Gen2 R1S Sound quality

[dleepnw]

In a nutshell, the system is trash for a $100k vehicle. The best you can do is adjust the EQ. Rivian does make minor improvements via s/w updates but there's only so much you can do based on the h/w they installed. The premium sound package won't improve it much. The best system they had was on the Gen1, the Meridian Elevation - done by real sound engineers.

Holding my breath how "bad" the R2 system will be. Its a more mainstream vehicle so there's going to be a lot more complaining about it if they put in another subpar system. Fingers crossed they get that sound system right, even at the lower price point.

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[adatel]

Maybe RJ likes classical music? Listening to Glenn Gould and the Goldberg in my G2 is pretty spectacular and better than on my GL450.

 

[JohnQ3256]

You’re welcome. I still am not super happy with how the 4k band sounds in this vehicle and will set it to -3, -4 to let more transients through vs. the -7. Hope it’s a good starting point!

Greatly appreciate the help! I made the adjustments (including adjusting the 4k band to -4), and I must say, it sounds much better than when I first picked it up and better than the "v" shape that some recommended.

 

[JohnQ3256]

by jove i think you nailed it Z. we have a G1 w Meridian and now a G2 Tri. ive been "forumizing" for months on this and playing with the EQ realizing it was certainly not going to end up w a "convential" curve shape on the levels. I just tried your settings and went from G2 to the Meridian and on most tracks, it is near impossible to tell diff. not exact match yet mostly in the "presence" and separation but i over compensated on the "fade/balance" to be just off the rear of the driver's seat and it is much much much closer. crisp , clear while bass is punchy not muted.

Ref tune Nils Lofgren Live Bass and Drum Intro .

thanks Z!

Do you mind expounding on this part? "over compensated on the "fade/balance" to be just off the rear of the driver's seat" do you mind showing a picture of how you have it set? I already adjusted the EQ bands, per zendavian's recommendations, but if this helps also, I'd like to adjust this as well.

 

[zendavian]

In a nutshell, the system is trash for a $100k vehicle. The best you can do is adjust the EQ. Rivian does make minor improvements via s/w updates but there's only so much you can do based on the h/w they installed. The premium sound package won't improve it much. The best system they had was on the Gen1, the Meridian Elevation - done by real sound engineers.

Holding my breath how "bad" the R2 system will be. Its a more mainstream vehicle so there's going to be a lot more complaining about it if they put in another subpar system. Fingers crossed they get that sound system right, even at the lower price point.

It’s obvious they didn’t do enough work to tune this system to the vehicle. The resonance buildup is terrible and EQ can only take it so far. The frustrating part for me is it’s so variable - I can EQ it and it will sound great for 5 tracks and then fall apart on the next unlike I’ve experienced in other vehicles.

 

[ggood]

Sure here’s pic . I moved the fade balance dot to a spot behind the drivers seat and over right shoulder to help the imaging that was more front dash and right sided
Btw total accident and not practical but I was moving a large item in rear seat yesterday so slid the drivers seat forward . That was interesting as it helped .
as others note , the $ of the truck has us all speaking up on the sound quality/experience but I’ll find a way to make lemonade and w Z’s adjustments , I’m not thirsty much more . Yes if I replaced the woofer w JL and doors w Focals would it be better ? yes .

ps tried those classical tunes . Nice !

ck out Ray Brown Trio Live At Scullers
The Real Blues

or better Ryan Bingham album Mescalito tune Bread and Water Alt Version

both hands on wheels

imo w these adjustments from Z the sound system should not be an obstacle to go to G2
But that’s me …..

 

[zendavian]

Updated EQ settings

I’ve grown to dislike the Dynamic Sound Adjustment, turned it off and spent some time running through various reference tracks to build an updated EQ curve if anyone wants to give it a try. My main goals are to tame the resonances and mid harshness while keeping the bass punchy. Thanks your feedback!

(I think the bass on my original curve was a little fluffy, this feels like a punchier balance between the 63, 125 and 250)

Rerence tracks:
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Jacob Collier feat John Legend

First Steps - Cory Henry

Back Pocket - Vulfpeck

Autumn - Couch

3D sound: on
Dynamic: off
Fade and balance: default

63: 0

125: -4

250: -3

500: -5

1k: -7

2k: -4

4k: -6

8k: -6

16k: 0

 

[zendavian]

Sure here’s pic . I moved the fade balance dot to a spot behind the drivers seat and over right shoulder to help the imaging that was more front dash and right sided
Btw total accident and not practical but I was moving a large item in rear seat yesterday so slid the drivers seat forward . That was interesting as it helped .
as others note , the $ of the truck has us all speaking up on the sound quality/experience but I’ll find a way to make lemonade and w Z’s adjustments , I’m not thirsty much more . Yes if I replaced the woofer w JL and doors w Focals would it be better ? yes .

ps tried those classical tunes . Nice !

ck out Ray Brown Trio Live At Scullers
The Real Blues

or better Ryan Bingham album Mescalito tune Bread and Water Alt Version

both hands on wheels

imo w these adjustments from Z the sound system should not be an obstacle to go to G2
But that’s me …..

It’s so variable! Moving the seats changes so much. Focals would be amazing for sure. I’d love to get your thoughts on the updated settings I just posted, you seem to have a great set of ears and am really enjoying your reference tracks!

 

[petemill]

Podcasts and audio books have so much echo!

 

[ggood]

for the record, my ears are good to me, but my wife says " i dont listen at all! " ;0)

i like these latest adjustments and that Cory Henry tune is sweet. reminds me of a sophisticated Victor Wooten (The Lesson) but with Keyboard. Never heard that Troubled Water version...nice.

im going to play with your latest setting adjustments. was skeptical on the default fade bal but it did change things quite a bit on that brassy harshness for the better even more that you nearly removed on last settings!

to me the 16k at 0 is a good move when the 3D is on. I'm not one for the 3D but hey we paid for those little speakers why not turn em on!

good track for lots of base lines and drum ooomph ....

Lucero - My Best Girl.
its not yet Dolby but on Tidal it does fine. after i taped up the loose wires in drivers side door panel from buzzing. FYI he's talking about his guitar but for some of us R1T/S rs we know its our trucks ;0)

if they could find a simple way to offer an upscaling DAC in Gear Shop which should be a remote service call, that would do wonders to it all and give us Qobuz streaming!

I ll ck back after a solo road trip coming up.

again thanks for sharing those settings it works for me!

 

[McWriteface]

i have not noticed any difference when i change between 3D on to advanced, nor between the different levels of dynamic. has anyone found these settings to do anything to the sound?

 

[JohnQ3256]

Sure here’s pic . I moved the fade balance dot to a spot behind the drivers seat and over right shoulder to help the imaging that was more front dash and right sided
Btw total accident and not practical but I was moving a large item in rear seat yesterday so slid the drivers seat forward . That was interesting as it helped .
as others note , the $ of the truck has us all speaking up on the sound quality/experience but I’ll find a way to make lemonade and w Z’s adjustments , I’m not thirsty much more . Yes if I replaced the woofer w JL and doors w Focals would it be better ? yes .

ps tried those classical tunes . Nice !

ck out Ray Brown Trio Live At Scullers
The Real Blues

or better Ryan Bingham album Mescalito tune Bread and Water Alt Version

both hands on wheels

imo w these adjustments from Z the sound system should not be an obstacle to go to G2
But that’s me …..

Awesome, thank you!

 

[JohnQ3256]

Updated EQ settings

I’ve grown to dislike the Dynamic Sound Adjustment, turned it off and spent some time running through various reference tracks to build an updated EQ curve if anyone wants to give it a try. My main goals are to tame the resonances and mid harshness while keeping the bass punchy. Thanks your feedback!

(I think the bass on my original curve was a little fluffy, this feels like a punchier balance between the 63, 125 and 250)

Rerence tracks:
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Jacob Collier feat John Legend

First Steps - Cory Henry

Back Pocket - Vulfpeck

Autumn - Couch

3D sound: on
Dynamic: off
Fade and balance: default

63: 0

125: -4

250: -3

500: -5

1k: -7

2k: -4

4k: -6

8k: -6

16k: 0

Happy to try these out as I just saw the post, but with the new update, I'm curious of both you and ggood's thoughts and if these settings will change.

I'm not an audiophile by any means and my last 3 cars had no EQ adjustments at all. I basically turned on bass boost, lowered the mids and raised the highs.

 

[Gigabit]

When the Bluetooth speaker sounds about as good as the speaker system there is a problem. Kidding of course. When I took my gem 1 R1T into the service center, they lent me an gen1 R1S and I immediately noticed the R1S had very little bass. Imaging also wasn't as good. Overall on my R1T sound quality is adequate. Good enough to get solid soundstage and all the frequencies are there. Its not going to blow socks off but does a job.

 

[RivianSteve]

I am going to post this in all of the threads which mention the Audio Update. I have an Aftermarket Sub in my Gen2 R1S> I can confidentially say that Rivian has been throttling back the bass response even to the prior update. This update is a significant change to not only the volume of the sub but also to the actual crossover frequency. The most noticeable change I hear is with the song "Somebody Else" by the 1975 where you hear the bass cut in and out at certain frequency's and it sounds really bizarre. I had to turn the gain way up on the amp just to hear the sub and overall, the whole experience just sounds weird compared to prior updates. The change for the worse is definitely amplified by having an aftermarket sub. I know changing factory equipment isn't exactly encouraged by Manufacturers, but I was left with no choice on this truck as the audio experience is extremely important to me. Coming from my original R1T with Meridian, I can say I am disappointed. I have seen flashes of good but for $115,000 we should have betters or at least be given the opportunity to pay for better.

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