Subwoofer replacement in E55
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
2005 E55, 2010 ML350
Subwoofer replacement in E55
Well I tried removing the OEM sub and putting a box in the trunk, but it never sounded right. I ran into an installer in LA who does a lot of work with Mercedes owners. He suggested that I try this method. I will post a picture once the driver arrives, but this gives you a good idea how it is mounted. Attaching a 10" Aurasound MR 10.4 in the slot shown. See pics below. I think that the installer I used up here did a really nice job.
Let me know what you guys think. The metal rear deck is now fortified with a 3/4" MDF board below it. Between the MDF and the metal deck is some dynamat to reduce any vibrational noise. The amp was installed before and is a JL 500/1.
Let me know what you guys think. The metal rear deck is now fortified with a 3/4" MDF board below it. Between the MDF and the metal deck is some dynamat to reduce any vibrational noise. The amp was installed before and is a JL 500/1.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
2005 E55, 2010 ML350
i know the pictures of the hole in my trunk were very exciting guys, but finally here is the finished product.
the bass sounds great. lows are very deep and low, and the mid bass has a very good punch (fast response). i set the Q level on the JL to very low (.55), turned the subsonic filter off, and my LP bass filter is around 70. will still play with the settings a bit to dial it in more, but i'm very satisfied with how this turned out. not the most glamorous sub installation, but the best sounding IMHO. also does not chew up a lot of trunk space.
i hate random sounds in any car i drive, so the rattling or reverberation sounds that some sub/amp/car combos have would have driven me nuts. i did not encounter any of these types of sounds, even on some bassy rap songs. i attribute this to the 3/4" MDF support, and the dynamat between the rear deck and that MDF.
see attached pics below.
the bass sounds great. lows are very deep and low, and the mid bass has a very good punch (fast response). i set the Q level on the JL to very low (.55), turned the subsonic filter off, and my LP bass filter is around 70. will still play with the settings a bit to dial it in more, but i'm very satisfied with how this turned out. not the most glamorous sub installation, but the best sounding IMHO. also does not chew up a lot of trunk space.
i hate random sounds in any car i drive, so the rattling or reverberation sounds that some sub/amp/car combos have would have driven me nuts. i did not encounter any of these types of sounds, even on some bassy rap songs. i attribute this to the 3/4" MDF support, and the dynamat between the rear deck and that MDF.
see attached pics below.
Last edited by gmdebruyn; Oct 17, 2005 at 05:31 AM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
2005 E55, 2010 ML350
Originally Posted by medici78
How did you remove the stock subwoofer? I know that it is a large plastic unit that includes the sub and the two side speakers.
Below that was metal (which you can see in your car if you look inside the trunk). The installers cut the bottom off that, leaving just a small lip behind. As you can see in some of the first pics, that is where the screws attached, connecting to the front of the sub. Of course, gasketing was used between the front of the sub and the metal lip.
Last edited by gmdebruyn; Oct 17, 2005 at 01:01 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 768
Likes: 74
From: S.F. Bay Area, CA
'18 E63S AMG
Gmdebruyn,
The installation looks great. Can you tell me where in the Bay Area that you had the installation. I've been looking for an new subwoofer installation that doesn't require a separate box replacement.
Thanks,
The installation looks great. Can you tell me where in the Bay Area that you had the installation. I've been looking for an new subwoofer installation that doesn't require a separate box replacement.
Thanks,
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
2005 E55, 2010 ML350
Originally Posted by CALBenzo
Gmdebruyn,
The installation looks great. Can you tell me where in the Bay Area that you had the installation. I've been looking for an new subwoofer installation that doesn't require a separate box replacement.
Thanks,
The installation looks great. Can you tell me where in the Bay Area that you had the installation. I've been looking for an new subwoofer installation that doesn't require a separate box replacement.
Thanks,
I used Walnut Creek Car Stereo about a year ago, and I was less than satisfied with the results.
Last edited by gmdebruyn; Oct 17, 2005 at 01:06 PM.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 768
Likes: 74
From: S.F. Bay Area, CA
'18 E63S AMG
Originally Posted by gmdebruyn
Thanks man! I used Custom Car Alarm (they do stereos as well) in Pleasant Hill. The installer, Mike, is a perfectionist. They also did my Valentine One and Blinder Laser Jammer installation. Mention my name, or a description of my car and they'll remember my installation.
I used Walnut Creek Car Stereo about a year ago, and I was less than satisfied with the results.
I used Walnut Creek Car Stereo about a year ago, and I was less than satisfied with the results.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 5
From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
Originally Posted by gmdebruyn
Thanks! I'm just happy to have bass again.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 5
From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
Originally Posted by AMGfan
Looks great...How is the sound quantity/quality? Any rattles?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
2005 E55, 2010 ML350
Originally Posted by Merc AMG
I'm sure it's just the flash, but your black E55 looks silver in the pics. Anyway nice job, bet it sounds nice.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
2005 E55, 2010 ML350
Originally Posted by amgdriven
Being that the sub is in a "freeair" position/install.............would a trunk full of stuff take away from the bass? 
in practice however, on my way back from Costco this weekend (trunk full), i noticed very little difference in the bass response.
keep in mind that the driver is firing up into the cabin with this configuration. not like a box in the trunk where the bass is bouncing around before finally making its way through the old sub opening.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 0
From: Lone Star State
w210 E55
Originally Posted by gmdebruyn
theoretically, reducing the volume (by adding "stuff") would change the Q level. there are different Q's for different enclosures (sealed, ported, and free air). as the volume increases, i've noticed that a lower Q is better. for small enclosures, the Q level had to be increased. i had the shop install the variable Q controller knob up front under the steering wheel.
in practice however, on my way back from Costco this weekend (trunk full), i noticed very little difference in the bass response.
keep in mind that the driver is firing up into the cabin with this configuration. not like a box in the trunk where the bass is bouncing around before finally making its way through the old sub opening.
in practice however, on my way back from Costco this weekend (trunk full), i noticed very little difference in the bass response.
keep in mind that the driver is firing up into the cabin with this configuration. not like a box in the trunk where the bass is bouncing around before finally making its way through the old sub opening.
