I'd like to replace my 4 factory speakers with something newer. I'm planning on adding a better deck in the future so I'd like my new speakers to be albe to handle a bit more output. Does anyone know the proper size of my speakers (6" ??) and if they're easily replacable with aftermarket units. P.S. I'd like to maximize factory look and minimize extra wiring.

Thanks in advance, LJ

The rear decks of the 79-85 W126's suxx. The speaker is fixed directly on it and is not stable. I used to have an 85 500SEL (EUR). I found some Pioneer 80W 3way speakers with an oval shape. They were all right but I had to do something else to get a better sound. When you take off the speaker, you'll see that there is a sort of moss covered with a thin plastic, this part is usually completely rotten by the time and that make some silly noise when listening to music. If you cut it out and replace it with some wool, it should perform well. Also, the crappy thing that covers the speaker messes up everything. Usually when listening to some rythmic music, the woofer touches the cover so try to give more space between them.
Hope this helps

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WEB Site : http://www.adamou.dpn.ch
A.S.C. 1999
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Adam,
Do you remember what size your rear speakers were? Thanks,

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Robert W. Roe
1984 300SD 166,040 miles

Nope sorry :( It was a long time ago...
If I retreive any info tomorrow I'll post it.

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WEB Site : http://www.adamou.dpn.ch
A.S.C. 1999
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What do you mean when you say "the speaker is fixed directly on it and is not stable?" I've been tempted to install my Alpine head unit and CD changer from my last car in my SD, and just tie into the stock speakers until I can afford better ones. Any opinions as to the capability of an average mid- to high-end car audio installer not to trash my car? The store in question did a nice job on my '90 Acura, but to me, Mercedes are "different".

Well, the rear deck isn't strong enough to hold the speakers. The W126 86-91 has fixed this problem as the speaker is directly fixed on the base...

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WEB Site : http://www.adamou.dpn.ch
A.S.C. 1999
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So I've found the size of the rear speakers.
9.5cm * 15.3cm
4*6 inches if I'm correct...
I remember that I have bought these ones (or similar) from Pionneer : http://www.pioneer-eur.com/products/car/ts-98en.htm

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WEB Site : http://www.adamou.dpn.ch
A.S.C. 1999
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Hey Lube! I too have a 300 SD, but mine is an '82. I agree with you that the sound system is absolutely terrible and have been looking into how I can improve it. What I've managed to figure out is that the front and back speakers are oval 4x6", and I've heard that the front speakers are harder to replace because they use metal tabs instead of screws to keep them in place (this is only what I've been told and do not know if this is true.). Hope this helps. And if you find a set of speakers that works well in your car please let me know! Thanks.

I found some front speakers at www.crutchfield.com they let you search by model and year. I don't think the fronts are 4*6 I believe they're a bit smaller, definately an odd ball size. All the front speakers I have found so far do require at least some minor modifications, probably not too big of an issue though. On another note though, I do agree that the factory stereo is quite poor but when I first purchased my car I was relatively impressed considering it's an 81 model year. I guess in this age of digital sound it only makes sense to invest in good speakers, especially if your a music lover.

Nope the front speakers are NOT oval! They are very small circle ones mounted on a plastic triangle...

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WEB Site : http://www.adamou.dpn.ch
A.S.C. 1999
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Thanks for all the good info. Actually, right now, with budgetary considerations, I'm thinking about installing an Alpine cassette head unit and Alpine CD changer in my '84 SD and tying into the factory speakers. I realize the sound won't match modern, beefy coaxials with real magnets, but I already own the Alpine stuff from a previous car. This car (a 90 Acura Integra) had aftermarket speakers, but they were round, 5 1/2" or so.

My only point of uncertainty is whether to ask the installer to tie into the console fader control or bypass it. I read somewhere that in the W123, there are only hot wires to the speakers, with an isolation transformer in the dash...

I would suggest you to bypass the fader control that originally came with the car and rewire the speakers... (big job but makes sense). Or if you carry peoples then leave the fader as it is very usefull if the back sitting peoples doesn't like music. Anyway, today, all radios has fader control so...

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WEB Site : http://www.adamou.dpn.ch
A.S.C. 1999
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When you say "rewire the speakers" do you mean to just run new wires to the fader control and tie in there? I know there are better speaker cables out there, but I'm trying not to spend much money.

If you rewire your audio system then bypass the fader control otherwise don't. Cables are not expensive unless you buy some Monster Cables ;)

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WEB Site : http://www.adamou.dpn.ch
A.S.C. 1999
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Why can't I just run new speaker cable from the head unit to the fader and tie into the factory wiring at that point? Does anyone know for sure whether there is a discrete negative and positive wire to each speaker location, or is there some bogus common ground that might fry my Alpine?

If this is so, I'm thinking just desolder them from the fader and splice them, then heat shrink it. Reason being, if my head unit really does have four discrete channels, then I should get more power (35wpc x 4 vs. 35wpc x 2) even with the stock wiring. Also, if I need to mount the changer in the trunk, half this path will be opened up anyway to run the control cable from the head unit to the CD changer.

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Robert W. Roe
1984 300SD 166,061 miles