Hi All,

I have a 2004 E320 with Harman Kardon system. I have noticed that when I listen to talk radio, and especially a male voice, there is distortion heard in the speakers.

This distortion happens at the trailing edge of each word.. (it is heard like sound coming out of a broken speaker).

After much tests and uprevs of software, the dealer told me that there is nothing much that he can do as this is a design problem. I also found the same problem in about two 2004 E320s that I picked at random that had HK speakers in the dealer's lot.

Usaully, I hear most stuff with High Bass and High Treble settings and this distortion is there constantly and is vey annoying. Now, for AM radio I have turned the bass & treble settings to the lowest possible and still hear the distortion faintly.

I just want to know if this is something anybody has experienced in 2004 E320s

- Naren

 

I have bealt with this problem and have found it to be in the center speaker. I buzzes at approx 500 to 750 hz. Adjusting the bass works below these freq and the treble works above it. This is the midrange. The fix would be to raise the crossover point of the center channel speaker to about 850 hz. That adjustment is not possible. It is all in the control unit and not adjustable.

 

I have had the same experience in my 04 320. This is very disturbing in that it sounds like a blown speaker - or in the least very poor quality speakers. When I'm due for service, I plan to have the dealer look at it.

 

The shop foreman at the dealer also told something similar to what "benztech" said.

There is no replacement part available for this problem except for Mercedes Benz to just redesign these cross-overs and the dealer should be able to fix the audio gateway with the modified cross-overs.

The shop foreman also mentioned - now that I have gone in with this problem, he has noticed this with almost every 2004 E 320 Harman Kardon that comes in for service. In most cases, the car was in for regaulr service and the owners did not mention about the distortion.

I have already complained about this to Mercedes Benz and am waiting to see what will come out of it. I don't think anything will happen unless a lot of people complain.

- Naren

 

You guys seem to have "radio-knowledge". I recently purchased a 1998 E320 with the Bose system. It is great except for the AM radio. It has terrible static, almost like a short? in the antenna or wire or something. FM and weather band are fine. Any ideas? I cant get my beloved St. Lois Cardinal games.....!

thanks,
Debbie

 

I've just acquired a 2004 C240 4 Matic. The rear 2 door speakers provide a lot of distortion, almost like they're blown. they are not however and the problem is not constant. I hate to have techs go digging in the doors and do potentially cosmetic damage to come up empty handed. Ideas?

Mike

 

In reply to DEBBER - In one of the c-pillar covers (think driver side) there is what we call an antenna amplifier. It should be green in color but can be tan too. It a a somewhat common failure that will cause problems in all stations but primarily the AM stations

 

In reply to just320- I believe that the center channel speaker is the source of the problem. There were also numerous problems with the audio gateway/audio amp and a few dtb's to establish a better ground on the painted surface. Static in the system can also be caused by a damaged MOST fiber-optic wire but chances are just the center speaker.