R1T stereo sound ….not so good

[Prime]

Is it possible that the drivers have been swapped for cheaper alternatives from the initial batch of trucks produced for cost cutting purposes? Meridian is likely taking care of the amplification and processing not supplying the speakers, so I wonder if some who feel the audio is notably better have different drivers than others.

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[jemkewl]

Is it possible that the drivers have been swapped for cheaper alternatives from the initial batch of trucks produced for cost cutting purposes? Meridian is likely taking care of the amplification and processing not supplying the speakers, so I wonder if some who feel the audio is notably better have different drivers than others.

That would be really interesting.

The folks outside the niche audio subculture consider me to be audio nerd. I listen to all sorts of music genres. Having 16 18" drivers and 4 21" drivers in various enclosures I've built would seem like a "problem" to those outside that niche subculture. (see image below)

I do not share the negative thoughts on the Rivian audio system; the stock system is quite impressive.

Does Bluetooth suck and compress audio?
Yes. (same everywhere - "crap in = crap out")

Do I want streaming over USB so I can stream my own music collection at full flac bitrate?
Yes.

The in car Amazon music streaming is holding me over until USB is hopefully enabled.

 

[COdogman]

How many are using Tidal through the Rivian system? I would think as far as streaming quality they or Amazon HD would be the best choices right now?

 

[usofrob]

Very interesting discussion on the sound system here. I just wanted to chime in to add that Bluetooth audio has variable levels of quality. If Rivian is just using the basic SBC right now, they could gain a lot just be enabling AptX or AAC. If their internal BT hardware supports the higher bitrate, then it would just be the SW that needs to be created to handle the other codecs.

I spent a couple minutes looking for a decent summary of the codecs available. This page has a lot of extra information, but there's a nice list of codecs in chapter 2:
https://headphonesaddict.com/bluetooth-codecs/#performance

 

[ryanpei]

So...coming from Model Y. Previously BMW X3 with HK. Still have the B&O Unleashed in the F150 and have compared side by side.
The Rivian (to my ears) stacks up to all of them easily, and I would say it’s the best that I've owned.
An audiophile friend was blown away listening to some jazz and 80's music on Tidal.

It's funny, on prior Tesla forums, there were those that loved....and those that HATED....the MY system.
I'm sure I could find the same on the ford (yep...just found a quote saying it was not better than the Sony).
And BMW....

Too many uncontrolled factors - preferences, music, codec, outside environment, system age, your age, hearing etc....

Bottom line....I love it.
(But would prefer some way to have a digital input!!!)

 

[Riv_Ian]

Tidal has 3 levels of quality: Normal, Hifi and Master at 160 kbps, 1411 kbps and 2304-9216 kbps respectively (AAC, Lossless and Hi-Res equivalent). Maybe some of the observed differences are due to having different subscription levels.

 

[Puttyandnapalm]

I can’t remember the last daily driver (10+ vehicles) I didn’t feel compelled to add a subwoofer…. A 2010 Acura tl was close but I still added a 12” eventually. Never more than 1 sub though, just appreciate lower bass for me, not my neighbors

I’m resisting the urge so far as the bass in rivian is really close, but time will tell.
This would probably fit nicely under the rear seat of the r1t
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20646TB84/Kicker-46CWTB84.html?tp=112

 

[godfodder0901]

I think if you're unsatisfied with the audio, you just pull out the camp speaker and rock out.
Set the speaker on the passenger seat and blast to your content.

Did OP have the meridian system? Maybe it's the standard system. Metric? Maybe it's Memorex. Maybe it's Maybelline.

Is it the upgraded stereo or not?

I really think it's related to the source of the audio.

There is only one system.

 

[Byrd]

I can’t remember the last daily driver (10+ vehicles) I didn’t feel compelled to add a subwoofer…. A 2010 Acura tl was close but I still did eventually. Never more than 1 sub, but

I’m resisting the urge so far as the bass in rivian is really close, but time will tell.
This would probably fit nicely under the rear seat of the r1t
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20646TB84/Kicker-46CWTB84.html?tp=112

Agreed on the Acura. I have an older TL, and the Panasonic ELS audio is one of the best stock systems you can get. Bass is all there and then some.

 

[suprteck]

In my model 3 with the premium audio I added a NVX boost box and that improved the low end. I’m hoping they come out with something for the Rivian too. The bass is unimpressive every thing else is pretty good

 

[MNLightning]

How many are using Tidal through the Rivian system? I would think as far as streaming quality they or Amazon HD would be the best choices right now?

Tidal to me in varying degrees is quieter, tighter, cleaner and adds some staging. Best sound from available sources currently imho.

 

[SeaGeo]

How many are using Tidal through the Rivian system? I would think as far as streaming quality they or Amazon HD would be the best choices right now?

I am.

I am also not convinced that if you polled 10 people and compared the highest rate on spotify vs the highest rate on Tidal that they would consistently identify Tidal as a preference. My wife and I tried some direct comparisons and she blindly chose spotify and I hesitantly chose Tidal. Which very well may be just me knowing it *should* sound better.

It seems like people who don't love the sound system in the truck are either A: playing music over bluetooth generally and/or B: equate heavy bass with sound quality. People aren't going to know you're 4 cars down from them at a stoplight because your bass is rattling the quarter panels off your truck.

 

[COdogman]

I am.

I am also not convinced that if you polled 10 people and compared the highest rate on spotify vs the highest rate on Tidal that they would consistently identify Tidal as a preference. My wife and I tried some direct comparisons and she blindly chose spotify and I hesitantly chose Tidal. Which very well may be just me knowing it *should* sound better.

It seems like people who don't love the sound system in the truck are either A: playing music over bluetooth generally and/or B: equate heavy bass with sound quality. People aren't going to know you're 4 cars down from them at a stoplight because your bass is rattling the quarter panels off your truck.

It’s been a long debated topic for sure. Some studies found that people cannot tell the difference between hi-res and lower-res music, but a few years ago someone combined all the known studies and found that by a small majority people can actually hear the difference. Not everyone can, and it depends on the type of music and even how long the sample was, but there is a difference.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160627214255.htm

I know when I listen to hi-res at home using hi-res capable headphones, the bass does sound different to me. It never sounds “boomy”, but it’s still there. Overall the music sounds cleaner to me. I am almost 48 years old and have done many things in my life to damage my hearing, so if I can hear a slight difference most people should be able to, even if they can’t describe it.

 

[julian]

I think the Rivian sound system is great.

However, I listened to many, many hours of excessively loud heavy metal and grunge on my Rockford Fosgate 12s in my Ford Escort through high school and college, so my ears may not be sufficiently sensitive.

Van Halen on Memorex copied 3 times. More hiss than Eddie, yeah, that!

 

[pc500]

I listen to the sound and it was fine. My main concern is it sound computer processed and artificial and less natural. Sort of like a Bose system.

While I didn't go running away saying this sounds awesome and is overrated, I didn't think it was bad either.

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