Terrible Gen2 Stereo / Audio?

[kyledmb]

On my Gen2 Premium audio R1T, there is zero sound coming from the 4 roof speakers. I can put my ear right up to them...nothing. Are you supposed to hear them?

I love my new Gen2 (came from a Gen1 quad) but man, this sound system is the worst car audio I've ever heard. My Gen1 with the Rivian Elevation sound was not bad at all.

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[AdventureTravel]

Debating switching from 2023 Tesla Model X to Dual Motor R1S. I know I am going to miss Autopilot. Reading this thread I am second guessing my move. Could someone who switched from a Tesla to Gen2 R1S please confirm how the premium audio compares with Tesla?

Let’s put it this way, if you care about the audio at all you’re going to need to go aftermarket.

I switched from a Plaid model S and it doesn’t compare (I have a gen 2), I have also heard the Meridian system which would probably be acceptable to a lot of people but the gen 2 stereo is horrible.

The good news is I went aftermarket, no problems in 4 months and I don’t even think I could go back to a Tesla system now, that’s how much better the aftermarket system is.

 

[kyledmb]

Let’s put it this way, if you care about the audio at all you’re going to need to go aftermarket.

I switched from a Plaid model S and it doesn’t compare (I have a gen 2), I have also heard the Meridian system which would probably be acceptable to a lot of people but the gen 2 stereo is horrible.

The good news is I went aftermarket, no problems in 4 months and I don’t even think I could go back to a Tesla system now, that’s how much better the aftermarket system is.

Do you mind sharing what you did in your Gen2? Have you posted about it?

 

[AdventureTravel]

Do you mind sharing what you did in your Gen2? Have you posted about it?

3 Way Focals Front / Rear, JL DSP AMP VX 600/6, JL SUB AMP VX 1000/1 with a 13” JL shallow mount sub along with an extra battery.

Everything is wired into the stock head unit. Nothing is noticeable as it’s all mounted in the spare tire area.

You can modify to your liking but it really transforms the vehicle to a whole different experience.

 

[bfilippo]

I will say, after the last few updates and using these EQ settings posted recently, my Gen2 standard audio sounds pretty solid finally!

 

[kyledmb]

3 Way Focals Front / Rear, JL DSP AMP VX 600/6, JL SUB AMP VX 1000/1 with a 13” JL shallow mount sub along with an extra battery.

Everything is wired into the stock head unit. Nothing is noticeable as it’s all mounted in the spare tire area.

You can modify to your liking but it really transforms the vehicle to a whole different experience.

I bet that sounds great! Looks like a really clean install, too. What happens with the over-the-air updates that Rivian pushes? I know they are always messing with the audio, and I worried about going aftermarket because of this.

 

[AdventureTravel]

I bet that sounds great! Looks like a really clean install, too. What happens with the over-the-air updates that Rivian pushes? I know they are always messing with the audio, and I worried about going aftermarket because of this.

Yeah, very happy with it. As far as updates I haven’t noticed anything. The original amps and head unit are all the same, the stock amp is now just used as a low level line out.

I suppose worst case if Rivian made a change I didn’t like to the settings I could have it re-tuned.

 

[Phazor]

I agree, after latest updates it sounds good

 

[AZanella]

On my Gen2 Premium audio R1T, there is zero sound coming from the 4 roof speakers. I can put my ear right up to them...nothing. Are you supposed to hear them?

I love my new Gen2 (came from a Gen1 quad) but man, this sound system is the worst car audio I've ever heard. My Gen1 with the Rivian Elevation sound was not bad at all.

I completely agree with you. I recently received a delivery for my R1T with a premium sound system. However, I must say that the premium sound system is a complete joke. In fact, a $100 JBL speaker system has a better sound quality.

 

[socaladam]

Perform an infotainment reset, see if it resolves. Also there may be a slight break-in period for the speakers.

there is no break in period for speakers.

this is a fallacy told by sales people.
I spent 20 years installing high end and very loud car audio systems.

 

[jimboski93]

Just to throw out a random experience:
Took delivery of my Gen 2 R1S last week. Stereo sounds fine (coming from a Tesla Y).
Today, I was playing music from my phone and said "Hey Google, play song xyz".
It started to play the song and it sounded absolutely awful. Like the OP who started this conversation, it was so bad and odd, and I thought "I wonder if this is what people on the forums are talking about". I switched to radio, but nothing was coming out. Powered off/on radio, that was fine, back to my music from my phone, that was fine.

I only mention this because something went very wrong but was a quick fix for me. Could others' stereos be somehow stuck in this mode that mine went to? Beyond a soft or hard reset, have folks had people in the service center say "oh no, your stereo is screwed up"?

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