You are here: Forums SUVs Mercedes-Benz GL Class Mercedes-Benz GL Class Audio

Mercedes-Benz GL Class Audio

3 messages,  Last post on Jan 26, 2009 at 4:37 PM

You are in the Mercedes-Benz GL Class Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

Messages Page 1 of 1 All Messages Displayed

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#1 of 3 09 GL 450 audio by missing_pgh Jan 08, 2009 (10:48 am)
I am not impressed with the sound system in my 09 GL 450 and the longer I listen, the more I wonder if this is just the way it is or if something is wrong. Despite adjusting all the [limited] options for customizing the sound (tone, balance, Logic7 on/off), I can't get that enveloping sound stage that most other vehicles in this class (and frankly vehicles several classes down) provide. FM radio, cds and iPod sound just ok, nothing special. The sound quality of the Sirius satellite radio is particularly bad. The compression is so audible it's comparable to listening to AM radio. I tried a couple of DVD-Audio discs - one plays and sounds just like any other CD. The other seems to *think* it's playing based on the screen showing progress through the tracks, but no sound comes out of the speakers. Both discs play fine in my home DVD-A compatible player (Oppo). I've owned Saturn, Ford, Toyota, and VW and the GL 450 doesn't sound better than any of them - in fact, the 04 VW Passat and the 94 Ford Mustang sounded much better. I just sat in a friend's 08 Sequoia and the audio was like a concert hall compared to the GL. That's just not right... Having said all of this, I can't imagine the whole sound system being faulty. Maybe something in the guts of the COMAND unit, the amp, ???? Or maybe this is just the way it is.... For others who own the GL class, does the sound system blow you away or is it just adequate?
#3 of 3 Mystery by lashman81 Jan 26, 2009 (4:37 pm)
There must be a problem with the internal wiring/installation of your system.I have the Harmon Kardon setup and it is really superb. Yes there are some things that could be done better but the nuts and bolts of the system are solid. I have an audiophile grade home system which I use as a basis of comparison for the GL's sound quality. The GL falls short but competes very well with the automotive class of sound system. I would return to the dealer and listen to another system in a different GL to determine if the defects you hear are systemic across several like audio systems or peculiar to yours. I have found the Harmon Kardon setup to be superior to the Bose systems of previous Mercedes.

Messages Page 1 of 1 All Messages Displayed

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums SUVs Mercedes-Benz GL Class Mercedes-Benz GL Class Audio