Need help with rear speaker replacement on 88 300SE PLEASE! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Ron Brooks · #1 11-03-2002, 11:26 AM

I'm changing the system on my 300SE. I am no audiofile, but the original system is horrible even to me. I'm going to put in a cd player and I'd like to change the rear speakers because I can get $50-75 off a pair if I buy them with my cd player. But, the standard size speaker for the rears is almost unavailable and offers no bass at all.

Does anyone know what I can put in and not butcher the shelf? It seems I'd have to remove the first aid kit and use that space for installation, perhaps a 6x9?

I'm not adding any amps and I have no interest in making bass to rattle my fillings. Just a standard 22x4 watt cd player.

Thanks for ANY suggestions.

Ron B.

SCLJA · #2 11-04-2002, 03:03 AM

a 6.5" speaker will fit under the stock grills.

Scott@lajollaaudio

Ron Brooks · #3 11-04-2002, 09:53 AM

Is that without cutting the deck? My abilities are limited and I don't want to harm the clean look of the interior. If they'll fit in the existing holes I'd go with the 6 1/2. Someone wrote to me and said if I want to retain the stock holes, don't go larger than 5 1/4 for the rear.

SCLJA · #4 11-05-2002, 01:12 AM

It is up to you as to what you want to do. There is no cutting needed and the 5.25 is actually more work that a 6 inch as the stock mounting bezel is 6 inches in diameter.

Scott @lajollaaudio

BenzOnline · #5 11-05-2002, 09:26 AM

6x9's fit perfectly in the 2 boxes on the back shelf but involves cutting. Its worth it though!

Ron Brooks · #6 11-05-2002, 11:54 AM

First, it's nice to have an expert take the time to answer questions from a novice, and I fear I'm about to flex my lack of knowledge big time, but here goes:

The photo you attached is perfect but raise my question. If I drop in a 6" from above, it seems the holes will line up as you stated, but the "basket" of the new 6" speaker will hit the metal portion of the "deck" or whatever you call the flat metal the speaker hole is cut in. Now, since the grill on these cars is raised quite a bit, the stock grill appears it would fit right back on. So, my question is, is it OK for the" basket" to hit the metal as long as it speaker is bolted securely in place? Perhaps with some rubber between the "basket" and the metal to avoid any rattles? Or is the opening large enough that the speaker can actually lower down and be flush with the rear metal deck? It was always my understanding that to install a drop down speaker properly, it had to be bolted flush with the surface.

I suppose I could answer my own question by removing my rear gills, but I don't know how to do that! I'll do a search to find out since I'm sure this is not a new question on grill removal.

Thanks again and sorry if I'm flaunting my ignorance. It's just that I don't want to mess with the stock appearance of this car, I love it just the way it is, once I get my cd player installed!