ICE gIzzE!! - MBClub UK

sinewave · 10-07-2012, 07:47 PM

Been a bit tied up of late but have finally got round to organising an ICE upgrade.

I'm looking at having an Alpine MRX-V60 installed like Isojet did in a recent thread.

I'm also considering having a Sub fitted as well as despite being in my Forties I still like my Dance music when driving alone!

What dya reckon gIzzE, any recommendations for a Sub, boxed or built in?

I PM'd U but ya inbox is full!

gIzzE · 10-07-2012, 08:35 PM

It depends if you want it concealed or not.

I would consider getting the door cards sound deadened first, especially the rears and then maybe fitting a small 6" mid woofer and using the amps crossovers to give just mid bass to the rears.
You can then up this a little to give a little extra weight.

The Mercs always seem like they will take quite a decent driver, and a few people make mid bass units in 6-7" size.

That way you keep it looking stock and will get down to around 40Hz which will cover most dance stuff.

sinewave · 10-07-2012, 10:50 PM

Yes, I've noticed the enclosed Subs are quite big and would take significant room up even in a boot as big as the S211.

So are you suggesting keeping the 4 stock merc speakers in the doors as is and getting a concealed Mid Woofer fitted in the boot somewhere?

If so, would this require strengthening of a boot side to hold a woofer and would it be best located next to the Comand DVD or is the Audio Gateway there also?

TBH I've not looked too closely at whats in there!

gIzzE · 10-07-2012, 11:31 PM

No, I am suggesting swapping out the rear speakers in the door with some mid bass drivers.

Cross these over from around 120hz down, so just mid bass going to them.
This would allow alot more bass without having any boxes etc. in the rear taking up space.

Have you got the wet box in the boot?
The one that buts up against the back seats?
You could adapt that to take a sub if you want a nice 10" sub fitting.

sinewave · 10-07-2012, 11:38 PM

Ah, with you now!

No, not got anything in the boot at all.

Was initially looking at the Alpine Sub box's below but they do look bit big bar the slimline version which looks OK?

Enclosed Subs From Car Audio Direct

gIzzE · 11-07-2012, 12:17 AM

I think you would get better results with mid bass drivers in rear doors.

sinewave · 11-07-2012, 07:15 PM

Sounds like a plan (excuse the pun)

Next question is what would you recommend to compliment the Alpine amp?

Wouldn't know a good speaker from a average one and would have to go on price alone which I know is no guarantee of a good speaker set, I do have a good 'ear' though!

I'd be grateful if you could include recommendations and links for the fronts also as if i'm going to the expense of having the car in at a local ICE installers changing the fronts also would be a minimal extra labour cost so if prices are not too bad I might go the whole hog.

Cheers in advance!

gIzzE · 11-07-2012, 07:23 PM

Well, I guess it comes down to budget?

Morel are always my faves, but they are not cheap.

DLS always do some fairly good ones at the right price.

For mid bass rears I would guess something like the Earthquake SWS range maybe?
Focal used to make a 6" mid woofer that was great, but no longer so used only.

I think with some well mounted Morels up front, a half decent amp and some mid bass drivers in the rear you would be away.
But what is your budget?

The Alpine MRX-F30 is a pretty good amp, and I am not an Alpine fan, but great value for the sound quality, not as bright as many Alpines.
RRP is around £199, expect to pay around £180.

Speakers?
You could add the amp first and see what you think, it will improve things 10 fold just driving it properly.
I actually think the speakers in the w211 are pretty decent, and unless you mount new ones really well you wont see an advantage.

So do the amp first maybe?

sinewave · 11-07-2012, 07:34 PM

I'd be happy to spend around £5-600 on hardware but having said that I don't actually drive the car that much on my own when the extra grunt can be deployed so might juts do as you suggest and get the amp only fitted and see how I go.

