upgrading sounds on my TD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

wagonboy · #1 04-02-2003, 02:05 PM

Good morning, almost done with the wheels on my TD. Waiting on my front tires. I am also thinking of upgrading the sounds in my TD. I have Boston Acoustics Separates but don't have an idea on where to place them. Can you guys provide links on pics of peoples installs on 123 MB's? Thanks in advance.
BTW, which head unit manufacturer has the closest back light to the factory head unit?

The Warden · #2 04-02-2003, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wagonboy
BTW, which head unit manufacturer has the closest back light to the factory head unit?

If you find one, please let me know. I'd like to find one, as well. I've got a Radio Shack CD player (bought it right after they discontinued 'em) in my car right now that has the proper backlight, but it's not all that good of a radio...I'd be willing to have someone repair it (one of the preset buttons will do things at random if you push it, including sometimes ejecting the CD, and it doesn't particularly like to play CD's

) simply 'cause it looks a lot like the old Becker radio, but if I could find another black-face CD player with an amber display, I'd seriously think about switching...but it seems that most radios these days have either a green backlight or are wayyyyyy too fancy for a 123's interior IMHO...

wagonboy · #3 04-02-2003, 02:28 PM

True there Warden. I saw a few red backlit decks. I think the Sony ones are amber, might try that. Will let you know how it goes. Are you gonna install aftermarket speakers? I wanted to install 6.5 on the doors but don't know where to place them. Might also install a bass tube in the back of the TD.

The Warden · #4 04-02-2003, 03:08 PM

I will eventually install aftermarket speakers, but I was planning on using the stock locations. I've got the stock speakers in right now...and it gets the job done, but they don't seem to handle bass very well.

And please LMK what you wind up going with and how it looks.

Thanks!

Alec · #5 04-02-2003, 03:15 PM

I've been looking into improving the 'sound system' in my 85 wagon. I found a repair shop here in Rockville, Md that was listed on Becker's website. The only thing I have a problem with is the tape deck keeps spitting out my tapes. The repair shop said it would probably be a minimum of 185...over the phone estimate.

I did find a nice Becker Mexico on the web (UK site). It was a new model with CD player and has the same amber backlight as my old head unit. Very nice. The only drawback is the price...it was 350.00 Pounds...like $400 maybe???

I have also had a lot of people recommend Infinity speakers to me...4" little things.

I may stick with a tape deck unless I can find a way to hook up an auxillary input (some head units have them) so that I can use my iPod MP3 player...2k songs...no more CDs!

Alec.

sixto · #6 04-02-2003, 04:01 PM

I know someone who used a Bose AM-3 set in the cargo area of a wagon. It's an 8-ohm set so it might not be the ideal set-up without an external amp, but these newer high power head units might have enough juice if you're not going for an SPL trophy.

Consider the rear speaker housings from a Vanagon. I think they hold the same 4" speakers as an MB but in a bigger housing.

The 91-93 Accord wagon has a 6x9 woofer in the side of the cargo area to help the 4" speakers in the roof. Maybe try something like a Kenwood KSC-WA62RC in the first aid cubby?

You can get more creative and see if a subwoofer custom designed for the side panel of an SUV will fit a 123 wagon.

Alec, get from RadioShack or some such place an RF transmitter that will play your iPod over the car's radio. $20-30.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

#7 04-02-2003, 04:05 PM

I personally don't see any reason to upgrade the sound system in any MB diesel. I still have the old Becker Mexico in my car, and it sounds great. When I want to listen to CDs, I pop in my portable CD player. The engine noise is so loud most of the time, that I don't see wasting the money on a new system, when what I have works. I also feel that I get way better recieption than many of the modern head units being sold today, and I don't want to loose that.

wagonboy · #8 04-02-2003, 04:10 PM

Good suggestions Sixto.
Warden, will let you know what I come up with.
I am also thinking of just using pre made 6x9 boxes and use that for the rear. Get plenty of base and it is not too bulky. Then use a 4 way amp installed in the compartment on the floor of my wagon. Too many options.

Does anyone make enclosures for the front? Seems the right kick panel is perfect size, the only problem is the driver side with the foot brake on that side.
123C, glad to hear you are happy with your system. I am not, that is why I ask for some leads on pics, I need some suggestions on mounting locations for speakers, you are just making me more lazy saying that the stock system is ok.

