Sponsored

Terrible Gen2 Stereo / Audio?

SeaGeo

Well-Known Member
First Name
Brice
Joined
Jan 12, 2021
Threads
50
Messages
5,673
Reaction score
10,212
Location
Seattle
Vehicles
Xc60 T8
Occupation
Engineer
I find the tweeters or whatever they've got in the center console under the windshield are way too tinny and overwhelm the system, while the lack of adequate sub leaves the whole soundstage without meaningful depth. (Gen1 R1S elevation)

I really want to upgrade the whole system, but just can't pull the trigger without greater confidence it won't just error out the vehicle up the wazoo.
I agree with you. FWIW both myself and my friend feel like the front dash speaker is much better.
Sponsored

 

wtong0830

New Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2024
Threads
0
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Location
CA
Vehicles
2025 R1S
Just picked r1s gen2 with "premium" sound a week ago... I had the same feeling: the vocals sounded muddy, and the sound clearly came from the right side. I tried adjusting the sound focus, which improved it slightly, but I'm not sure how the other passengers felt...
 

Vinnynj

Member
First Name
Vinny
Joined
Apr 28, 2021
Threads
1
Messages
19
Reaction score
14
Location
New Jersey
Vehicles
Tesla Model Y
Just picked r1s gen2 with "premium" sound a week ago... I had the same feeling: the vocals sounded muddy, and the sound clearly came from the right side. I tried adjusting the sound focus, which improved it slightly, but I'm not sure how the other passengers felt...
Do you have Apple Music? If no, updating to latest software improves the sound system by a order of magnitude.
 

wtong0830

New Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2024
Threads
0
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Location
CA
Vehicles
2025 R1S
Do you have Apple Music? If no, updating to latest software improves the sound system by a order of magnitude.
I have Apple Music, and both my phone and car's infotainment system are on the latest versions
 
OP
OP

SurfnBike

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2023
Threads
37
Messages
198
Reaction score
155
Location
Orange County
Vehicles
R1T
Clubs
 
Circling back around to this, sorry I didn't get back sooner but I've been waiting to get my new car back.

My R1S is Gen2, base audio. I took the car in for service recently and asked them to check it out. They said everything is fine. I've owned a dozen vehicles and this stereo is the worst I've ever had. It's absolutely terrible compared to my '23 Gen1 R1T.

If anyone does some upgrades please post them on this thread because I'd like to get this car sounding better. I'm not picky and I don't need anything crazy, but I do enjoy listening to music that doesn't sound like I'm in a russian submarine a few leagues under the sea.
 

Sponsored

Dominoh

Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2021
Threads
0
Messages
9
Reaction score
10
Location
Virginia
Vehicles
GMC
Just picked up New Gen 2 Dual Max standard audio yesterday.
Already have an early production R1T. Initial thoughts on the R1s.
So disappointed in the Audio, it’s worse than having one speaker in a 1950 ford. Terrible, I really can’t believe that any manufacturer would let a system sounding like this out the door. Especially in a 90+k vehicle. The sound is Flat and muffled, no depth, can’t be adjusted to make it better. Really not worth listing too. I was not able to choose the premium audio as wasn’t available for configs to arrive in time to use my voucher. I doubt there is any car out there with a system this bad.. Yes this an important piece of equipment… I’m my mind this is a black eye for Rivian, perception is important and this kills it.
When I mentioned it at delivery I got the nod, of oh you got the standard system, sorry dude, it’s bad…
 

Electrified Outdoors

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ken
Joined
Jan 30, 2023
Threads
63
Messages
3,683
Reaction score
3,980
Location
Mount Airy, Maryland
Website
EVoutdoors.org
Vehicles
2024 Rivian R1S Quad, 2024 Silverado EV RST First Edition
Occupation
Real Estate
Clubs
 
I was reading a thread of another member here who had someone upgrade his audio system. It wasn't cheap. He said he spent about $4,500. IIRC he replaced the SUB and all the door speakers plus added the cross-over and amp.
 

Ksarat9

Member
First Name
Sarat
Joined
Aug 19, 2024
Threads
1
Messages
22
Reaction score
11
Location
Michigan
Vehicles
R1S
Just picked up New Gen 2 Dual Max standard audio yesterday.
Already have an early production R1T. Initial thoughts on the R1s.
So disappointed in the Audio, it’s worse than having one speaker in a 1950 ford. Terrible, I really can’t believe that any manufacturer would let a system sounding like this out the door. Especially in a 90+k vehicle. The sound is Flat and muffled, no depth, can’t be adjusted to make it better. Really not worth listing too. I was not able to choose the premium audio as wasn’t available for configs to arrive in time to use my voucher. I doubt there is any car out there with a system this bad.. Yes this an important piece of equipment… I’m my mind this is a black eye for Rivian, perception is important and this kills it.
When I mentioned it at delivery I got the nod, of oh you got the standard system, sorry dude, it’s bad…
The premium is bad as well. I sold all my Rivian stock after buying the Rivian.
 

