Gen 2 Premium sound (I know, I know)

[mrtk77]

Upgraded from a 2024 Gen 1 to a 2025 Gen 2 w/ premium sound. Sounds good, EXCEPT for ATMOS. ATMOS tracks seem to be 85% oriented to the middle speaker in the dash. It's not pleasant, I even checked to make sure the door speakers were on (they are, but very faint). Granted this fluctuates from track to track but the bias is always towards the center dash speaker. non-ATMOS tracks sound far better in the Gen 2, while in the Gen 1 I LOVED the soundstage of the ATMOS tracks. Am I crazy? Is ATMOS hardware based or is it just software implementation? Might I have the wrong amp? Bad hardware? Anyone else out there with a similar experience? Did my first long distance drive today in the new gen 2 and I kept skipping over the ATMOS tracks.

Additionally, is there an EQ optimized setting for the Gen 2 premium sound system?

Thanks for any insight, next move would be to go to a showroom and sit in one and test... but damn, so many things they got right in the gen 2 but this is a big miss.

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[Johnus]

I find the sound stage to be very narrow. With the fader centered, it sounds like the center channel is far louder than the rest. If I put my head in the center of the car, it sounds better. This is with all tracks, not just atmos.

 

[TimVee]

Gen 2, r1t here. Same on a few tracks. But the sound overall, my God!

I'll watch movies with my son while we charge up (via Chromecast) and the surround sound is next level. Absolutely fantastic. Well balanced too.

 

[DaveA]

I found Gen 1 to do the same thing with Atmos tracks, where the center dash speaker is overpowering the others. They have some work to do on both generations.

 

[JeromePowell]

I am no expert audiophile, though I think Atmos is centered around bouncing the sound off the ceiling if I remember what the Best Buy sales person was explaining trying to sell me the latest Sonos Arc sound bar. It did not knock my socks off, but I believe it requires the correct hardware to achieve the desired effect.

 

[AaronTV]

I am no expert audiophile, though I think Atmos is centered around bouncing the sound off the ceiling if I remember what the Best Buy sales person was explaining trying to sell me the latest Sonos Arc sound bar. It did not knock my socks off, but I believe it requires the correct hardware to achieve the desired effect.

Atmos is designed to take advantage of height speakers (in addition to surround) in order to create a 3d sound bubble. Speakers like the one you referenced at Best Buy are designed to try and simulate that height effect for rooms that don't or can't have height speakers installed. Personally, I've never heard a good example of the simulated version working well.

 

[ggood]

exact same here...Gen1 QM w Meridian and we have a new TriMax both R1T.
Sounds very close to Meridian if you squat in the rear with head over center armrest console
in drivers seat w fade/bal default sound is very center of dash and passenger at windshield bias. strongly.
ive sat in passenger seat and actually in the default fade/bal it is much better.
(maybe they want our best friends wo join to enjoy more and buy Rivian's ?
I have found fade bal dot moved a bit behind driver's seat head is getting the best blend of channels, but obviously a work around...but not that different than playing with eq balancing in a room space that has differing sound reflecting materials (e.g. windows, mirrors or drapes on one channel side)
I have tried all 4 corners with the fade /bal dot and all play but the driver side is markedly lower clarity and clearness. especially the drivers side rear.

All that said each recording is different with compression rates and how the music is mixed per channel. I have found most Atmos to be a better presence. But Tidal Max is close, or better on some things.

Hoping a software update can address what seems to be a power amp balancing or.....

I do still have the Gen1 QM with Meridian (lucky to have a buyer but he's not ready for a few months to take possession) and I miss the combo of Balance/Fade and Stage Presence the Meridian has.

Recent EQ settings pic attached w both 3d and dynamic on. I honestly don't think the 3D is working, or should say it is not as noticeable as the Meridian. Putting in a SC ticket. I have a mobile coming in Feb so have tech listen in.

 

[Johnus]

I am no expert audiophile, though I think Atmos is centered around bouncing the sound off the ceiling if I remember what the Best Buy sales person was explaining trying to sell me the latest Sonos Arc sound bar. It did not knock my socks off, but I believe it requires the correct hardware to achieve the desired effect.

TIDAL has some atmos test tracks. I can hear it trying to accomplish this, but the sound stage is too narrow and needs to be expanded. Some of the speaker levels also seem to be too low, particularly the surround speakers.

It otherwise sounds great and I'm hopeful for more enhancements in future OTAs.

 

[ggood]

With you fully
It’s there just needs some update adjustments Try Nils Lofgren Live ( not the Live Acoustic)
The track is Bass and Drum Intro .

 

[CaptTrev]

With you fully
It’s there just needs some update adjustments Try Nils Lofgren Live ( not the Live Acoustic)
The track is Bass and Drum Intro .

@ggood - that is a sick track - this thread was worth it just for that!

on a side note - new member - and R1T dual on order!

 

[ggood]

welcome and glad you are soon "kneeling mode" into a new ride. btw try Victor Wooten Palm Mystery album. track is The Lesson that has some separation and shows depth of any system and the guy can pluck with passion , like the great OK and Suns Waymon Tisdale but then again, one can search out Ray Brown Trio Live in NY/Tokyo! Summertime!

enjoy and you are going to love the new R1T.

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