and now you can concentrate on the engine and exhaust symphony instead 
OP
OP
Palmball
MB Enthusiast
I'm afraid not such good news today....in fact, I'm honestly mortified.
I dropped my car off at MB Milton Keynes who are fixing what I thought was my faulty subwoofer. If you remember, I noticed the B&O audio system sounded poor before I bought the car, with an inability to reproduce any decent levels of bass without distorting. Both the head technician and I agreed it sounded like a blown sub and a replacement was ordered, to be fitted next week.
However, whilst at the dealer today I listened to another SLS they had which also had the B&O fitted. It sounded just the same as mine
; turn the bass up to more than 3 (out of 10!), turn the volume up so it's loud'ish (but not excessively so - I'd say still under 50% of what it would go to) and all you hear is the speaker vibrating. Note, this is not trim vibrating - it's like you can hear the cone moving rather than hearing the bass.
As I said, I'm mortified....mainly because it's now unlikely that a replacement subwoofer will fix a 'problem' that now doesn't seem to be a 'problem' - with two different cars sounding almost identical, it's seems thats how it's been designed and signed off. But this I can't understand....how can B&O and AMG sign off such a sound and how can there be no other complaints about it on any forum, even the US ones where they seem to have very high car-audio standards?
I appreciate sound quality is very personal and subjective but everyone that has heard it at the dealer has agreed - it sounds poor. My other half also thinks the same and she's not the fussy type. I could blame the fact I'm using a USB with MP3 files but they're recorded to 320kb and sound absolutely fine in every other car. The problem is song dependant, and if you're playing R&B or dance music with fast and deep bass requirements, it;s at it worst. But the ability to produce nice deep bass without distortion is no problem in any other car and even my girlfriends fathers' new C220CDi, fitted with Mercedes' most basic, unbranded audio system doesn't have this problem. The HK in our E coupe that we got last week is in another league (great car that....expect a full write up soon!).
So, what to do? Many will think I'm crazy and flame me for owning an SLS and and just moaning about the audio system. And maybe they're right...but, right or wrong, the enjoyment of listening to my music through a good audio system is a very important part of car ownership to me (and one which, Maserati excepted, I've been able to do in every car I've had for the last 15 years). Some will say just get rid of the car if it makes me that unhappy but let's be honest, that option isn't really a sensible to do and neither do I want to do that....this problem aside, there is no other car at any value that I'd rather own. Normally, owning a car that is such a dream would be an immensely lucky position to be in...for me currently, its the cause of considerable anxiousness
So, I'm faced with the situation of the problem being 'just how it is', which is something I just can't get my head around given the B&O brand, the well documented development and huge cost of the option. But if this is the case, I guess I'm looking for someone with expertise in this area to give reason for why it would sound like it does (I appreciate this may be difficult just from my description but hopefully you understand what it's doing), and if it's understood why it's demonstrating these characteristics, hopefully there is an (aftermarket?) fix for it.
And Mark (TheDeadPrussian), if it remains unresolved after the sub is replaced next week, I would like to take you up on your offer of listening to yours to see if it really is what they're all like!
I dropped my car off at MB Milton Keynes who are fixing what I thought was my faulty subwoofer. If you remember, I noticed the B&O audio system sounded poor before I bought the car, with an inability to reproduce any decent levels of bass without distorting. Both the head technician and I agreed it sounded like a blown sub and a replacement was ordered, to be fitted next week.
However, whilst at the dealer today I listened to another SLS they had which also had the B&O fitted. It sounded just the same as mine
; turn the bass up to more than 3 (out of 10!), turn the volume up so it's loud'ish (but not excessively so - I'd say still under 50% of what it would go to) and all you hear is the speaker vibrating. Note, this is not trim vibrating - it's like you can hear the cone moving rather than hearing the bass. As I said, I'm mortified....mainly because it's now unlikely that a replacement subwoofer will fix a 'problem' that now doesn't seem to be a 'problem' - with two different cars sounding almost identical, it's seems thats how it's been designed and signed off. But this I can't understand....how can B&O and AMG sign off such a sound and how can there be no other complaints about it on any forum, even the US ones where they seem to have very high car-audio standards?
I appreciate sound quality is very personal and subjective but everyone that has heard it at the dealer has agreed - it sounds poor. My other half also thinks the same and she's not the fussy type. I could blame the fact I'm using a USB with MP3 files but they're recorded to 320kb and sound absolutely fine in every other car. The problem is song dependant, and if you're playing R&B or dance music with fast and deep bass requirements, it;s at it worst. But the ability to produce nice deep bass without distortion is no problem in any other car and even my girlfriends fathers' new C220CDi, fitted with Mercedes' most basic, unbranded audio system doesn't have this problem. The HK in our E coupe that we got last week is in another league (great car that....expect a full write up soon!).
