Every luxury car brand is connected with a premium sound system company, and Mercedes Benz is no different. For years Mercedes has partnered with Burmester, the company that also supplies Porsche, Ferrari, and Bugatti. For some owners, a premium sound system is a must-have, so it’s vital to know if your Mercedes Benz will include this feature.
Across the ever-growing Mercedes range, the Burmester system has become one of the most popular features. With four different grades of sound system, most Mercedes vehicles include a Burmester of some kind. That doesn’t mean it’s available on every model, though, so we wanted to cover the availability of this feature for you.
In the article below, we’ve gone through every current Mercedes Model with a Burmester system and those models without. We’ll also take you through the different grades of SoundSystem, and if we think it’s a worthwhile feature to have.
Let’s get started!
What is the Burmester Sound System?
Burmester has introduced four different grades of sound system into the Mercedes range. Depending on the model, you’ll have access to a different type of system, with increasing quality as the Mercedes models get more expensive. Let’s look at how each Burmester level works.
Burmester Surround Sound System
The entry-level system, the standard Burmester pack, contains:
- Between 11 and 16 speakers
- A single Subwoofer
- Between 590-650 watts
Even though this is the ‘basic’ option, this is still an excellent system and a noticeable upgrade on the in-house Mercedes sound system. The subwoofer is a major improvement; with speakers throughout the cabin, the quality is strong for every passenger.
Burmester 3D Surround Sound System
The next level of Burmester is its 3D Surround system. This includes:
- 15 speakers
- 710 watts
- A hybrid amplifier
- A ‘personal’ profile to make sure the sound perfectly suits you
The difference here is the 3D effect from this system. The infotainment menu has more customization options, and the sound quality is a definite step up. Being able to save your own equalizer presets is also a helpful touch.
Burmester High-End 3D Surround Sound System
A level above the standard 3D system, the Burmester high-end 3D setup includes:
- 15 – 26 speakers
- Between 1,220 – 1,570 watts
- A Burmester ring radiator
- VIP function
The major upgrade here is the VIP function. This allows you to select a single seat in your Mercedes, to improve the audio quality with that occupant as the focus. Quality doesn’t suffer too much for other passengers, but when the Burmester system is focused on one point, you can tell.
Burmester High-End 4D Surround Sound System
And finally, the highest spec Burmester Mercedes system is the high-end 4D:
- 31 speakers (including subwoofer and 8 exciters)
- 1,750 watts
- 4D sound
- All the features of the high-end 3D system
The 4D system takes things to another level here. With exciters built into the seats, Burmester has designed this system to let you ‘feel’ the sound. It’s a strange sensation and new in the automotive world, but I’d expect this to feature on more and more vehicles in the future.
Does every Mercedes Benz come with a Burmester SoundSytem?
Most vehicles in the current Mercedes range come with a Burmester sound system, but not every car. Below, we’ve listed which system is available in each model and how much it costs. We’ve also listed those models without a Burmester system.
Mercedes models with the Burmester Surround Sound System
These are the current Mercedes Benz models with the entry-level Burmester sound system. On most vehicles, it’s a standard feature at no additional cost. With a handful of models, like the GLC and GLC Coupe, the Burmester system is an optional extra.
On a few Mercedes models, in order to get the Burmester feature you need to select the premium package. This is an options package that includes a bunch of features, but they are expensive.
- EQB 250 Pinnacle
- EQB 300 Pinnacle
- EQB 350 Pinnacle
- GLA 250: $850
- GLA AMG 35: $850
- GLA AMG 45: $850
- GLB 250: $850
- GLB AMG 35: $850
- GLC 300: $850
- GLC AMG 43: $850
- GLC 300 Coupe: $850
- GLC AMG 43 Coupe: $850
- GLE 350: $1,375 (part of the Premium Package)
- GLE 450: $1,375 (part of the Premium Package)
- GLE 580
- GLE AMG 53
- GLE AMG 63 S
- GLE AMG 53 Coupe
- GLE AMG 63 S Coupe
- GLS 450
- GLS 580
- GLS AMG 63 S
- E-Class 350: $2,400 (part of the Premium Package)
- E-Class 450: $2,290 (part of the Premium Package)
- E-Class AMG 53
- E-Class AMG 63 S
- CLA 250: $850
- CLA AMG 35: $850
- CLA AMG 45: $850
- C-Class 300 Coupe
- C-Class AMG 43 Coupe
- C-Class AMG 63 S Coupe
- E-Class 450 Coupe
- E-Class AMG 53 Coupe
- CLS 450: $2,300 (part of the Premium Package)
- AMG GT 43 Coupe
- AMG GT 53 Coupe
- C-Class 300 Convertible
- C-Class AMG 43 Convertible
- C-Class AMG 63 S Convertible
- E-Class 450 Convertible
- E-Class AMG 53 Convertible
- SL AMG 55 Roadster
- SL AMG 63 Roadster
Mercedes models with the Burmester 3D Surround Sound System
The below Mercedes models all include the upgraded 3D Burmester system. These are mostly the newer vehicles in their lineup, including the EQE and EQS electric models. The current S-Class also includes the 3D system as standard, although there is an option to upgrade, which we’ll see later on.
