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Perhaps you could give us old guys here a little tutorial on how to burn DVD Audio tunes. Do your rear speakers come alive with these DVD Audio discs?
Hey, I'm 61 so...
I have most of my "old school" music in iTunes on my computer. My co-worker bought some recordable CDs. iTunes lets you build a playlist then burn them on the disc. It's pretty simple, just click on the FILE tab in the upper left of iTunes and make a new playlist. You then click on the FILE tab again and scroll down to the "burn disc" prompt. The key, though, is, when you get a prompt to burn the CD you can change the format from burning a regular CD to choosing the option of a DVD.
When it plays in the car is shows as an MP3(?) so I may not be getting the complete DVD-A experience but it is still a big upgrade from what I've been listening to. I tried a variety of tunes: Joni Mitchell's Chinese Cafe, Sting's Brand New Day, and Yes's Close to the Edge. My chest rattled and the separation of the instruments was distinct and crystal clear.
Another quirk, you need to scroll through your stereo to get a prompt to download all the data on the disc, which includes displaying the CD cover along with the usual song/album/artist info.
It's really simpler than I explained it. If you still have questions please message me and I'll set up a time to talk you through it.
I have a new (never opened) Alpine KTP-445U 4 channel amp that I purchased a while back for the R231 rear channel enhancement procedure.
I ended up selling my 2013 SL550 when we downsized and I lost a garage space. One of the sadder days in memory.
If anyone is interested in the amp, please PM me. I'll ship it to your door (lower 48) for $120.00 all in. Amazon is getting $200.00 today.
I have a new (never opened) Alpine KTP-445U 4 channel amp that I purchased a while back for the R231 rear channel enhancement procedure.
I ended up selling my 2013 SL550 when we downsized and I lost a garage space. One of the sadder days in memory.
If anyone is interested in the amp, please PM me. I'll ship it to your door (lower 48) for $100.00 all in. Amazon is getting $200.00 today.
I have a new (never opened) Alpine KTP-445U 4 channel amp that I purchased a while back for the R231 rear channel enhancement procedure.
I ended up selling my 2013 SL550 when we downsized and I lost a garage space. One of the sadder days in memory.
If anyone is interested in the amp, please PM me. I'll ship it to your door (lower 48) for $120.00 all in. Amazon is getting $200.00 today.
Hi. I’m a new member and am interested in your amp. The system wouldn’t let my PM you. How can we proceed? Thanks
The amp just sold.
I've got a really nice set of OE 19" R231 wheels listed on MBWORLD Marketplace if anyone is interested.
Thanks Guys and Good Luck with the Install!
2006 CLS55 AMG Sold 2010 E550 Coupe totaled '13 SL550 current and loving it!
Originally Posted by GermanCars
The amp just sold.
I've got a really nice set of OE 19" R231 wheels listed on MBWORLD Marketplace if anyone is interested.
Thanks Guys and Good Luck with the Install!
I purchased the amp from GermanCars..Just wanted to let the community know he was very easy to deal with and got the amp out right away. Don't hesitate to deal with him, thanks again Rex.
I apologize Sir, but I took a break from this thread after my amp sold and didn't see your post. Yes, the 19" AMG stamped wheel set had 5 (machined finish) spokes. They were part of the optional Sports Package, which included larger front brakes. I had them listed on Marketplace on this Forum and Ebay. They sold last week and are headed to Cali. Thanks for asking!
A BIG THANK YOU for getting me on this track. After a major struggle to find all amps, I finally got the Alpine KTP-445U installed and my surround sound in my 2013 SL 550 is now FANTASTIC...! A few lessons learned I thought I would share:
1/ If the B&O N40/9 Amp ICEPower amp works intermittently, do NOT fall for the dealership's suggestion to buy a new one. It's VERY expensive, like $4,600...Instead, find a radio repair shop. Mine checked poor micro solders and changed two capacitors. Total cost $165. Mostly labor. Works GREAT now!
