CLA Sound System Options: Ultimate Luxury

For your Mercedes-Benz CLA, choosing the right sound system is about elevating your driving experience. From the standard setup to premium Burmester options, we’ll guide you through the choices to find the perfect audio for your luxury drive.

Welcome to MercedesBlue! When you invest in a Mercedes-Benz CLA, you’re choosing a vehicle that excels in design, performance, and sophisticated technology. One area that truly defines the luxury experience inside any car is its sound system. A great audio setup can transform a daily commute into a concert hall on wheels. It’s a feature many new car buyers consider, and for good reason. Understanding the sound system options for your CLA, from the base model to the most advanced, is key to enjoying every drive to its fullest. Let’s explore what makes the CLA’s audio so special and how you can achieve that ultimate luxury sound.

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Understanding Your Mercedes-Benz CLA Sound System Options

The Mercedes-Benz CLA, like many luxury vehicles, offers a tiered approach to its audio systems. This allows buyers to choose a level of fidelity that matches their preferences and budget. For the CLA, this typically means a well-engineered standard system, with the option for a significantly upgraded experience.

The Standard CLA Sound System: A Solid Foundation

Even the entry-level sound system in a Mercedes-Benz CLA is designed to deliver a satisfying audio experience. Mercedes-Benz understands that for a luxury vehicle, sound quality is paramount. The standard system is carefully tuned to the vehicle’s acoustics, ensuring clear vocals and well-defined instrument separation.

Key features of the standard system often include:

Multiple strategically placed speakers for balanced sound distribution.
Integrated digital signal processing (DSP) for optimized audio performance.
Bluetooth connectivity for streaming audio from your devices.
User-friendly interface via the MBUX infotainment system.

While it provides a good listening experience, audio enthusiasts might find themselves wanting more dynamic range, deeper bass, and a more immersive soundstage. This is where the premium options come into play, offering a significant leap in audio fidelity.

The Premium Option: Burmester® Surround Sound System

For those craving an unparalleled audio journey, the Burmester® Surround Sound System is the definitive choice for the Mercedes-Benz CLA. Burmester is a highly respected German audio manufacturer known for its high-end home audio systems, and their collaboration with Mercedes-Benz brings that same commitment to sonic excellence to the car.

When you opt for the Burmester system in your CLA, you’re not just getting more speakers; you’re getting an entirely re-engineered audio experience. This system is meticulously designed, engineered, and calibrated specifically for the CLA’s interior.

Key characteristics of the Burmester® Surround Sound System include:

Increased Number of High-Quality Speakers: The Burmester system typically boasts a significant increase in speaker count compared to the standard system. These are not just more speakers, but custom-engineered drivers designed for precision and clarity in specific locations within the cabin.
Advanced Amplification: A more powerful amplifier is at the heart of the Burmester system, providing greater headroom for dynamic music passages and ensuring distortion-free sound even at higher volume levels.
Unique Speaker Design: Burmester speakers often feature unique diaphragm materials and designs for exceptional detail and responsiveness. This includes specialized tweeters, mid-range drivers, and subwoofers.
Dolby® Digital 5.1 Surround Sound: This feature creates a true surround sound experience, placing you in the center of the audio, whether you’re listening to music, podcasts, or movie soundtracks.
Customizable Sound Settings: Beyond basic bass and treble controls, the Burmester system offers advanced equalization and sound profiling options, allowing you to tailor the audio to your personal preferences.
Integrated Aesthetics: The speaker grilles and design elements are seamlessly integrated into the CLA’s luxurious interior, adding to the overall premium feel.

The Burmester system transforms the cabin into an intimate listening space, with every note rendered with stunning clarity, rich bass, and an expansive soundstage. It’s an option that truly embodies the “ultimate luxury” in automotive sound.

What to Expect When Choosing Burmester for Your CLA

If you are considering the Burmester® Surround Sound System for your Mercedes-Benz CLA, it’s helpful to know what sets it apart and what benefits you can expect. This is more than just a manufacturer upgrade; it’s an investment in your daily enjoyment.

The Components of a Burmester System in the CLA

While the exact configuration can vary slightly by model year, a typical Burmester setup in a CLA includes:

Front bass speakers: Located in the doors or dashboard, providing a solid foundation for the sound.
Mid-range speakers: For clear and articulate reproduction of vocals and instruments.
Tweeters: High-frequency drivers for sparkling detail in cymbals, strings, and vocal sibilance.
Surround speakers: Positioned in the rear, contributing to the immersive sound field.
Center channel speaker: Often integrated into the dashboard, ensuring stable and clear dialogue.
Subwoofer: For deep, resonant bass that you can feel as well as hear.
High-performance amplifier: The robust amplifier drives all these speakers, ensuring ample power and precise control.

Sound Quality Differences: Burmester vs. Standard

The difference in sound quality between the standard and Burmester systems is significant.

Clarity and Detail: Burmester excels in revealing subtle nuances in music that are often lost in standard systems. You’ll hear more of the “air” around instruments and a greater sense of realism.
Bass Response: The bass from a Burmester system is typically deeper, tighter, and more impactful. It provides a powerful foundation without becoming muddy or overpowering.
Soundstage and Imaging: The Burmester system creates a wider and more three-dimensional soundstage, making it feel as though the musicians are performing right in front of you.
Dynamic Range: The system can reproduce both the quietest whispers and the loudest crescendos with remarkable fidelity, offering a more engaging and lifelike listening experience.
Overall Immersion: With Dolby® Digital 5.1 surround sound, the Burmester system envelops you in audio, making music feel more alive and captivating.

How to Operate and Customize Your CLA Sound System

Both the standard and Burmester systems in the CLA are controlled through the intuitive MBUX infotainment system. Navigating the audio settings is straightforward.

For the Standard System:

1. Access Audio Settings: On the MBUX display, tap the “Media” or “Audio” icon.
2. Basic Adjustments: You’ll find controls for volume, balance (left/right), and fader (front/rear).
3. Tone Control: Adjust bass and treble levels to your preference. Some systems may offer preset EQs (e.g., Rock, Pop, Classical).

For the Burmester® Surround Sound System:

1. Access Audio Settings: Similar to the standard system, navigate to “Media” or “Audio” on the MBUX screen.
2. Advanced Controls: You’ll notice more options here. Look for settings like “Surround,” “Sound Personalization,” or specific EQs.
3. Surround Sound Options: You can often choose the level of surround sound, from off to maximum, or select “Immersive” and “Real” modes.
Immersive: This setting aims to create a 3D sound experience, often drawing from advanced algorithms to place sounds around you.
Real: This mode typically uses the Dolby® Digital 5.1 channels to achieve a more direct surround playback.
4. Sound Personalization: The Burmester system might offer more granular control over different frequency ranges or even presets tailored to different music genres or listening scenarios.
5. System Calibration: For the ultimate experience, explore any built-in calibration tools that might allow you to fine-tune the audio based on the number of occupants or their seating positions.

Pro Tip: Experiment with different audio sources. Lossless audio files or high-quality streaming services will allow both systems, especially the Burmester, to truly shine. For more on the MBUX system, check out the official Mercedes-Benz MBUX Technology Hub.

Finding the Right “CLA Sound System Options” for You

Deciding which sound system is right for you depends on your personal priorities and how you plan to use your car’s audio.

Consider Your Listening Habits

Casual Listener: If you primarily listen to talk radio, podcasts, or casual background music, the standard system will likely be perfectly adequate. It provides clear sound for spoken word and general listening.
Music Enthusiast: If you appreciate intricate musical details, enjoy a wide range of genres, and value a dynamic listening experience, the Burmester system is a worthwhile upgrade. It brings out the best in well-recorded music.
Audiophile: For those who demand the absolute best in audio fidelity, with critical listening being a significant part of their driving pleasure, the Burmester system is almost a necessity. It offers a level of performance rarely found in automotive audio.

Budget Considerations

The Burmester® Surround Sound System is a factory-installed option, and adding it will increase the overall purchase price of your CLA. While it represents an additional cost, many owners find the enhanced driving experience it provides to be well worth the investment.

Standard System: Included as part of the vehicle’s package.
Burmester® System: An optional upgrade, typically priced in the range of $850 – $1,200 USD, though this can vary based on the specific CLA model and option packages. Always check the latest pricing with your Mercedes-Benz dealer or on the configurator.

When to Specify Your Sound System Choice

It’s crucial to select your preferred sound system at the time of ordering your new Mercedes-Benz CLA. Factory-installed premium sound systems are integrated into the vehicle’s manufacturing process. Retrofitting a system of Burmester’s caliber later would be vastly more expensive and complex, likely involving custom fabrication and potentially voiding warranties.

When building or configuring your CLA online or with a dealer, look for the “Premium Sound System” or “Burmester® Surround Sound System” option under the vehicle’s audio or technology packages.

Table: CLA Sound System Comparison

To help visualize the differences, here’s a simplified comparison:

Enhancing Your CLA Audio Experience Beyond Options

Once you’ve chosen your system, there are ways to further refine your audio experience.

