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Standard Indash Head with AfterMarket Amps.

6977 Views 12 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  Lynn
First post on this board. Just traded my '99 SLK230 for my new C230K which is a bittersweet experience to say the least.

I have the standard (Alpine?) system in dash with no bose. I am looking to acquire a bose system or use some existing equipment I have from a previous installation. Does anyone know where i might get my hands on wiring harness information. Does the stock system have standard RCA preouts and are the stock speakers a normal impedance? I understand that the stock speaker are considered fine, just underpowered by the standard deck. I have Pioneer premier amps just itching to go into the new car. Any suggestions will be very much appreciated as I am used to the Bose in my SLK (well not mine anymore :cry: ).

Thanks in advance!
T
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Welcome to the forum.

I think you would be disappointed in the coupe's Bose system. The bass module is between the right quarter panel and the cargo compartment wall. The bass module is not ported into the cabin. The standard speakers have the normal impedance. I think you need line level converters to hook up aftermarket amps, but I'm not sure. People's opinons of the stock speakers vary greatly.

An alterative you may wish to consider is the Becker Audio 10 head unit. It has a single cd player in place of the cassette deck. It has more powerful amps than the Alpine headunit. People who have installed the Audio 10 report much improved sound, especially bass. Most people buy theirs from German ebay, but you can get it for $649 from autoclass.net.
Don't want to go to the Becker as I have the CD installed already and don't really want to dump out that kind of money for a HU without getting a ton more features. I thought that since the stock head unit connects directly to a bose amp (with harness) that there must be preouts of some kind. Maybe not traditional RCA, but something like that.

I am not looking to have heads turn to see who is generating BIG BASS... I just want it to have a little better than stock. I have had my day dumping big $ on car stereo... it's someone elses turn... just after nice clean sound with a little more bass than stock.

Thanks for the reply
Am I correct in assuming the cd you are talking about is the MB-Alpine six disk changer? If so, it will plug right into the Becker Audio 10 and operate perfectly. No mods are neccessary.

I believe the headunit connects to the Bose amps by fiber optic cable, but I could very well be wrong.
Yes I have the MB Alpine 6 disc CD changer. I just don't like the price of the Becker. Very little gain for big bucks compared to after market head units. For the price of the Becker, I can go to a Pioneer with a huge number of features. I just want to keep the system as stock looking as possible. If this prooves to be nearly impossible, I will explore other alternatives.

Thanks again
T
Is there anything besides the head units
I want something maybye like put a spear in my trunk

I want something that will greatyly increase my base

and the volume
Is there anything besides the head units
I want something maybye like put a spear in my trunk

I want something that will greatyly increase my base

and the volume
MORE BASS!!!!!

Is there anything besides the head units
I want something maybye like put a spear in my trunk

I want something that will greatyly increase my base

and the volume
MORE BASS!!!!!

Is there anything besides the head units
I want something maybye like put a spear in my trunk

I want something that will greatyly increase my base

and the volume
Lynn,

Will I be able to add an external amp with sub onto a bose system for my 2001 c320 by tapping into the rear speakers??

thanks

Mraindragon
It is my understanding that there are subwoofer systems designed to do that. The signal in the speaker wires is not line level, so these systems compensate for that. I can't recommend a manufacturer. I just don't know who makes them.

Keep in mind that the Bose Audio Pilot ofter needs to be disconnected when using a subwoofer. The Audio Pilot adjust volume and EQ according to ambient sound in the cabin, and the subwoofer confuses the processor. If you need to do this, let me know so I can direct you to the instructions on how to disconnect the Audio Pilot's microphone.
Thanks Lynn. I will definitely need your help in disconnecting the mic. Another question is will the audio 10 work with the bose system, since I hear it sounds better than the oem cassette deck?

Mraindragon
Yes, the Audio 10 will work with the Bose. I have heard that the Bose ambient sound controls may not be accessable. There is version of the English Audio 10 manual on line which could clear up that matter.
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