SL/R230: 05 SL stereo sound upgrade?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Bethesda,Md.
Bentley Arnage Red Label
05 SL stereo sound upgrade?
I posted about this in the audio section but no response. Does anyone know what can be done to upgrade the sound from the dvd command that started in 05? I have adjusted all that can be adjusted and it still sounds like a POS. Obviously I don't want to have the command replaced but can amps or speakers do the job? I don't know much about it.
Thanks
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Memphis
SL500 and A-CLASS
Nobody wants to touch the stereo system in a Mercedes in my area, so I gave up. They informed me that the Mercedes stereo is so proprietary, and Mercedes will void the warranty if they touch it.
Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 109
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From: Beverly Hills, CA
2003 E500, 2005 SL600
Originally Posted by Juice it
I posted about this in the audio section but no response. Does anyone know what can be done to upgrade the sound from the dvd command that started in 05? I have adjusted all that can be adjusted and it still sounds like a POS. Obviously I don't want to have the command replaced but can amps or speakers do the job? I don't know much about it.
Thanks
Thanks
Check out their website,
http://reusaudio.com/ ; email me if you have any questions, but i would definitely recommend it. Only problem is there are here in Southern California, but you could call and ask for Rick Reuss, who is a really great guy, and has been at this for 25 plus years. Good luck!!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 746
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From: Bethesda,Md.
Bentley Arnage Red Label
I went to two different high end audio place today and they both told me they can't do anything. They said all the speakers are tied together and are powered optically and it is unique to Mercedes so no speakers or amps can be switched. They both said the only solution would be to yank out the command and all the audio components and start over. I can't believe there isn't a simple solution. I even said someone in california had it done but of coarse they don't care about that. If anyone has replaced speakers or amps, do you know the brand or model# of the new parts?
Thanks,
Jeff
Thanks,
Jeff
Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Beverly Hills, CA
2003 E500, 2005 SL600
Originally Posted by Juice it
I went to two different high end audio place today and they both told me they can't do anything. They said all the speakers are tied together and are powered optically and it is unique to Mercedes so no speakers or amps can be switched. They both said the only solution would be to yank out the command and all the audio components and start over. I can't believe there isn't a simple solution. I even said someone in california had it done but of coarse they don't care about that. If anyone has replaced speakers or amps, do you know the brand or model# of the new parts?
Thanks,
Jeff
Thanks,
Jeff
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 255
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From: Alexandria, Lousiana
06 Infiniti FX35, 07 SL55
I looked into this last year, but never went through with it. THere is a place in Houston that can upgrade SL500. I heard and saw an SL55 they had on the floor when I was there and it was awesome. They add amps and upgrade the speakers and sub and tune the head unit, but everything remains integrated.
http://www.customcarstereo.com/
http://www.customcarstereo.com/
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 11
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
Originally Posted by prsmith777
I looked into this last year, but never went through with it. THere is a place in Houston that can upgrade SL500. I heard and saw an SL55 they had on the floor when I was there and it was awesome. They add amps and upgrade the speakers and sub and tune the head unit, but everything remains integrated.
http://www.customcarstereo.com/
http://www.customcarstereo.com/
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6
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2007 G55
Radio Navigation Upgrade
I have 2004 Mercedes SL500 Does anyone know I can add this 2005 Mercedes SL Wide Screen Radio navigation? I know the bezel will need to be changed but will this be plug and play? http://www.icarpart.com/2005-mercede...308204889.html
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
I have 2004 Mercedes SL500 Does anyone know I can add this 2005 Mercedes SL Wide Screen Radio navigation? I know the bezel will need to be changed but will this be plug and play? http://www.icarpart.com/2005-mercede...308204889.html
Just curious, yours doesn't look like this? What do you mean a whide screen radio? Never knew that 04 has it differently.
I'm 99% sure it's plug and play, MB keeps this one till 2012 as much as i know. But wait and see what others say.
As well maybe you would like to consider on ebay a used one, cheaper? New it's always the best option, but paying 1500 for a stock radio unit - i'd consider already upgrading to something more interesting/advanced.
P.S.
Lots of shops don't want to deal with the MB sound system because they use optics (at least on SL for sure), which, if you mess with it the wrong way, will cost lots of money
So they go the safe way - "we can't help you". But there are shops that will do it for sure, as others replied. It will not be cheap neither - as vkapoormd said - he paid $3900 (glad he is happy with how it sounds for that amount of money ^_^ ). Does it worth it? Maybe, if you are looking for high end sound. I'm happy with what i have, since mostly i drive it top down during summer and definitely i don't crank up my speakers Have fun finding what you're looking for I'm looking now for some cool rims Everyone wants to change something in the car, don't we? Best wishes,
Ghostty
Last edited by Ghostty; Jan 4, 2016 at 02:32 AM.
Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 127
Likes: 8
SL550
Display changed in 2005. Slightly larger screen and thus a different bezel. Some other changes related to radio/nav/comand in 2005, maybe the type of optics. Lots of info on older boards. My memory is the later system is easier to upgrade. Mark
Hey,
Just curious, yours doesn't look like this? What do you mean a whide screen radio? Never knew that 04 has it differently.
I'm 99% sure it's plug and play, MB keeps this one till 2012 as much as i know. But wait and see what others say.
As well maybe you would like to consider on ebay a used one, cheaper? New it's always the best option, but paying 1500 for a stock radio unit - i'd consider already upgrading to something more interesting/advanced.
P.S.
Lots of shops don't want to deal with the MB sound system because they use optics (at least on SL for sure), which, if you mess with it the wrong way, will cost lots of money So they go the safe way - "we can't help you". But there are shops that will do it for sure, as others replied. It will not be cheap neither - as vkapoormd said - he paid $3900 (glad he is happy with how it sounds for that amount of money ^_^ ). Does it worth it? Maybe, if you are looking for high end sound. I'm happy with what i have, since mostly i drive it top down during summer and definitely i don't crank up my speakers Have fun finding what you're looking for I'm looking now for some cool rims Everyone wants to change something in the car, don't we?
Best wishes,
Ghostty
Just curious, yours doesn't look like this? What do you mean a whide screen radio? Never knew that 04 has it differently.
I'm 99% sure it's plug and play, MB keeps this one till 2012 as much as i know. But wait and see what others say.
As well maybe you would like to consider on ebay a used one, cheaper? New it's always the best option, but paying 1500 for a stock radio unit - i'd consider already upgrading to something more interesting/advanced.
P.S.
Lots of shops don't want to deal with the MB sound system because they use optics (at least on SL for sure), which, if you mess with it the wrong way, will cost lots of money
So they go the safe way - "we can't help you". But there are shops that will do it for sure, as others replied. It will not be cheap neither - as vkapoormd said - he paid $3900 (glad he is happy with how it sounds for that amount of money ^_^ ). Does it worth it? Maybe, if you are looking for high end sound. I'm happy with what i have, since mostly i drive it top down during summer and definitely i don't crank up my speakers Have fun finding what you're looking for I'm looking now for some cool rims Everyone wants to change something in the car, don't we? Best wishes,
Ghostty
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
Likes: 127
From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
you CAN NOT put an 05+ comand into an 03-04. You are best off going aftermarket anyhow. You can either use something like this android unit,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/191559114100?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&rmvSB=true
which will fit in a factory 03-04 opening, but will still require you to use a new amp and rewire the factory speakers to it, or you can change the cupholders over to the 05+ style and cut off your factory surround where it meets the cupholders and go with a Connects2 CT23MB11 dash kit any double din aftermarket radio you want. You'll still need to rewire all the speakers to a new amp regardless of what you do on an 03-04. Technically you can use your old cup holder covers, but it looks like crap. Just look at this install http://audioexpress.com/mercedes-sl500-stereo-upgrade/. I think it looks much better with the cupholders coming all the way across and separating the wood from the Connects2 dash kit, which is why i would suggest it.
For an 05+ you can use the OPT1 to make any aftermarket stereo plug and play without the need to redo wiring/amps and just throw on the connects2 kit.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/191559114100?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&rmvSB=true
which will fit in a factory 03-04 opening, but will still require you to use a new amp and rewire the factory speakers to it, or you can change the cupholders over to the 05+ style and cut off your factory surround where it meets the cupholders and go with a Connects2 CT23MB11 dash kit any double din aftermarket radio you want. You'll still need to rewire all the speakers to a new amp regardless of what you do on an 03-04. Technically you can use your old cup holder covers, but it looks like crap. Just look at this install http://audioexpress.com/mercedes-sl500-stereo-upgrade/. I think it looks much better with the cupholders coming all the way across and separating the wood from the Connects2 dash kit, which is why i would suggest it.
For an 05+ you can use the OPT1 to make any aftermarket stereo plug and play without the need to redo wiring/amps and just throw on the connects2 kit.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
Likes: 127
From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
Just get a surround trim piece from an 03/04 and the cupholder covers and that unit will fit right into an 05+. I'm actually looking to do the opposite and would be willing to swap my 03/04 trim/cupholders for someone that has 05+ trim/cupholders.
