New ICE system for the W124

[3 phase]

Since I bought the car in October 2008, the replacement of the original Becker radio cassette has been on my lists of must do's.

The addition of a new stereo isn't an issue, I know what will go in there as I already have chosen the product (Sony) with MP3 capability of course.

My question centres around the speakers. I wonder how other owners have got round this? The dashboard speakers and those on the rear shelf are not or don't sound to me to be that special and I would like to improve the sound quality, but I don't want to start cutting holes in the door cards, preferring to keep the interior as original as poss, or is that the only option?
Appreciate any advice you may have.

Ade

 

[crammy69]

I bought the Rainbow speakers from Ray Smith that are a straight fit for the W124 dash, and am very pleased with them. I also have a blaupunkt amplified sub under the front passenger seat that just add that extra bit of bass without being a full on ear-bleed mobile!.

Have a look at the following threads...

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=50755
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=48217
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=51231
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=58533
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=53981
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=52874

 

[J-Scho]

I'm in the process of installing a sound system in my W124 too. With the factory-fit speakers being non-standard sizes, there aren't many options for people like me who don't want to butcher the car and keep the interior looking standard.

I've done a bit of research and Rainbow seem to be the ones to go for.

Crammy, which model Rainbow do you have? KX120 or IQ120? I can't decide which one to get!

 

[crammy69]

I'm in the process of installing a sound system in my W124 too. With the factory-fit speakers being non-standard sizes, there aren't many options for people like me who don't want to butcher the car and keep the interior looking standard.

I've done a bit of research and Rainbow seem to be the ones to go for.

Crammy, which model Rainbow do you have? KX120 or IQ120? I can't decide which one to get!

I think its the KX120 ones ( the cheaper ones about £60), and Im pretty happy with them.I would recommend Ray Smith, they are friendly and helpful on the phone and offered a discount for forum members of 10% which no-one else could beat. I have'nt done anything with the rear's yet, but I have an new/old stock pair of pioneers that are supposedly a good fit. One suggestion I read was to buy a replacement set of the original speakers from Mercedes themselves? might be a cheap quick fix depending on your needs.

 

[J-Scho]

Thanks man. I'm leaning towards the cheaper KX120's myself. I've seen them on the Ray Smith website at around £60.

I can't figure out what makes the IQ120's worth an extra £45!

I'm planning to run them off a four channel amp, with the rear channels bridged to run a sub, and remove the rear speakers completely to let some bass through.

The Rainbows appeal not only for their reputation for quality, and direct fitment, but also the fact they should be ok running off an amp. I suspect the MB replacements wouldn't!

 

[Frank O' Phile]

I put kx's in my 124 over a year ago, and just have a Sony cd\mp3 player powering it, and am mor ethan happy with the sound. In fact they get better as it gets louder.

Get them from Ray smith, mention the forum and you'll get a discount, and great service.

Remeber to post back your thoughts on them.

 

[Andrzej]

I uprated my W124's speaker system a few years back. I ended up adding a pair of fairly large oval JBL's in the rear parcel shelf. This wasn't an easy job, but the end result was worth it.

The speakers fitted flush into the dibs within which the headrests drop. If you do it carefully the headrests can still drop (without damaging the speakers) - though of course they'll impede the sound if they are down!

To do all of this I had to remove the back seat and the whole rear shelf covering. The rear shelf is actually quite soft material - I think aluminium. So a jigsaw got through it quickly an easily.

The only end issues are covering the new speaker holes - the JBL covers were too big, so I ended up buying some acoustic black cloth & that the speakers magnet and connectors are then visible in the boot.

The other four speakers are now all Infinity reference and all linked back to an Infinity multichannel amp.

Sounds very good in my opinion.

 

[J-Scho]

Thanks guys! And the KX's have the correct spring-clip arrangement to secure them right? None of this cutting off screw hole tabs or anything?

 

[Frank O' Phile]

Just drop straight in, clips and all.

 

[J-Scho]

Sweeeeeeeeeeet!

 

[J-Scho]

I've ordered the Rainbow KX120's from Ray Smith!

I'll let you know how I find them.

Incidentally, I removed my rear speakers the other day and found them to be Pioneer 2-ways! Proper 12cm custom fit ones. I'm guessing my fronts will be too!