The V Class is a vehicle that attracts a particular kind of owner — and this one is already mid-way through a full Maybach-spec interior conversion. The audio brief matched that ambition: premium sound, zero visible hardware, and everything accessible without tools.

The front stage is a Focal Slate Fiber passive 2-way component set — Focal's slate-loaded fibreglass cone material sits between their entry Flax and upper K2 Power range in terms of character, with good detail retrieval and a natural midrange that suits the relaxed, long-distance feel of a luxury van. Driven properly through the Match UP 10DSP, it opens up considerably from what the factory system offers.

The Match UP 10DSP handles signal processing and amplification for the front stage — full DSP control over time alignment, crossover points, and EQ, integrated via a Mercedes-compatible harness. A Kicker Key 500.1 runs a subwoofer in the boot.

The highlight of this build is the amp rack. Both amplifiers are mounted on a custom fabricated aluminium/PVC bracket behind the passenger seat side panel — the panel itself requires no tools to remove, it pulls off by hand in a second. Everything is immediately revealed and accessible: USB, optical input, line inputs, SCP port, gain controls — all right there.

A flush-mounted bass control was integrated into the centre console — no knob sitting on top of the dash, no remote dangling from a wire. Just a discreet control that belongs in the car.

Equipment:

• Focal Slate Fiber — 2-way passive front component set

• Match UP 10DSP — amplifier and signal processor

• Kicker Key 500.1 — subwoofer amplifier with auto-tuning

• Custom aluminium/PVC amp rack — passenger seat, tool-free access

• Flush-mounted bass control — centre console integration

• Mercedes-compatible OEM harness