Speaker Improvement Needed - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 07-01-2003, 05:39 AM

I have a set of Canton 6.5 inch splits that I have recently moved from one car to my 1983 280SE.

In their original location (an old Rover P6B), I cut nice big holes in
the front door and front door trim and mounted the drivers directly to the door.

Unfortunately, in the Mercedes, the doors are a bit full of window winder motors etc and the door trim a little complex to provide for easy direct mounting. My local stereo shop made a set of custom pods to mount against the door trim. The position of the speakers relative to the listner is similar to their previous location, except about six inches higher.

The speakers are powered by the same amp as in their previous
location.

Performance of the speakers has declined noticeably. Bottom end and mid range dynamics seem to have suffered most. THe speakers, in their original location, were awesome. In their new location, they are merely quite good.

Options that have occured to me include:

. increasing the solidness of the pod mounting to the door;

. porting the pods through to the door cavity;

. taking a saw to the door trim and door and mount the speakers securely to the door;

Any thoughts / comments / suggestions much appreciated.

PaulG · #2 07-01-2003, 10:35 AM

Bob,

If the rear of the spaker cone isn't seeing the door cavity, that's your problem.

Also check for a good air seal between the chassis of the speakers and the door panel. The idea is to isolate the air between the front and rear of the cone. If you don't do this, bass will suffer.

sixto · #3 07-01-2003, 12:08 PM

Bob,

If you have a source of used parts, look for door panels off an 88-91 W126 sedan. Those cars, at least in US trim, had 6 or 5.5" door speakers. The panels might provide a better acoustic environment for your speakers.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

#4 07-01-2003, 01:27 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by sixto
[B]Bob,

If you have a source of used parts, look for door panels off an 88-91 W126 sedan. Those cars, at least in US trim, had 6 or 5.5" door speakers. The panels might provide a better acoustic environment for your speakers.

I have been looking all over for these door panels and everywhere i look and everywhere I call says they dont have any, do you recomend any websites? the local junkyards dont have it either,
I am looking for a set of brown ones

sixto · #5 07-01-2003, 03:25 PM

Have you tried www.pagauto.com? Have you tried the parts forum? I'd even try eBay.

The thing is that the US trim panels are different. The panels with no front door speakers and pleated seats have perforated leather on the panels. The panels with front door speakers have diagonally pleated leather on the panels. Not to mention matching the color. I don't know about upholstery differences on non-US spec panels.

Maybe you can just swap the full length pocket for the short pocket with speaker cubby.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

wjm · #6 07-01-2003, 11:15 PM

www.car-parts.com

#7 07-02-2003, 01:09 PM

I picked up a drivers side one from pontomac auto but i am still searching for a pass side