- EQE 350 Premium
- EQE 350 Exclusive
- EQE 350 Pinnacle
- EQE 500 Premium
- EQE 500 Exclusive
- EQE 500 Pinnacle
- EQE AMG Exclusive
- EQE AMG Pinnacle
- EQS Sedan 450 Premium
- EQS Sedan 450 Exclusive
- EQS Sedan 450 Pinnacle
- EQS Sedan 580 Premium
- EQS Sedan 580 Exclusive
- EQS Sedan 580 Pinnacle
- EQS Sedan AMG Premium
- EQS Sedan AMG Exclusive
- EQS Sedan AMG Pinnacle
- EQS SUV 450 Premium
- EQS SUV 450 Exclusive
- EQS SUV 450 Pinnacle
- EQS SUV 580 Premium
- EQS SUV 580 Exclusive
- EQS SUV 580 Pinnacle
- C-Class 300 Exclusive
- C-Class 300 Pinnacle
- C-Class AMG 43 Pinnacle
- S-Class 500 Luxury
- S-Class 500 AMG Line
Mercedes models with the Burmester High-End 3D Surround Sound System
A small number of Mercedes vehicles give you the option to upgrade your standard Burmester sound system to the high-end 3D spec. These are some of the most expensive Mercedes models, and as a result, you’re looking at over $4,500 for this upgrade.
- GLS 580: $4,550
- GLS AMG 63 S: $4,550
- GLS Maybach 600
- E-Class AMG 53: $4,550
- E-Class AMG 63 S: $4,550
- AMG GT 43 Coupe: $4,550
- AMG GT 53 Coupe: $4,550
- SL AMG 55 Roadster: $4,500
- SL AMG 63 Roadster: $4,500
Mercedes models with the Burmester High-End 4D Surround Sound System
At the top tier of Burmester systems, the high-end 4D option is only available on S-Class models. On the standard Mercedes model, it’s a pricey optional extra, but if you go for the Maybach version, this luxury sound system is included for free.
- S-Class 500 Luxury: $6,730
- S-Class 500 AMG Line: $6,730
- S-Class Maybach 580
- S-Class Maybach 680
Mercedes models without the Burmester Sound System
Finally, there are a handful of Mercedes models without any Burmester system included. These are the lowest spec trim levels, so you can always opt for a higher trim level if you want these cars with a Burmester system.
- EQB 250 Premium
- EQB 250 Exclusive
- EQB 300 Premium
- EQB 300 Exclusive
- EQB 350 Premium
- EQB 350 Exclusive
- C-Class 300 Premium
- C-Class AMG 43 Premium
FAQs
Can you upgrade your Mercedes Burmester system to a higher spec?
Currently, there is no option to upgrade your Burmester system in your Mercedes. On models like the S-Class, you can pay extra for the 4D system, but you can’t upgrade once your Burmester system is installed.
Can you replace your Burmester system with an aftermarket option?
Of course, there are a few aftermarket systems available. These systems are usually expensive and difficult to install, so if you want a premium sound system, it’s often best to select the Burmester system when designing your Mercedes
Do Mercedes offer any other sound systems?
Apart from their entry-level ‘in-house’ system, Burmester is the only option. Mercedes has a long-standing relationship with the Burmesterbrand, and we expect that to continue.
Is the Burmester SoundSytem worth buying?
If you’re looking at a Mercedes model right now, and you’re not sure if it’s worth paying the extra for each Burmester system, here are our thoughts.
Moving from the in-house Mercedes system to even the basic Burmester makes a massive difference to the audio experience. On those models where the cost is $850, considering what Mercedes charges for other optional extras, this is a great price. Even with the premium pack costs, there are plenty of solid features included in that pack to justify the price.
At the higher levels, we are less enticed by the $4,500 cost of the high-end 3D system. You’ll feel the upgrade, but unless you’re an audiophile, there are better options to spend your money on. If we were going for the GLS model we might consider it, but not on the smaller GT and SL cars.
Finally, if you’re in the market for an S-Class, you probably have the money to drop $6,000+ on arguably the best sound system on the market. If you want a no-compromise system, the 4D Burmester is tough to beat.
If you found this article useful and want to learn more about the features on Mercedes models and other brands, check out the articles below:
