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OEM/Alpine radio replacement questions
I have a '91 300E with the stock OEM radio w/cassette player. I'd like to be able to play CD's and have an Alpine head I took out of my BMW.
I actually like the sound of the factory radio. It's got plenty of base and I get good radio reception. If I swap the Becker for the Alpine, will it sound better, the same or worse? I have heard that to change would require a complete re-wire. Is there a simple way to hook it up without completely re -wiring? If I'm happy with the sound I get, would I be better off with a CD changer in the trunk that plays throuh the radio? Thaks in advance.
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Mr. BILL 91 300E 120K 90 300SE 275K (sold) 92 BMW 525iM 120K 90 BMW 525iA 175K 85 300D 175K (sold) 84 300SD 245K (sold) |
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Just did this with my 92 400e (alpine head unit) - Bypassed the factory amp. It did loose some base response but the sound is much more "clear" - I'll be upgrading my speakers next.
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The Alpine should sound much better, and certainly not worse, than your original unit. I don't know what model of Alpine head you have, but the recent head units (past couple of years) have excellent sound compared to the Beckers. You definitely won't lose any bass. If it sounds like you are losing bass it is probably because the mids and highs are being reproduced more accurately with the Alpine and hence your ear thinks the bass is diminished, when actually the sound is simply more "full" and accurate.
I replaced my Becker with an Alpine head unit and I have an Alpine Ai-Net CD changer installed in my glove box. The sound is much, much better than stock. For the install, I simply connected the front speakers directly to the head unit (you can access the front speaker wires from the cavity where the head unit installs); and I ran new speaker wire from the head unit to the rear speakers directly and by-passed the console fader control completely. I ran the new wire under the carpet and under the back seat so you can't see any of it. Easy install.
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Chris 2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package 2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options 1998 E430 - sold 1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold 1977 280E - sold 1971 250 - retired "And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon |
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