SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: 2005-2008 SL owners (your thoughts on stock sound system)
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Joined: Feb 2009
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SL63, GTR
2005-2008 SL owners (your thoughts on stock sound system)
I just replaced a 2003 SL55 with a 2005 SL65. The 2003 had the Bose branded sound system with the Bose badging on the door panels. I'm not saying that the 2003 Bose system is amazing or mind blowing but it sounds like a high end home hifi audio system when compared to the 2005 stock system.
The SL65 that I bought does not have the Bose badging on the door panels but has the exact same door speakers and subwoofer (same part nunbers) as I took the panels off and looked. However, it is definitely the worst sound system that I've ever heard. It is comparable to a 1990 Honda Civic, my cell phone sounds better. There is literally zero bass or clarity from the system. If I put my hand on the subwoofer, the is no movement as it seems to be deactivated. The speakers in the door sound like someone is holding their hand in front of them and are muffled. This is with the bass/treble turned all if the way up.
Either there is something wrong with my audio system or Mercedes/Bose really took 100 steps backwards starting with the refreshed Comand system in the 05+ models. The bass/clarity in the 2003 model can rattle the rear view mirror and you can actually make out individual sounds.
Do other 2005-2008 owners feel this same way or do I need to investigate an audio issue with my car? It almost sounds like there is no separate amplifier and it's getting power from a 10 watt built in amp to the head unit.
The SL65 that I bought does not have the Bose badging on the door panels but has the exact same door speakers and subwoofer (same part nunbers) as I took the panels off and looked. However, it is definitely the worst sound system that I've ever heard. It is comparable to a 1990 Honda Civic, my cell phone sounds better. There is literally zero bass or clarity from the system. If I put my hand on the subwoofer, the is no movement as it seems to be deactivated. The speakers in the door sound like someone is holding their hand in front of them and are muffled. This is with the bass/treble turned all if the way up.
Either there is something wrong with my audio system or Mercedes/Bose really took 100 steps backwards starting with the refreshed Comand system in the 05+ models. The bass/clarity in the 2003 model can rattle the rear view mirror and you can actually make out individual sounds.
Do other 2005-2008 owners feel this same way or do I need to investigate an audio issue with my car? It almost sounds like there is no separate amplifier and it's getting power from a 10 watt built in amp to the head unit.
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Laguna Niguel
'94 SL600,'05 SL600,'06 S65,'07 E63,'14 E63S,'09SL600 all sold, ‘15 S65,‘18 E63S,'17 SL65, '17S65Cab
We never had a 2003 SL so I have no frame of reference to that system. We had a 2005 SL Bose, a 2007 E HK and have a 2006 S Bose, a 2009 SL HK, and a 2014 E with the B&O upgraded system.
Listening to a compressed low resolution source such as Sirius satellite radio the 2006 S sound best, probably because the large interior volume provides better bass. Next would be the 2005 SL then the 2007 E, the 2009 SL then the 2014 E. The best thing about the B&O upgrade on the 2014 E are the illuminated door tweeters.
With an uncompressed high resolution source such as a DDD CD as the source things change. The 2014 E with the B&O system is the best. Next is the 2006 S followed by the 2007 E HK system; the 2005 and 2009 SL's are last likely because of the small interior volume. Both seem light on bass. With the top down too much is speed and road surface dependent to judge. I was always able to get enough bass out of the 2005 SL system to find it adequate but not exceptional.
I hope that helps somewhat.
Listening to a compressed low resolution source such as Sirius satellite radio the 2006 S sound best, probably because the large interior volume provides better bass. Next would be the 2005 SL then the 2007 E, the 2009 SL then the 2014 E. The best thing about the B&O upgrade on the 2014 E are the illuminated door tweeters.
With an uncompressed high resolution source such as a DDD CD as the source things change. The 2014 E with the B&O system is the best. Next is the 2006 S followed by the 2007 E HK system; the 2005 and 2009 SL's are last likely because of the small interior volume. Both seem light on bass. With the top down too much is speed and road surface dependent to judge. I was always able to get enough bass out of the 2005 SL system to find it adequate but not exceptional.
I hope that helps somewhat.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 531
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From: EDH, CA.
2012 E63 AMG
In my 2007 SL55, The stereo system lacks in my opinion. Never listened to a 2003 though.
Do some research on audio equipment here and you will find the differences between the different years. I've found info in posts regarding swapping to an aftermarket unit and the troubles associated with doing this with different year models.
I think the 2003 had a separate amp, which may contribute to the differences your noticing in your 2005 system. Some units also had a optic cable.
Do some research on audio equipment here and you will find the differences between the different years. I've found info in posts regarding swapping to an aftermarket unit and the troubles associated with doing this with different year models.
I think the 2003 had a separate amp, which may contribute to the differences your noticing in your 2005 system. Some units also had a optic cable.
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Joined: Jun 2014
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W212 E63 2010 (sold), R230 SL55 2003
Thanks.
/gustav
Thread Starter
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SL63, GTR
Thanks for the input everyone. I believe that I definitely have a fault with my system which is resulting in the factory subwoofer not working and the door speakers receiving little to no power. It appears that the previous owner had an aftermarket amplifier installed as evidenced by the four velcro strips in front the Bose amplifier and also the plain/regular speaker wire spliced into the OEM amplifier wiring harness.
Maybe the OEM Bose amplifier is faulty and they tried to bypass it and run an aftermarket one since the OEM amp is $2,500? All of the speakers are original with no evidence of them being removed, so I don't see why someone would just want to replace the OEM amplifier with an aftermarket for no reason without adding any new speakers or sub.
Anyone have an OEM Bose amplifier (part #2308203889) from a 2005-2008 SL laying around?
Maybe the OEM Bose amplifier is faulty and they tried to bypass it and run an aftermarket one since the OEM amp is $2,500? All of the speakers are original with no evidence of them being removed, so I don't see why someone would just want to replace the OEM amplifier with an aftermarket for no reason without adding any new speakers or sub.
Anyone have an OEM Bose amplifier (part #2308203889) from a 2005-2008 SL laying around?
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SL63, GTR
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
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From: Flower Mound, TX
2012 SL63 AMG
Hello- I am exploring options for replacing my audio system in my just-acquired 2007 SL55 AMG with its Bose system. I had a 2007 SLK55 AMG and gutted it to replace the whole thing a few years ago, so I am familiar with the challenges on that car. I was exploring posts on here (of which there are too many) but I am having a hard time getting vehicle-specific build threads/info. Can you tell me what you did (if anything) to your system?
Thank you
Thank you
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