Anyone Upgrade Sound System in a W211 E55?
#1
Anyone Upgrade Sound System in a W211 E55?
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!
#2
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2020 Audi R8 V10, 2016 AMG GTS, 2018 E63S Edition 1, 2018 Porsche GTS Cab, 2012 C63 BS
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!
#3
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A4, M3, 996, E55
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).
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
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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
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
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...
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A4, M3, 996, E55
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...
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...
#7
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).
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#8
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
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
#9
#10
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
#11
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...
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...
#12
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
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.
#14
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!
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You will enjoy the JL stuff, its not Macintosh but it serves its purpose.
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Did you add two more tweeters to the door pillar by the rear view mirrors, or did you replace the ones already there?
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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!
#22
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.
Last edited by mdre55amg; 03-23-2009 at 09:56 PM.
#23
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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.
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.
#24