HELP: W124 Benz needs some speaker help

Screwdriva · 20th August 2008, 23:04

If you've seen/ owned a W124 E series (Telco Benz) then you'd notice how relatively small the enclosures are. Yes, I do want to keep the car looking stock, so no cutting away anything

I had my heart set on components for front and back but it turns out that I can only install 4" 2-way speakers in the front. My audio guy recommends Boston brand

In the rear, we will try to fit the Boston 5" Component speakers.

These will be powered by the JVC AVX-44 Head unit with no amp.

Any other suggestions? Is there a better option to go with?

anish9000 · 20th August 2008, 23:29

You can try Rainbow. The W124 has a uncommon size which is 4.75" for the front and rear and cost approx. 10k. I have them in my car powered by an amp and sounds great. You can contact Jasdeep (Autophile) for the same.

speedzak · 20th August 2008, 23:53

If you are very much persistent of keeping the car stock looking, then where're you placing the tweeters?

I'm not that aware of the speaker locations in a Telco Benz. But I assume it was somewhat similar to the 124. Ain't it?
Being a Merc, a good installer will be able to do a great job with some good equipments while maintaining the stock looks. You don't have to restrict yourself to very specific equipments I think.

greenhorn · 21st August 2008, 00:14

where is the install location? dash or door? for a dash mounting , coax's will do beautifully

If you still want to get 4" comps , illusion sells them

Screwdriva · 21st August 2008, 23:32

The speaker housings are on the Dash.Turns out Rainbow isn't available on the mainstream market anymore. Only the more popular brands like JBL and Boston alongwith the usual.Any suggestions on a sub 5" component speaker brand?

nitrous · 22nd August 2008, 00:41

A non-OE setup need not necessarily look bad.
I would suggest you look at a non-stealth 6.5" components in the front . You can have a very elegant (almost stock) looking install by a capable installer. You can paint the speaker grille the same colour as the door pad/fabric.

Using 4"/5" would plainly be a compromise and there is a huge difference in the effect.

anish9000 · 22nd August 2008, 05:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screwdriva

The speaker housings are on the Dash.Turns out Rainbow isn't available on the mainstream market anymore. Only the more popular brands like JBL and Boston alongwith the usual.Any suggestions on a sub 5" component speaker brand?

The rainbow is available in Delhi, got them a month back and BBW is getting for stock of the same. No cutting or screwing is required.

Screwdriva · 22nd August 2008, 09:35

Anish,

If you can give me a phone number, website or some way to get them sourced to Bombay, I'll stall installation of the Boston's that we're planned to be installed tomorrow. Best case would be a dealer in Bombay itself though.

Do they need to be amped or can they run off the head unit just fine?

sk456 · 22nd August 2008, 10:03

You can contact Gunbir on the forum . He and Autophile have soem incredible W124 installs that you could search for in the Sound-off show off section.

sk456 · 22nd August 2008, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by sk456

You can contact Gunbir on the forum . He and Autophile have soem incredible W124 installs that you could search for in the Sound-off show off section.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/sound-...ice-w-i-p.html

navin · 22nd August 2008, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screwdriva

Any suggestions on a sub 5" component speaker brand?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screwdriva

I can only install 4" 2-way speakers in the front..In the rear, we will try to fit the Boston 5" Component speakers.

If you are looking at primarily "mainstream" brands to go with the JVC44 try Infinity. If you are willing to try the "others" try Illusion, Hertz, Rainbow, etc..

Since the W124 does not have tweeter pods you'll have to make do with coax speakers.

gunbir · 22nd August 2008, 13:24

The problem is the W124 uses a 120mm stock speaker which isn't usually available in the American brands.

panky12345 · 22nd August 2008, 13:51

Why dont you try illusion carbon series?

gunbir · 22nd August 2008, 14:18

@ Scewdriva: Something I forgot to mention in my earlier post. The stock 120mm speaker has no screw holes to mount. There are clips in underside of the basket that lock into place. To fit a 4" (100mm) or a 5.25" (130mm) you would have to cut and mod the locations, after which the stock covers may not fit into place. You need a 120mm speaker that was designed to be used in the W124.

Screwdriva · 25th August 2008, 09:08

Allright guys!! Phase 1 complete:

HeadUnit: JVC AVX-44
Front Speakers: Boston 5.25" coaxials
Rear Speakers: Illusion Audio 4.1 Components
Misc: Backup camera + JVC steering remote

My BIGGEST issues is the damn thing won't work with the iphone, other than brilliant Bluetooth syncing. No audio tranfer whatsoever. I'm quite saddened by this! Does anyone have ANY suggestions? Workarounds? HELP!!

Phase 2:
Sub : Something that fits under the First aid storage area, probably an 8" sub
Amp: Not sure of which amp to get but it will probably power the rear components and the sub. Any recommendations?

