A client from Charlottesville recently contacted the team at Extreme Audio about upgrading the sound system in his 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 AMG. While Mercedes claims to provide high-end audio in its AMG vehicles, it doesn’t offer the clarity, bass extension, or output capability comparable to what we can offer with an aftermarket upgrade. After a detailed conversation with the client, we provided a quote to create a truly amazing GLE 63 AMG stereo system. The client approved our plan, and we scheduled an appointment to begin the upgrade.
AMG Stereo System Foundation
The first order of business was to remove the trim and door panels to access the factory-installed speakers. Once those were removed, we set to work installing SoundShield sound-deadening on the floor, firewall, and doors. Making this already comfortable vehicle quieter with deadening will improve the clarity of the new sound system.
Audiofrog Speaker Upgrade
Whenever we have a client seeking truly amazing audio system performance, we turn to Audiofrog for new speakers. Their GS and GB-Series drivers feature technologies that dramatically improve clarity, and the products are easy to calibrate for great sound with a digital signal processor.
For the GLE 63 AMG stereo system, we started with the center channel. We installed a GB40 four-inch midrange driver in place of the factory speaker. We added one of the new GB10CF carbon-fibre 1-inch tweeters beside it to ensure the full audio spectrum is covered. We also added a secondary speaker to handle prompts from the factory-installed infotainment system.
The front and rear doors were treated to the same premium driver combination. The rear sail panels received a set of GS42 4-inch coaxial speakers to serve as rear fill. Finally, we replaced the woofers in the front firewall with a pair of Audiofrog GS8ND2 eight-inch woofers to handle midbass duties.
Subwoofer and System Amplifiers
Bass is a fundamental part of any audio system. After measuring the cargo area, we constructed a custom enclosure to house a single JL Audio 12TW3D4 subwoofer. This shallow-mount subwoofer is impressively capable, even in a small enclosure.
The sub is powered by an ARC Audio X2-1100.1 monoblock amplifier. While the amp can produce more power than the sub can handle, we made sure it was adjusted to deliver the perfect output, even with the radio volume cranked.
A Helix V Twelve DSP amplifier powers the Benz’s main speakers. This 12-channel amp can deliver up to 75 watts per speaker. As the firewall-mounted GS8ND2 woofers have a 2-ohm impedance, they’ll see as much as 120 watts of power. The amp integrates with the factory-installed source unit via a Match harness.
The key to this audio system’s performance is the digital signal processor built into the amplifier. We used the processor to route the signal to the seven speaker zones and to configure crossovers, delays, and equalization to ensure the system sounds balanced and detailed. This configuration and calibration process is as important to the system’s performance as the choice of audio products and attention to detail during installation.
Richmond’s Car Audio Upgrade Experts
After a few days of work, we had the new gear installed and the vehicle calibrated for the client. He returned to Extreme Audio to have a listen and was immediately smiling from ear to ear. The detail provided by the new speakers completely transformed the listening experience. The subwoofer added warmth and depth to the sound, balancing the presentation. In short, he was thrilled with his new GLE 63 AMG stereo system!
If the sound system in your vehicle, motorcycle or boat doesn’t put a smile on your face when you turn up the volume, take a drive to Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville or Midlothian and speak with a member of our team. We’d be honored to design an upgrade that makes your music sound the way it did in the recording studio. If you can’t get to one of our locations during business hours, call the store nearest you or email our team. We’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.
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