Alpine Plug and Play Audio Upgrade System

[Al Bondigaz]

Hey folks,

I’m pondering an Audio upgrade on my 2021 Hymer Grand Canyon S Sprinter 907.

I’ve already got a powered sub and a pair of decent rear speakers in my parts bin so I figured I’d just buy an amp and a pair of better fronts.

I’ve read tons of posts on here and was figuring my install plan, but then I came across a plug and play system thats just been released in Europe.

Not cheap but looks so simple to install:

6-Channel DSP Amplifier & Subwoofer System for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 907

and

16.5 cm Component Speaker System for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 907 / 910

In the UK its retails at £500 for the Amp and Sub and another £250 for the front speakers.

The install notes for the amp are very detailed and show you where all the speaker plugs are hiding under that dashboard. This could be a great help in locating the speakers wires for a DIY amp install.

Amplifier & Subwoofer System for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Install Manual

The install notes for the speakers show the door panel removal steps.

Component Speaker System for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Install Manual

Now just trying to justify spending the extra cash on this rather than a home built system......

And a picture ... just because it was a sunny day in Scotland last week!

 

[C-More]

This is another product that I had considered. But after I killed the center speaker and added a powered subwoofer I decided factory system good enough for driving. Pretty much useless when parked.

Ibus 2.1 amplifier - Focal

Focal amplified subwoofer IBUS 20 intensifies the bass frequencies of your audio system. Easy installation in your car.

www.focal.com

 

[Chaski]

Hey folks,

I’m pondering an Audio upgrade on my 2021 Hymer Grand Canyon S Sprinter 907.

I’ve already got a powered sub and a pair of decent rear speakers in my parts bin so I figured I’d just buy an amp and a pair of better fronts.

I’ve read tons of posts on here and was figuring my install plan, but then I came across a plug and play system thats just been released in Europe.

Not cheap but looks so simple to install:

6-Channel DSP Amplifier & Subwoofer System for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 907

and

16.5 cm Component Speaker System for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 907 / 910

In the UK its retails at £500 for the Amp and Sub and another £250 for the front speakers.

The install notes for the amp are very detailed and show you where all the speaker plugs are hiding under that dashboard. This could be a great help in locating the speakers wires for a DIY amp install.

Amplifier & Subwoofer System for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Install Manual

The install notes for the speakers show the door panel removal steps.

Component Speaker System for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Install Manual

Now just trying to justify spending the extra cash on this rather than a home built system......

And a picture ... just because it was a sunny day in Scotland last week!

View attachment 218097

The alpine component speakers look like a solid buy. The tweeter pods are something I would like to get my hands on over in the US. The stock aiming of the dash tweeters is horrific. The Alpine pods aim the tweeters at the center rear view mirror, which is what I did. Changing which way they are aimed makes a HUGE difference.

In my opinion the tweeter pods are a game changer. I contacted Crutchfield USA to ask about availability in the U.S. Hopefully I hear back from them next week.

The stock dash tweeter aiming beams the drivers side tweeter at the driver, and the passenger side tweeter at the passenger. You end up with the channel nearest you being overpowering and offsetting the sound stage to the A-pillar on your side of the van. Aiming them like the Alpine pods fixes that, brings the sound stage front and center.

If you get them please post a review.

 

[Al Bondigaz]

If you get them please post a review.

I've bitten the bullet and ordered them! I'll write and photo the install and post it up.

 

[anandd]

I contacted Crutchfield USA to ask about availability in the U.S. Hopefully I hear back from them next week.

I'm holding off on ordering my Hertz components until you get an answer about this...

 

[TrackSprinter]

I've bitten the bullet and ordered them! I'll write and photo the install and post it up.

This is an interesting offer by AlpineUK!
A clean plug/play system with full installation instructions. Just wow. Even an option for aftermarket HU’s. Im impressed.
As a DSP it should great. No mention of adjustability beyond their preloaded settings. Let us know.

Good luck!

 

[C-More]

Wish I could order just the Tweeters. And interested about the optional Alpine damping adapter EXA-21CA252 for center speaker. Is it just a resistor or is adjustable?

 

[Chaski]

I'm holding off on ordering my Hertz components until you get an answer about this...

I got a reply back from Crutchfield, looks like it is going to take some more inquires or some grey market action to get these in the USA. I am going to write to Alpine USA.

"Thank you for inquiring about the Alpine - SPC-106S907 16,5 cm Component Speaker System for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 907 / 910. Unfortunately, we do not have access to items sold to other regions/markets/continents. These are speakers we are not able to procure. If you need anything further, please reach back out to us."

