What kind of sound system should I put in my car?

[mercmike32]

Hey guys, I have a bit of a dilemma. I have a 1992 300ce(w124), and the factory speakers are just not enough. I was thinking of putting dual alpine Type E (1242) subwoofers, and an alpine MRP-F450 amp. With 4 2-way Infinity speakers (4012i), and I found this all for $600. I am afraid later on after a year or so, it wont be enough (meaning I'll want something louder) or that the subs are gonna tear or it will be a crummy system to even begin with.

Do you guys have any other suggestions. I have been researching the topic for about two months, because I really want to put the best in my car with out spending too much. About $600 is my budget on sub/amp/speakers.


Thanks for any suggestions/help.

[Zeus]

When I had my 300E, I used a full Alpine system. I used the stock four speakers (2 front, 2 back) and hooked them up to a four-channel Alpine MRP-F250 amp, and set the amp to hi-pass.

I used a separate Alpine MRV-T320 amp, bridged, to power a 10" Infinity sub in a ported box, in the trunk. Amp set to lo-pass. Although this amp's ratings are lower than other brands, it is a high quality amp. The V-12 series is well built and this one had more than enough power to drive the sub. Quality, not false RMS ratings are what I was going for here - you need clean power for clean bass.

I found this gave me acceptable sound. Volume was not a problem at all, and the stock speakers sounded quite good. Plenty of highs, decent mids. My Alpine head unit also had 4V preouts, which was nice.

As far as the sub, I had it set to the default level and it was plenty loud. You could feel the punch in the back of the seat.

I'm a musician and I like to think I have a decent ear, especially for distortion. I would say that this system gave me pretty much 90% of the max volume I would ever want before any significant and audible distortion occured.

So, I think your system should be fine. My advice would be to get the subs and amp, and get a separate amp to power the existing speakers. Then listen to how it sounds. If you don't like the stock speakers, upgrade them at that point, not before. As long as they are not damaged, they should sound fine. There is nothing really wrong with them. Newer speakers may provide some extra performance but no where close to the improvement that proper amplification to each speaker will.

All IMHO.

Good luck!

[BENZ-LGB]

I have a 1991 300CE.

The car came from the factory with a 10-speaker system.

Six in the rear shelf (three speakers per side, in each of the enclosures), one per door and one in each corner of the dash.

The rear shelf speakers suffer the most damage (heat and sun). You may wish to replace the rear shelf speakers and then see how your system sounds.

I had an Alpine h/u installed. It is the 9885 model. I like it because of its versatility when it comes time to add components. I also had my stereo guy replace th large rear shelf speakers with some Kenwoods. I am not sure which model.

But the new set up sounds pretty good and I can connect my iPod, get XM radio and even Bluetooth my cell phone. Not bad.

Alpine 9885 Headunit

[Monomer]

get a folded horn sub.



best sounding subs you can get.

http://www.billfitzmaurice.com/AutoTuba.html

[mercmike32]

I am probably gonna amplifiy factory speakers. It makes sense (if there not broken just give them more juice). I will put subs and two amps. About the folded horn sub- It costs way too much, even though i would love to have one but I am not willing to pay that much for a sub, but thanks, I didnt even know such a thing existed. Thanks you so much.

Benz LGB- How does your car come with factory 10-speakers system. Is it because your in another country(asuming).

[BENZ-LGB]

The ten-speaker system was standard on US-spec 300CE.

Two speakers on the front (one on each corner of the dashboard).

Two on the doors (one per door).

Six on rear shelf (there are three speakers inside each enclosure).

Total of 10 speakers.

[mercmike32]

Wow. I feel pretty stupid. All this time I haven't opened the rear speaker cover because I just thought there was that one speaker that sticks out from the trunk. Thanks for letting me know about it. Now I can upgrade the extra four speakers as well.

Are they speakers or tweeters?

[BENZ-LGB]

This is what the speakers look like once you remove the rear enclosure cover:

W124 rear speakers

I am assuming that your 1992 300CE came with the same speakers as my 1991 300CE.

[mercmike32]

They do look like that. Is it possible to change the two little ones? Because in the future I will replace all speakers(front and back) with Infinities 4" speakers.

[BENZ-LGB]

Originally Posted by mercmike32

They do look like that. Is it possible to change the two little ones? Because in the future I will replace all speakers(front and back) with Infinities 4" speakers.

My stereo guy kept the little ones and replaced only the large speakers.

Sitting on that rear shelf, especially in So. California, the larger speakers get "tired" after a while.

The system sounds so much better now!

[mercmike32]

Sounds good. I will do that. Thanks so much.