mdre55amg

Looking to see if anyone has had any success upgrading the sound system in a W211 E55? I don't want to do much, but the bass of the HK system leaves much to be desired. I want to keep it as close to stock as I possibly can avoiding any new cuts, panel modifications, etc. Let me know what you've done and post pics if you can!

Vic55

I did exactly what you want to do on my old E55. I didnt want cuts or mods but needed more bass so I added two 10 inch JL Audio subs and a JL Audio 500/1 amp. It was simple, cost effective and gave me the sound. Sorry no pics but the box fit perfectly in very back of the trunk and the amp was modded in the well of the trunk (no spare with my old E55-2004).

AudiOn19s

I have a similar setup in my A4 and was thinking of adding it to the E55 as well. a GOOD single 10" sub and GOOD single channel amp will make pleanty of bass for most listening and still not take up too much space in the car.

IMO Harmon Kardon did a good job on the Mids and Highs in the E55. The HK system in my M3 leaves alot to be desired.

Andy

jangy

I got the Reus Audio setup:

2 tweeters added to rear view mirror, most OEM speakers replaced, 2 X 10 subs and box added to trunk with 400 watt amps to each.

CWW

Why do BMW stereos always suck? I've had multiple BMW's, two with the HK upgraded systems, and they always sucked donkey *****...

MB systems used to be better when they used bose, the current crop of HK's in MB's, at least that I've heard, have a real lack of bass and sound tinny. Still nowhere near as bad as the BMW systems tho...

AudiOn19s

Don't know but I won't argue with you. The System in the M3 is quite a let down.

mdre55amg

Thanks Vic55-I am going to check out some stereo shops in the area see what I can come up with. I just don't want any cuttin' going on in my ride!!! I have the same space because I'm without a spare. Was there a spare option in 2004?

mdre55amg

Thanks AudiOn19s-I do like the mids and highs. The bass, however, is a disappointment. My cayenne has a single bose sub and the sound is phenomenal!

mdre55amg

What kind of subs and tweets did you use? What about the amp?

Juice1979

JUst did this on mine, added a 10" woofer in the trunk. Took about an hour to install. Installed the amp in the rear well. Grabbed power and ground right from the battery, 12v acc line from fuse box in drivers side rear and grabbed the signal from the wires connecting to the sub in the rear deck. Didnt have to drill anything. Sorry no pics though

mdre55amg

Yes, the Bose system in the Mercs were a lot better. My CLK was a '00 (and had a Bose system) and you would've thought that my '04 E would've had better sound with newer technology. Don't things typically improve over time? The HK is definitely a let down compared to the CLK's Bose system.

mdre55amg

Sounds simple enough to do, however, it's probably in my best interest to let a "pro" do it. I'll end up shorting out the entire electrical system and have to pay mucho dinero to get it fixed!!!

Sounds like a lot of you agree that the bass does suck. Anyone know how the sound is in the E63s? Curious to see if MB changed anything. My uncle said his bass sucks as well in his '06 SL55. He can't even fade from front to rear. I know it's a two-seater but you should have some control over the sound. Interesting.

AKnight55

JL Audio is the way to go. A single w6 ten or twelve inch is all your going to need.

mdre55amg

Thanks! Sounds like JL Audio is the way to go. I'm gonna do some checking this week. I probably won't go larger than 10". I only need a slight improvement over stock and I think a JL Audio 10 (one or two) will get the job done. Will I need any sort of interface/line level adapter to tap into the factory wiring? I guess the stereo shop will know but I want to make sure they're not selling me stuff that I don't need!

jangy

It was done up with all Reus proprietery stuff, but I replaced the subs with 10" JL Audios and the tweeters with MB Quarts. I left the center channels alone.

JonMBZ

I have had a JL 12W6v2 in my car for many years. I beat it to death and it still works great and it looks very nice too.

Vic55

I think some 2004's had the spare depending on the build date--- not sure

You will enjoy the JL stuff, its not Macintosh but it serves its purpose.

bobgodd

Did you add two more tweeters to the door pillar by the rear view mirrors, or did you replace the ones already there?

jangy

Just replaced. Fit right in.

MB_Forever

PM Greg (gE63) on this board, he did a very nice setup in his E63 similar to what you're looking for

jangy

He did the stage 1 Reus. In his, they used the spare tire as the sub box. He is who turned me onto Reus and how well it fits the interior.

mdre55amg

Thanks again Vic55. From what I hear the JL Audio has a clean sound. I think that's the route to go. About the spare, I was curious because mine doesn't and I've seen others with it. Interesting.

By the way, both of your cars are the $#it. Especially the red 997 TT with the black wheels and red calipers. What's the Porsche color called? It looks like the old Porsche "can can red." Not sure if Porsche even has can can red anymore.

mprsev

I too got the Reus system in my E63 from the great GB organized by Jangy I am relatively happy with it but I want a little more.

So I have been trying to get my hands on the AMG Performance Studio Audio Upgrade package E02 parts as it replaces all the speakers and adds a 700 amplifier that integrates nicely into the factory system. It also has a nice AMG tweeter housing for the front doors.

mdre55amg

Thanks for the info. I'll pm him and see if he can give me more detail on his set-up.

The Godfather

I have the reQ 5.1, JL amp (500/1 I think, I forgot), and 2 10" JL subs. I'm gonna redo the system down the road for SQ.