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Wolf, I listen to a vintage rock—which I know is not easily reproduced in good quality. But I also listen to much more recently recorded music, such as some country, smooth jazz, classical, etc. None of it played on the system in the new car comes anywhere close to what I heard in my 2004 SL500 and I never had to fuss with it. Turn it on and out came beautiful music, even with the top down. That’s how the R231 systems should work, IMO.
You know, that 2013 SL550 I had, was somewhat modified. It had SL63 resonators, the 19” wheels were replaced with 18’s, I now see that the inside of the glass roof was heavily tinted, as there is now SO much light coming through the screen over my head in the new car, and it would now appear that at least something had been done to the sound system. The sound in the 2013 was better than in this new one, but was still crummy. Knowing that I would not keep the car long term, I never looked into improving it.
Just for fun, I searched the web for “Mercedes SL Sound System Newport Beach” and I got several hits, including this one: https://www.socalautosound.com/mercedes/
I mean, if a company is out there actually seeking business to upgrade systems in one, particular model of car, there must be MANY unhappy owners. I’m sorry, Wolf, but saying that this HK System is not that bad, is defending something that just isn’t right. “The Best or Nothing,” remember? The systems should have been reworked with the 2014 model. There is no excuse for MB to have ignored the shortcomings of these systems for so long. Oh well, our opinions on this just differ.
You may have misread by prior comment. I mentioned defending it "a bit". I have never found any HK branded product to be great in the SL or any other car for that matter. I did like the Bose sound in the R230. But HK is a low-end brand IMO anyway (Good history but that is meaningless these days). Not a high fidelity system. In terms of complicated interface, the settings themselves are pretty consistent across system so the S-Class follows the same setup. My bar for audio in a convertible is lower than in a sedan because sound will drown out when driving top-down. For that reason we never selected the B&O even though our cars are otherwise fully optioned.
That said, it could be that they did something on your prior SL550 audio or you could simply have an issue with your SL450. I recommend listening to yet another new SL just to rule a problem out. Your dealer has another gray SL450 in stock so that maybe worth a quick trip.
If not, go the audio upgrade route. They will want to swap speakers and add amp/s at minimum.
FYI, I only listen to CarPlay or BT these days and use the "Rock" equalizer setting on the iPhone. This equalizer works in conjunction with the car setting.
You may have misread by prior comment. I mentioned defending it "a bit". I have never found any HK branded product to be great in the SL or any other car for that matter. I did like the Bose sound in the R230. But HK is a low-end brand IMO anyway (Good history but that is meaningless these days). Not a high fidelity system. In terms of complicated interface, the settings themselves are pretty consistent across system so the S-Class follows the same setup. My bar for audio in a convertible is lower than in a sedan because sound will drown out when driving top-down. For that reason we never selected the B&O even though our cars are otherwise fully optioned.
That said, it could be that they did something on your prior SL550 audio or you could simply have an issue with your SL450. I recommend listening to yet another new SL just to rule a problem out. Your dealer has another gray SL450 in stock so that maybe worth a quick trip.
If not, go the audio upgrade route. They will want to swap speakers and add amp/s at minimum.
FYI, I only listen to CarPlay or BT these days and use the "Rock" equalizer setting on the iPhone. This equalizer works in conjunction with the car setting.
Good luck!
The Bose sound system in the R230 was phenomenal! It was even better than the Harmon/Kardon system in the R231!
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe kid: 2017 GLC SUV
Originally Posted by steve sl550
Real question to MB and HK is why have rear speakers if the owner can't use them as he/she wants to based on the owners preference !
That is the question.......what designer and manufacturer in their right mind would spend the money to put in rear speakers if they can't be used in all music modes and when all that is needed to use the rear speakers is a FW (firm ware) and SW (soft ware) fix to allow fader adjust.....
These are the surround speakers I have in my living room. They're designed to be places on side walls toward the rear of the room so they wash the side walls with sound, aimed both front and rear. Admiitedly, my Yamaha home receiver allows me to isolate them or boost the sound far more readily than the COMAND would but that doesn't change the fact that they're not my main L-R speakers, and they'll never sound like them.
