Speaker and stereo questions 1970 280se cab - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

kromerok · #1 07-13-2010, 01:58 AM

I have a 1970 280se Cab and was wondering how many speakers does the car have I see the one in the dashboard and it seems to be the only one. I was also wondering if its easy to change the speaker to another one that sounds better. Lastly has anyone ever connected an ipod to the stock Becker stereo I remember reading somewhere this was possible?

Tony H · #2 07-13-2010, 04:03 PM

If your car came with a mono radio-which it sounds like it did-and you want to keep the original appearance then your options are limited. You can get your Becker radio modified with a Ipod jack but playing through a mono radio with one speaker won't blow you away. Your car was available with a Grand Prix stereo with the fader so If you installed front and rear speakers it would not be too incorrect. Since my coupe came with the Grand Prix stereo and has the speaker holes I am going to leave the radio in the dash for a stock appearance and install a trunk mounted system with a remote control.

Pooka · #3 07-13-2010, 04:16 PM

There is one of these listed on-line at a site called Auto-Buy. It is totally restored and there is a list of all the features listed. One of the features is a Becker Europa.

The dash speaker is clearly visible, but in the kick panels there appear to be speaker covers. I used to have a 6.3, so I know the A/C blower is behind the passenger kick panel, but this car looked to have a different type of A/C, more like one found in the 600.

The drivers side kick panel also had what looked like a speaker cover, so perhaps the blower is under the dash and the speakers went in the kick panels?

By the way... If you install two speakers to handle both channels then the middle speaker need not go to waste. You can connect the two (+) leads to the leads on the center speaker and pick up some sound that is otherwise lost.

Also, if you do install a stereo Becker then please remember that the balance, or fader, switch is not built into the radio. It is a device on its' own and will need to be installed as well. I have seen these both in the dash and in the console.

I figured you knew this, but someone else may read this years from now that does not.

JMela · #4 07-13-2010, 05:32 PM

You might get in touch w Becker's service dept. They'd probably be willing to fit a small jack allowing you to utilize an ipod. They're at:

classicservice@beckerautosound.com

Did Becker's Mexico reissue ever hit US shores?

Tony H · #5 07-13-2010, 07:08 PM

I have also read that Harman-Becker will modify the radio. The 111 coupes have the A/C blower in the center under the dash. The front speakers are in the kick panels.

Mark DiSilvestro · #6 07-15-2010, 01:27 AM

Actually, if the center 3"x 8" dash speaker in these cars is intact, they don't sound too bad. Some of the coupes used to have a matching 3"x 8" speaker factory installed in the rear shelf if a stereo-radio was fitted. Don't know where a second factory speaker would go to provide stereo in a convertible.
The small kick-panel stereo-speakers fitted to some Mercedes at that time are pretty mediocre.
If your convertible doesn't have any extra decent-size factory speaker-holes, and you want stereo without hacking-up your interior, you might be able to find a second box-speaker to set on the rear floor. Or disconnect the dash-speaker and set a pair of two-way box-speakers on the rear floor, like the 50-watt pair I placed in my '60 Fintail. With enough power, they can actually sound quite good, again without having to cut holes in the interior.

Happy Motoring, Mark

kromerok · #7 07-16-2010, 10:43 AM

Im told the speaker under the dash is a 2"x10" and their is no real replacement for it. I took it to Walter Odemer (spelling?) in Burbank california. He told me my radio was a Becker TR which would make it harder to have a sat/ipod adapter connected but he would check anyway. Lastly, while sitting there we were listening to radio with the car off and may have burned out my starter module. car refused to start and I waited an hour for it to work again.

Such is life.

buddyligon · #8 07-24-2010, 12:02 AM

Just finished getting a speaker for dash of 69 W111 cab and restoration of Europa TR with ipod connection. Sources

speaker
http://www.koenigs-klassik-radios.de/loudspeaker/special-loudspeaker-for-mercedes-benz-111/a-31122/
Quick delivery and exact match except had to trim the four pieces to elevate the speaker. On the old speaker they were attached.

Radio
http://www.beckerautosound.com/
They also have the speakers but I didn't know about them before getting it from Koenig