Speaker upgrade in our L200 or not?

[james6546]

I’ve ended up driving the L200 more than the Merc at the moment as I don’t really like it.

The standard stereo in it actually sounds really nice, nice and warm, but it distorts way earlier than I’d like when you turn the volume up.

I’ve added a small alpine sub behind the seats which has allowed me to turn the bass down which has helped.

I noticed the speakers are the really really cheap paper cone types, if I replace these will it make anything sound better, or would I need to go down the amp route too? I don’t want to change the way the audio sounds particularly, just have less distortion.

I’m just asking as in the past I’ve changed the speakers in stuff, then wished I’d not wasted the money.

[james6546]

It has this head unit in, which doesn’t have any pre-outs

[Mammasaid]

What age? I did notice that one our Series 5s that the sound distorted very early. As they were leases wasn't able to do anything about it, however we purchased our last one. so there's room for improvement.

I'd be interested if you find anything out.

Edit, just seen your pic, so Series 5 (2015-2019)

Edited by Mammasaid on Wednesday 6th March 08:33

[james6546]

Mammasaid said:

What age? I did notice that one our Series 5s that the sound distorted very early. As they were leases wasn't able to do anything about it, however we purchased our last one. so there's room for improvement.

I'd be interested if you find anything out.

Edit, just seen your pic, so Series 5 (2015-2019)

Edited by Mammasaid on Wednesday 6th March 08:33

I’d recommend fitting a sub behind the seats. I fitted a small space saving alpine one which takes a speaker line feed and as it only pulls low amps can run from the internal 12v system so doesn’t need wiring all the way to the battery.

It was a bit of a pain to fit though as the speaker wires change colour when they enter the door so tracing them is a bit of a headache! I took the 12v signal feed from the chavvy blue lights as it was nice and easy to join into without cutting wires.

[defblade]

It depends on whether the distortion is because of clipping from the head unit - where the volume control allows you to turn the volume past where its internal amplifier can cope, so producing square waves at the limits (which kills speakers very quickly... ironically the cheap crappy OE ones last better than decent quality sensitive ones with this); or just down to the cheap crappy OE speakers and their mounting.

My advice would be first off to take the OE speaker locations apart and sound deaden everything behind/around the speakers, cover as many holes in the door skins etc as you can, and make sure the OE speakers are sealed into their locations properly. You'd be doing this anyway if you want better Sound Quality, so nothing to lose by trying it first off. It might just make the difference without going much further.

Then find out where the HU starts clipping - play a 1kHz test tone through it starting at zero volume and increasing until it suddenly takes on a harsh, metallic, edge. This will be clipping. Don't turn the HU up past that volume ever again. If it's loud enough for you below the clipping point, then consider nicer speakers. If it's not, time for an amp (and nicer speakers ).