2/ I was told by the dealership that the second Amp N40/3 was behind the driver's seat... So I removed all panels.... Not there... Then I was told I had to be under the carpet in front of the passenger's seat... I removed everything... NOT there... Then I was told this particular 2013 SL 550 trim did not have a second Amp, just a radio control unit linked to central front speaker.... So I thought: "ok, be it"....And I went to Best Buy to get the Alpine Amp... Well, BB guys was following OEM electrical diagram, and told me there had to be a second Amp labelled N40/3....And he found it...!! Took him an hour though!!! So for everyone who might face this challenge, it was in the trunk behind left side panel...! So much for MB dealership expertise! Net, net: Alpine Amp was $200... installation $150...
In any case, thanks to this thread! Even if it was a trip and a half, It saved me $4,000...! And I now have an amazing surround sound system...! :-) last note: I never understood why there was no front/back fading on that car, but Left/Right balancing... I used to think: "WTF were they thinking!"... LOL! Well, now that I have great surround sound, I get it!! When on driver seat, the back speakers on passenger side are straight line to my ears, whereas the back speakers behind driver's seat are muffled by the seat... To fix that, use Left Side balance, and it is PERFECT! Still weird that there is no Front/Back fading, but at least the Left/Right makes sense now!
I was told by the dealership that the second Amp N40/3 was behind the driver's seat... So I removed all panels.... Not there...
last note: I never understood why there was no front/back fading on that car, but Left/Right balancing...
Eric[/QUOTE]
This thread has gone so long, you could knit a sweater! But there is a lot of information in this 6 year old tome. As to the dealer not being able to tell you off the top of their head where the amp is, I'm not surprised. Even with the MB Electrical Locator all the tech's use, they still struggle. Building a gazillion model cars with hundreds of options for well over a hundred countries in many factories....Even Mercedes isn't sure what they are doing. In the late 1990's, it was so bad that MBUSA had to create their own Location Guide (ETM) for cars built for this market. They had to take apart cars already shipped over here to find and document where everything lived. Hard to believe? Some of the 208 CLK ETM pictures show a car with a NJ license plates! None the less, the amp location IS referenced way back toward the front of this thread.
As to the front/rear fader omission. If you reference posts 80, 83, & 88, you will find how to activate front/rear fading in the head unit. At least on the >2016 models, that fade feature can be activated by going into the engineering menu and turning it on. My guess is some stubborn sound **** over at Hardam Kardom wanted to optimize the Surround function, everything else be damned. I definitely heard some moderate improvement in radio/MP3 sound quality after the change. Good Luck & Enjoy!
Last edited by GermanCars; 05-16-2022 at 09:37 AM.
'13 SL550 Mars Red, Designo White interior, B and O sound
Originally Posted by rorywquin
The engineering menu - "entry code" - might only work on HK equipped USA cars - deffo does not work on mine (standard system). Tried all the permutations.
'13 SL550 Mars Red, Designo White interior, B and O sound
Originally Posted by NIguy
Here in the UK we have DAB Radio (which is a free Digital Audio Broadcast). I had quite a lot of sound coming from the rear when I was listening to our local pop station!
I use TuneIn and listen to a wealth of different music from around the world. My favorite is 6Music from the BBC and, using my iPhone BT streaming it to the B&O heading, and having changed the engineering menu to implement 'Fade', I am now perfectly happy with the ambiance and quality I get (including deep resonant bass and clear, crisp treble). It is not MP3, thankfully, but, as mentioned above, DAB quality.
I just acquired a ‘13 SL550, and followed the instructions per thread 163 within here, and it was quick, simple process. Turned the car off, and upon restart, going to sound, there was BAL/FADE. Agree with other comments that rear speakers seem perhaps underserved, but certainly this is a step in the right direction. Can’t fathom why MB wouldn’t have this as the default setting. I’ve a pal with a ‘20 SL, it’s also needing this resolution. I’ll suggest that he have a MB/Star equipped Guy explore this.
