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814 ACTIVE BASS LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM
- Thread starter 195910
- Start date
The "sound system" is a full amplifier and speaker sound system that receives line level audio from the radio system, while the "active bass" is a normal radio system with add-on front door woofers having a separate amplifier. It consists of additional woofers in the front doors which are powered by a separate amplifier in the trunk. It is otherwise a normal radio system with the rest of the speakers powered by the radio chassis in the usual manner. The bass amplifier gets its audio signal from the normal analog speaker output. On vehicles with a fader knob, I think it is wired to the center of the fader. The amplifier gets a turn on signal in the same manner as the antenna and the sound system stereo amps in a "sound system" equipped vehicle.
Do note that the door speakers in "sound system" and "active bass" equipped vehicles differ greatly in electro-acoustic properties and impedance so much so that they cannot be intermixed with, be replaced by, or replace the door speakers of a "sound system" equipped vehicle. Sometimes you can tell them apart easily enough because the "sound system" door speakers are open behind the drivers and vented to the interior of the door, while the "active bass" woofers are sealed to the inside of the door, but have a tuning port on the bottom. In general, they were pretty appalling, often being overbearing and loud compared to the rest of the radio system, especially if you like louder volume levels. These can be tamed by selective insertion of 300 to 500 ohms of resistance in the left and right audio input lines for the amplifier.
Do note that the door speakers in "sound system" and "active bass" equipped vehicles differ greatly in electro-acoustic properties and impedance so much so that they cannot be intermixed with, be replaced by, or replace the door speakers of a "sound system" equipped vehicle. Sometimes you can tell them apart easily enough because the "sound system" door speakers are open behind the drivers and vented to the interior of the door, while the "active bass" woofers are sealed to the inside of the door, but have a tuning port on the bottom. In general, they were pretty appalling, often being overbearing and loud compared to the rest of the radio system, especially if you like louder volume levels. These can be tamed by selective insertion of 300 to 500 ohms of resistance in the left and right audio input lines for the amplifier.
Excellent write up! Further info for easy differentiation: the sound system has 2 silver amplifiers, aktiv bass one black amplifier with cooling fins all around. The input for the aktiv bass (high level input) comes from the front speaker outputs before the fader controller. Further should be the rear speakers differe (3way for sound system and single for aktiv bass (but here I m jot 100% sure)
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It's rather like discussing the difference between 8-tracks and cassettes, IMO. Or for that matter, between dinosaurs and wooly mammoths.
maw
P.S. To date, gutting and modernizing the stereo system on my '92 remains some of the best money I've spent on the car. A rebuilt transmission with FGS, engine mounts and lower harness are next. But I simply would not drive the car with those antique audio bits. Couldn't happen for me.
maw
P.S. To date, gutting and modernizing the stereo system on my '92 remains some of the best money I've spent on the car. A rebuilt transmission with FGS, engine mounts and lower harness are next. But I simply would not drive the car with those antique audio bits. Couldn't happen for me.
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True. I swapped my audio stuff to new speakers (MacAudio front and rear, no door card speakers), a good Pioneer headunit (DEH-80PRS), a small Pioneer amp (GM-D1004) and an Infinity Basslink T in the trunk. The Basslink is controlled via a knob in the cabin, so I can adjust bass level depending on music. This sounds way way better than the original Mercedes/Becker Special that sat in my car.
However! One should remember that the old radio equipment in our cars are... old. Not by technical means only, but by age. When I tried the NOS Mercedes-Benz Exquisit that I bought some years back, I was astounded by how good it sounded. The quality of those units where really top notch. But age, heat, cold and wear has made the equipment, 20 plus years they sat in our cars, worn out basically.
I am aware of the issue, the W124 in general don't have a really good sound system even those with the 810 Bose system. The best sound system I have experienced was in our previous 1994 S600 with 12 speaker BOSE sound system. The Bass, frequency and channel distribution, clarity was the most advance I have ever heard in a car. The sound in the newer Harmon Kardon systems is no match.
My new acquisition has 814 and a period correct Blaupunkt radio, not sure if this was a client option but in all cases a Becker Mexico 2000 would be easily obtainable.
I will probably start a new thread for the car..
My new acquisition has 814 and a period correct Blaupunkt radio, not sure if this was a client option but in all cases a Becker Mexico 2000 would be easily obtainable.
I will probably start a new thread for the car..