Also went with the white, and absolutely love it. Exhaust has some minor updates from 2018 it seems like I get much more violent “pops and crackles” in manual mode + sport plus. Both the SL550 and 450 have a speaker in the trunk for start up. You can actually turn it off if you put the car in E mode before starting it, you won’t get that rumble on the 450. “Neighbor friendly mode”
Also went with the white, and absolutely love it. Exhaust has some minor updates from 2018 it seems like I get much more violent “pops and crackles” in manual mode + sport plus. Both the SL550 and 450 have a speaker in the trunk for start up. You can actually turn it off if you put the car in E mode before starting it, you won’t get that rumble on the 450. “Neighbor friendly mode”
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
After rain earlier in the week, it was a picture perfect day in Orange County, California, so I decided to snap a couple of photos. The car has about 300 miles on it now and I am very happy with it, aside from the HK audio system, which will be upgraded shortly. I am also going to change the wheels and ditch the run flats, but just how is still undecided. I am still thrilled with the V6 and actually find that I like how it "purrs," as opposed to the "rumble & roar" I had with my SL550. The 9-speed transmission and the various settings are amazing. However, the number one feature for me is still ABC and the ride & comfort of this car is phenomenal. Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day!
Last edited by Streamliner; 05-25-2019 at 01:22 AM.
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
Originally Posted by bob55
Regarding the HK system for the 231, I do suggest going to the Audio Settings and increasing both the Bass and Treble Output Levels to at least +8, if you have not already done so....(You will notice the difference) . Also, while in 'audio settings' ensure that the Logic-7 Surround Setting is actually turned 'ON'.
I'm certainly not an 'Audiophile' by any means, but after listening almost exclusively to Sirius XM, (Digital Satellite Music), since first buying my 231, my opinion is that the HK system in my 2013 SL 550 sounds just fine...Perhaps 'the source' of the music you choose to listen to has a much to do with your level of satisfaction!.
Today, I found that I could improve the music sound quality of my stock HK system, but I did the exact OPPOSITE, to what you have recommended. I set all three of the equalizer settings on the lowest “minus” level possible. Then, using my iTunes library in my iPhone as the source, I was able to get sound that is quite a bit better than my previous experience. I still get virtually no sound from the rear speakers and the high notes are still shrill to my ears, but it is much better.
I wonder why your car gave you better sound by increasing the equalizer adjustments, while mine is the exact opposite? All I can think, is that they know there is a problem with the system and have tried fooling with the factory settings in an attempt to improve things, without an actual redesign of the system, this late in the R231’s life cycle. Crazy.
Interesting approach, I shall have to do some discovery with that setting. Most of my music is on the SD card, or via satellite radio; so I will let you know what my experience is. Thanks.
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
Originally Posted by TennesseeZ4
Interesting approach, I shall have to do some discovery with that setting. Most of my music is on the SD card, or via satellite radio; so I will let you know what my experience is. Thanks.
I’m still going to try the Best Buy auxiliary amp and see how much that improves it. I would go the full blown, custom upgrade route, but I am scared to death to have the interior disassembled.
Don't be afraid of the disassembly (it's minor and easily done) and anyway the storage box and panel needs to come out to put in the AMP anyway.
For my install only the bottle holder in the rear compartment was removed and the F & R control pots installed in a removable panel that can be fully removed and back to stock if desired.
Without the F & R pots you will need to settle on one setting that is not ideal as I find based on what I am listening to that I appreciate the ability to alter the F to R amplitude.
So for me the difference in cost is well worth it.
My dealer was shocked by the sound and floored when I operated the switch that allows default to factory and back again
Interesting to note that the difference is so significant to me that I have decided to buy the car @ lease end as it is fully loaded with all options (including ABC I might add) so it is now "perfect" (for me anyway).
I’m still going to try the Best Buy auxiliary amp and see how much that improves it. I would go the full blown, custom upgrade route, but I am scared to death to have the interior disassembled.
Best Buy, Kissimmee FL, was able to add the amp for me without removing any panels at all. Everything was done in the trunk at the location of the B&O factory amp. I now have true surround sound - what a difference.
I believe on 2018 and newer with base sound system the amp is under the "smugglers box" rear of the driver (at least that is where mine is ....see pics I posted earlier).
Streamliner....In answer to your question in from post #93, I think the reasons for the difference were actually noted in your post...The 'source' of the music always matters, plus you are using an equalizer, (from you i-phone).
Obviously, when you increase the output levels for bass and treble, you are going to get more deep bass and more 'high note' treble sound, while decreasing those output levels,will have precisely the opposite effect.
Another difference may be worth noting here as well: Perhaps you are not aware of it, but the newer 231 models, (like your 2019 SL450), have (3) fewer speakers than the original 231's. There are (11) speakers in your 2019 SL 450 HK system, verses the (14) speakers in my 2013 SL 550's HK system which also has a 6-CD changer that was dropped from the SL Class after model year 2014.
05-09-2019, 12:24 PM
