Audio System suggestions

[cocothecat]

I picked up my CLK today 99 (V plate) W208 non facelift model. The original radio has been replaced with a cheap JVC radio and cd unit. I'm looking to replace this so after some ideas.

I have a budget at the moment of max £150 but I could push to £250 if everyone was to agree X is the best... Something that has a front AUX for ipod would be useful but not overly essential.

Or you would you say its worth holding off and getting a command unit?

Many Thanks

 

[Miffy]

welcome to the forum.

if I didnt have comand, then i would not get it. Its nice having everything in one unit, with satnav prompts etc showing in the dash but 4 digit post codes and no custom POI (speed cams) means I still run tomtom.

 

[turbopete]

i have a jvc unit (radio cassette with 12 disc multichanger) i bought for the car. it was in your £150 budget and i cant fault it! however, mercs of this era usually (ive never seen any that didnt) had blaupunkt stereo's in from factory. modern blaupunkt stereo's would certainly fall into your budget region, have the features you require (very few dont now) sound good and would look original. re the AUX socket for ipod though, all manufacturers are making a big deal of this, but its an old idea! an old matsui radio i had in a car when i was about 18 had 1 for you to plug in your personal cd player!

 

[turbopete]

will command even fit a pre facelift? isnt the dash more or less identical to the e class it appears to be based on? (i know theyre not the same front panels but look identical!)

 

[cocothecat]

From what I have read yeah, it has the cd / radio above with a slot under it. I thought If I took the unit out and changed the cradle I could get a command in. Although I could be wrong, not been long playing around with it (will soon get used to it mind)

Agreed about the unit I have a garmin traffic so I guess id be better fitting that in the car and getting a better audio system.

 

[cocothecat]

Re ipod: would I be better getting an integration kit or not bother, I like my media stuff at home but Its not like I can chill out on the sofa and relax in a car.

I have seen some radios with a SD slot, am toying with the idea of storing music on a SD card and playing it that way. Anyone have one of these?

 

[The Rock]

I've just fitted a Pioneer DEH1000 to replace my old Audio 10 and boot-mounted cd changer (broken). It has absolutely transformed the sound and can be had new for £60 if you look around. Plays MP3, CD-R, CD-RW,

...and yes, it does have aux-in on the front panel too. They do others in the range with slots for memory sticks etc.

Bad point: The volume knob is slightly obstructed by the four buttons around it.
Good Point: The sound transformation is quite staggering, considering the price.

Rock

 

[television]

The double DIN that blobcat installed was quite nice in you wanted SAT as well

 

[Miffy]

Mind you, comand does have a nice sound to it, quite pleased although it could be a bit more punchy, then again the speakers wont take much more base

 

[television]

Mind you, comand does have a nice sound to it, quite pleased although it could be a bit more punchy, then again the speakers wont take much more base

One of the problems Mark when changing over to other makes is that the speakers are all 1Ω-2Ω and after markets are 4Ω. If you do not change the speakers then you risk blowing the output chip is the power output is increased by some 2 to 3 times.

By adding the Bose amp, that gives that extra kick or punch

 

[cocothecat]

I like the two below. I'm slowly breaking away from CDs as we have a media center at home with speakers wired into most rooms so everything is digital and be accessed at any time any place.

So I was thinking a direct digital download to SD or if I could somehow hide a external USB harddisk and keep the cable hidden as well I could do it that way but I think its more fiddle than Its worth

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_548107_langId_-1_categoryId_165474#dtab

http://www.blaupunkt.com/ie/7648001310_main.asp

 

[television]

The blaupunkt is the far better unit by far

 

[cocothecat]

Yeah I think thats the one I'm heading for.

Just a quick question, what is the quality of the radio units with built in bluetooth for hands free calls etc? In terms of phone usage, is it something thats becoming a new feature and will soon die off or worth getting for the correct model?

 

[television]

Yeah I think thats the one I'm heading for.

Just a quick question, what is the quality of the radio units with built in bluetooth for hands free calls etc? In terms of phone usage, is it something thats becoming a new feature and will soon die off or worth getting for the correct model?

This question is nothing that I can answer, there are others that can answer better

 

[cocothecat]

Thanks for all your help Malcolm its very much appreciated

 

[Lisa Jayne]

Yeah I think thats the one I'm heading for.

Just a quick question, what is the quality of the radio units with built in bluetooth for hands free calls etc? In terms of phone usage, is it something thats becoming a new feature and will soon die off or worth getting for the correct model?

I have a Sony headunit which is bluetooth enabled for calls, although it does not show your phone book or the number of the incoming call, it's great for taking calls but you still need to use the phone to dial out, sound quality is good too, it is also fitted with a Ipod socket and a USB port on the front, which is really usefull, I have about 40 CD's on one memory stick - so no more clutter in the car All for about £140 if I remember right.

 

[Miffy]

I think if my comand died, I would get this radio

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_557003_langId_-1_categoryId_165685

 

[television]

I think if my comand died, I would get this radio

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_557003_langId_-1_categoryId_165685

The features on these units do make the Comand look sad

 

[Miffy]

I think this has to be a decent contender also

http://www.pioneer.co.uk/eur/products/25/38/241/AVIC-HD3-II/index.html

still, while comand is OK I wont be looking, but should it need replacing, I know what I'll be looking at replacing it with

 

[cocothecat]

Cheers Mark I like the look of both of those but considering I've just paid out £££ to keep my spitfire on the road ready for summer I doubt the wife will be happy with me spending an extra grand on another car sadly