2004 CLK55 AMG - Factory Bose Locations

[jimmyp11]

Hi, just purchased a 2004 CLK55. Awesome vehicle. I wanted to replace the factory "stereo". I have read the threads of people doing this, but needed a bit more info. Can someone tell me on the factory bose with sub system - where are the bose amps located? Are there two or one? One for speakers and one for the sub? Also as a phased approach can I replace the headunit with the Metra Amplifier Integration Harness for Landrover & Mercedes - 701786 and keep using the factory amp until I have time to replace it also. I see different info on the input to the factory amp being "fiber" or just plain old line level inputs that the harness provides. Any help would be greatly appreciated as a new clk55 owner Thanks jim

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[MarcusF]

There are a lot of threads on HU swaps. This thread may help - After market head unit RCA line out to speaker wire bose amp

This too.

When I pulled my head unit the only fiber connection was to the CD changer. You may to check yours. It only takes a few minutes to look. Make sure you have the radio code before you start.

[jimmyp11]

Great info. Can you provide the Amp location?

[jimmyp11]

Does anyone have the Factory Amp pinout - as in the speaker outs. I would like to reuse the factory speaker wire with a new amp


Thanks

[MarcusF]

Originally Posted by jimmyp11

Does anyone have the Factory Amp pinout - as in the speaker outs. I would like to reuse the factory speaker wire with a new amp


Thanks

I'm not a hi-fi expert, so I could have this wrong, but regarding the pinouts, isn't that what the wiring harness adapter does? Crutchfield gave me one (free with the head unit), so they can't be very expensive.

RE the amp locations, your car is a W209. Mine is a W208. The Bose amps may be in different locations. I used an OEM2 and kept the Bose amps, so it doesn't matter where they are. Also, isn't one of Bose's claim to fame that they use of one amp for each speaker? Or does Bose use a different technology for MB than they do for other manufacturers?

[jimmyp11]

The harness adapter gets you from the HU to the amp. I need the pinout from the amp to the speakers. I want to replace the amp with a new one.

Typically amps are multichannel - one channel per speaker. 2 and 4 is common. So there may be two amps, one 4 channel for the front and rear. And one mono amp for the sub. Or it could be just one 5 channel amp. Thats what I need a CLK55 expert to chime in on.

jim