prestonhendu

I know most of you love your HK but I want a little more sound. I’m going to add an amp for front and rear plus sub. I’ve seen plenty of write-ups upgrading to HK but can someone point me to a write-up of HK to aftermarket? OAN my ‘14 E350 HK sounded much better than the one now in my 507. I added a sub to the system and it was decent.

Solo wing

I am going through a similar process with my ML63. It has the HK system. I replaced the factory head unit with a Kenwood DNX995S. I will be installing an SQ system. Focal KRX3 in the front, FPS4160 AMP and caps, in addition to a subwoofer. The rear speakers will remain HK through the factory amp for rear-fill.
If you want to keep the factory nav+HU, here are the integration solutions to add an amp to the factory HU:
http://mobridge.us/compatibility/mercedes-benz/
This would be suitable if you want to buy an analog RCA amp:
http://mobridge.us/product/da2-analog-pre-amp-most/
or this one:
http://mobridge.us/product/da3-dsp-professional-most/

I have no experience with this company, just found them through searching. I used Connects2, a British company that manufactures integration interfaces. I have full SW control, rear camera integration, and MOST amp connection.

I have always disliked HK systems. The KRX3 sounded amazing in my previous E55.

sqitis

Where are you installing the 4" mid from the KRX3? I've ran Focal in my world champion IASCA car many years ago and yea they rock when setup correctly.

Solo wing

I thought of installing them above the 6.5 woofers, in the door panel- > this means cutting the panel, but would retain the clean factory look, and would keep everything together in one place.


Another solution is to buy the 3.5 pods for the A-pillars. The shop who installed these in my previous E55, told me they sound far better ON-axis so I might give that a try. Focal suggest placing them ideally high in the doors.

AMGonFire

The pods look like garbage. I would not do that ever.

sqitis

The closer together the better. This will help with time alignment for sure.

prestonhendu

Does the HK system use passive crossovers between the midrange and tweeter or is it actively from the gateway? Whats the impedance on the front and rear channels? Im asking this because I want to add my amp to the front and rears first, get a feel for the sound, then replace with Polks if need be.