Question on our audio systems....

[stormbreaker]

Every once in a while I see folks, possibly new owners, complain about the quality of our stereos. I did make some small changes in the equalizer settings, which seemed to improve the quality. I've had my R1T for a couple years now.

My question is how loud to people listen to their systems? I don't think I have had the audio over #10.

I'm pretty much a metal guy listening to SXM just for background.

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[Nixapatfan]

Loudness is relative to the original soundtrack so can't really judge by the volume number. I'm usually in the 8-18 range depending on the mood or who is in the truck. Also the cabin volume is significantly different between T and S so that will play into the quality and loudness also.

I have the Meridian system and sounds good enough, not spectacular but good enough for this price class though lacking in crisp clear highs and deep bass. Non Meridian systems are a significant step down so really depends on what your personal standards are on audio quality and your previous vehicles.

There was an issue with Gen2 speakers being out of phase so at louder volumes the bass would just cancel out though I believe a recent update fixed that.

 

[bhlackey]

2022 R1T Meridian here. Apple music source, sound check off, Dolby Atmos off, my “time to shred” volume is 18. But around town with the kiddos is lower.

 

[lefkonj]

Funny anything over 10 is just too loud for my taste. I find the Gen2 system is a little less 'crisp' than the Gen1 but it is fine for me. I am not audio geek and just like music to make the time pass. Typically my volume is at 4-6 only going up to 10 when 'necessary'

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Every once in a while I see folks, possibly new owners, complain about the quality of our stereos. I did make some small changes in the equalizer settings, which seemed to improve the quality. I've had my R1T for a couple years now.

My question is how loud to people listen to their systems? I don't think I have had the audio over #10.

I'm pretty much a metal guy listening to SXM just for background.

EQ is a big part of it. Rivian has also never stopped tweaking signal processing, through various OTAs (mentioned each time in release notes).

My max loudness depends on the source/track. I never play louder than it takes to produce distortion. Because I'm just not one of those who beat themselves with a hammer and then proceed to shout to the internet that hammers are dangerous and should be completely redesigned.

 

[SDH]

There’s a dude somewhere on here that does all this witchcraft with audio. A while back he showed us a bunch of tests and charts he did on the Gen1 Meridian and I just copied that. It’s brilliant.

perhaps he can help/advise?

 

[superfluid]

Every once in a while I see folks, possibly new owners, complain about the quality of our stereos. I did make some small changes in the equalizer settings, which seemed to improve the quality. I've had my R1T for a couple years now.

My question is how loud to people listen to their systems? I don't think I have had the audio over #10.

I'm pretty much a metal guy listening to SXM just for background.

There’s a dude somewhere on here that does all this witchcraft with audio. A while back he showed us a bunch of tests and charts he did on the Gen1 Meridian and I just copied that. It’s brilliant.

Hi =)

To the OP's question: Volume varies significantly between sources (different streaming apps, Bluetooth, radio, etc) and the program material itself whose recording and mastering processes can vary wildly.

How loud you set your volume largely depends on the source and program material. It also depends on how much noise is going on the background due to the A/C being on, being stuck in I-35 traffic, or what tires you're running. Mud terrain tires will make you crank your music just to make it audible.

Perceived "loudness" is actually an "average" of sound pressure level (SPL, commonly measured in Decibels) over time. We can listen to an extremely loud snare hit without getting a headache because it lasts for about 3 milliseconds, but a long guitar solo played at the same level would make us cover our ears.

The kind of music matters, too. Our perception of volume also depends on the frequency of sound we're hearing. Bass takes a lot more power (i.e., volume) to sound the same loudness as treble. That's why we tend to turn up bass-heavy music to a higher volume than treble-heavy music to get the same effect. See the Fletcher-Munson equal loudness contour curve for a nerdy deep-dive.

In a garage, A/C off, windows closed, using Apple Music with stereo recordings: I find volume 12 fun and comfortable for the kind of bass-heavy music I'm into, like Infrasonic by Habitaat. I put on Symphony of Destruction by Megadeath and found volume 10 to be fun and comfortable.

You can see the EQ settings I recommend in the posts in my signature.

 

[ndmiller]

I can't fathom those numbers, 2023 R1T. For me listening to Apple Music 6 is normal, 7 is loud, with anything above 8 almost deafening. Cannot imagine over 10, my ears would be ringing or blown out. Listen to Metallica, Royal Blood, Ozzy, Janes Addiction all at 6 or 7 and you can hear it outside the car with the windows down.

For navigation and phone it's in the teens to be normal volume.

 

[mkg3]

I'm still hoping that one day, Rivian will figure out how to use the in-cabin. microphone to detect white noise and be able to noise cancel while playing music.

The normal music level is set to 7 or 8 depending on the source laudness (gen 1 non-Meridian premium audio) unless we're having a conversation. Then its turned down to 5 or 6.

In terms of sound quality for vehicles I own, Rivian is in 3rd place behind Bowers and Wilkins, Tesla, then Rivian and Harmon Karden in the last place.

 

[Rizzian]

Gen1 R1S with Rivian Elevation audio. Agree w/ superfluid's detailed info & EQ curve. If I'm actively listening and alone in the car, I use Apple Music, no spacial surround nonsense, Dolby Atmos OFF, volume typically at 12. If I've got passengers and we are talking it's between 4-8. FWIW I was a professional audio engineer for about 12 years. I've done acoustic design and treatment for a handful of studios and media production facilities and still dabble/consult occasionally.

 

[RIV1]

I’ guess I’m the only nut job here who thinks the stereo isn’t loud enough. I have a 25 R1T Meridian and my volume is frequently maxed out…but I want more.
Have a great day

 

[Rizzian]

I’ guess I’m the only nut job here who thinks the stereo isn’t loud enough. I have a 25 R1T Meridian and my volume is frequently maxed out…but I want more.
Have a great day

How do you have a '25 Meridian? I thought the Meridian sound systems were discontinued in Feb 2023?

 

[ElGuano]

I only really use BT audio when my kids want to play music. Usually, that's on volume 2-3

Nav volume is probably 6 to hear clearly over the road.

 

[superfluid]

I only really use BT audio when my kids want to play music. Usually, that's on volume 2-3

Nav volume is probably 6 to hear clearly over the road.

Yes, I forgot to mention that the appropriate volume also depends on how much you like (can tolerate) the music

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Gen1 R1S with Rivian Elevation audio. Agree w/ superfluid's detailed info & EQ curve. If I'm actively listening and alone in the car, I use Apple Music, no spacial surround nonsense, Dolby Atmos OFF, volume typically at 12. If I've got passengers and we are talking it's between 4-8. FWIW I was a professional audio engineer for about 12 years. I've done acoustic design and treatment for a handful of studios and media production facilities and still dabble/consult occasionally.

The surround feature is virtual. Like any virtual surround, it sounds hollow/echoey. Atmos on the other hand is automatic, regardless of your surround setting if you are listening to Apple Music and available only on tracks that has it baked in. And not every Atmos track has is baked in well.

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