Upgrading Gen 2 with Meridian speakers...?

[DB88]

Curious if anyone has updated their Gen 2 R1T or S with Meridian speakers. I have the premium auto in my Gen 2 and its not great.. I'am currently driving a Gen 1 loaner and it has the Meridian speakers and amp.. WOW its so amazing compared to my Gen 2... There must be some damaged, salvage yard Rivians by now that have someone pulling these parts out to sell.

Cheers From Canada.

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[MountainBikeDude]

A friend of mine was considering doing the same to his Gen 1 R1S, but as some have touched on here, it's probably better to just get an after market speaker setup than to spend time and money swapping off parts assuming the Rivian will recognize the Amp, or get past whatever software hurtle there is between Gen 1 Meridian and Gen 1 Elevation/Gen 2 Premium

 

[Donald Stanfield]

If I were going through that effort, I'd get 100% aftermarket because, for what it's going to cost, I could have all top-end components instead of the Meridian. I agree that the Meridian sounds excellent, but there's even better out there.

 

[Megaman0025]

If I were going through that effort, I'd get 100% aftermarket because, for what it's going to cost, I could have all top-end components instead of the Meridian. I agree that the Meridian sounds excellent, but there's even better out there.

Ok, agree. But the question is - can we upgrade the amplifier? And if so, will this introduce phantom drain? I wonder how integrated the amp is with the software and modules on the car and if upgrading is possible at all.

 

[DB88]

These are all great responses and I do agree if your going to go through the effort to change out the speakers and amp.. why not just go with something better.. but like Megaman mentioned..is this something we can even do without drain and also would it be plug and play to the new “premium “ system.. cheers

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Do we even know the Meridian speakers are substantively better or are we just assuming? I’ve not seen it discussed or anyone examining each side by side, speaker by speaker. Rivian’s own support page on the topic isn’t very detailed either, other than removing mid-range driver and splitting that frequency range between the tweeter and woofer. A swap would require more than a speaker swap. Changes are also required at the crossover level. And if that crossover is software based, you're SOL.

What can you tell me about Rivian's in-house designed audio system?
Our in-house designed Rivian Elevation audio allows the R1T and R1S to use a common 1200 Watt, 18-channel amplifier. On both models, we've removed the rear passenger door midrange speakers, shifting this work across a tweeter and woofer for seamless frequency transitions.

The new Rivian Elevation audio system is lighter, more efficient and uses less rare-earth metals. Our testing has shown that listeners prefer the Rivian Elevation audio experience, and this update allows us to more easily tune our audio system based on owner feedback moving forward.

Production of vehicles with this audio system begin February 2023.

 

[Megaman0025]

These are all great responses and I do agree if your going to go through the effort to change out the speakers and amp.. why not just go with something better.. but like Megaman mentioned..is this something we can even do without drain and also would it be plug and play to the new “premium “ system.. cheers

I doubt it would be plug and play. Would require splicing of wires and such, which I have no problem doing to upgrade a good stereo. But I am worried about how integrated the amplifier is with the software and making sure it’s OFF when not in use, etc.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Do we even know the Meridian speakers are substantively better or are we just assuming? I’ve not seen it discussed or anyone examining each side by side, speaker by speaker. Rivian’s own support page on the topic isn’t very detailed either, other than removing mid-range driver and splitting that frequency range between the tweeter and woofer. A swap would require more than a speaker swap. Changes are also required at the crossover level. And if that crossover is software based, you're SOL.

I don't know for sure, but I do know that my Meridian system sounded a fair amount better than my gen 2 does. I was even able to compare same day when I had a loaner with Meridian to confirm. The Meridian sounds at least one level above the current offering. The bass is richer, the mids and highs are clearer.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I don't know for sure, but I do know that my Meridian system sounded a fair amount better than my gen 2 does. I was even able to compare same day when I had a loaner with Meridian to confirm. The Meridian sounds at least one level above the current offering. The bass is richer, the mids and highs are clearer.

But gen 2 in-house may not be the same as gen 1 in-house, since gen 2 underwent much consolidation of electronics.

 

[DB88]

Thanks for all the replies and info. Having my loaner with the Meridian made me realized how much I miss my Gen 1 stereo compared to my "Premium Auto" ... Gen 2. Cheers

 

[Plevyct]

Curious if anyone has updated their Gen 2 R1T or S with Meridian speakers. I have the premium auto in my Gen 2 and its not great.. I'am currently driving a Gen 1 loaner and it has the Meridian speakers and amp.. WOW its so amazing compared to my Gen 2... There must be some damaged, salvage yard Rivians by now that have someone pulling these parts out to sell.

Cheers From Canada.

I have a 2023 G1 R1S and after listening to the non meridian stereo for 18 months I capitulated and purchased a completely new system that uses the existing head unit and replaces all the speakers, adds a 10" woofer in the back and uses the Alpine PXE-C80-88 amplifier EQ. I replaced all the speakers with Alpine next gen speakers and had each door sound deadened. The new system sounds amazing, I just sit in the car and listen to music. It cost me an arm and a leg....$8,000. But well worth it.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I have a 2023 G1 R1S and after listening to the non meridian stereo for 18 months I capitulated and purchased a completely new system that uses the existing head unit and replaces all the speakers, adds a 10" woofer in the back and uses the Alpine PXE-C80-88 amplifier EQ. I replaced all the speakers with Alpine next gen speakers and had each door sound deadened. The new system sounds amazing, I just sit in the car and listen to music. It cost me an arm and a leg....$8,000. But well worth it.

If you have receipts, can you list out model number of speakers? Just the speakers, not sub. Are they being powered by factory amp or aftermarket?

 

[Plevyct]

If you have receipts, can you list out model number of speakers? Just the speakers, not sub. Are they being powered by factory amp or aftermarket?

I'll get the info and send to you, I believe we are bypassing the amp and using the power from the Alpine.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I'll get the info and send to you, I believe we are bypassing the amp and using the power from the Alpine.

Ah. If that is the case, a simple speaker swap is probably not a path.

 

[C.R. Rivian]

Curious if anyone has updated their Gen 2 R1T or S with Meridian speakers. I have the premium auto in my Gen 2 and its not great.. I'am currently driving a Gen 1 loaner and it has the Meridian speakers and amp.. WOW its so amazing compared to my Gen 2... There must be some damaged, salvage yard Rivians by now that have someone pulling these parts out to sell.

Cheers From Canada.

Crutchfield (https://www.crutchfield.com/ ) has been a 'go-to' for vehicle audio for a long time. I'm happy with my Gen 1 Meridian audio, but looked for you. Here's what they have for Rivian:

Good luck!

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