You are right though, stock sytem is fine, just needs more bass.

mholbrook · #9 04-02-2003, 04:46 PM

I put a pair of Blaupunkt 4" in the rear and while I was up there I dropped out a pigtail which I snaked down the molding around the glass to the floor of the wagon where I have a pair of 6x9 Blau's in boxes on the floor. Quick disconnect and black fabric coverings and they basically disappear back there.

In the front, I removed the stock speakers and put in a pair of JBL GTO speakers 4". They are such a tight fit and have really big magnets the just barely fit. Didn't even have to screw them down they are so tight. Think perfect. They are screwed down with the single grill screw.

I also put in a Pioneer 12-disc CD changer inside the center of the spare wheel/tire. Tapped into the power for the antenna and cut the antenna cable and spliced in a short extension which was cut in two. That way I have the correct ends back there for the CD changer's feed. I tune to 89.1 and get my CD tunes through the radio. The only thing I had to run forward was the changer control line and I used some velcro tape and stuck it on the ash tray which is unused anyway.

The stock Becker GP is still there and working fine and looks ok too. It would be nice to have a bit more power but I did this for under $300 and I can remove it all in about 1/2 hour.

Mike

wagonboy · #10 04-02-2003, 04:58 PM

How does those 6x9's sound in those boxes with the stock deck powering them?
I really want to use 6.5's up front, Fry's is having a sale on Blau P-652 right now.

No one has cut up the doors on a 123?

mholbrook · #11 04-02-2003, 05:13 PM

Before I put in the 6x9's the sound was not much different from stock but a little "cleaner". I then went back in and put the pigtails and the 6x9's and the sound change was pretty dramatic.

I run mostly with the fader wheel in the middle or with a slight bias to the rear and it sounds fine. I would be nice to have a couple hundred watts of power to the whole system, but I can live with this just fine and I maintain the stock look except for the small 1" x 3" CD controller box taped to the dash. I could have hidden it better but I have not given it that much thought.

I actually bought a newer Becker GP radio for a spare just in case this one goes south. One of these days in the near future, I might swap them just for grins. I read someplace the newer one has a bit more power. It does have a bigger display.

The Warden · #12 04-02-2003, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 123c
I still have the old Becker Mexico in my car, and it sounds great. When I want to listen to CDs, I pop in my portable CD player.

You're lucky that you're able to do that. I would actually have left the Becker in my car if the tape player had worked. However, it didn't (I tore the Becker apart; found parts of the tape mechanism broken and unrepairable; would need to replace the parts and I doubt they're available

), and especially with my CD burner, I'm starting to eschew audio tapes altogether (now THERE'S something I thought I'd never say!). I love the sound of my diesel, but over long trips, I need the music to keep me awake. Besides, what's a road trip without your trusty diesel, some Led Zeppelin ("Black Dog" cranked works well for this), and your girlfriend at your side?

FWIW, I was wanting to get another amber-background head unit and a new set of speakers to fit in the stock holes and provide some more bass; I don't need amps or subwoofers or anything like that.

#13 04-02-2003, 05:55 PM

Oh, I forgot you guys have the Becker Gran Prix, those are the biggest POS. On my Mexico, it will still sort of play a tape, but I don't own any, but I know it will work with the cassette adaptor for the portable CD player.
If you guys had a time machine, you can go back in time and get a head unit with an amber light. The pioneer CD player that I bought back in 1995 has an amber back light, but also at that time half the head units also had amber backlights. If you want to spend a little more money you can get a unit that allows you to switch colors.
As for speakers, check out the CrutchField web site. They can tell you what speakers will fit, and the locations where you can mount the speakers. I think you can mount the speakers on the doors, but I don't think many people want to cut them up. Again, check CrutchField since they can tell you if it can be done.

wagonboy · #14 04-02-2003, 06:30 PM

123c, good suggestion on Crutchfield, forgot about that site. Thanks.

Holson Adi · #15 04-02-2003, 06:47 PM

You could get the Nakamichi CD-45Z

http://www.nakamichi.com/auto/cdplayers/cd_45.htm

It can be ordered in Amber. Try to get it from somebody who will confirm that you will receive the one with amber illumination. Most ebay sellers (ive heard) will only sell the green ones.

I put a Pioneer CD player in my car just because ive had Pioneers before and they sound nice for the money. Now I think I'm gonna go the Nakamichi way just for the looks. I hope I'm not doing something too silly...

I also saw a new Pioneer Premier HU. It's got the funky Organic EL display which I think is kinda cool. Maybe out of place in a 20 yr old W123 though....