So, what to do? Many will think I'm crazy and flame me for owning an SLS and and just moaning about the audio system. And maybe they're right...but, right or wrong, the enjoyment of listening to my music through a good audio system is a very important part of car ownership to me (and one which, Maserati excepted, I've been able to do in every car I've had for the last 15 years). Some will say just get rid of the car if it makes me that unhappy but let's be honest, that option isn't really a sensible to do and neither do I want to do that....this problem aside, there is no other car at any value that I'd rather own. Normally, owning a car that is such a dream would be an immensely lucky position to be in...for me currently, its the cause of considerable anxiousness
So, I'm faced with the situation of the problem being 'just how it is', which is something I just can't get my head around given the B&O brand, the well documented development and huge cost of the option. But if this is the case, I guess I'm looking for someone with expertise in this area to give reason for why it would sound like it does (I appreciate this may be difficult just from my description but hopefully you understand what it's doing), and if it's understood why it's demonstrating these characteristics, hopefully there is an (aftermarket?) fix for it.
And Mark (TheDeadPrussian), if it remains unresolved after the sub is replaced next week, I would like to take you up on your offer of listening to yours to see if it really is what they're all like!
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2005
- Messages
- 29,449
- Location
- Mittel England
- Car
- Smart ForFour AMG Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Powered by Brabus
You're not a man who's afraid to mod, so let MBMK replace it and if it's the same, ask if they'll pick up the tab for a specialist to install an aftermarket one. If they say no, pay for it yourself and fall in love with your dream car.
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Could it be that the other car has the same 'fault' as yours? clutching at straws, but you never know!
Dieselman
Banned
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- Jul 13, 2003
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- 34,199
- Car
- Peugeot 403 Convertible
It sounds like the amp is clipping when driving the sub and maybe you are overdoing the sub-base as well. Try turning the gain back to zero and see how it fares.
imho, using mp3 for music files is likely to lead to disappointment in audio quality, try some Cd's.
imho, using mp3 for music files is likely to lead to disappointment in audio quality, try some Cd's.
Dieselman
Banned
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I doubt it. Turning my home KEF sub up leads to an unpleasant thump, which overpowers the rest of the audio range.
It's best to keep a sub-woofer for a low level of base enhancement, not to be heard.
Simon_M
MB Enthusiast
Did you rip the MP3s yourself or download them? You can get some right old shyate from the dodgy download sites.
Do as DM says by testing with no bass gain.
But then just drop the window and listen to the exhaust until you upgrade the sub.
KEF DM? You see good things do come from Kent.
S
Do as DM says by testing with no bass gain.
But then just drop the window and listen to the exhaust until you upgrade the sub.
KEF DM? You see good things do come from Kent.
S
OP
OP
Palmball
MB Enthusiast
Firstly, thanks to the first three posters who haven't flamed me and told me to get on with it and enjoy the engine sound 
I can't see anything (on MB World and various Google searches) - theres a bit about upgrading to the B&O, not away from it lol! Happy to be directed to anything useful you may have seen though
No, I'm not afraid to mod (but still feel likeI shouldn't have to on this car
) and would throw some cash at this to ensure I can enjoy it. But it;s more not being expertise enough at it to know exactly what needs to be done (or what can be done!)
Maybe it is...I am definitely clutching at those right now and with any luck, this is all premature. After all, how else to explain that this was signed off as acceptable by the manufacturer and there is not one other complaint about it anywhere (that I can find). Saying this, the previous owner of my car and that of the other one I sat in today seemed OK with it! I mean, why would you spec it and then not use it?
Thanks DM and yes, pulling back on the bass does remove the problem. It also removes the bass! I don't have it turned up that much either - about 1/3 of the way up.
I get it re MP3's, I really do. But it's not really the audio quality of the source thats the problem as the same source, whilst maybe not being brilliant, doesn't cause issue in any other car. But I will try it with a CD and see what happens - not that it helps long term, given all my music is iPod/MP3's!
