SL/R231: SL550 back speakers PROBLEM SOLVED!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 706
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2018 S 650, 2014 SL 550, 2017 911 TTS Cab, '13 F458 Spider
SL550 back speakers PROBLEM SOLVED!
So, as some of you know from several posts here, due to the surround sound the rear speakers don't produce much sound unless listening to a DVD-Audio disc. There is no front to back volume adjustment either, again due to the surround sound system. Without a DVD-Audio disc I found the sound to be unacceptable, with too much volume coming from the front speakers. I have the B&0 stereo but I understand this problem also occurs with the HK system.
I decided to bring the car to a very reputable sound shop here in Scottsdale: Soundwerks. I can't tell you exactly what they did except that they used MB schematics, worked in consultation with our MB dealer, installed an extra amplifier, etc. and came up with a system that sounds like what you would expect from a high end system, WOW. They even installed a rocker switch in the trunk that coverts it back to stock.
If you are in town, or just need to understand what they did to my car, contact Don at Soundwerks at (480)303-0033, reference: white SL550. Awesome job and great people to work with, highly recommended!
I decided to bring the car to a very reputable sound shop here in Scottsdale: Soundwerks. I can't tell you exactly what they did except that they used MB schematics, worked in consultation with our MB dealer, installed an extra amplifier, etc. and came up with a system that sounds like what you would expect from a high end system, WOW. They even installed a rocker switch in the trunk that coverts it back to stock.
If you are in town, or just need to understand what they did to my car, contact Don at Soundwerks at (480)303-0033, reference: white SL550. Awesome job and great people to work with, highly recommended!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 706
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2018 S 650, 2014 SL 550, 2017 911 TTS Cab, '13 F458 Spider
$600 including parts and labor. Having already done one it could be less labor required for yours. It's best to call Don directly for the specifics of what he did, great guy to work with.
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'13 SL550
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Joined: Oct 2016
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From: Scottsdale, Arizona
2025 Mercedes GLE AMG 63S and 11 ZR1
Thanks for the information - I will be calling Don shortly as I have the same disappointment with the B&O stereo in my SL63 and for a high end system, I am not impressed! I will get with him and have him work his magic! 
Ron
Ron
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 706
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2018 S 650, 2014 SL 550, 2017 911 TTS Cab, '13 F458 Spider
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 19
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From: Scottsdale, Arizona
2025 Mercedes GLE AMG 63S and 11 ZR1
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
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
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 706
Likes: 50
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2018 S 650, 2014 SL 550, 2017 911 TTS Cab, '13 F458 Spider
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
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
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Joined: Apr 2015
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N/A
My local shop did the job for $700 but the solution was slightly different. They installed a small Alpine amp for the rear speakers. There are two volume knobs on the amp, one for the rear side speakers and the other for the rear center speaker. They adjusted it and I thought it was perfect and didn't need to adjust it any further.
Don's solution for steinhart was more involved by taking the feeds to the doors and then amplifying it for the rear speakers. Another local shop quoted me $1700-1800 to do it that way.
Don's solution for steinhart was more involved by taking the feeds to the doors and then amplifying it for the rear speakers. Another local shop quoted me $1700-1800 to do it that way.
Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 75
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'13 SL550
My local shop did the job for $700 but the solution was slightly different. They installed a small Alpine amp for the rear speakers. There are two volume knobs on the amp, one for the rear side speakers and the other for the rear center speaker. They adjusted it and I thought it was perfect and didn't need to adjust it any further.
Don's solution for steinhart was more involved by taking the feeds to the doors and then amplifying it for the rear speakers. Another local shop quoted me $1700-1800 to do it that way.
Don's solution for steinhart was more involved by taking the feeds to the doors and then amplifying it for the rear speakers. Another local shop quoted me $1700-1800 to do it that way.
Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 103
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N/A
http://support.alpine-usa.com/produc...M_KTP-445U.pdf
Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 75
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'13 SL550
Here is a link to the Alpine amp that was installed.
http://support.alpine-usa.com/produc...M_KTP-445U.pdf
http://support.alpine-usa.com/produc...M_KTP-445U.pdf
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Joined: May 2017
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2013 Mercedes 550 SL
Mercedes 550SL low volume sound from rear Speaker
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
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
Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 103
Likes: 9
N/A
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
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
Steinhart is the guy that first sorted this out. The Alpine amp was my local shop's solution for me after I took Steinhart's lead. I did write Tobias Moers and told him of our collective fix. Somewhat surprising, he did not respond to my email where in a prior instance he did. Anyhow glad to hear your stereo now sounds like it should!