Acoustics Matter: The CLA’s Cabin Design

Mercedes-Benz engineers spend countless hours perfecting the acoustic environment within their vehicles. The CLA’s interior is designed not just for comfort and style but also to minimize road noise and vibrations that can interfere with sound quality. Materials used, door sealing, and even the shape of the dashboard all play a role.

Understanding Audio File Quality

The quality of the audio source material is a critical factor.

Lossless Audio: Formats like FLAC or ALAC provide the highest fidelity, preserving all the original audio data.
3. High-Bitrate Streaming: Services like Spotify Premium or Apple Music at their highest settings offer excellent quality suitable for most listeners.
4. Low-Bitrate Audio/Standard FM Radio: These sources will sound noticeably compromised on any system, but particularly on a high-end one, as lower quality audio becomes more apparent.

For more on audio formats and quality, resources from organizations like the Audio Engineering Society (AES) delve deep into the technical aspects.

Aftermarket Enhancements (Generally Not Recommended for Luxury Integrations)

While aftermarket audio upgrades are common in many vehicles, they are generally not recommended for a Mercedes-Benz CLA, especially if it is equipped with the Burmester system.

Reasons to be cautious with aftermarket upgrades:

Integration Complexity: Modern Mercedes-Benz vehicles have highly integrated electronic systems. Tampering with the audio can affect other vehicle functions and may trigger error messages.
Warranty Concerns: Aftermarket modifications can potentially void parts of your vehicle’s warranty, especially related to electrical systems.
Cost and Expertise: Achieving seamless integration with factory components requires specialized knowledge and can be very expensive.
Degradation of Luxury Feel: The Burmester system’s aesthetics and integration are part of its luxury appeal. Aftermarket components can detract from this.

If you have a standard system and are looking for a modest improvement, consult with a highly reputable installer who has experience with Mercedes-Benz vehicles. However, the safest and most rewarding path to superior sound in a CLA is by selecting the factory Burmester option.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the standard sound system in a Mercedes-Benz CLA?

The CLA comes with a well-engineered standard audio system featuring multiple speakers and digital signal processing for clear sound. It’s designed to provide a good listening experience for everyday use.

What is the Burmester® Surround Sound System?

The Burmester® Surround Sound System is an optional premium audio upgrade for the CLA, developed in partnership with the renowned German audio company Burmester. It provides a significantly enhanced listening experience with more speakers, higher power, and advanced audio technologies like Dolby® Digital 5.1 surround sound.

Is the Burmester system worth the extra cost in a CLA?

For music enthusiasts and those who highly value audio fidelity, the Burmester system is often considered a very worthwhile upgrade. It offers a level of clarity, depth, and immersion that the standard system cannot match.

Can I upgrade the sound system later if I don’t get the Burmester option from the factory?

While it’s technically possible to upgrade aftermarket, it is generally not recommended for a CLA equipped with a premium factory system like Burmester due to complex integration, potential warranty issues, and significant cost. If you have the standard system, a professional aftermarket upgrade is an option, but specifying the factory Burmester is the best way to ensure seamless integration and optimal performance.

How do I control the audio settings in my CLA?

Audio settings for both standard and Burmester systems are controlled via the MBUX infotainment system’s display, typically accessed through “Media” or “Audio” menus. The Burmester system offers more advanced options for surround sound and personalization.

What kind of audio file quality should I use to get the best sound?

For the best audio quality, especially with premium systems like Burmester, use lossless audio files (like FLAC) or high-bitrate audio streaming from services with premium subscriptions. Lower quality audio sources will sound less impressive on any system.

Where can I find the Burmester option when ordering a new CLA?

The Burmester® Surround Sound System is usually listed as an optional extra under the “Audio” or “Technology Packages” section when configuring a new Mercedes-Benz CLA on the Mercedes-Benz website or when speaking with a sales representative.

Conclusion

Choosing the right sound system for your Mercedes-Benz CLA is a decision that significantly impacts your daily driving pleasure. While the standard system offers a respectable audio performance, the Burmester® Surround Sound System takes the experience to a truly luxurious level. It delivers unparalleled clarity, depth, and immersion, transforming your CLA’s cabin into a personal concert hall.

By understanding the options available, considering your personal listening preferences, and making the informed choice at the point of purchase, you can ensure that every drive in your CLA is accompanied by the exquisite sound quality you deserve. Immerse yourself in your favorite music, podcasts, or audiobooks, and let the sophisticated audio engineered by Mercedes-Benz and Burmester enhance every mile.