I can't see anything (on MB World and various Google searches) - theres a bit about upgrading to the B&O, not away from it lol! Happy to be directed to anything useful you may have seen though
No, I'm not afraid to mod (but still feel likeI shouldn't have to on this car
) and would throw some cash at this to ensure I can enjoy it. But it;s more not being expertise enough at it to know exactly what needs to be done (or what can be done!)Maybe it is...I am definitely clutching at those right now and with any luck, this is all premature. After all, how else to explain that this was signed off as acceptable by the manufacturer and there is not one other complaint about it anywhere (that I can find). Saying this, the previous owner of my car and that of the other one I sat in today seemed OK with it! I mean, why would you spec it and then not use it?
Thanks DM and yes, pulling back on the bass does remove the problem. It also removes the bass! I don't have it turned up that much either - about 1/3 of the way up.
I get it re MP3's, I really do. But it's not really the audio quality of the source thats the problem as the same source, whilst maybe not being brilliant, doesn't cause issue in any other car. But I will try it with a CD and see what happens - not that it helps long term, given all my music is iPod/MP3's!
OP
OP
Palmball
MB Enthusiast
I guess the problem is I can't control the sub independently like on a home system, meaning I turn the bass down and it gets rid of most of it. I know most 'audiophiles' don't like too much bass....unfortunately, I do like a considerable amount and have managed to get it without issue before
No, all ripped from CD's myself or downloaded from iTunes....and all officially paid for (I don't download music that I don't pay for...that just doesn't sit right with me). Going back to my previous point ...the same files, on the same USB or iPod works fine in everything else
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st4
Banned
I'd reserve final judgement until the car is back. If yours has gone, the other chaps car may well have gone too.
You know your way around a high end car and decent audio fitters but I'd suggest you go down that route and if not and the sound is rubbish, just enjoy the car for what it is.
You know your way around a high end car and decent audio fitters but I'd suggest you go down that route and if not and the sound is rubbish, just enjoy the car for what it is.
Dieselman
Banned
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- Jul 13, 2003
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- Peugeot 403 Convertible
Have you been looking at the Local Slags adverts again...??
Better than Essex...innitt..
OP
OP
Palmball
MB Enthusiast
BTW, I too have a Kef system at home and the sub on that is awesome isn't it! I have the HTB2 'round' sub.
Charles Morgan
MB Enthusiast
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- Mercedes 250CE W114, Alfa Romeo GT Coupe 3.2 V6
I love bass in its place - which is you notice it by its absence. If it is distorting then the system is just not good enough. Sorry to hear - just the sort of thing to take the shine off the car!
Dieselman
Banned
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- Car
- Peugeot 403 Convertible
Mine's the PSW 2010 linked up to Teac Reference 600 and my ancient Technics SLQ turntable.
I blew the Mission 700's having a New Year party, so upgraded the drivers in those.
Poor neighbours...
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trapperjohn
MB Enthusiast
I'm with you Andrew. If something is plain not right its not right and needs sorting to your listening comfort and standards. At dealer/MB level in your case. IMO. In my case its different. Driving a 124 and being deaf (just a bit) The biggest audio mod on my 124 is Rainbow Speakers and once upon a time I did have one of these fitted. (Much cheaper than this when I bought it. 
) I think it is agreed by most that a 124 does not lend itself to being an acoustic hall.
Blaupunkt active subwoofer THb 200A. 140W amplifier 3165144323921 | eBay
The is nothing to beat a decent motor with a decent sound system. Touring with a crap sound system is exactly that. It would takes more than an edge of the SLS for me.
Good Luck with your quest.
CHEERS
) I think it is agreed by most that a 124 does not lend itself to being an acoustic hall. Blaupunkt active subwoofer THb 200A. 140W amplifier 3165144323921 | eBay
The is nothing to beat a decent motor with a decent sound system. Touring with a crap sound system is exactly that. It would takes more than an edge of the SLS for me.
Good Luck with your quest.
CHEERS
Dieselman
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- 34,199
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- Peugeot 403 Convertible
The same files may be OK on other systems but will be lacking and it's probably that you are trying to compensate by turning up the bass.
Buy the same music on Cd and play them from both medium at home. I think you will notice the lack of definition from the downloaded files.
I always avoid downloads, if possible.
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DSLiverpool
MB Enthusiast
Too see if its the amp clipping use the fader and balance to reduce normal speaker sound (the sub won't be effected) and see if its slightly better, if it is then it's the amp.
Don't worry it will be sorted by MB or a high end installer
Don't worry it will be sorted by MB or a high end installer
Rashman
MB Enthusiast
I'm with Redbaron and the others that have suggested it..
I think the best thing to do is consider getting an aftermarket sub or system fitted.
I think the best thing to do is consider getting an aftermarket sub or system fitted.