tpoltron

Member
First Name
Trent
Joined
Sep 18, 2024
Threads
4
Messages
23
Reaction score
28
Location
Cupertino, CA
Vehicles
R1S, Model 3, Model Y
Occupation
tech marketing, F45 gym owner

Sponsored

OP
OP

SurfnBike

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2023
Threads
37
Messages
198
Reaction score
155
Location
Orange County
Vehicles
R1T
Clubs
 
Just picked up New Gen 2 Dual Max standard audio yesterday.
Already have an early production R1T. Initial thoughts on the R1s.
So disappointed in the Audio, it’s worse than having one speaker in a 1950 ford. Terrible, I really can’t believe that any manufacturer would let a system sounding like this out the door. Especially in a 90+k vehicle. The sound is Flat and muffled, no depth, can’t be adjusted to make it better. Really not worth listing too. I was not able to choose the premium audio as wasn’t available for configs to arrive in time to use my voucher. I doubt there is any car out there with a system this bad.. Yes this an important piece of equipment… I’m my mind this is a black eye for Rivian, perception is important and this kills it.
When I mentioned it at delivery I got the nod, of oh you got the standard system, sorry dude, it’s bad…
Pretty much my impression. I can't find any songs that sound good on this system, even kid music is terrible on it.

Oh well, that's the price you pay for Rivian to stay in business I guess.

My cousin is an audio engineer at Tesla so I'm going to have him run some tests for me and try and adjust the EQ settings for the best tune possible. I'll report back when I get a chance to pick his brain.
 

flynavy987

Member
First Name
Christopher
Joined
Jul 23, 2023
Threads
0
Messages
6
Reaction score
1
Location
Memphis
Vehicles
R1T
I’m shocked how bad the standard gen 2 sound system is compared to my launch R1T. So far my wife hasn’t noticed but it’s a matter of time. How the hell can they justify this shit system in a $90k+ vehicle. Embarrassing.
Anyone doing an upgrade on the standard sound system in the gen 2 please post how it turned out. Thanks.
 

Phazor

Well-Known Member
First Name
Frank
Joined
Aug 3, 2024
Threads
4
Messages
46
Reaction score
83
Location
Miami
Vehicles
R1S
Occupation
Marketing
These are the settings I'm using thanks to another person who posted on these forums and they are the best I've heard so far on gen2 premium. I can't find that thread otherwise I'd link to it. Thanks "Robert"
Rivian R1T R1S Terrible Gen2 Stereo / Audio? PXL_20241006_013340595.MP
 

usofrob

Well-Known Member
First Name
Robert
Joined
Apr 9, 2022
Threads
5
Messages
671
Reaction score
583
Location
Michigan
Vehicles
Tesla 3, lotus Elise
Occupation
MBSE
These are the settings I'm using thanks to another person who posted on these forums and they are the best I've heard so far on gen2 premium. I can't find that thread otherwise I'd link to it. Thanks "Robert"
PXL_20241006_013340595.MP.webp
That was me. I connected my Android phone via BT, then used this app to play Pink Noise:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=info.vazquezsoftware.whitenoise

Then I put my phone near my head and used this app to analyze the sound trying to make the bars relatively flat, using A-weighting:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dom.audioanalyzer

There isn't anything special about these apps, but that's what worked for me.

Edited to add link to other thread: https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...sound-eq-post-your-settings.31962/post-632017
 
Last edited:

Supratachophobia

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2023
Threads
9
Messages
1,781
Reaction score
2,122
Location
Ohio
Vehicles
S
Clubs
 
How is the stereo on your guys Gen2? I picked mined up last week (max pack) and the stereo is terrible, it sounds like someone is muffling the singer/music. I can't seem to find any settings to correct it. The EQ doesn't seem to do much. It's basically unusable, makes me kind of cringe. My R1T was the best stereo system I ever had. I am going to open a service ticket because I think something has to be wrong, just no fidelity at all. Curious if there is a noticeable drop in quality of audio for all the Gen2 crowd or if I just got a Friday build.
Base audio here, it's junk. And you pointed out the main reason I put my subwoofer plans on hold. The EQ adjustments didn't allow you to unmuddy the sound. It's not so much a matter of distortion from playing lower tones on speakers that aren't designed for them. In fact, its almost like it had no effect at all. So adding a subwoofer won't fix the problem with the rest of the speakers sounding like crap.
Sponsored

 
 








Top