Upgrade to S Class (W222)2016 Sound System

[Jetbags]

Hi All,

I'm looking for some advice regarding upgrading the sound system in my S Classs S500e.
The current system is dissapointing to say the least, the Burmeister audio set up is inadequate for this size vehicle. So, i am looking at upgrading the speakers and the amp, has anone else done this upgrade yet and if so what results did you achieve overall?

There does not appear to be much info on suitable upgrade products on the net, i have approached a couple of companies directly but the quotes coming back are utterly ridiculous!
any help and advice would be grately welcomed....

J.

 

[John]

I run an upgraded audio system which started as Burmester and I agree, it's shyte out the box. Very disappointing considering the cost of it.

It's not very complicated to upgrade but it is a bit of a faff and there's various levels you can go to depending on what you think is lacking for you.

To do it "properly", you will need to cut into the wiring loom on the speaker channel wires, run the outputs into a DSP (like a JL-FIX 82) which cleans up the crap output from the stock audio, run the outputs of that into an amp and then run the outputs of the amp back through the speaker wires to those you want to include. You will also need a load sensing adapter as otherwise the stock amp will reduce output when it believes the speakers which are connected (which of course are not anymore as it is "seeing" a DSP).

Then it's a case of upgrading the speaker sets you want to change in the doors or on the parcel shelf.

It's also not cheap but a lot of cash goes into buying all the gear you need depending on what level you go to.

 

[Jetbags]

I run an upgraded audio system which started as Burmester and I agree, it's shyte out the box. Very disappointing considering the cost of it.

It's not very complicated to upgrade but it is a bit of a faff and there's various levels you can go to depending on what you think is lacking for you.

To do it "properly", you will need to cut into the wiring loom on the speaker channel wires, run the outputs into a DSP (like a JL-FIX 82) which cleans up the crap output from the stock audio, run the outputs of that into an amp and then run the outputs of the amp back through the speaker wires to those you want to include. You will also need a load sensing adapter as otherwise the stock amp will reduce output when it believes the speakers which are connected (which of course are not anymore as it is "seeing" a DSP).

Then it's a case of upgrading the speaker sets you want to change in the doors or on the parcel shelf.

It's also not cheap but a lot of cash goes into buying all the gear you need depending on what level you go to.

Hey,
Thanks for the lowdown on this, like you i am not impressed with the quality considering its an £80k+ car, i think a Hillman Imp had a better sounding system !!
Being an ex Range Rover owner i have become used to having a proper deep and adjustable sound system, i was horrified when i first got to use whats in the car now, its so limp its untrue. I will definately take your advice onboard, i cannot leave it the way iot is so its going to be a full upgrade and to hell with the cost!
Will update as the works get underway....cheers again !

 

[John]

You will also need a load sensing adapter as otherwise the stock amp will reduce output when it believes the speakers which are connected (which of course are not anymore as it is "seeing" a DSP), are not the correct "load" on the amp which it was expecting.

Hey,
Thanks for the lowdown on this, like you i am not impressed with the quality considering its an £80k+ car, i think a Hillman Imp had a better sounding system !!
Being an ex Range Rover owner i have become used to having a proper deep and adjustable sound system, i was horrified when i first got to use whats in the car now, its so limp its untrue. I will definately take your advice onboard, i cannot leave it the way iot is so its going to be a full upgrade and to hell with the cost!
Will update as the works get underway....cheers again !

There is a higher system than the entry-level Burmester which has more speakers and a more powerful amp but I've not heard this so cannot comment.

As an option, it's rare as you like (I've only seen it in S600s, S65 AMGs and one S500L) in 3 years.

However, I doubt it is a huge improvement over the standard Burmester.

I've also heard the Meridian system in Jaguars which is probably the same one you have heard and I thought it was not bad for a standard system. I would have put up with it anyway.

You don't have to go mad with upgrades but to get any kind of improvement, you do need better speakers and a decent amp really.

 

[Jetbags]

There is a higher system than the entry-level Burmester which has more speakers and a more powerful amp but I've not heard this so cannot comment.

As an option, it's rare as you like (I've only seen it in S600s, S65 AMGs and one S500L) in 3 years.

However, I doubt it is a huge improvement over the standard Burmester.

I've also heard the Meridian system in Jaguars which is probably the same one you have heard and I thought it was not bad for a standard system. I would have put up with it anyway.

You don't have to go mad with upgrades but to get any kind of improvement, you do need better speakers and a decent amp really.

Cheers for the advice, definately looking at new speakers and amp. Car is booked in with an installer in two weeks for a preliminary look at whats available and achievable. I don't want it to be a mobile boom box, but anything is better than whats in there at the moment, it just feels weak and flat no atter how much you adjust the bass/treble/midtones/balance/fade...... etc etc.
Who knows it ight just turn out ok... will update as it gets going. cheers.

 

[John]

Cheers for the advice, definately looking at new speakers and amp. Car is booked in with an installer in two weeks for a preliminary look at whats available and achievable. I don't want it to be a mobile boom box, but anything is better than whats in there at the moment, it just feels weak and flat no atter how much you adjust the bass/treble/midtones/balance/fade...... etc etc.
Who knows it ight just turn out ok... will update as it gets going. cheers.

No, I didn't want to alert the people of Iceland to what I was listening to or to shatter windows / win sound-offs with a crazy SPL install.

I just wanted a good solid sound with plenty of lower and upper frequencies (I love my old R&B amongst other things) and that requires a decent amp chucking out plenty of current and decent speakers.

I'd be embarrassed to put my HiFi name to that crap but I guess they make enough dosh not to care - especially as they don't use branded speakers.

Good luck.