Bose Mercedes R230 SL Sound System

Bose Mercedes R230 SL-Class Audio System (2003-2012)

• Dash (Center Fill speaker)
  • 230 820 16 02 x1 (2003-2008)
• Doors
  • 230 820 09 02 (door speaker assembly) x2 (2003-2007, ?2007-2011?)
    • 3″ speaker + 5.25″ speaker
• Footwell Subwoofer x1, right
  • A2308201802 (2003-2007? 2004)
  • A2308200502 
• Under roll bar grill, at side seat belt (Rear Fill speakers)
  • A2308200702 x2

Notice the subwoofer speaker dustcap unconventional form. Bose has chosen this form for the dustcap to reinforce the membrane in it’s weakest points. Being of prolonged oval form, the straight part of the oval has the weakest mechanical resistance and can be easily bent by pushed mass of air. The form of the dustcap glued to that area reinforces it.

Stock, non-Bose audio system comparision

Weird thing is that the Bose sound system does not contain any tweeters, compared to the stock speakers configuration, which you can see in the gallery below.

Also, the door woofers are bigger, to compensate lack of subwoofer. For each door, we have:

• 8″ woofer driver x1
  • 2.5 ohm, fed by separate amplifier channel
• 4″ mid-range driver x1 + tweeter x1
  • 4 ohm combined, fed by separate amplifier channel

Woofer and midrange have neodymium magnets. By the looks, i’d say it looks like a great configuration, although they are blamed by owners.