Finally got around to installing the Boston Acoustic 746 plate speakers in my '85 300SD.

In the fronts, I had to get the tin snips and cut away 3 of the 4 corners in order to make it even fit....even then, it's a TIGHT fit.

The rears literally dropped right in....perfect I thought. Then, as I went to put the speaker grills back on, I noticed that they won't go back on all the way; the speakers are a little taller than OEM's I guess. Not quite sure what to do about this right now.

The new speakers made quite a bit of difference in sound quality...even when using the factory Becker. The BA 746 is a plate speaker design that has a round 4" mid and a separate tweeter.

Next step is to install a Pioneer P4400 HU. I'm hoping this will take care of any last remaining sound quality issues; especially the horrid FM reception of the Becker.

...then on to figure out how exactly to get a little more bass into the cabin area...still scratching my head on this one.

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Chris
1985 300SD - 'Grace' (198K mi.)
2018 Honda Civic Sport
2018 Honda CRV LX
2010 Honda Fit Sport (RIP)
2013 Honda Accord Sport (Sold)
1996 Lexus LS400 (Retired)
1995 Ford Contour SE (Retired)
1976 Porsche 914 (Sold)
1972 Datsun 240Z (RIP)

I upgraded my 300CD's speakers with a pair of Pioneer 4" up front and Pioneer 6.5" in the back.

The Pioneer DEH-P4400 is an excellent head unit. Even though the sound quality tends to be on the bright side. I prefer it that way since I don't really need "Hi Fi" quality + the diesel sound anyway. In fact I love the diesel rumble that I switch it off when I'm goin up a parking garage!

:p love that low end diesel rush as i apply throttle to go up..

The P4400 looks so slick and simple that it looks right at home in an old Benz's dashboard. I was going to go with Sony.. however...

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

I chose the Pioneer because it seemed to meet so many of the needs in a HU I was looking for. I like the looks too.

I was going to go for one of the Blaukpunkts but after reading opinions on the units in my price range, I changed my mind. People were slamming them as being POS. Looks like I'd have to move up to their more expensive line in order to get the quality I'd be happy with.

Hadn't heard anyone mention anything about the Pioneer's amp being bright...if anything, I can just pad down the tweeter OR use a separate amp.

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Chris
1985 300SD - 'Grace' (198K mi.)
2018 Honda Civic Sport
2018 Honda CRV LX
2010 Honda Fit Sport (RIP)
2013 Honda Accord Sport (Sold)
1996 Lexus LS400 (Retired)
1995 Ford Contour SE (Retired)
1976 Porsche 914 (Sold)
1972 Datsun 240Z (RIP)

I have an 84 300SD and I redid all the sound stuff. I replaced my fronts with 4x6 alpine 3-ways. In the back I put 2 6 x 9 400-watt speakers and put them in boxes that go about my medical kits. I took out the back 4x6's as they were underpowered. In the trunk I have 2 Rockford Fausgate subs and a 10" JL powered through a 600-watt Jensen. Now, my question is. How do I got all that bass sound to the passenger compartment? The fire panel seems to mute a lot of the bass. What can I do to get around this without removing my fir panel?

Holson:

Did you have to do any cutwork to get the 6.5's in the rear deck of your 300 CD? How about the 4"s up front? I have 3.5s up front and 4s in the back. If I can "drop and play' these larger speakers, I may go for it.

thanks,

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James

85 300SD 285k
Charcoal Gray/Grey MB-Tex

79 300CD 142000mi "Rabenshwarz"
Black / Black MB-Tex, Burlwood Int. TOTALLED - 10/24/02 --

I had to enlarge the opening to get the 6.5" in the rear deck. I used a box cutter............. It took a long time and looked bad. However now that I know how to use a dremel, I think I could've done a better job.

The 4"s just drop into the front compartment.

Then again, before I replaced them, the previous owner already replaced the front speakers w/ 4" and the rears w/ 5.25"

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

The best way to get bass into the cabin is to go with a basslink or subs. There is really no where to install good midbass drivers anywhere in the cabin unless you want to do a custom job so this woudl be your best bet.

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W126 1983 300SD 286,000 miles and ticking
Baby blue exterior Grey MB tex
Recent work:
Replaced air cleaner mounting brackets and heat shields
Replaced alternator, fan and power steering belts
Replaced positive battery terminal
Replaced negative battery terminal and cord
New Duralast Battery

My car needs work.