For owners of a 2006 Mercedes CLS 500 looking to enhance their driving experience, upgrading the audio system can make a significant difference. While the CLS 500 is known for its luxury and performance, the standard audio system can often leave audiophiles wanting more. This article explores a practical and effective speaker and subwoofer upgrade that dramatically improves sound quality without requiring extensive modifications to your 2006 Mercedes CLS 500.
Many 2006 Mercedes CLS 500 owners find the factory sound system lacking in clarity and bass response. A common complaint revolves around the boomy and undefined bass from the original subwoofer. To address these issues, a strategic speaker and subwoofer replacement can deliver a richer, more balanced, and enjoyable audio experience.
Component Speaker Upgrade for Enhanced Clarity
To start, upgrading the component speakers is crucial for improving audio clarity across all frequencies in your 2006 Mercedes CLS 500. For this upgrade, Infinity Kappa 60.7cs 6.5-inch component speakers were selected for both the front and rear doors. These speakers are an excellent choice for several reasons:
- Size Compatibility: The 6.5-inch size is a direct fit for the factory speaker locations in the 2006 Mercedes CLS 500 doors, simplifying installation.
- Efficiency: Being 2-ohm speakers with a high sensitivity of 95dB, they are highly efficient and work exceptionally well with the stock Harman/Kardon LOGIC7 COMAND audio system in the 2006 Mercedes CLS 500. This means they produce more volume and detail with the existing amplifier power.
By replacing the factory speakers with these high-quality Infinity components, you’ll notice a significant improvement in the clarity of vocals, instruments, and overall sound staging within your 2006 Mercedes CLS 500.
Subwoofer Upgrade for Tighter, Musical Bass
Addressing the lackluster bass of the original system in the 2006 Mercedes CLS 500 requires a subwoofer upgrade. A Pioneer Premier TS-SW1041D 10-inch shallow mount subwoofer was chosen as a replacement. This subwoofer offers several advantages for 2006 Mercedes CLS 500 owners:
- Shallow Mount Design: The shallow mount design is critical for fitting into the rear deck of the 2006 Mercedes CLS 500 without sacrificing valuable trunk space. A custom low-profile enclosure can be fabricated to ensure a perfect fit in the original subwoofer location.
- Impedance and Sensitivity: The 4-ohm impedance matches the factory subwoofer, and the 87dB sensitivity ensures it produces deep bass even with the stock amplifier power.
- Improved Bass Quality: Unlike the boomy 12-inch factory subwoofer, this 10-inch Pioneer subwoofer delivers tighter, more musical bass that complements a wider range of music genres. It provides a solid bass foundation without overpowering the rest of the audio spectrum in your 2006 Mercedes CLS 500.
For those who appreciate musicality and sound coherence, this subwoofer upgrade transforms the bass response in the 2006 Mercedes CLS 500 into a more refined and enjoyable listening experience.
Sound Dampening for Optimal Audio Performance
To maximize the benefits of the new speakers and subwoofer in your 2006 Mercedes CLS 500, sound dampening is highly recommended. Dynamat was installed in both doors and the rear deck of the 2006 Mercedes CLS 500 to address several issues:
- Reduced Road Noise: Dynamat effectively minimizes external road noise, allowing you to hear your music more clearly, especially at highway speeds in your 2006 Mercedes CLS 500.
- Vibration Reduction: It eliminates spurious vibrations in the doors and rear deck, preventing unwanted rattling and distortion, resulting in cleaner and more accurate sound reproduction.
- Enhanced Speaker Performance: By creating a more solid and acoustically inert environment for the speakers, Dynamat helps them perform at their best, delivering improved mid-bass response and overall clarity within the 2006 Mercedes CLS 500.
Investing in sound dampening material during a speaker upgrade is a worthwhile step to ensure you get the most out of your new audio components in your 2006 Mercedes CLS 500.
The Result: A Premium Audio Experience in Your 2006 Mercedes CLS 500
The combination of Infinity component speakers, a Pioneer shallow mount subwoofer, and Dynamat sound dampening transforms the audio system in a 2006 Mercedes CLS 500 into something truly impressive. Even utilizing the stock COMAND head unit, the sound quality is significantly elevated, rivaling systems found in higher-end luxury vehicles.
Whether listening to FM radio, satellite radio, CDs, or digital music sources in your 2006 Mercedes CLS 500, the improvement is immediately noticeable. From rock to jazz to classical, all music genres are reproduced with greater clarity, detail, and a more satisfying bass presence.
While the stock COMAND head unit remains functional, those seeking even more features like DVD playback, Bluetooth connectivity, GPS navigation, iPod integration, satellite radio, and HD radio for their 2006 Mercedes CLS 500 might consider exploring aftermarket head unit options that retain compatibility with the car’s systems and steering wheel controls.
Upgrade Costs and Component Information
For 2006 Mercedes CLS 500 owners interested in replicating this audio upgrade, here’s a breakdown of the components and approximate costs:
- Infinity Kappa 60.7cs Component Speakers: ~$150 per pair (two pairs needed for front and rear)
- Pioneer Premier TS-SW1041D Subwoofer: ~$110
- Dynamat Sound Dampening Material: (Cost varies depending on coverage)
- Custom Subwoofer Enclosure & Installation: (Labor costs vary)
The total cost for this comprehensive audio upgrade for your 2006 Mercedes CLS 500, including speakers, subwoofer, sound dampening, custom enclosure, and professional installation, amounted to approximately $1,300. This investment delivers a significant improvement in audio enjoyment and enhances the overall luxury experience of driving a 2006 Mercedes CLS 500.