Thanks
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
2005 E55, 2010 ML350
Originally Posted by amgdriven
Awesome! then a freeair woofer is something I need to do!
Thanks
Thanks
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 791
Likes: 0
From: Monroe, Louisiana
SL 65 AMG and E63s AMG
gm,
You originally had your speaker in an enclosure in the trunk. Did you change it to increase loudness or quality? I can't imagine using anywhere near 500 watts in that position. Going thru the back seats causes my ears to hurt with my set up.
I have my JLA 10W7 in a tuned box and its will blow me out on some newer selections but on others I need to increase the gain.
Have you noticed improved modulation and less intrusiveness with this set up?
You originally had your speaker in an enclosure in the trunk. Did you change it to increase loudness or quality? I can't imagine using anywhere near 500 watts in that position. Going thru the back seats causes my ears to hurt with my set up.
I have my JLA 10W7 in a tuned box and its will blow me out on some newer selections but on others I need to increase the gain.
Have you noticed improved modulation and less intrusiveness with this set up?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
2005 E55, 2010 ML350
Originally Posted by Vetluver
gm,
You originally had your speaker in an enclosure in the trunk. Did you change it to increase loudness or quality? I can't imagine using anywhere near 500 watts in that position. Going thru the back seats causes my ears to hurt with my set up.
I have my JLA 10W7 in a tuned box and its will blow me out on some newer selections but on others I need to increase the gain.
Have you noticed improved modulation and less intrusiveness with this set up?
You originally had your speaker in an enclosure in the trunk. Did you change it to increase loudness or quality? I can't imagine using anywhere near 500 watts in that position. Going thru the back seats causes my ears to hurt with my set up.
I have my JLA 10W7 in a tuned box and its will blow me out on some newer selections but on others I need to increase the gain.
Have you noticed improved modulation and less intrusiveness with this set up?
Yes, 500 watts is overkill, but I can guarantee that I'll play in the linear portion of the Watts/output part of the amplifier curve. The sound quality that I experience now compared to the enclosure in the trunk is like comparing day to night. The bass in Green Day songs is tight, deep, and punchy. The bass in Jesus Walks with Kanje West is deep and articulate, and hits you with a good solid punch. The extra rigidity that the MDF provided to the back deck along with the dynamat has reduced any car rattle that might have been there before.
With the sub firing direclty into the cabin, I feel that the bass is right there with the song. In the enclosure, it felt like a certain frequency range was always stuck in my trunk.
For my home theater, my amp is rated at 250 watts per channel x 5 into 8 ohms. I never crank it to 11, but the region I do play in sounds crisp and clean. Same principle applies here. Also, I give a lot of credit to the driver I used. Aurasound makes drivers second to none. I actually use 2 12" sub drivers in my home theater in my house.
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 791
Likes: 0
From: Monroe, Louisiana
SL 65 AMG and E63s AMG
I know exactly what you were up against and admire your experimental nature. I havent't wanted to do any permanent changes to my E55 and will continue to try to improve to the sound short of speaker removal.
Did you try connectting the factory woofer up to the JLA amp in series/parallel using the aftermarket sub for ultra lows only?
ONe other question, are you experience transient low voltage or did you add a capacitor to prevent this?
Did you try connectting the factory woofer up to the JLA amp in series/parallel using the aftermarket sub for ultra lows only?
ONe other question, are you experience transient low voltage or did you add a capacitor to prevent this?
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: BAY AREA
2003E55
Looks excellent, are you running it through the stock HK stereo system or have you also modified the entire system. I actually think the HK system is pretty decent, but could use more bass.
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks,
Mike
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
2005 E55, 2010 ML350
Originally Posted by mching
Looks excellent, are you running it through the stock HK stereo system or have you also modified the entire system. I actually think the HK system is pretty decent, but could use more bass.
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks,
Mike
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
2005 E55, 2010 ML350
Originally Posted by Vetluver
I know exactly what you were up against and admire your experimental nature. I havent't wanted to do any permanent changes to my E55 and will continue to try to improve to the sound short of speaker removal.
Did you try connectting the factory woofer up to the JLA amp in series/parallel using the aftermarket sub for ultra lows only?
Did you try connectting the factory woofer up to the JLA amp in series/parallel using the aftermarket sub for ultra lows only?
I did not try the two subs in parallel. I'm not sure how that would have helped because the bass would never have made it out of the trunk. When it was in the enclosure, it got into the cabin through the old OEM subwoofer "hole". I'm sure you could do an easy install and just give the OEM sub a little more juice through an amp. But then you risk blowing it. When it came out, it did not impress me as the finest of quality if you know what I mean.
I did put some weatherproofing between the license plate and the car, and the license plate frame and the license plate though to prevent outside rattle/vibration. I hate when cars roll up and all you hear is this bass thump and their cars are rattling to death. The bass sounds good, and outside you can hear the bass thump, but it the car doesn't sound like its coming apart at the seams from too much bass.
Originally Posted by Vetluver
ONe other question, are you experience transient low voltage or did you add a capacitor to prevent this?
