R2 audio system is being tuned with "amazing results" per Wassym

[sparked]

Per the recent Reddit AMA, Wassym talked about the audio system for R2

WassymRivian: This is an area we’re really excited about for R2, and we are getting amazing results in our recent production tuning! We’ve had a lot of lessons learned with R1 which we are applying to R2. Specifically, the force-balanced midwoofer and subwoofer use opposing drivers to cancel mechanical vibration. Most energy in a traditional speaker is wasted rattling door panels - with the R2 design, we redirect that into actual sound using physics, not just tuning.

We architected our vehicle Audio hardware design to be entirely updatable through OTA, so as we continue to improve the experience with the launch of R2, we will continue to improve the R1 system as well.

Sponsored

 

[Mos Eisley]

This is verbatim the same thing he said around the time of SXSW. I know they’re a relatively small team, but sometimes things feel like aspects of the vehicle get into the customers’ hands when they’re still alpha, not even beta. Tuning a space and the audio for example. More-established carmakers, Volvo or BMW say, aren’t going out the doors either sound systems that are “good but give us some time and we’ll make it better.” I’m an audio geek, if I test drive a vehicle and the stereo is just “ok” with a promise that someday it will better, is quite an obstacle for me. Here’s to hoping that they really nail the audio from the get go and R2 has, at least, as much EQ flexibility as R1.

 

[DuoRivians]

He also said people preferred Rivian in-house audio over Meridian

 

[macb00kemdanno]

I’m more excited about this. Yay, YouTube Music

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

but sometimes things feel like aspects of the vehicle get into the customers’ hands when they’re still alpha, not even beta.

The new order of things in the car industry. Pioneered by Tesla. Consumers just aren't aware or used to it because they are still used to cars from legacy auto, that aren't yet for fully software-defined. And they aren't aware or haven't been exposed to it because pure EVs are aren't even 10% of total US market.

But if they own a personal computing device, be it a computer, smartphone or tablet, it's nothing new. The hardware is sold with a certain development and capability ceiling and the hardware isn't all that it can be until the software to do it is available.

Software-defined cars are computers that just happen to be cars.

Wassym said something along these lines in his AMA today and it's worth repeating: The software-defined car you buy is the least capable from of it. It gets better through software development and updates. Such is the case for gen 1 R1 still, a year after they stopped building them.

 

[dleepnw]

Unfortunately Rivian does not get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to audio because they have tweaked and fiddled with R1 audio via OTA for 3 years with mixed/mediocre results. Meridian was amazing out of the gate because Meridian knows whats it’s doing.

Rivian might be learning but proof is in the pudding. Let’s see what the R2 audio actually sounds like. Honestly, if you have to keep tweaking audio with OTAs, it means you still haven’t figured it out.

 

[hammick]

Unfortunately Rivian does not get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to audio because they have tweaked and fiddled with R1 audio via OTA for 3 years with mixed/mediocre results. Meridian was amazing out of the gate because Meridian knows whats it’s doing.

Rivian might be learning but proof is in the pudding. Let’s see what the R2 audio actually sounds like. Honestly, if you have to keep tweaking audio with OTAs, it means you still haven’t figured it out.

Our G2 R1S stereo has greatly improved since delivery, and I think it's a good system. But I have to admit when I get those Launch Edition R1T loaners that Meridian sounds insane.

 

[Mos Eisley]

The new order of things in the car industry. Pioneered by Tesla. Consumers just aren't aware or used to it because they are still used to cars from legacy auto, that aren't yet for fully software-defined. And they aren't aware or haven't been exposed to it because pure EVs are aren't even 10% of total US market.

But if they own a personal computing device, be it a computer, smartphone or tablet, it's nothing new. The hardware is sold with a certain development and capability ceiling and the hardware isn't all that it can be until the software to do it is available.

Software-defined cars are computers that just happen to be cars.

Wassym said something along these lines in his AMA today and it's worth repeating: The software-defined car you buy is the least capable from of it. It gets better through software development and updates. Such is the case for gen 1 R1 still, a year after they stopped building them.

I agree with and get all of that - but in certain areas, I think it pays to "go outside" for a solution while they focus on the core needs. I think great audio is one to "leave to the experts" FWIW.
One example of why the tech bro model breaks down:
Iphones and Airpods. They could only tweak the audio in very minor ways via software updates, the big leaps came with new hardware. Buyers will willing buy new Airpods every couple of years, they can't take the Rivian in for better speakers and altered acoustic design. While software can achieve remarkable things, the audio will always be throttled by the limitations of the hardware. So partnering B&W or somebody else (better than Bose)should get you closer to great audio out of the box. Mind- I have know idea who and what experience they have designing the R2's audio sh

 

[BaldThunder]

Pandora please!!

 

[R2dreamer]

Unfortunately Rivian does not get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to audio because they have tweaked and fiddled with R1 audio via OTA for 3 years with mixed/mediocre results. Meridian was amazing out of the gate because Meridian knows whats it’s doing.

Rivian might be learning but proof is in the pudding. Let’s see what the R2 audio actually sounds like. Honestly, if you have to keep tweaking audio with OTAs, it means you still haven’t figured it out.

I listened to the sound system in the pre-production unit on display at the Miami R2 Block Party. It sounded very good to me with plenty of base. Hopefully it will only get better with production units and updates. I closed all the windows and cranked it up and was pleasantly surprised after reading all the comments on R1 sound system issues.

 

[Great Gatsby]

Probably the biggest thing I'll keep an ear out for on my test drive. As much as I played with it, I never felt like I got the tuning right in my R1. Music matters to me so this could be a deal breaker, so we'll see what they have learned up until this point. At this price point, "just ok" for sound quality doesn't (and shouldn't) cut it.

 

[Nixapatfan]

I'll believe it when I hear it, their track record for sound quality isn't great, this is the same group of engineers who thought out of phase speakers sounded good for a few years.

R2 being cheaper probably means they cheaped out on the speakers and amps to get to a lower price point. Software isn't going to fix hardware deficiencies. The things he is describing is Bose like management of drivers which their ethos was to make cheap speakers sound decent so I expect about the same type of sound here.

 

[DaveA]

Meridian was needed to cover all the NVH in early Gen 1s. It does so to great affect as I gather noises after 4 yrs.

 

[R2D2TOO]

More-established carmakers, Volvo or BMW say, aren’t going out the doors either sound systems that are “good but give us some time and we’ll make it better.”

To be fair, they can’t. That’s the benefit of OTA updates and a software defined vehicle.

I’m an audio geek, if I test drive a vehicle and the stereo is just “ok” with a promise that someday it will better, is quite an obstacle for me. Here’s to hoping that they really nail the audio from the get go and R2 has, at least, as much EQ flexibility as R1.

Let’s hope they do great. But they can improve it.

Sponsored