Phil
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 2
From: Belgium
SL500 R231 - S400D W222 - C63S
Hello gents,
picking up on this topic. I found an easy way to test the rear speakers (including the rear center speaker).
Open Youtube and download this track :
(Michael Jackson, Billie Jean in 5.1 Stereo Surround)
Convert the song to an MP3 file (with YTD video downloader) and when asked for the desired quality, use 'keep same as original'.
When playing this track in the car (from an USB stick for example), you can clearly hear the rear speakers !
Good luck
Hans
picking up on this topic. I found an easy way to test the rear speakers (including the rear center speaker).
Open Youtube and download this track :
(Michael Jackson, Billie Jean in 5.1 Stereo Surround)
Convert the song to an MP3 file (with YTD video downloader) and when asked for the desired quality, use 'keep same as original'.
When playing this track in the car (from an USB stick for example), you can clearly hear the rear speakers !
Good luck
Hans
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by lifeinit
PS [B
PS [B
We should write to Mercedes and tell them they really lost their mind.[/B]
Paolo
Paolo
Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 103
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N/A
Streamliner - I think they do and it is evident with their decision to use Burmester in other models. My new GLC 43 AMG has the Burmester stereo and it sounds fantastic. I would expect to see this in all the models moving forward.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
This problem, no, check that: this DESIGN FLAW has been built into ALL R231 cars, which means it has and STILL IS affecting all owners of these $100K+ luxury cars. As someone previously brought up here, MB should have fixed the problem by the 2014 models and recalled all 2013's for retrofits. However, as I understand it, they didn't even address the problem in the 2017 FL. I'm sorry, but I call that laziness, cheapness and not giving a SHxT!
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
You know, I'm not as much of an audiophile like some of you here, and I have not read the owner's guide on this topic. Does it say, anywhere, that for the factory system to operate properly, that you MUST use those DVD-Audio discs? Did the dealer tell any of you this BEFORE you took delivery? I'm just curious.
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From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
You know, I'm not as much of an audiophile like some of you here, and I have not read the owner's guide on this topic. Does it say, anywhere, that for the factory system to operate properly, that you MUST use those DVD-Audio discs? Did the dealer tell any of you this BEFORE you took delivery? I'm just curious.
you have downloaded with 350 songs into the console, then turn sideways and hear how much sound comes out of the rear speakers behind the seats! No, I have not looked in the owners manual and have only heard complaints on the Internet. I assume the speakers were placed there for a reason but no setting so far from my toying with the options produces any sound from the rear.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,125
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Well, Turn on the radio, or slide in a regular CD, or plug in the memory stick
you have downloaded with 350 songs into the console, then turn sideways and hear how much sound comes out of the rear speakers behind the seats! No, I have not looked in the owners manual and have only heard complaints on the Internet. I assume the speakers were placed there for a reason but no setting so far from my toying with the options produces any sound from the rear.
you have downloaded with 350 songs into the console, then turn sideways and hear how much sound comes out of the rear speakers behind the seats! No, I have not looked in the owners manual and have only heard complaints on the Internet. I assume the speakers were placed there for a reason but no setting so far from my toying with the options produces any sound from the rear.
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 130
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From: Connecticut, USA
2017 SL450
So today I called up the local Best Buy and got the technician who will be doing the installation of the Alpine KTP-445U amplifier. Best Buy's system doesn't have any information on either the install, or the MB SL450. I cut and pasted lifeinitaly's post (above), and emailed it to him, and an hour later he called me back. Turns out the guy who did lifeinitaly's install use to be a technician, here in one of the BB's Connecticut stores, and my guy knew him really well. lifeinitaly's guy explained the process and the gotcha's to my guy. So I'm set up for an install, next saturday, and all for the price of $280, including the amp, labor, and everything else. I'll report back, but am hoping for great results.
Thanks lifeinitaly.
Thanks lifeinitaly.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,125
Likes: 4,353
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
So today I called up the local Best Buy and got the technician who will be doing the installation of the Alpine KTP-445U amplifier. Best Buy's system doesn't have any information on either the install, or the MB SL450. I cut and pasted lifeinitaly's post (above), and emailed it to him, and an hour later he called me back. Turns out the guy who did lifeinitaly's install use to be a technician, here in one of the BB's Connecticut stores, and my guy knew him really well. lifeinitaly's guy explained the process and the gotcha's to my guy. So I'm set up for an install, next saturday, and all for the price of $280, including the amp, labor, and everything else. I'll report back, but am hoping for great results.
Thanks lifeinitaly.
Thanks lifeinitaly.
So, how did it turn out???
