W123 Stereo upgrade? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Chad300tdt · #31 01-20-2008, 09:55 PM

I actually have the paint for the sub grill to match the carpet color.

I'm just waiting for warmer weather. I cut the rear headliner to allow my speakers to fit there and used the grills that came with them. I'm going to spray those too.

I like the idea of mounting the sub behind the cover. The sub in my wagon sounds great, it fills in all the missing bass without buzzing anything.

Also, I did have to cut the bracket off for the first aid kit and the warning triangle to fit the amp.

Dee8go · #32 01-21-2008, 10:15 AM

Chad, did you use any sound-deadening material in your car? Mine is rather noisy and hollow-sounding. I'm planning to put some in my sunroof once I get it to close all the way. Also in my doors.

Chad300tdt · #33 01-21-2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

Chad, did you use any sound-deadening material in your car? Mine is rather noisy and hollow-sounding. I'm planning to put some in my sunroof once I get it to close all the way. Also in my doors.

I didn't put any in but there are some sheets inside the doors and the first aid kit area. You can see the stuff in the pic I posted of the inside of the first aid kit door. I don't know if a PO put it there or if it's something from the factory. Considering it's a diesel, I don't have an excessive noise or hollow-sound to the body. I considered something like dynamat, but I decided to keep the money since I think my wagon is fine as is in that department.

I'll have to look for it, but there was a member, on this forum IIRC, that has a site where they offer a 3M sound deadening material precut for w123's. It looked better than Dynamat and he was offering it to other MB owners since he had to buy a minimum.

EDIT: http://dieselbenz.info/quieter.htm

That's the link, however it doesn't look like he's offering anything for the doors, just everything else.

Dee8go · #34 01-21-2008, 10:49 AM

I thought I saw some in there.

Chad300tdt · #35 01-26-2008, 05:03 PM

Here's a link to a thread I posted that shows the modified front speaker grills completed.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/car-audio-multimedia/211912-w123-speaker-grill-modification.html#post1744251

EricLee31 · #36 01-27-2008, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

modified front speaker grills

fwiw:
Yesterday, I was able to put 4" 3-ways (1.88" mount depth) in the front by passing them up from below after removing the lower dash panel on the driver's side and the glove box liner on the right. VERY tight fit and I had to loosen the upper dash bolts to get them in place at all but once there, under the dash, the mid/tweeter dome doesn't interfere with the grille at all so I didn't have to cut anything. And... they sound *sweet*

Chad300tdt · #37 01-29-2008, 09:03 AM

That's cool Eric. I saw your post "over there", and think everything looks good. Nice work. I wish my speakers fit under the dash, but they almost touch the vent tube when mounted on top. The company I ordered the speakers from were completely wrong about them fitting and had a crappy return policy. I figured that if I couldn't make these work I would go buy new grills and speakers. I'm happy enough with the way they look now, so I'm keeping it as is.

Dee8go · #38 01-29-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

. . . . The company I ordered the speakers from were completely wrong about them fitting and had a crappy return policy. . . .

Who was that, Chad? If you don't mind saying.

Chad300tdt · #39 01-29-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

Who was that, Chad? If you don't mind saying.

techronics.com

Their prices are amazing, but the shipping was slow and they "yessed" me along with my selections. They only give 15 days to return and there is a hefty restocking fee. I would only buy from them again if I already knew EXACTLY what I wanted (did I mention the prices!).

Jordan G · #40 01-29-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

That's cool Eric. I saw your post "over there", and think everything looks good. Nice work. I wish my speakers fit under the dash, but they almost touch the vent tube when mounted on top. The company I ordered the speakers from were completely wrong about them fitting and had a crappy return policy. I figured that if I couldn't make these work I would go buy new grills and speakers. I'm happy enough with the way they look now, so I'm keeping it as is.

Yeah - Crutchfield at least warned me that mine wouldn't fit....but I chose to ignore it because I'm a glutton for punishment.

I did enjoy your magazine backdrop in your other thread. You're a classy young man, Chad - I'll never post photos again because you've set the artistic standard so high

.

and Dee8go - when are you going to finally install the Dynamat in your wagon? You've been talking about that stuff for months now

.

I'm still happy with my infinity speakers......but I'm starting to regret not putting a sub in. Oh well, I've got other problems to fix.

EricLee31 · #41 01-29-2008, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

That's cool Eric. I saw your post "over there", and think everything looks good. Nice work. I wish my speakers fit under the dash

thanks, man. I have some nice battle scars on my hands from working those 3-ways under there but they were absolutely worth it. I didn't take any pictures of the new fronts but I'll try to pop the grilles and get a few shots this weekend and I'll post them here. Did I mention how good they sound? =) I'm already scheming where I can hide a 4x50W amp now...

For the time being, it all sounds great and thumb drive MP3s are rockin' my world right now. That tiny 1GB thumb drive I found is really unobtrusive, pic attached.

Yes, I know the trim above it is missing... remember when I said the warping bothered me? I pulled it, separated it from the backing plate and am currently pressing it back flat. I'll re-epoxy it to the plate and re-mount this weekend and the console will be pretty stylin'. Anybody have suggestions for which adhesive to use for that?

Chad300tdt · #42 01-30-2008, 07:11 AM

Nice head unit. I used gorilla glue on my wood and think it worked fine. You just have to wet the surfaces and use the glue sparingly since it is a foaming glue. It also needs good clamp pressure. I've read recently that others have been having good results with 3M emblem and trim adhesive.

This is the head unit I used:

EricLee31 · #43 01-30-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

Nice head unit.

back atcha! JVC makes good car units. Part of what made me lean towards the Dual was the black trim all over it - felt like it would blend a little better with the interior.

Thanks for the tips on the adhesives!

MBeige · #44 01-31-2008, 01:58 AM

I have a rather oldie Eclipse CD3413 HU (2004/5) that I got for $150 3 years ago, now I think rebuilt units go for $75 last I checked. I didn't have to upgrade the speakers but it sounds great, so I'm happy with it now and will continue working on mechanical repairs first before I upgrade the stereo system. There was a thread about what HU looks best in a W123 and I had a discussion with Hattie regarding what speakers to get, you may want to check it out too.

By the way here's my HU. Plays MP3, CD-R, has knobs for volume/tuning, and "loud" function. Adjusting bass/treble/fade/balance is pretty easy too, unlike other HU's. Finally the best thing is it's not one of those HU's with removable faceplates, which gets in the way of the W123 shift knob (automatics). The slot for the CD is just right above the shift knob too which is perfect for swapping CD's while it's parked.

EricLee31 · #45 01-31-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

I have a rather oldie Eclipse CD3413 HU (2004/5) that I got for $150 3 years ago

Finally the best thing is it's not one of those HU's with removable faceplates, which gets in the way of the W123 shift knob (automatics). The slot for the CD is just right above the shift knob too which is perfect for swapping CD's while it's parked.

Looks great! And btw, your zebrano is immaculate!! Makes that look like a catalog photo from '82.

fwiw for anyone else, the removable faceplate on the Dual isn't hindered by the shift knob whatsover... in and out with no problems. CD clearance is the same as Mbeige described with his.