With the giant Tesla inspired home screens and dash design in EVs and other new cars I think these days are almost entirely over.
You can use any basic sound processor/LCI/DAC type device to do exactly that. Most cars now have a lot of integration with Infotainment.
Im aware that it's easy to get line level out from amplifiers. But it's not often easy to do the rest of the integration. Output for things like proximity beepers, phone calls have different signals at different gains and it can be a huge headache to get everything to play nice. Hell, the sensitivity for speed sensitive volume was actually a signal embedded in the sub out channel from my head unit to my amplifier in my 2019 Ram 1500. If not for a custom set of firmware on my DSR1 I wouldn't be able to process that at all.
Would you trust an installer to install an aftermarket sound system in the R1T? How would you connect to the main screen? How would they disassemble the dashboard AND put it back in one piece without the permanent rattle? I sure as hell wouldn't trust some guy at Best Buy to do it and I've had installs at Best Buy
I think that would be terrible bass coming out of that
Well that's the beauty of these types of solutions. Nothing to do with the main screen. Once someone figures out the wiring of the Rivian (I'm sure it'll happen soon, as aftermarket companies are probably itching to get their hands on them to create new products), it'll be easy to see where the audio output wires/cabling are. The sound processor/DAC/LCI takes that and outputs "clean" audio to an amplifier. It is often under the middle console/armrest area where the speaker wiring runs to the back of the vehicle (or maybe on the side sills).
Honestly, it depends on the company doing it. I've seen some rather impressive works back in the day. I recall a company that did a custom 7" specially designed small enclosure with a 50 watt amp to power it for Mazda Miata. I was floored when I heard how crisp and smooth that base was. IIRC it was rated to pump out 32 - 150hz, but it was PHENOMENAL! Sadly, a lot of these small companies got ran over (and didn't survive) by larger named brands (like Bose, Meridian, etc) that worked with vehicle manufacturers to make high quality OEM systems. I agree wholeheartedly with what you stated above - do NOT go to Best buy or similar stores to get your audio system upgraded. They're the pits
Sure but even a "reputable" installer would not have installed on an R1T (most likely) and having he/she take the panels/dash out? I would never trust anyone to put things back together properly without any rattling or loss of a clip here and there. It's never going to be the same as factory. And FWIW, the Meridian sounds amazing. Every part of the soundscape is isolated (treble, mid, bass) and the sub is tight and not boomy. It sounds amazing even with Spotify. I am not easily impressed as well as I consider myself an audiophile having spent over $10K just on my home audio/theater setupWell that's the beauty of these types of solutions. Nothing to do with the main screen. Once someone figures out the wiring of the Rivian (I'm sure it'll happen soon, as aftermarket companies are probably itching to get their hands on them to create new products), it'll be easy to see where the audio output wires/cabling are. The sound processor/DAC/LCI takes that and outputs "clean" audio to an amplifier. It is often under the middle console/armrest area where the speaker wiring runs to the back of the vehicle (or maybe on the side sills).
That way everything else is untouched. Maybe some CANBUS type issues or something. Not claiming it will be easy since every vehicle is different but it isn't as difficult as most people think.
And no, you don't go to Best Buy. You would go to a reputable high end car audio installer.
I suppose it would be the same as any car right? If I did intend to modify my R1S sound system (99% do not intend to), I would make sure there was enough information out there and plenty of guinea pigs before me. Plus I'm sure aftermarket companies will be itching to get their hands on one to learn.
I've had subs installed in previous vehicles and yes you can get LOTS of bass in an aftermarket setup, but the Meridian comes with very nice punchy bass. The bass, IMO, is a perfect balance with mids and treble. Just enough punch to sound great with all songs (and trust me, I love bass), but not enough to tell all your neighbors in the next neighborhood that you're listening to music.
My bigger concern is the frequency. A lot of my music is below 30hz where smaller subwoofers just don't work and I feel the music is lacking as a result.
