SL/R230: That old sub-woofer chestnut
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 4
From: Surrey, UK
SL500 R230II
That old sub-woofer chestnut
What are the options for installing a sub into the footwell, as per the Bose sub/enclosure (which I have) and that doesn't involve me having to cast my own enclosure in place?
For so many other cars it is possible to simply buy ready made enclosures to fit the suitable space in the car. Does ANYONE offer these for the R230 SL?
Failing that, does anyone have the precise specs from which an enclosure could be made? I was thinking a multi-layer MDF box could be made with just the right shape, but surely someone must be making something like that?
Otherwise, has anyone simply upgraded the actual speaker within the Bose enclosure? Surely something else could be found that could be shoehorned in there. Hasn't anyone ever tried that?
For so many other cars it is possible to simply buy ready made enclosures to fit the suitable space in the car. Does ANYONE offer these for the R230 SL?
Failing that, does anyone have the precise specs from which an enclosure could be made? I was thinking a multi-layer MDF box could be made with just the right shape, but surely someone must be making something like that?
Otherwise, has anyone simply upgraded the actual speaker within the Bose enclosure? Surely something else could be found that could be shoehorned in there. Hasn't anyone ever tried that?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 263
Likes: 1
On my 3rd coupe!
What are the options for installing a sub into the footwell, as per the Bose sub/enclosure (which I have) and that doesn't involve me having to cast my own enclosure in place?
For so many other cars it is possible to simply buy ready made enclosures to fit the suitable space in the car. Does ANYONE offer these for the R230 SL?
Failing that, does anyone have the precise specs from which an enclosure could be made? I was thinking a multi-layer MDF box could be made with just the right shape, but surely someone must be making something like that?
Otherwise, has anyone simply upgraded the actual speaker within the Bose enclosure? Surely something else could be found that could be shoehorned in there. Hasn't anyone ever tried that?
For so many other cars it is possible to simply buy ready made enclosures to fit the suitable space in the car. Does ANYONE offer these for the R230 SL?
Failing that, does anyone have the precise specs from which an enclosure could be made? I was thinking a multi-layer MDF box could be made with just the right shape, but surely someone must be making something like that?
Otherwise, has anyone simply upgraded the actual speaker within the Bose enclosure? Surely something else could be found that could be shoehorned in there. Hasn't anyone ever tried that?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 4
From: Surrey, UK
SL500 R230II
Yes the JL sub looks like a very good option, but in what box? Are they fitting it into the Bose enclosure (which cannot be that bad - at least it fits) or another box. In which case, what box? Is everyone custom building their own? Does no company actually make a suitable box?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 263
Likes: 1
On my 3rd coupe!
They are using the same factory enclosure, if I remember correctly, the 10 inch shallow mount was the preferred replacement. But double check that...
Jl Audio 10tw3-d4 Shallow-mount 10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EJWSLBU..._HYAUxbXE7CN0H
And for a less expensive option I onto think you can go wrong with Corwin vega:
CERWIN VEGA VPS104D Pro Shallow 600 Watts Max 10-Inch Dual Voice Coil Subwoofer 4 O... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K01ZLP8..._Y2AUxbGAGEJ9A
Jl Audio 10tw3-d4 Shallow-mount 10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EJWSLBU..._HYAUxbXE7CN0H
And for a less expensive option I onto think you can go wrong with Corwin vega:
CERWIN VEGA VPS104D Pro Shallow 600 Watts Max 10-Inch Dual Voice Coil Subwoofer 4 O... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K01ZLP8..._Y2AUxbGAGEJ9A
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 239
From: Santa Clara, Ca
2003 SL55 / 2002 SLK32
What are the options for installing a sub into the footwell, as per the Bose sub/enclosure (which I have) and that doesn't involve me having to cast my own enclosure in place?
For so many other cars it is possible to simply buy ready made enclosures to fit the suitable space in the car. Does ANYONE offer these for the R230 SL?
Failing that, does anyone have the precise specs from which an enclosure could be made? I was thinking a multi-layer MDF box could be made with just the right shape, but surely someone must be making something like that?
Otherwise, has anyone simply upgraded the actual speaker within the Bose enclosure? Surely something else could be found that could be shoehorned in there. Hasn't anyone ever tried that?
For so many other cars it is possible to simply buy ready made enclosures to fit the suitable space in the car. Does ANYONE offer these for the R230 SL?
Failing that, does anyone have the precise specs from which an enclosure could be made? I was thinking a multi-layer MDF box could be made with just the right shape, but surely someone must be making something like that?
Otherwise, has anyone simply upgraded the actual speaker within the Bose enclosure? Surely something else could be found that could be shoehorned in there. Hasn't anyone ever tried that?
I modified the stock sub enclosure and was happy with the results. Here are a couple of pics, I have more if you are interested.
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...ml#post6841381
Cheers,
Chris
