w202 audio upgrade advise needed - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

leonb · #1 03-01-2006, 12:52 PM

I drive a 1999 C280 with a non-bose sound system - Audio 10 radio/casette and a cd-changer. The sound from this system is not very good and I need to improve the sound.

I dont want to spend too much money, just need decent sound. I want to keep the Audio 10 and cd-changer (dont want to change original look). What do you guys recommend as the best way of improving sound quality.

sadownic · #2 03-01-2006, 07:47 PM

If you're keeping the HU and changer, then I guess all you can do is upgrade your speakers. You didn't say what your budget is, but my advice to you is save your money until you can afford something that will make a big improvement.

96C220 · #3 03-02-2006, 02:10 PM

You can do aftermarket speakers and amplifiers, and keep the head unit and cd changer stock.

Another thing to consider is the resale value of these components.

You can EASILY sell the audio 10, and CD changer on ebay, or on these forums for less than a much better quality aftermarket head unit will cost you.

Now if you want to keep the oem stuff for asthetic reasons, then you need to install a line output converter to get standard rca outputs to integrate aftermarket amplifiers. My advice is to use a good quality one such as the peripheral ven-4. The walmart specials do the job but are prone to introducing noise etc.

Rainbow makes direct drop - in replacement speakers. They can be found here and sound very good, but they need an aftermarket amplifier to reach their full potential.

http://www.iqcaraudio.com/mercedes/mercedes_W202.htm

Any other speakers would require some degree of light fabrication to get them to adapt to the mercedes speaker openings. Its really not that hard at all though.

The problem is most aftermarket installation shops really dont know what they are doing around a mercedes. Therefore they either refuse to work on them, or end up butchering them. Make sure the shop you chose (if you dont want to do it yourself) KNOWS mercedes, and has proof, i.e. former customers, references etc.

Feel free to email me with any specific questions you may have.

Take care,

George

JCE · #4 03-03-2006, 12:05 AM

I re-did the non-Bose system on my 98 C230. I had elaborate plans, and started by replacing the front door speakers with 6 1/2" 2 way Diamond Audios. Everything sounded so much better after this that i gave up on my plans for re-doing the amp, subs, and dash tweeters and HU. Later an opportunity came along to install a new HU, and the system took another jump up in quality - now I am perfectly satisfied and wouldn't spend another penny on replacing existing components. So try replacing the front door speakers - an easy way without any cutting would be the Rainbow kit (that wasn't available when I did my Diamonds). I believe the Rainbow also does the dash tweeter and crossover as well. You can always do more later.

leonb · #5 03-05-2006, 10:21 AM

Will it be easier to install a amplifier with a high level input, and thus not even need to bother too much with converters etc. How does these amps work and will the sound quality be acceptable in conjuction with new speakers?

96C220 · #6 03-05-2006, 01:14 PM

From strictly an installation point of view probably, well, maybe. You would still have to run cables from the back of the head unit to the amp (in this case speaker wire and not RCA).

Any amp that has high level inputs basically has a hi to lo converter built in, thats the only real difference. However these amps tend to be lower in quality and performance for the most part.

Realistically I guess its not that big a deal either way. The thing you have to decided is what you want to do, what you expect the system to do, and how willing are you to get involved in an intricate installation.

Are we talking a 4 speaker swap? Are we adding an amp? How about a subwoofer? Plan it all out... Yes it can be done in stages, like John said earlier. Your biggest bang for the buck would be front speaker replacement. This is because these are the speakers closest to your ears. You may not get much more (if any) increase in overall volume or system power, but you will notice a drastic improvement in sound quality.

If it was MY car... I would:

1) Swap out the front speakers... give it a good listen

2) Amplify the front speakers (make sure you get an amp that has a decent high pass crossover, those speakers really can't make anything below about 80hz).

3) Add a subwoofer and amp to that

4) Change out and amplify the rear speakers.

Now you can stop at any step.. but simply put the rear speakers in a good car audio system are designed to provide a sense of space and dimension to the audio, commonly known as rear fill. You do not want them overpowering the front stage. Just like at a concert, the program comes from the front, you dont go to a concert and turn your back to the performers and listen to everything from behind you.

Take care,

George

leonb · #7 03-06-2006, 10:03 AM

Thanks for the advice so far guys. I also believe in a stepwise approach.

What size (watt) speaker will be the best to replace the front standard speakers. Will the existing Audio 10's built-in amp be good enough to drive this speaker without distortion?

96C220 · #8 03-06-2006, 04:02 PM

Watts dont mean much, any quality speaker will have more than sufficient power handling capablities. Clean power doesn't hurt speakers, distortion and clipping hurt speakers.

You need to get one that fits properly, see JCE's article in the DIY section on w202 front speaker replacement.

As far as the audio 10, just like any other amp it has its limits. Its not particularly good. Yes it can drive a speaker without distortion, but only to a certain level, whether you are happy with that or not is a different question. Dont expect some huge increase in available volume, in fact i almost expect a bit of a decrease in available useable volume, BUT, a definite increase in sound quality.

Take care

George

BenzOnline · #9 03-07-2006, 12:02 AM

How come it would lower in volume?

96C220 · #10 03-07-2006, 01:17 AM

Because as speakers are designed to handle more power, their efficiency decreases. (The amount of spl it will produce given a fixed amount of power). Simple physics really, of heavier magnets and voice coils require more electrical energy to move.

This is usually measured in terms of db of spl @ 1 watt of power at a distance of one meter. The Audio 10 headunit has a limited amount of clean power available, so if the speakers are replaced with less efficient ones, the available volume level will decrease, however the sound quality and clarity of the driver will be much better.

Take care,

George

BenzOnline · #11 03-07-2006, 11:12 AM

Is it safe for lets say the head unit if you change out just the front door speakers and leave every other one stock? Im sure the aftermarket ones will create a richer midrange?

96C220 · #12 03-07-2006, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenzOnline

Is it safe for lets say the head unit if you change out just the front door speakers and leave every other one stock? Im sure the aftermarket ones will create a richer midrange?

Sure... thats not a problem.

George

BenzOnline · #13 03-07-2006, 03:12 PM

Thanks George