Stopped and talked to Don today at Soundwerk's - he said that Steinhart's white SL550 was a first run and did at a large discount - he now wants $1200 labor and $225 parts plus tax and will take 2 days to install???
I told him I would get back to him - unreal that he would over double the price now..... I will be looking at other options (not trying to be cheap, but have a hard time knowing what Steinhart paid and what this guy wants now) as I see some others have installed another amp in the rear, etc.
Ron
Is their anyone in New Jersey that will fix this. I have the alpine KTU amp but no one to in stall it!
Help I'm in New Jersey 2018 SL 550 rear speaker no sound or very little. I was told to get the Alpine KTU 445 amp. I bought it and the guy is afraid to do it. He told me about another guy he is also afraid to install it. Is their anyone in Jersey that will install it? KP24
Hi Everybody.
I really need to thank whoever started this post. I had the car for over a year and I was always disappointed with the sound. I even took my car to Mercedes for a sound check and they told me it was up to specs so I decided to search on the web. Frankly, when I read on this forum that the car sound was optimized for SACD sources I could not believe it ! At Mercedes, they must have lost their mind. Really ! Mercedes should have done a recall and fix the sound! Anyway, after I read this forum, I bought the Alpine KTP-445U. I went to a Best Buy near me ( I live in Rockville MD - Washington DC area ) not knowing what to expect. It turned out the installer at Best Buy was very knowledgeable and nice. He got the diagram of the car from the web and re-routed the wires to install this amplifier. I feel guilty because he spend 4 hours and he charged me the standard Best Buy feed for a 4 channel amplifier or $125 only.
The sound after installation was much much better and I was very surprised that even the SACD demo that comes with the car seemed to sound much better! ( I was expecting it to sound worse but it rocks now)
Anyway thanks to you all.
PS We should write to Mercedes and tell them they really lost their mind.
Paolo
Hey Paolo, can you give me the exact Best Buy Location you had it done I'll drive to Maryland if I have to. Nobody in New Jersey has the ***** to tackle it, thanks KP24
I have the amp ordered as well. Had been on the fence about having this done and the owner of the local car audio store was leery about touching it. His main install guy just took a new job at the university where I work and says he's done the job before and can tackle it without an problem. I installing a new center speaker as well. Cautiously optimistic, will keep you posted.
I noticed the amp is a 4 channel amp, which can be bridged. For this install, does it only drive the two channels in the rear?
I just purchased a 2013 SL 550 and I am very disappointed in the HK sound system. I was able to set up the fader option through the engineering fix mentioned on this thread. The front speakers and the subs work fine in the front. My main issue is the non existent sound from the rear speakers. I have no volume at all from the door speakers and tweeters. Is there a possible fuse fix for the door speakers? It's really odd, I have been trying to get an answer on the fuse numbers and what they cover for the 2013 SL 550. After reading the threads, I will probably purchase an Alpine amp.
But, but, but it’s a Mercedes! It is like anything else in life and at least we have choices. You can buy a 10k Rolex at a jewelry store or a $8 watch at Walmart and they both keep accurate time.
Not so sure about Rolex keeping accurate time... Had a Rolex rep tell me once, "we don't make watches, we make jewelry"
'13 SL550 Mars Red, Designo White interior, B and O sound
At the risk of flogging a dead horse, I'll relate my experience: my '13 has the B&O upgrade; I took advantage of the 'engineering fix' described above; and by fading the sound back at about -5 I am blown away by the sound fidelity and depth its stage – front to back and side to side. In the interests of full disclosure, I am not an audio engineer (should I need to be?) and I have been to many, many great gigs where I was within shouting distance of the lead singer et al. And, of course, the stage speakers, by implication. (I also turn up the volume on the car to override the sometimes intrusive tinnitus... :-) )
07-14-2021, 10:39 PM