 

[anandd]

I got a reply back from Crutchfield, looks like it is going to take some more inquires or some grey market action to get these in the USA. I am going to write to Alpine USA.

Sigh.... They are available on eBay (link) for $475+ shipping from Germany; not sure it's worth it at that point

 

[Chaski]

Sigh.... They are available on eBay (link) for $475+ shipping from Germany; not sure it's worth it at that point

I called Alpine and talked to a support tech. Sounds like there is not an official way to request a product. Tech indicated that marketing makes those decisions. Now doing a bit of research to see if I can directly contact any folks in sales and marketing with Alpine USA. Also going to try looking Alpine up on Facebook etc. Seems nuts that Alpine has not figured out that there are tens of thousands of VS30 vans in the US, all with garbage audio...

 

[Al Bondigaz]

Sigh.... They are available on eBay (link) for $475+ shipping from Germany; not sure it's worth it at that point

My supplier is here -

Car Audio Centre UK

No idea if they would ship to the US but they are cheaper than the EU based suppliers.

 

[Chaski]

My supplier is here -

Car Audio Centre UK

No idea if they would ship to the US but they are cheaper than the EU based suppliers.

I had a nice email exchange with Car Audio Centre UK. They can't ship Alpine UK products to the USA, if they did they would get in hot water with Alpine.

Also heard back from a Marketing Specialist with Alpine USA. His response was polite, but it sounds like Alpine international / Alpine USA makes product to market decision behind closed doors with little to no outside mechanism for input. He is passing the request up the chain, but it would help to have more US Sprinter folks beat on Alpine's doors. Maybe we go to Auburn Hills MI and take a couple Alpine executives to Charleston SC to see all the vans? If you have time consider taking to Alpine's social media sites and directly reaching out to them. The main office number to Alpine USA is 248-732-1029. Hopefully they come around to selling on the other side of the pond.

Once Al Bondigaz gets a chance to test drive the new gear and report back I'll dedicate more of my free time to persuading Alpine to sell the Sprinter specific products in the US.

 

[RVBarry]

Car Audio Centre UK. They can't ship Alpine UK products to the USA

Hi, perhaps a freight forwarder in the UK could ship it to USA.

 

[Cheyenne]

Question - Will a UK spec radio work in the USA?

The UK has always had different frequency ranges on the FM frequency band to the USA but is now moving to DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) which I believe the USA is not using. So what use will a UK spec radio be?

Keith.

 

[C-More]

As an alternative, has anyone installed this unit in a Sprinter?

https://www.focal.com/en/car-audio/car-audio-kits-solutions/integration/plugplay/amplifiers/bass-enclosures/ibus-21#documentation

 

[mean_in_green]

To quote that first link to the amp and sub package in post one:

"...pre-programmed to perfectly match the sound characteristics of the Mercedes Sprinter 907..."

No doubt that the package sounds good but come on... that kind of statement would stop me from buying it...!

 

[C-More]

I replaced my door speakers with Alpines, and added 80mil Butyl to both door metal and inside the plastic door panel, and thinsulate. But the speaker attached to lightweight plastic doesn't reproduce bass the way I would like. I added a subwoofer behind driver seat that helps significantly, but still wish I could get more out of the doors.

 

[anandd]

Question - Will a UK spec radio work in the USA?

I don't think anyone in the thread is trying to get a UK spec radio, this is specifically about keeping the stock radio and using Alpine products that aren't currently available in the US

 

[C-More]

I replaced my door speakers with Alpines, and added 80mil Butyl to both door metal and inside the plastic door panel, and thinsulate. But the speaker attached to lightweight plastic doesn't reproduce bass the way I would like. I added a subwoofer behind driver seat that helps significantly, but still wish I could get more out of the doors.

Hein DIY sells some handy plastic adapters for fitting aftermarket speakers in Sprinter doors. I wonder if these were made of heavy steel it might provide more mass for the speaker to perform better?

 

[TrackSprinter]

I added a subwoofer behind driver seat that helps significantly, but still wish I could get more out of the doors.

Yeah I did a decent job of insulating the doors too. I noticed the reduction in road noise. I played around with the DSP for awhile isolating the door channels trying to squeeze as much midbass as possible without distorting. The frenchy Focal 6.5s are getting 150Wrms. I put a steep octave on them and a few more db gain. I thought it was just me, maybe I’m expecting too much. The size and the power is there. It could be something about the placement of the speakers and the van itself?
??‍♂

Maybe I should get the Alpine UK kit ? JK