Owners of the 86-87 SDL know that the dash speakers are small. (4 inch?) I also believe the door's metallic frame makes door speakers impractical if not impossible.

Does anyone know of modern speaker replacements for front and rear that give great sound? I need a new head unit as well.

Thanks

You might try door liners from an 88-91 126 which have door woofers standard. I don't know if metal cutting is required. The upholstery pattern is different so you might want rear liners to match, or you might be able to graft the plastic pocket onto your older liners. Heck, get the more comfortable and better wearing seats while you're at it. You won't get clean highs from door speakers alone because they fire into the seat. Factory door speakers are coupled with highs in the dash. If going that route, I'd get quality separates for door and dash vs 25 year old originals. Its easy if not quite plug-n-play to get 6.5" speakers in the rear deck. I ended up gluing rather than screwing in replacement speakers in my SDL rear deck. IIRC, I had MB Quart 6.5" separates in the rear deck and Pioneer 3.5" coax's in the dash. No door speakers. Later 126s have adapter plates in the dash For round speakers. I had a Sony deck with no external amp. Good enough for my tin ears.

There's an audio forum on this site you should check.

Sixto
83 300SD


Sixto

Thanks for the reply. One thing about this forum is that it generates responses quickly!

Based on what you said it seems that sticking with the dashboard and rear speakers is much simpler. So do you think the Pioneers that you mentioned are the best option? I'm hoping that the more modern speakers (compared to the never changed 30 year old speakers) will generate much better sound. I've read a lot about Infinitys, but never heard them.

So I'm looking for 3.5 oval in front, and 6.5 rear? Do you recommend Sony heads in general?

I will check out the audio forum as well.

Head is up to your needs. I listen to my iPhone and occasionally AM radio. It's surprising how many lower end stereos don't have AM anymore. I don't need cassette, CD or video features. I'm fine with a cable so I don't need Bluetooth either... for now.

Go to a store like Best Buy where you can listen to a number of speaker brands from the same audio source then choose which suits you and your taste in music. Infinity is a respected brand but they offer lower and higher ranges like Kappa, Reference, etc. You have to determine how much power you need and match components accordingly. Do you need an external amp or a subwoofer that takes half your trunk?

Again, I'm pretty sure it's 6.5" round in the rear, 4x6 oval in the dash but you might have to customize the frame to fit so make sure you're keeping them before you cut, optionally 3.5" or even 4" round in the dash with adapters.

Sixto
83 300SD

Thanks.

I posted on the audio forum as well.

I like AM, FM, and CD. Bluetooth seems a good option.
I have so much paid media at home, I don't want to pay for satellite radio.

I've just upgraded my SDL to audiophile grade system. Keeping the stock look with no cutting, grinding, etc. I now only use Bluetooth passed files from the phone. AM/FM, HD FM, USB Drive, and other sources too...just don't really use them.

I can give you a hand. I worked with some fellas over at diymobileaudio.com. The folks helped me get dialed in with some great sound.

What really helps is getting the system to match the acoustics of the w126. Can't do that with Best Buy gear...but you can do it for less purchasing drivers (speakers) from audio component supply firms i.e. partsexpress.com.

Basically no need for the door speakers. No need for a standalone sub box.

Front dash speaker slots can take a 4" mid range & a 1" or so tweeter per side.

Rears can take some nifty TangBand 6.5" sub speakers played in stereo vs. standard mono. Trick is to build out the existing mount to accept the very large magnet.

Also very very important is to get a head unit that allows you to tune each speaker including frequency hi & loss pass, EQ, and time delays.

Check out the Pioneer 80PRS and read a bit on its capability and you'll see what we're talking about.

If interested let me know and I'll give you the specs on what I have installed.

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1986 300SDL 440,xxx

I'm absolutely interested, but I am not a DIY person myself. Recently I found an honest and great mechanic, who is willing to let me buy equipment which he would install. It sounds, however, that you are speaking of separate drivers, rather than integrated units like the Infinity Kappas that I was considering.

Is your DIY package something that I could hand to this mechanic? I'm certainly intrigued by your discovery that great sound can be installed into the SDL without cutting and grinding. But you did mention that some modification needs to be done with the rear speakers.

Many thanks

Make sure you have a pair of new rear speaker covers. The plastic on the covers will be so brittle that they will break. Good luck.

__________________
Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

Nothing really special. But maybe a car audio installer would net lower cost due to familiarity (lowering labor hours).

You just need to decide if you'd like more surround base similar to a movie theater vs standard car audio.

Remember that due to the w126 acoustic characteristics, initially the most important thing to do is upgrade the head unit to one that is capable of running its own sound sampling and setting speaker output signal for you.

I'm not into R&B bass blasting. I do like to feel and hear the rumble of orchestra kettle drums for example. Think the Titanic movie sound track you may have heard at the theater. I also like to be able to turn up the volume with out distortion.

Your Kappa selection will be fine if your happy with limited bass response.

The speakers I purchased are simply drivers that are sold generally to folks who build sound systems vs packaged for sale to the car audio market.

Sixto and Ahkay are spot on with their comments...as usual lol.

Sixto's MB Quartz are very nice. Your Kappas look nice too. But you'll need to decide if you want a fuller deeper sound, which will require something heavier duty for the rear deck.

Maybe the best thing is to visit a shop and ask to hear "installed systems" vs the display board to get an idea of what you wish to achieve.

__________________

1986 300SDL 440,xxx

I'm not married to the notion of the Infinity speakers at all… I just use them as an example of a prepackaged, integrated speaker unit, vs separate drivers. I'm into home audio (with a preference for planar drivers), but am completely inexperienced with regard to car audio. Of course, I'd rather have front speakers with greater bass. I don't need crazy bass, but something along the line of the orchestral kettle drum mentioned.

My question is, whether a mechanic (a very good certified Mercedes mechanic) would be willing and able to install individual drivers, vs. "prepackaged" integrated units such as the Infinity. I don't know if that is asking more of him than a standard installation. I'm absolutely on board with the notion of a head unit which is capable of nuanced controls, equalization, etc.

I'd be interested in the names of the drivers that you used for your DIY project, which were able to achieve audiophile performance.

It happens that I live nearby an audio installer who rates five stars on yelp (the imperfect, advertising selling yelp), from whom I bought a Viper alarm systemt that never plays nicely with my central door locking system. It may be that the pneumatic system which drives it is tired out, and needs a new pump or something. That is the reason I have been hesitant to go back to him for this audio conundrum.

Thanks for all the helpful responses. Happy New Year's to everyone, especially those who love these diesels.

I'm sure your mechanic can do it but is he the best person to do it? These aren't plug-n-play components with Crutchfield instructions. An auto stereo installer will be more familiar with wire and connector options, sound staging, diagnosing and eliminating ground loops, etc. He'll also be more able to get the system to sound the way you want it to.

Sixto
83 300SE
98 E320 wagon

Head Unit: Pioneer 80PRS running active output

Front Dash under stock speaker cover
2-Seas Prestige 27TFFNC/G Tweeters
2-Dayton Audio RS100-4 4" Reference Full-Range Driver

Rear Deck
2-Tang Band W6-1139SI 6-1/2". You'll need to about a 2" of 6" PVC pipe (home depot) glued to the excising mount collar to accommodate the large magnet. No room down hole. Very simple.

2-Clarion XC2410 400W Ultra Compact 4/3/2 Channel amps.
One amp for dash speakers, & one amp for the rear deck (bridged)

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1986 300SDL 440,xxx

Thanks, 86-300sdl. I'm going to take this list of parts to the car audio gent whom I mentioned previously.

I called him ysetserday, and he said the only thing that would fit were Infinity References all around, which he would install with a Pioneer head and a mini amp.

Obviously you achieved more, and fitted more in the dash area by going with separate drivers, but if they come without an integrated "frame" what holds them in place?

I was able to fit 4" speakers in the front. The OE speakers were removed from the metal frame and excess metal cut down so only the mounti,frame remained. 1/8"plywood was cut to fit the oval shape. Paint the wood grey to match the dash and silicone (grey RTV) into the frame. Turn frame so wood is face down and use a cheap HF hole saw to cut the speaker hole. Clean as necessary with metal file. Mount the speaker in,frame.

I didn't install an amp but it is on my list. The amp will likely go in the top of the trunk when I get the trunk dry. New wires will be run then.

Installed in 2000 I had 4x6 Boston coaxial acoustics in the dash and 6.5 inch Boston Acoustic coaxial in the rear. Flush fit and sounded great with the Pioneer 80PRS. I just wanted some real base that standard 5.5" thru 6.5" cant deliver, and, very clear mids and soft clear highs.


The 4" RS-100-4 (and many others) drop right in to the mount and held by a couple of drops of silicone sealant. The tweets are mounted adjacent on a simple piece of plastic lexan (true value hardware store). As OP's note, anything thin will work with a hole drilled for the speaker, and a little trim cut to fit next to the 4" driver. You can also buy mount plates and trim as needed.


There are plenty of options for speaker / drivers that will fit. Remember the rears need to be sliced from the mounts at the speaker cone flange. Glue the new ones in with silicone sealant. I used Blue RTV.


I think the bigger question is do you want to hear similar sound quality (SQ) you enjoy with your nice indoor set up.


If you do you'll need a better than average head unit and need to do some work on your end. I.E. set cross overs, etc on the deck. Takes some fiddling. It seems needed to tune to the W126 acoustics. But I think you like that stuff.


I'm not so sure you need an amp with an 80prs level amp / processor or similar Alpine, etc. Just have the installer hook it up in passive mode. Mid project that is how I ran it with the older speakers...sounded pretty damn good.


My SDL amps are mounted on a false passenger forward foot well (firewall area) board. I found that running cabling & power / ground wire all the way to the trunk tough, probably requiring seat and carpet removal.

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1986 300SDL 440,xxx