I assume that the FX-30 will interface OK with the Audio Gateway and the only downside with this amp over the MRX V-60 is power and the lack of expansion for a Sub if I so chose at a later date?

bolide · 11-07-2012, 07:45 PM

If you have a saloon or coupe then a couple of subs mounted "free air"in the rear parcel shelf can work really well. No box needed as they use the boot as an enclosure

With an estate your options are limited. A very slim full-width wedge-shaped box sitting against the back seat is the way I'd go

Nick Froome

sinewave · 11-07-2012, 07:46 PM

Yes, it's an Estate Nick.

sinewave · 17-07-2012, 07:01 PM

Another question for you gIzzE!

Got the car booked in this Friday for the upgrade and have gone for a 4 channel amp as the Pioneer flat sub I've chosen has it's own amp.

Just realised that the Car has a centre dashboard mounted speaker?

Is this OK with a 4 channel amp or will this require a 5 channel amp?

gIzzE · 17-07-2012, 07:17 PM

OK with a 4 channel amp, it runs off the front left and right channels.

I am not sure about the sub though, some decent units in the rear doors would sound better I reckon.
I tried the Pioneer flat sub in the Toyota Aygo we had, seemed a bit mid bass to me and being that far back didn't help.

In the Merc it may sound far better though?

sinewave · 17-07-2012, 07:39 PM

OK, that's good then.

Will report back when completed!

sinewave · 17-07-2012, 08:02 PM

As a matter of interest gIzzE what are the sizes of W/S211 door speakers?

Are they the same front and rear?

Ta muchly!

10-07-2012, 07:47 PM	#1
sinewave Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Cheshire Car: E320 CDi Sport Estate Posts: 1,387	ICE gIzzE!! Been a bit tied up of late but have finally got round to organising an ICE upgrade. I'm looking at having an Alpine MRX-V60 installed like Isojet did in a recent thread. I'm also considering having a Sub fitted as well as despite being in my Forties I still like my Dance music when driving alone! What dya reckon gIzzE, any recommendations for a Sub, boxed or built in? I PM'd U but ya inbox is full!

10-07-2012, 08:35 PM	#2
gIzzE Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2004 Car: S203 220cdi estate Posts: 2,943	It depends if you want it concealed or not. I would consider getting the door cards sound deadened first, especially the rears and then maybe fitting a small 6" mid woofer and using the amps crossovers to give just mid bass to the rears. You can then up this a little to give a little extra weight. The Mercs always seem like they will take quite a decent driver, and a few people make mid bass units in 6-7" size. That way you keep it looking stock and will get down to around 40Hz which will cover most dance stuff.

10-07-2012, 10:50 PM	#3
sinewave Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Cheshire Car: E320 CDi Sport Estate Posts: 1,387	Yes, I've noticed the enclosed Subs are quite big and would take significant room up even in a boot as big as the S211. So are you suggesting keeping the 4 stock merc speakers in the doors as is and getting a concealed Mid Woofer fitted in the boot somewhere? If so, would this require strengthening of a boot side to hold a woofer and would it be best located next to the Comand DVD or is the Audio Gateway there also? TBH I've not looked too closely at whats in there!

10-07-2012, 11:31 PM	#4
gIzzE Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2004 Car: S203 220cdi estate Posts: 2,943	No, I am suggesting swapping out the rear speakers in the door with some mid bass drivers. Cross these over from around 120hz down, so just mid bass going to them. This would allow alot more bass without having any boxes etc. in the rear taking up space. Have you got the wet box in the boot? The one that buts up against the back seats? You could adapt that to take a sub if you want a nice 10" sub fitting.

10-07-2012, 11:38 PM	#5
sinewave Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Cheshire Car: E320 CDi Sport Estate Posts: 1,387	Ah, with you now! No, not got anything in the boot at all. Was initially looking at the Alpine Sub box's below but they do look bit big bar the slimline version which looks OK? Enclosed Subs From Car Audio Direct

11-07-2012, 12:17 AM	#6
gIzzE Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2004 Car: S203 220cdi estate Posts: 2,943	I think you would get better results with mid bass drivers in rear doors.

11-07-2012, 07:15 PM	#7
sinewave Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Cheshire Car: E320 CDi Sport Estate Posts: 1,387	Sounds like a plan (excuse the pun) Next question is what would you recommend to compliment the Alpine amp? Wouldn't know a good speaker from a average one and would have to go on price alone which I know is no guarantee of a good speaker set, I do have a good 'ear' though! I'd be grateful if you could include recommendations and links for the fronts also as if i'm going to the expense of having the car in at a local ICE installers changing the fronts also would be a minimal extra labour cost so if prices are not too bad I might go the whole hog. Cheers in advance!

11-07-2012, 07:23 PM	#8
gIzzE Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2004 Car: S203 220cdi estate Posts: 2,943	Well, I guess it comes down to budget? Morel are always my faves, but they are not cheap. DLS always do some fairly good ones at the right price. For mid bass rears I would guess something like the Earthquake SWS range maybe? Focal used to make a 6" mid woofer that was great, but no longer so used only. I think with some well mounted Morels up front, a half decent amp and some mid bass drivers in the rear you would be away. But what is your budget? The Alpine MRX-F30 is a pretty good amp, and I am not an Alpine fan, but great value for the sound quality, not as bright as many Alpines. RRP is around £199, expect to pay around £180. Speakers? You could add the amp first and see what you think, it will improve things 10 fold just driving it properly. I actually think the speakers in the w211 are pretty decent, and unless you mount new ones really well you wont see an advantage. So do the amp first maybe?

11-07-2012, 07:34 PM	#9
sinewave Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Cheshire Car: E320 CDi Sport Estate Posts: 1,387	I'd be happy to spend around £5-600 on hardware but having said that I don't actually drive the car that much on my own when the extra grunt can be deployed so might juts do as you suggest and get the amp only fitted and see how I go. I assume that the FX-30 will interface OK with the Audio Gateway and the only downside with this amp over the MRX V-60 is power and the lack of expansion for a Sub if I so chose at a later date?

11-07-2012, 07:45 PM	#10
bolide Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brighton Car: BMW E39 525 Diesel Touring Posts: 3,045	If you have a saloon or coupe then a couple of subs mounted "free air"in the rear parcel shelf can work really well. No box needed as they use the boot as an enclosure With an estate your options are limited. A very slim full-width wedge-shaped box sitting against the back seat is the way I'd go Nick Froome

11-07-2012, 07:46 PM	#11
sinewave Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Cheshire Car: E320 CDi Sport Estate Posts: 1,387	Yes, it's an Estate Nick.

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17-07-2012, 07:01 PM	#12
sinewave Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Cheshire Car: E320 CDi Sport Estate Posts: 1,387	Another question for you gIzzE! Got the car booked in this Friday for the upgrade and have gone for a 4 channel amp as the Pioneer flat sub I've chosen has it's own amp. Just realised that the Car has a centre dashboard mounted speaker? Is this OK with a 4 channel amp or will this require a 5 channel amp?

17-07-2012, 07:17 PM	#13
gIzzE Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2004 Car: S203 220cdi estate Posts: 2,943	OK with a 4 channel amp, it runs off the front left and right channels. I am not sure about the sub though, some decent units in the rear doors would sound better I reckon. I tried the Pioneer flat sub in the Toyota Aygo we had, seemed a bit mid bass to me and being that far back didn't help. In the Merc it may sound far better though?

17-07-2012, 07:39 PM	#14
sinewave Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Cheshire Car: E320 CDi Sport Estate Posts: 1,387	OK, that's good then. Will report back when completed!

17-07-2012, 08:02 PM	#15
sinewave Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Cheshire Car: E320 CDi Sport Estate Posts: 1,387	As a matter of interest gIzzE what are the sizes of W/S211 door speakers? Are they the same front and rear? Ta muchly!