Author Topic: stereo kick panel speakers  (Read 13168 times)

w113NY

  • Guest
stereo kick panel speakers
« on: July 24, 2013, 21:43:31 »
Any advise as to which modern speakers fit/mount properly into the original 4 inch kick panel enclosures offered on the later 113's? I don't expect perfect sound but would like to achieve the best possible sound solution while keeping the car original.

rjmarco

  • Associate Member
  • Senior
  • ***
  • USA, CA, Alamo
  • Posts: 178
Re: stereo kick panel speakers
« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2013, 00:21:35 »
I had a sound system added to my 230 SL recently.  Can't say how it's worked out since the car is still getting some other work done in the custom shop.  I had the front and rear speakers replaced and I believe the parts were:  JL Audio C2650CXI (rear?) and C2400CXI (front?).  Not really sure which is which.  I believe some trimming was required to fit the new speakers. 

My project also included a new amp which is bluetooth capable.  I kept the original Becker radio but with the new work it will only play thru the upper dashboard speaker. 

Hope this helps. 
Rich
Alamo, CA

w113NY

  • Guest
Re: stereo kick panel speakers
« Reply #2 on: July 25, 2013, 01:51:13 »
I don't think that's what I'm looking for but thanks for trying to help

franjo_66

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • Australia, NSW, Point Piper
  • Posts: 458
Re: stereo kick panel speakers
« Reply #3 on: July 25, 2013, 07:56:30 »
I remember that George from Authentic Classics (one of our listed suppliers - http://www.authenticclassics.com) used to carry brand new original speakers for the kick panels.

Rgds
Franjo

Franjo

1965 230SL Black/Auto/RHD
2005 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
1983 BMW 735i
1986 560 SEC
1991 500SL
1982 Holden Statesman DeVille

w113NY

  • Guest
Re: stereo kick panel speakers
« Reply #4 on: July 25, 2013, 13:09:12 »
Thanks very much for your answer. Becker also sells those I think. Was just wondering if there was some new modern speaker set that would have better sound. Thx again

mmizesko

  • Pagoda SL Board
  • Gold
  • *****
  • USA, OH, New Albany
  • Posts: 994
Re: stereo kick panel speakers
« Reply #5 on: July 25, 2013, 19:32:14 »
I just tried putting a set of 20W Boss 4" speakers into the Kickpanel mounts on my 1970 280SL.  The speaker magnets were too large and almost touched the steel fender panel, and they also distorted, as the volume needed to be higher on my Becker Europa 2 which only puts out 7w per side.  I finally caved and called Becker Audio in NJ (Tom) and got the stock speakers made in Germany ($100 per pair, for speakers only, not the black housings).  They are much better, fit better, and sound great with the radio.  If you want to stay pedigree with the car, This is the best way to go, after my research and trial and error.  Some folks are putting amps in the trunk and modern speakers, but I chose to stay as close to spec as possible.  I bought the 3.5 mm jack that plugs into the DIN 7 connector in the back of the radio, but the volume is low when I plug in my MP3 player. So distorts when I turn the volume up to 80+%.  Not sure how to address.  Good Luck.
1970 280SL 291H Dark Olive

Larry & Norma

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • United Kingdom, England, Southampton
  • Posts: 1090
Re: stereo kick panel speakers
« Reply #6 on: July 26, 2013, 07:03:42 »
mmizesko, the MP3 cable you bought will have two resistors in it, one for each stereo channel.
They may be too high a value which will decrease volume. I find 4k7 Ohms (4700) gives
good volume in most cases.
Larry Hall (Gnuface)
2023 Ioniq6
2005 C230
1970 280SL

Rick007

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • Netherlands, Noord-Brabant, Breda
  • Posts: 251
  • 250 sl silver/red
Re: stereo kick panel speakers
« Reply #7 on: July 26, 2013, 07:40:24 »
I have been wundering for some time now in how to get some nice stereo sound in my car , without altering the classic and original look  .. And then i stumbeled on to this :   https://jawbone.com/speakers/bigjambox/overview

RICK007
'67 MB 250SL

66andBlue

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Solana Beach
  • Posts: 4734
Re: stereo kick panel speakers
« Reply #8 on: July 27, 2013, 18:15:22 »
...  If you want to stay pedigree with the car, This is the best way to go, ....
Especially if the stereo speakers are placed in the correct location as shown here:
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Radio - scan down to STEREO Installations Instructions.
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

scoot

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Altadena
  • Posts: 2355
Re: stereo kick panel speakers
« Reply #9 on: July 28, 2013, 17:46:25 »
My 2 cents:  Pinstripe Becker radios sound like crap with modern speakers designed for more watts.  And they sound great with the speakers like Becker NJ sells.   They are _never_ going to sound like a modern stereo but there you have it.

Or you can go with a becker with a separate amplifier and wire in a different amplifier that will power anything you want.   You have to figure out the wiring but I think the pinout is posted in the technical manual...
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

Flyair

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Poland, Mazowieckie, Konstancin Jeziorna
  • Posts: 1920
Re: stereo kick panel speakers
« Reply #10 on: July 28, 2013, 19:50:09 »
Like Rick 007, I opted for a mobile solution (iPhone + Bose Soundlink Mini). It would not equal the modern radio+ampli+dedicated speakers, but it allows enjoying music with decent quality of sound and has the advantage to  go with you if you want it somewhere else. It also let you keep the original Becker set unaltered.

I run some comparison test and found the Bose unit amazing vs others, given its size. Have a look at:
http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/digital_music_systems/bluetooth_speakers/soundlink_mini/index.jsp&intcmp=HPPANEL2
Stan
1971 280SL
2011 SL550 AMG
2011 GL
2015 GLA

w113NY

  • Guest
Re: stereo kick panel speakers
« Reply #11 on: July 31, 2013, 20:04:29 »
Thanks for all the great advice. Will prob opt for the Becker sourced speakers. I am still waiting on a high end USA made/based mobile audio firm to get back. They have told me their speakers will offer superior sound irrespective of the low power output from the becker Grand Prix stereo system/head unit in the car. I will report back if any real progress

benz55

  • Vendor
  • Junior Level
  • *
  • USA, NY, Staten Island
  • Posts: 31
Re: stereo kick panel speakers
« Reply #12 on: August 01, 2013, 15:12:02 »
Authentic Classics shows the original type speakers in stock:

http://www.authenticclassics.com/Mercedes-Footwell-Speaker-For-Stereo-p/auth-003668.htm
1966 230SL / 4 Speed / Black / Black MB-Tex

71Beige280SL

  • Associate Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, OH, Madeira
  • Posts: 365
  • 1971 280 SL
Re: stereo kick panel speakers
« Reply #13 on: August 01, 2013, 15:33:44 »
I bought four of the Becker speakers. They are excellent.
- 1971 280SL Beige/Cognac Leather
- 2024 Mercedes GLE 350
- 2024 AMG C43 Sedan

DaveB

  • Full Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • Australia, Western Australia, Lathlain
  • Posts: 953
Re: stereo kick panel speakers
« Reply #14 on: August 01, 2013, 21:57:08 »
Do you mean "I have the original type speakers in stock"?
Your business is well-regarded by members here including me and there's nothing wrong with advertising your stock, in the appropriate place. But not surreptitiously.
If you are not Authentic Classics I apologise, please disregard.

Authentic Classics shows the original type speakers in stock:

http://www.authenticclassics.com/Mercedes-Footwell-Speaker-For-Stereo-p/auth-003668.htm
DaveB
'65 US 230sl 4-speed, DB190

Peter van Es

  • Honorary Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Netherlands, North Holland, Nederhorst Den Berg
  • Posts: 4070
Re: stereo kick panel speakers
« Reply #15 on: August 02, 2013, 10:43:58 »
I've changed benz55's status to vendor, as that is indeed what he is. Benz55, please post items in the Commercial forum  from now on. You now have access rights there.

Peter
1970 280SL. System Admin of the site. Please do not mail or PM me questions on Pagoda's... I'm not likely to know the answer.  Please post on the forum instead!

benz55

  • Vendor
  • Junior Level
  • *
  • USA, NY, Staten Island
  • Posts: 31
Re: stereo kick panel speakers
« Reply #16 on: August 07, 2013, 01:35:30 »
Dave, Please accept my apologies, the post should have read "I have the speakers'

George

Benz55
1966 230SL / 4 Speed / Black / Black MB-Tex

benz55

  • Vendor
  • Junior Level
  • *
  • USA, NY, Staten Island
  • Posts: 31
Re: stereo kick panel speakers
« Reply #17 on: August 07, 2013, 01:39:04 »
Peter,

Thank you, from now on I will post in the appropriate section.

George

Benx55
1966 230SL / 4 Speed / Black / Black MB-Tex

DaveB

  • Full Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • Australia, Western Australia, Lathlain
  • Posts: 953
Re: stereo kick panel speakers
« Reply #18 on: August 08, 2013, 09:07:33 »
Dave, Please accept my apologies, the post should have read "I have the speakers'

George

Benz55

Thanks for posting that.
Dave
DaveB
'65 US 230sl 4-speed, DB190