Enhancing the audio experience in a 2006 Mercedes Cls 500 Benz can significantly elevate your driving pleasure. While the stock Harman/Kardon LOGIC7 system is decent, upgrading specific components like speakers and subwoofers can lead to a remarkable improvement in sound quality. This guide details a practical speaker and subwoofer upgrade for your CLS 500, focusing on component selection, installation insights, and the resulting audio enhancement.
Many CLS 500 owners find the original audio system lacking in certain aspects, particularly bass clarity and overall sound richness. The factory setup, while branded as high-end, can sound boomy and lack definition, especially at higher volumes. To address these limitations without extensive modifications or sacrificing trunk space, a targeted component upgrade is an effective solution.
For this upgrade, Infinity Kappa 60.7cs 6.5-inch component speakers were chosen for both the front and rear doors. These speakers stand out due to their 2-ohm impedance and high sensitivity of 95dB at 1 watt. This efficiency is crucial because it allows them to extract more power and deliver better performance even from the stock Harman/Kardon amplifier within the LOGIC7 system. High sensitivity means the speakers require less power to produce a given volume level, making them an ideal match for the existing system’s power output.
To complement the upgraded door speakers and address the boomy bass issue, a Pioneer Premier TS-SW1041D 10-inch shallow mount subwoofer was selected as a replacement for the factory subwoofer in the rear deck. This Pioneer subwoofer, with its 4-ohm impedance matching the original subwoofer and a sensitivity of 87dB at 1 watt, provides deeper and tighter bass response without demanding excessive power. The shallow mount design is key, allowing it to fit into the stock subwoofer location, preserving valuable trunk space. A custom, low-profile subwoofer box was fabricated to ensure optimal fitment and acoustic performance within the existing space. This custom enclosure is vital for transforming the raw speaker output into focused, quality bass.
Addressing sound dampening is as important as selecting quality speakers. To minimize unwanted vibrations and road noise that can muddy the sound, Dynamat sound dampening material was installed in both the doors and the rear deck. Dynamat effectively reduces panel resonance and external noise intrusion, creating a cleaner acoustic environment within the car. Investing in sound dampening during a speaker upgrade is highly recommended to fully realize the potential of your new components. It ensures that the speakers’ sound output is clear and undistorted by vehicle vibrations.
The result of this upgrade is a significantly enhanced audio experience in the CLS 500 Benz. The new speaker and subwoofer combination delivers a more refined and balanced sound across various music genres, from rock and jazz to classical. The bass is now tighter and more musical, losing the boominess of the original system. The improved clarity and detail are noticeable whether listening to FM radio, satellite radio, CDs, or digital music sources via an iPod or similar device. The overall sound quality now aligns more closely with what one would expect from a luxury vehicle’s audio system.
While this speaker upgrade greatly improves the audio quality while retaining the stock COMAND head unit, the head unit itself remains a potential future upgrade point. The owner of this CLS 500 is considering replacing the stock COMAND system with a more modern, expandable aftermarket unit. Features desired in a replacement head unit include DVD playback, Bluetooth connectivity, GPS navigation, iPod integration, satellite radio, and HD radio capabilities. Crucially, any aftermarket head unit must be compatible with the CLS 500’s vehicle management systems, steering wheel controls, and fiber optic wiring to ensure seamless integration and maintain vehicle functionality.
In conclusion, upgrading the speakers and subwoofer in a 2006 CLS 500 Benz is a worthwhile investment for audiophiles seeking improved sound quality without extensive modifications. The selected Infinity and Pioneer components, combined with sound dampening, offer a noticeable enhancement in clarity, bass response, and overall musicality, transforming the in-car listening experience to a higher standard.
