Stereo Issues

[Bortig]

As some might know I'm having issues with my stereo sound, basic 100w, it's booked in to be looked at again. My findings are these, it does sound if the music is being clipped lows and highs cut, also if I use the balance and fader and go to each speaker sound seems better, I think, but as soon as you centralize everything it sounds distorted again, ideas welcome before it goes in, have read elsewhere issues with other MB models regarding software updates, not like the old days where the stereo was a box new cars where on earth is the "stereo" or is it just an electronic box buried in the dash, need some stereo thinking, not even sure that's a word but sounds good.

 

[Ted]

Sounds like the speakers aren’t phased correctly.
Have they been replaced?

 

[Bortig]

One rear one has, otherwise its as the factory the car is only 5 months old, how do you phase them?

 

[Ted]

The cones should move in the same direction as a voltage is applied (hard to explain, I’ll look for a link)
Usually one of the speaker wires has a solid colour and the other has a stripe. The solid colour should go to the same speaker terminal on each of the speakers while the other cable goes to the other terminal.
Think of it like this. When you get a ‘boom’, all of the speakers cones should be reverberating in phase i.e. should go ‘out’ and ‘in’ at the same time. If you have one or more out of phase then it is going ‘in’ while the opposite speaker is going ‘out’ - this leads to a tinny sound when all speakers are playing, but switching the balance to individual speakers will sound fine.
Sorry if that’s not explained very well.

 

[Bortig]

Don't they come pre assembled in the factory?

 

[Ted]

This helps to explain.
If the speakers are oem with original plugs they are unlikely to be phased incorrectly but if someone has upgraded with different speakers there is apossibility.

Are your speakers out of phase?

You wouldn’t believe how many people have speakers that are “out of phase”. Essentially this means that your wiring is not quite right, and you will not be hearing the sound waves

www.selby.com.au

Ensure your speakers are in phase with the Phase Checker app

Speakers that are wired incorrectly result in reduced bass and stereo imaging. Prevent that with this handy app! Either run the automatic mode that sends a test tone to your speakers and reports on the result from your iOS device microphone or manually use the test tones to listen to find out if...

www.audiodog.co.uk

 

[Bortig]

No, the car was new when I bought it, heard about software issues or maybe a duff stereo the hard bit is getting an MB technician to hear it and say somethings not right, I live in hope.

 

[Bortig]

This helps to explain.
If the speakers are oem with original plugs they are unlikely to be phased incorrectly but if someone has upgraded with different speakers there is apossibility.

Are your speakers out of phase?

You wouldn’t believe how many people have speakers that are “out of phase”. Essentially this means that your wiring is not quite right, and you will not be hearing the sound waves

www.selby.com.au

Ensure your speakers are in phase with the Phase Checker app

Speakers that are wired incorrectly result in reduced bass and stereo imaging. Prevent that with this handy app! Either run the automatic mode that sends a test tone to your speakers and reports on the result from your iOS device microphone or manually use the test tones to listen to find out if...

www.audiodog.co.uk

Unfortunately dont have apple

 

[Ted]

It’s not about the app. It’s to help explain what phasing is. The bit highlighted in yellow.

 

[John N]

No, the car was new when I bought it, heard about software issues or maybe a duff stereo the hard bit is getting an MB technician to hear it and say somethings not right, I live in hope.

Is there any way you can check the Wiring Layout of the Rear Speaker that was Replaced and Compare it with the Wiring of the Opposite Rear Speaker? That would help to Rule out the Phasing Issue that Ted has kindly suggested MAY be part of your Problem!

 

[Bortig]

Is there any way you can check the Wiring Layout of the Rear Speaker that was Replaced and Compare it with the Wiring of the Opposite Rear Speaker? That would help to Rule out the Phasing Issue that Ted has kindly suggested MAY be part of your Problem!

Wouldn't know where to start, might try and get the dealer to fully check it out, fingers crossed.

 

[Bortig]

Had a play with the settings on my stereo and if I put it all to the rear I can go loud without a problem, go to the front and not so good, sounds like the whole door vibrates, worse on drivers side, put it central and put minus 3 on the bass and it all sounds somewhat better. I wonder if it needs more insulation in the front drivers door or maybe that like the rear they replaced is shot, odd it's the same side.

 

[Bortig]

Well car has been into dealer and they have looked at the system, they have found an update has been issued for the head unit, not over the air I might add, so they have done that and want me to try it and see if it makes a difference if not they said they'll have another look. They confirmed that my car was supposed to have the mid range system but due to supply issues it got the basic one lacking a separate amp, so might have to live with it, it's the limits of the system, I'm not alone with this as some higher models premium plus and amg ones didn't get burmester instead hot basic or mid range pot luck from what they said, oh well did get endless coffee and cake while I waited.

 

[Bortig]

They need to try each step it seems and reluctant to start taking the car apart.

 

[Bortig]

Meant to ask in post foes anyone know what the head unit update included in it.

 

[Ted]

@Bortig - just wondering if you got this sorted, and what the resolution was.

 

[Bortig]

Yes got it sorted, they took it in again, fourth time, and they had it in for the day, the tech guy tried it and found the software was out of date so they rebooted it, took an hour to download and it seems fine now although MB stereos aren't the best to be fair

 

[Flyinspanner]

I’d be angry that I’d “paid” for a car with one ice system, but due to their problems, i only got a more basic system.

isn’t that called fraud? (unless they told you of this before you got the car, and refunded the cost difference)

…… funny that they don’t ever upgrade to ‘better’ when what was ordered wasn’t available.

 

[Bortig]

It's in the terms and conditions so they can do it and both systems are included in the price not as an option, as for fraud bit strong, to be fair there's not much difference between basic and mid range and as for burmester a friend has that and neither of us could notice much difference between his and mine.