ThatsMyDawg

Over the last week of on again off again dry weather I was a little over enthusiastic with playing my tunes loudly and I have basically blown what sounds like the rear and drivers side speakers. They sound horrible and now I have to keep any music down super low, or listen to talk radio to avoid the rattle from the blown speakers. Haven't had time to look at the door, or rear to see how to get to the speakers, or to see if I even want to attempt that on my own, but I need to swap out these speakers before my road trip next month.

Any suggestions on quality brands and sizes that fit the old spots, etc. would be appreciated. I plan on searching the forum, but some of you may know exactly what I need.
15 SL400

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Wow! Was that from the RoadTop CarPlay system?

ThatsMyDawg

"from" who know?

I think its just from playing the music super loud when I had the top down on the hwy. Probably would have happened with the stock radio, however I did boost the volume via roadtop.Sucks for sure, but now I have an opportunity to get better speakers...

Keon

My speakers are definitely not very "healthy" sounding, either. The sound system in these cars is not only poor sounding, but also lacks in quality. I have already had to repair the dash speaker since the adhesive that holds the dust cover on let go, and I have a speaker rattle as well. My Jeep with a cobbled together sound system sounds better than the SL does. I would take that opportunity to upgrade the speakers.

ThatsMyDawg

Agreed.

The only issue is that I am not finding hardly anything on speaker sizes, or how to change out these speakers. I have seen post on adding amps, but nothing on changing speakers, or how to get to them.

I’m still looking though.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

This isn't our car, but there may be some good info you can use.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Here's how to get to the speakers.

ThatsMyDawg

Sweet. I appreciate the info and will take a look at the video as soon as my first break at work today.

rmorin49

Crutchfield is an excellent source for car audio if you plan to do the install yourself.

ThatsMyDawg

I looked at them yesterday and it gave me an error that said something like “they couldn’t confirm fitment, etc., because they hadn’t sourced this model” even though I can select it from the car options list on that site. I am going to watch the videos Jetta posted later today. I will also look again on crutchfields site.

rmorin49

THE SL is sold in so few numbers that they may not have complete fitment data. Perhaps a good auto stereo place can help you. Let us know what you find. Do you have the HK or B&O system in YOUR SL?

ThatsMyDawg

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing about local shops. I am driving my SUV today, so I can't check on which unit I have in the SL. I will look at my old CarPlay post to see if I can see the unit in any of those pics.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Crutchfield does not have speakers specific for the SL. The first video I posted was replacing Harman Kardon door speakers in some other model. The value of that video is that the guy identified speakers (Infinity) that matched close to the non-standard 2 ohm factory speakers at 2.7 ohms. Most speakers are 4 ohm. He also showed the modifications needed for the speaker to fit the factory connector.

Have you priced OEM speakers? I know everyone thinks they suck and want to upgrade them, but honestly I think they sound fine with CarPlay with the top up, and who can really tell the difference with the top down -- just don't blow them again!

EDIT: OUCH!!! OEM speakers $615 EACH! That's literally INSANE!

EDIT EDIT: That was for Premium Sound. Non-Premium Sound is only $238 each! Part number 2318201002. Now, I could be getting this wrong since the description say "kick panel".

Streamliner

Especially since they are both junk. All of the HK & B&O audio systems offered in EVERY R231 SL, built between 2013 & 2020, are pretty much outclassed by most any base system in most any Asian econobox. After the 2013 SL’s were released, MB knew they had a problem with these systems. They could have and should have corrected the issue starting with the 2014 model, but instead, they lifted not one finger to improve the horrible systems for the entire 8 year model run. Mercedes-Benz: The Best or Nothing!

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Probably a long-term contract kept them from doing anything. If HK and B&O built to spec, then there would be no basis to cancel the contract. If the sound systems were not spec'd correctly, then that was on Mercedes. I'm sure everything was custom designed and built for Mercedes. Otherwise, why something non-standard like 2 ohm speakers?

Yet, I think the system sounds much better with the CarPlay module added. But, I'm old and my hearing ain't so good anymore (at certain frequencies). I was actually tested and found to have hearing loss at a frequency range similar to my wife's voice -- no joke. One has to wonder why that is. Yet, I can detect the slightest squeek, rattle, or otherwise unusual sound from my car (except that weird vibration sound from the driver's side A pillar).

ThatsMyDawg

I think I have confirmed that the damaged speakers are the rear and front center. I isolated the balance and can hear the vibration of rear and front center I think. If I am correct than that is good that I don’t have to dive into the doors.

8:06 am now and I am at MB dropping off the old battery to get my $25 core fee returned. While here I asked them about my speaker pricing. Turns out the 3 rear speakers are all the same. (Honestly I didn’t know it was 3 and thought it was only the rear center because the rear space is so tiny. I also didn’t know the sub woofer was in the front. That explains why I always hear such deep base from the front. I assumed the rear center was the subwoofer. Each rear speaker is $108. The front center is like $200 I think he said. I have attached the diagram he handed me. I am having MB check over the car as I will be taking a road trip next month. When they finish up I will listen once more to double check which speakers I hear the vibration from. At $100 bucks I might just order the speakers while here. Takes 2 days to arrive once ordered they said.



R231 speaker info.

ThatsMyDawg

I saw that video online a few weeks ago, but had to bail as soon as I heard that fake voice start speaking. I understand I can mute the volume, but I have to wait until my ears stop bleeding to go back to the video lol!

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

That channel has a lot of good videos like that. They all sound the same. BUT, they appear to be Mercedes training videos or something and probably dub the voice in whatever language is needed. However, since it seems all of the cars are left hand drive, English is not one of the original voices.

Ruppster

I actually had a dash speaker rattle in my previous r231. It was surprisingly easy to address after CAREFULLY removing the mesh center cover. That thing will bend easily and, when using the plastic trim tools, can scratch the paint. However, it not that hard to do and, once removed, every thing is easy access. I ended up adding some foam before replacing the cover just to reduce future squeaks.

Streamliner

I’m right there with you on the hearing loss. There are some women, particularly younger ones, usually diminutive, often speaking English as a second language, who speak at frequencies that my old ears simply cannot properly hear.

On the subject of audio contracts, if and when any auto producer might find a new model with severe issues, the problem should be immediately fixed. When the producer is MB, you would think that would be doubly so. In a halo car such as the SL, you would have expected them to not only fix the problem in the second year of production, but to have done a warranty retrofit to the cars already in customer’s hands.

There is so much talk of how SL sales fell so significantly after 2013. I blame this on the odd front end styling, the deletion of ABC as standard equipment, some very odd interior color combinations and the absolutely crummy audio systems. It’s amazing how good the cars actually are, with the truly minimal attention MB paid to them throughout the eight year run, but so depressing to KNOW how great they could have been, with just a tad more concern for the model in Stuttgart. Oh well.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Personally, not having ABC is one less thing to worry about. But I speak from the R230 version of ABC. Though, I will admit that handling is superior with ABC.

I dunno about the audio problems. I've mentioned this before but adding the RoadTop CarPlay module significantly improves audio performance of the car. Prior to that, the sound was mediocre. I don't know if the CarPlay module has superior equalizer function or a built-in amplifier, but it's the best $300 I could have spent on my sound.

jrupp

My CarPlay unit arrives today...hoping for a Saturday install. You've got me excited! I am going to handle removing the trim piece and my engineer friend is going to correctly plug up the unit. Still deciding if I'm going to put it in the glove box, footwell where the air filter is, or behind HU. More than a little nervous...

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Here's the thing, if you put it in the glovebox, you can easily access it in case you forgot to set the dip switches correctly or make any other changes. WRT plugging things up, the only thing you actually need to cut or splice wire for is the ground wires. Do not forget to connect the ground wires together (there are two) or at least the audio wire to chassis ground. The sound will be horrible if you don't.

Streamliner

For me, going from my 2004 SL500 with ABC standard, that I had for 12 years, to a CPO 2013 SL550 without ABC was absolute torture. It was all about ride quality for me, handling was way back there, as I am not an aggressive driver. So, I ordered a 2019 SL450 with ABC. I then fitted forged 19” wheels with non-run flat tires. The wheels, tires, ABC and the lighter V6 have given me “THE” best riding, most comfortable convertible I have ever driven.

I believe that probably 98% of 1963 through 2020 SL’s were purchased by non “car people,” who simply wanted a very comfortable & luxurious convertible with lots of cachet. Those coming out of R230’s, test driving the “new and improved” R231’s were very disappointed—I know I was. The car did not have the sexy look of the gorgeous 231’s, it didn’t drive nearly as comfortable and if the driver happened to try the audio system, many said “STRIKE THREE, YOU’RE OUT,” and went over to the Porsche store, where they lived happily ever after.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Still a great looking car. I was able to swap the halogen high-beams for LED bulbs which made even better nighttime driving.