SL320 Loud Speakers

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

aefrey

New Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2007
Messages
12
Location
London SW
Car
SL320
Hi,

I have a 1999 SL320 purchased 4 years ago. I don't have any information on the audio system speakers.

Does anyone know what speakers would have been installed back in 1999 (I believe it has a 6 speaker configuration)?

Also, is it easy to replace the bass speakers if they are "tired" and upgrade them to a good quality? What replacement speakers would other members recommend?

I have a problem that the Alpine radio/cd unit which I installed myself 4 years ago (model CDE-9850Ri) which has a 50w x 4 channel power output distorts the bass speaker sound qulaity when I turn up both the bass setting and volume on the Alpine, so I am wondering if I should replace the bass speakers with a more powerful pair?

The current speakers sound okay at lower volumes, but once the roof is down and I turn up the volume I can't get good a quality bass response and I wonder if it because the current bass speakers are either "tired" or not man enough for the output from the Alpine unit.

Any suggestions would be most welcome!
 
If your OEM speakers are still fitted but with the head unit changed then the person I doubt the head unit matches the ratings of the speakers (which have a lesser resistance than normal car speakers).

The standard setup is actually pretty good with a separate amplifier included. Merely swapping the head unit will likely worsen the quality of sound if not matched properly.

Best bet is to go to a recommended car audio specialist for some qualified advice.
 
Ironically, both bits are probably at fault. The stock speakers aren't the best, but the headunit will also be part of the problem.

Trying to overcome the background noise, most people will wind up the volume and the bass to compensate. The problem then comes that the amplifier is having to work very hard to generate the required output, and this then causes a distorted signal - it is this that really kills speakers.

Think of the analogy of hitting something really hard with a small hammer, or giving it a tap with a much larger one.

Your unit is 4x50W *maximum* output, or about half that in RMS power, which is the accepted measurement for continuous delivery.

Some new speakers will be a good start (perhaps a set of 3-ways from the likes of Rainbow), but ultimately if you want something you can hear with the roof down at speed it'll get a whole lot more expensive.

[EDIT] - Sp!ke, does the later SL have a built in amp? This is something I had forgotten about as my earlier one didn't.
 
Mine has an amp under the front passenger floor IIRC. Not sure about earlier models but I *think* they also had one too.
 
Mine has an amp under the front passenger floor IIRC. Not sure about earlier models but I *think* they also had one too.

Nothing in mine, but that I had a period Pioneer setup complete with faux wood-grain finish on the headunit :eek:

Owners manual makes no specific mention.
 
I'm in a similar boat as the OP.

Two speakers are dash mounted and a further two in each front door. The Panasonic unit when turned up distorts the door speakers. I will be removing the door card at some point soon, as I need to replace the check strap and check out the quality of the speakers.

I'm certain that my actual door card is loose.
 
Thanks for the initial responses.

1. I am not sure if my car has a separate amplifier. Where would I look to see if there is one?

2. I did let my local car audio dealer briefly look at the existing set-up last weekedn and they immediately suggested I spend £1200+ on a complete rejig with new speakers, a sub woofer mounted to the front underside of the passenger seat, a 2 or 3 channel amp in the boot and a new "head unit" i.e. radio/cd/mp3 player. As I don't think I would add £1200 to the value of the car, although I would undoubtedly get a better bass response(!), I thought I would see if there were any cheaper options to consider first.

The Alpine unit only cost me £140 about 3 years ago so it wasn't an expensive thing and I needed to replace the previous unit as it's single CD player had packed up. I hadn't appreciated there was a need to match these things with the speaker resistance.

Does anyone know the brand type of the OEM speakers in a 1999 SL320 or do I need to remove the door panelling to get that information?
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom