2004 CL500 Audio Upgrade

[Meatfeast]

Hi All

I'm looking to change out the Audio system in my 2004 CL500.

The reason for doing so is two fold.

Firstly the current Comand head unit isnt working properly and needs to be changed and secondly the car has the standard audio system fitted (not Bose/Harmon Kardon), and I'm disappointed with the quality of the audio.

Obviously changing out the Comand head unit for a more up to date offering is very beneficial as it allows me to make use of music streaming and Bluetooth for my mobile phone to operate safely. I have also bought a reversing camera that connects to the new head unit which adds a little more safety when reversing/parking.

I have to say tho that I am very disappointed with the audio quality from the standard Mercedes speakers, so I have bought a more powerful amplifier which will need to be fitted. I understand that the fibre optics from the existing OEM system can be bypassed to enable my running of a higher quality amplifier. I've been advsed to try this set up with the existing speakers in situ as they apparently respond well to better amplification, does anybody have any experience of this please?

I'm very open to changing the front and rear speakers too and I'd like any advice and opinions if you have any experience of doing this? I'd like to fit component speakers in the front doors and I noticed that there is a Tweeter grill on the door frame, has anybody ever done this and been able to use the tweeter grill to fit a new tweeter behind?

I'm a big music nut and love good hifi so for me this is a worthwhile exercise, I just want to ensure I do it correctly.

Any ideas, tips and advce would be very much appreciated.

Many thanks all.

Mike

 

[mioba]

what COMAND is in the moment, DVD or CD maps.

@Alfie

is the man

 

[Meatfeast]

what COMAND is in the moment, DVD or CD maps.

@Alfie

is the man

Thanks for your reply.

I’m not sure - there’s a CD autochanger and a dvd drive in the boot tho.

The Comand display is shot and it won’t communicate with the dashboard clock so the time is always wrong.

Cheers

 

[Alfie]

This is a much bigger job than you might at first imagine. Despite you not having the Bose upgrade all the wiring for the speakers and aerial etc is. Is in the boot in the Audio Gateway.

The Bose speakers respond well to a different amp but the standard factory fit ones dont and will most likely blow up if you amplify them. The doors should already have tweeters in them and yes the speakers can be changed for decent ones including the tweeters.

To do this job properly you will need new speakers, amp, headunit, lots of wiring and about two/theee days professional labour.

 

[Meatfeast]

This is a much bigger job than you might at first imagine. Despite you not having the Bose upgrade all the wiring for the speakers and aerial etc is. Is in the boot in the Audio Gateway.

The Bose speakers respond well to a different amp but the standard factory fit ones dont and will most likely blow up if you amplify them. The doors should already have tweeters in them and yes the speakers can be changed for decent ones including the tweeters.

To do this job properly you will need new speakers, amp, headunit, lots of wiring and about two/theee days professional labour.

Thanks so much for your reply.

May I ask what speakers you'd recommend for the doors and rear panels?

I've been looking at mid level FOCAL and Audison but I don't know if I need to be that top end?

I've got plenty of experience with Alpine speakers which I've alwys found very good, but any other suggestions would be welcome?

Cheers.

Mike.

 

[AnthonyUK]

Firstly I’m no audiophile but I do have ears

I replaced the standard Mercedes speakers with Focals e.g. AS165 at the front so not so expensive and they were still a very decent upgrade in quality.

 

[Meatfeast]

Thanks for all of the replies and advice, very much appreciated.

May I ask, does anybody know how big the rear passenger panel speakers are?

I'm lead to belive that they're 4" wide although they sit in a wider frame?

Do I have to be careful of rear speaker depth too? - obviously there needs to be enough depth between the inner panel and outer wing.

Cheers.

Mike