20th August 2008, 23:04	#1
Screwdriva BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London/ Bombay Posts: 582 Thanked: 527 Times View My Garage	HELP: W124 Benz needs some speaker help If you've seen/ owned a W124 E series (Telco Benz) then you'd notice how relatively small the enclosures are. Yes, I do want to keep the car looking stock, so no cutting away anything I had my heart set on components for front and back but it turns out that I can only install 4" 2-way speakers in the front. My audio guy recommends Boston brand In the rear, we will try to fit the Boston 5" Component speakers. These will be powered by the JVC AVX-44 Head unit with no amp. Any other suggestions? Is there a better option to go with?
	() Thanks

20th August 2008, 23:29	#2
anish9000 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kolkata Posts: 220 Thanked: 19 Times View My Garage	Rainbow You can try Rainbow. The W124 has a uncommon size which is 4.75" for the front and rear and cost approx. 10k. I have them in my car powered by an amp and sounds great. You can contact Jasdeep (Autophile) for the same.
	() Thanks

20th August 2008, 23:53	#3
speedzak BANNED Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: India Posts: 4,347 Thanked: 27 Times	If you are very much persistent of keeping the car stock looking, then where're you placing the tweeters? I'm not that aware of the speaker locations in a Telco Benz. But I assume it was somewhat similar to the 124. Ain't it? Being a Merc, a good installer will be able to do a great job with some good equipments while maintaining the stock looks. You don't have to restrict yourself to very specific equipments I think.
	() Thanks

21st August 2008, 00:14	#4
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,402 Times View My Garage	where is the install location? dash or door? for a dash mounting , coax's will do beautifully If you still want to get 4" comps , illusion sells them
	() Thanks

21st August 2008, 23:32	#5
Screwdriva BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London/ Bombay Posts: 582 Thanked: 527 Times View My Garage	No Rainbow The speaker housings are on the Dash.Turns out Rainbow isn't available on the mainstream market anymore. Only the more popular brands like JBL and Boston alongwith the usual.Any suggestions on a sub 5" component speaker brand?
	() Thanks

22nd August 2008, 00:41	#6
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	A non-OE setup need not necessarily look bad. I would suggest you look at a non-stealth 6.5" components in the front . You can have a very elegant (almost stock) looking install by a capable installer. You can paint the speaker grille the same colour as the door pad/fabric. Using 4"/5" would plainly be a compromise and there is a huge difference in the effect.
	() Thanks

22nd August 2008, 09:35	#8
Screwdriva BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London/ Bombay Posts: 582 Thanked: 527 Times View My Garage	But in Bombay? Anish, If you can give me a phone number, website or some way to get them sourced to Bombay, I'll stall installation of the Boston's that we're planned to be installed tomorrow. Best case would be a dealer in Bombay itself though. Do they need to be amped or can they run off the head unit just fine?
	() Thanks

22nd August 2008, 10:03	#9
sk456 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: @Noida/Gurgaon Posts: 570 Thanked: 7 Times	You can contact Gunbir on the forum . He and Autophile have soem incredible W124 installs that you could search for in the Sound-off show off section.
	() Thanks

22nd August 2008, 13:24	#12
gunbir Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 2,465 Thanked: 32 Times	The problem is the W124 uses a 120mm stock speaker which isn't usually available in the American brands. Last edited by tsk1979 : 22nd August 2008 at 14:19. Reason: reference to rainbow removed. Since you market and sell that, you cannot recommend that
	() Thanks

22nd August 2008, 13:51	#13
panky12345 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 2,697 Thanked: 171 Times	Why dont you try illusion carbon series? Last edited by panky12345 : 22nd August 2008 at 14:11.
	() Thanks

22nd August 2008, 14:18	#14
gunbir Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 2,465 Thanked: 32 Times	@ Scewdriva: Something I forgot to mention in my earlier post. The stock 120mm speaker has no screw holes to mount. There are clips in underside of the basket that lock into place. To fit a 4" (100mm) or a 5.25" (130mm) you would have to cut and mod the locations, after which the stock covers may not fit into place. You need a 120mm speaker that was designed to be used in the W124. Last edited by tsk1979 : 23rd August 2008 at 13:50. Reason: removed mention to panky
	() Thanks

25th August 2008, 09:08	#15
Screwdriva BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London/ Bombay Posts: 582 Thanked: 527 Times View My Garage	Setup Phase 1 Allright guys!! Phase 1 complete: HeadUnit: JVC AVX-44 Front Speakers: Boston 5.25" coaxials Rear Speakers: Illusion Audio 4.1 Components Misc: Backup camera + JVC steering remote My BIGGEST issues is the damn thing won't work with the iphone, other than brilliant Bluetooth syncing. No audio tranfer whatsoever. I'm quite saddened by this! Does anyone have ANY suggestions? Workarounds? HELP!! Phase 2: Sub : Something that fits under the First aid storage area, probably an 8" sub Amp: Not sure of which amp to get but it will probably power the rear components and the sub. Any recommendations?
	() Thanks