Simply put the system now sounds better than ever. I do not know how JL Audio does it with the VX amps but the little amp in my spare tire well delivers more clean power than you can imagine. The installer did a great job of building the box into the trunk while still making it removable. Little known fact about these cars is that if you remove the rear panel in the trunk, there is tons of space for an enclosure. I lost around 3 inches of trunk room in most of the trunk with the exception of the wedge area where the sub sits as it protrudes out around 8 inches. Nice thing is I can remove if needed for more space. They also created a pass through from the trunk to the cabin so I can carry a pair of ski's or other long object if needed. Still need to finish some of the trim but so far it sounds amazing and looks nice. JL is not cheap gear but we worth the money.
Sub and Amp with Line Converter was around 2K. Box and all install was another grand or so plus tax. Not cheap but easy to remove and take to my next car when I sell this one. Amp is somewhat future proof as it has a software driven tuning interface that can be tailored to any application.
I did but that would have required a fiberglass box and a lot of sound deadening plus the sound would not have been as good. A side firing sub is fine for very low frequencies but the type of music I listen to is more reliant on tight mid bass vs the very low freqs. For my application the sub needed to fire forward or backward and this was a nice compromise. Plus I think I gave up the least amount of trunk room with the added ability to remove the box if needed. This single mod completely transformed the sound and allows me to use the rest of the speakers in the car for mid's and high's. Next step would be to add another VX amp for mids and highs and tune that side as well. I guess JL makes a Toslink adapter for this car that takes the signal directly from the head unit and converts this signal into useable outputs for aftermarket amps while giving you the ability to manipulate and tune the signal prior to amplification. This really brings the system to beyond Burmester 3D specs and costs about the same as the 3D upgrade. Not sure if I am going to do this or not though. Lots of dough.
I like the job. I also added a sub to my 2014 S550 but had them build into where a so called spare should be so I lose no trunk space and it easily comes out to put back the original liner when I sell.
I bought the LC2 and am planning on using it for a setup in my W221 S550.
1. How do you like the LC2? It had the best reviews of any LOC on amazon that could accept a factory subs’ power. I’ve never used a powered LOC and haven’t seen anyone use it on this forum.
2. Do you have any issue with the bass getting into the cabin? I’ve read on a few forums that you have to push the sub harder than usual to get the sound into the cabin because the S class’ are so well insulated.
Great setup and beautiful install in a wonderful car. Thanks for the post!
LC2 is the best for LOC, they have been doing it forever and AudioControl is a Seattle company so I like to support the local economy when possible. On the sound getting into the cabin, the pass through helps a lot. I had a W221 before my W222 and the trunks are very similar. You should be able to do the passthrough no problem. I probably purchased way more power than I needed with the JL VXi 1000/1 but it is an awesome amp. 10 inch W7 is amazing as well but an 8 inch would probably be fine as well.
Look great, if you could post up a PDF of that wiring diagram I know a lot of folks who could use it for their installs. That is a common question on this thread. Thanks.
Yes, a PDF of that would be pretty cool. Superpop, who did you have do the installation and how long did it take them to do it? I am over on the east side of the state but might take a journey given how well your install seems to have turned out.
This is extremely helpful. I just got a 2020 S560 and am very underwhelmed by the standard Burmester audio vs the Mark Levinson I had in my Lexus LS.
Question about the trunk pass through. I would rather NOT do that, the car is a lease. Is that a big necessity for this to sound good? I know the High End sub is in the trunk and that doesnt have a passthrough...
The trunk pass through is nice and I think it does make a difference, these cars are just so well insulated that adding the passthrough just lets more of the mid bass into the cabin. Mine is reversible for when I sell the car and I plan to just cut and glue a piece of flat black plastic and glue it over the hole. Once I take the box out I will simply put the carpeted piece that was removed back into place and no one will be the wiser. Not that big of a deal.
I'm sure it hits. The '14 I had did 
