2025.34.30 Sound Change

[bsloanindy]

I definitely recommend turning off Dolby Atmos on any source. Doing that helps lower the overbearing center speaker audio which just kills the definition and separation. That helped greatly with my system by turning it off in the Rivian Apple Music app and on my phone. I also have the other 3D and Enhanced audio off. Their DSP doesn't seem to push out high quality audio.

What Rivian needs to keep working on:

- Reduce the "center" audio usage​

- Increase the "brightness" of the high range​

Sound is too flat. This could be a hardware/speaker limitation.​

- Keep the low range sound in the sub and reduce it from the door speakers​

Hopefully this will reduce rattling and the power load of the system - making more avaliable to the sub.​

- Add more power/punch to the sub and keep it there​

- The "balance" settings should not affect the sub audio​

Bass is omnidirectional and the sub provides the best low range response. Use it.​

- Add the option to disable "audio ducking" when a door is opened​

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[pointless]

I disagree on the brightness. Like most car audio I find my R1T needs some highs dipped slightly.

 

[Honey]

This makes me wonder if there are some kind of undocumented (to the public at least) system differences because your experience seems to be the opposite of mine.

My bass was drastically reduced after the update. So much so, it actually made me doubt if anyone working on the update actually sat in an R1S and A/B tested the update with the previous version. Maybe Rivian tested on something equivalent to your truck and most people have a different version.

This is all speculation of course but hard to explain how you could be having such a different experience.

Well I spoke to the service center tech, they told me rivian software/sound engineering team(?)intentionally dropped the bass decibels in the most recent update. So there you have it.

 

[AdventureTravel]

I have a full aftermarket sound system with 13 inch sub. After the update I immediately adjusted the bass on the EQ and on my bass wheel. Clarity sounds even better to me now but the bass was definitely turned down on the most recent update.
IMHO just need to update the full system, it’s my favorite thing about my Rivian now

 

[zendavian]

If Apple, turn off Sound Check under Settings (click the person icon). Makes a WORLD of difference. Also turn off Spatial Audio while there seems to weirdly flatten the sound stage.

If you’d like to try my EQ settings that I think really help open things up:


Dynamic Low on

63: +1

125: 0

250: -1

500: -2

1k: +1

2k: +1

4k: -1

8k: 0

16k: +1

 

[Rividiculous]

I finally got a chance to drive my R1S with the latest update. I was prepared for an audio disaster. To the contrary!!! It sounds soooo much better TO ME now. Before I would have said the stereo was “okay.” Definitely worlds better than my old Outback but that’s a low bar. Now I would call it “excellent.” Nearly as good as my old 3 series which still outshines anything else I’ve driven, but Rivian is at least in the same league now.

Of course, It’s also possible that my expectations were so low (due to reading this forum) that I just think it’s improved. In which case, thank you all.

 

[Gumpman]

I have a full aftermarket sound system with 13 inch sub. After the update I immediately adjusted the bass on the EQ and on my bass wheel. Clarity sounds even better to me now but the bass was definitely turned down on the most recent update.
IMHO just need to update the full system, it’s my favorite thing about my Rivian now

So you put adapters market system in your R1S? I was considering this, but I already paid for the premium system.

 

[AdventureTravel]

So you put adapters market system in your R1S? I was considering this, but I already paid for the premium system.

Well if you are happy with the system you have then no need to change it.
I had the regular stock system and the sound quality was so bad that I immediately had to replace it. A good system transforms the vehicle, night and day difference.

 

[mkhuffman]

I have a Gen1 Quad T as a loaner while my car is in service. I agree the Merridian system sounds better. But it isn't as dramatic as I was expecting based on the comments. IMO it sounds almost the same.

The problem is I am streaming Bluetooth to the loaner, and streaming directly from Spotify in my truck. So the loaner is at a disadvantage. Maybe when I go to pick up my truck they will let me do a A/B comparison with Bluetooth audio in both.

BTW - the bass is quite good in my truck. I do have to turn up the bass EQ higher to match what it seems to do in the Gen1 Quad, but the end result isn't that different. IMO, of course.

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