2019 AMG wagon here and wanted to call out an issue with the audio that can hopefully get some attention and a resolution (add it to any service ticket you have if you can observe the same thing). This is the one disappointing thing in my Wagon... if it didn't happen on voice calls (I'm on the road+conference calls a lot), I'd be less annoyed with it.

There are conditions where the speakers sound like they are blown -- more specifically, it sounds like the audio is getting clipped and distorted, however it will happen with the volume set just one notch up from muted, so it is not a volume issue (I normally listen at low volumes anyway).

I've been able to come up with a simple reproduction using 'Cottage in Wales' by Sam Eber, which is conveniently on youtube: This condition can be heard from 1m40s to the end readily, but also happens in other places throughout the track. Just to be clear, this is isn't a track specific problem... this is just an example that is easy to access.

The problem is not mechanical vibration in the door/speakers/grille/etc.
If you disable the "automatic volume compensation", the problem decreases, but still exists, but local dealership seems to see this as a 'fix'.
The problem happens via carplay+iphone.
The problem happens via android auto+android.
The problem happens via android and iphone connected to bluetooth.
The problem does *NOT* happen via iphone in USB mode (decline carplay, it'll enter ipod mode from the car's perspective).
I suspect the problem does not happen with android in the same setup (i.e., with android auto disabled).. I have simply yet to try.
The problem does *NOT* happen via SD card playback (mp3 of the sample song was used for this test; unknown bitrate).. but then we're back to "no gapless playback".
The problem is not gain set on the iphone or android.
The problem is not the track in question being demo'd from youtube, or even the original recording.
The problem is not just one song -- that's just a good reproducible case.
The problem is not gain set in comand/audio -> that's all set to 0.
The problem is not specific to "surround on" or "off" -- happens in both conditions.
The problem is not isolated to any single speaker or group of speakers.
The problem also happens on a new-in-showroom E series sedan, but I was unable to test it on one with the '3d audio' upgrade.
The vehicle has all the latest software updates as of 2 weeks ago to try to remediate this, unsuccessfully.

I believe the problem is with the DAC/Amp/whatever the burmester uses and applies to certain input sources and not to others.

The standard workarounds I would use such as line-in (not available!@#!@), USB or SD card playback (no gapless audio support) are not viable, unfortunately.

I welcome any feedback on suggested resolutions. I have an open issue with my dealer on this.. I've requested they escalate it for awareness and, hopefully, a resolution. Unfortunately, I have found references back to 2015 for what seems to be this same issue.

-j

 

Mine did this until I turned off the speed adjusted audio.

 

Correct. That's why I wrote "If you disable the "automatic volume compensation", the problem decreases, but still exists, but local dealership seems to see this as a 'fix'." :-)

I appreciate the response, however. All previous findings of this issue seem to terminate there, which... is not a solution in my book. The automatic volume compensation is also supposed to normalize audio across sources -- that's important when listening to say, classical via BT/wired that may have a low volume for many of the parts, which results in turning the system up to say, mid-point. ... And that's just fine until you disconnect the phone, it jumps back to XM radio, and blasts your ears off.

-j

 

“not a solution in my book”

trust me when i say, i’m picky too

but i wonder if mercedes, the dealer, and the majority of the world collectively just kind of want you to accept the fact that, it isn’t a major deal?

i’m sure you can find things wrong in every infotainment system, forever.

 

Do you have the Burmester upgrade around $5k option?

 

I have a 2019 sedan with the upgraded Burmeister Surround 3D--I just downloaded "Cottage in Whales" via Napster and connected my iPhone via car play--the song played perfectly from beginning to end.

 

The OP has a wagon, so not upgraded Burmeister.

 

Hello Jason
I have recently bought a 2020 E63 wagon. I am hearing an ugly distortion in the Burmester stereo. I wondered if you had any success getting rid of it? I really hear it on CarPlay and bluetooth audio. I do not hear it on SD card or radio. Please let me know where you got to in your search for answers,

Best
Noah

 

Good news, that sounds like the same issue as my experience. Bad news, I did not get anywhere with it. Open a case with your local dealership, ask them to escalate it. I did the same thing but didn't really get anywhere. I'm not sure the local dealership actually did a darned thing with it once I left. I'll be more than happy to try to pile on with another escalation --- more than one might help. I think/hope this is a DSP programming issue that can be resolved through a software update. I'm unsure what I ultimately posted on this thread, but I found hints of this going back at least 4 model years, but nothing cohesive.

For CarPlay, assuming IOS still lets you, try this: disable carplay completely then connect your iphone. That should be "ipod mode" of sorts. I don't think that description is used anymore... when I tried that, I was able to get good audio through the USB connection without CarPlay enabled. That was a test point that makes me think it is software.

It's also not just CarPlay -- the same experience existed for me with Android/Auto -- on, noise, off, no noise.

As minor as it may sound to some, this is the most disappointing thing about my E63 as it shows up in almost every conference call I take while in the car. -- It's also NOT volume dependent. Certain audio will distort at the lowest of volumes I can readily discern and it isn't the source material.
If anyone has the proper gear and time, it might be interesting to send audio through an FFT analyzer out to the car, with another microphone setup to analyze the resulting output. I expect it's artificially clipping in software well before the physical components limits are hit.

I don't know how to get this resolved -- I was unable to test it on an S class or an E63S with the upgraded audio system as none were available at my local dealers at the time.

thank you,

Jason

 

I expect that "mercedes, the dealer, and the majority of the world collectively" want me to accept some fact. In all cases, the definition of "major deal" will vary by the audience, so I can't accept that. ... I also wasn't seeking to find something wrong with the car/infotainment, I work while in the car and it manifests constantly with the spoken voice of others. Past that, I'm an engineer who analyzes the heck out of stuff by nature, so I spent a reasonable amount of time trying to triage and resolve it before tabling it.

It's the #1 thing I'm disappointed with in my first merc -- it's the only thing I'm disappointed with in my wagon. Is that major? Dunno.

-j

 

For iPhone, go to Settings -> Music -> Enable "Sound Check"

This fixed the issue for me over CarPlay. 2020 E63 Sedan with regular Burmester system.

 

What version of IOS? I don't have 'Music' with IOS 14.1 -- perhaps that's only visible if you use the apple music app. ... did it resolve it for sources via car play other than apple music?

 

Would be an interesting experiment. Generate a pink or white noise noise spectrum as desired and record to USB or memory card. Play the audio on a known good reference sound system and room environment and record using quality micro recorder with good stereo mics. Analyze the recorded audio using audio FFT analyzer software on PC. Repeat experiment using the car sound system.

I would expect a huge difference just from the change in the acoustic environment between the reference room and the interior of the car. But, any really weird additive hums or other distortions generated by the car's sound system may jump out.

 

This is with iOS 14.1 on iPhone 11 Pro Max. I will test this weekend if it resolves the issue for other audio sources as well or if it's limited to Apple Music.