Gjeebs' 2027 R2 is Here - (Initial Review + Drive)

[RoadtripEV]

I'm not a professional sound engineer, but a humble composer. I've never understood the desire for lots of bass in people's cars (or any sound system). Yeah, I want to hear the low notes, but not at the expense of the rest of the soundscape. Maybe that's just me?

I suppose it depends on the genre's of music you enjoy. I have quite the wide range of taste in music. From Hip-Hop/RnB, , House, Heavy Metal and Classical.

I think bass is important, but clean, punchy bass, not over the top because as you stated it overpowers the rest of the sound.

Coming from higher end sound systems in the past and a Meridian in an early R1T now, I think the sound in the R2 is more than adequate. Not quite the high end levels of some systems, but not nearly as bad as some of the opinions that have been shared from early impressions.

I will say though, Tesla's absolutely punch above their weight class. The sound is quite nice and full.

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[tate16t]

This is the first video that really has me thinking of a swap.

 

[Mos Eisley]

I'm not a professional sound engineer, but a humble composer. I've never understood the desire for lots of bass in people's cars (or any sound system). Yeah, I want to hear the low notes, but not at the expense of the rest of the soundscape. Maybe that's just me?

Amen brother (former symphony, brass musician and studio/broadcaster/engineer here).

 

[lessonsbykamar]

Before the last update it was terrible. I think its pretty good now after the last update, and I came from the Gen 1 Meridian. Looking forward to the next update with even more tweaks.

Please say more! I drive a 2022 R1T (with Meridian) and my biggest hesitation outside of RAP1 on the R2 is the sound system.

 

[dcdttu]

I'm not a professional sound engineer, but a humble composer. I've never understood the desire for lots of bass in people's cars (or any sound system). Yeah, I want to hear the low notes, but not at the expense of the rest of the soundscape. Maybe that's just me?

It's personal preference, and likely the type of music people listen to. I have a fairly bad left ear that can only hear low frequencies (lost hearing as a kid from strep throat or the likes). More bass makes my left ear feel included. Haha.

Either way, having the option for an ass-ton of bass is a great option to have, and shows that the system is capable, whether you want it or not. I agree with you that many won't want it, but I'd rather be able to make that decision myself than the car make it for me.

 

[HeresRonnie]

I'm particularly surprised at how he says the sound system is great, since I've basically only heard people say it sucks and my own experience on demo drive I only found it acceptable, not good or great, and that was only after adjusting the equalizer/settings.

I test drove the R2 and I was curious about the sound system. It was okay but I nowhere near as bad as I read people say.

The meridian sound system is phenomenal especially with Dolby. I wish Rivian offered some option of it. I guess upgrading the R2 sound DIY is always an option.

 

[DaveA]

Please say more! I drive a 2022 R1T (with Meridian) and my biggest hesitation outside of RAP1 on the R2 is the sound system.

I currently have mine set using the eq settings that Jordan recommended at the very end of his KBB R2 review on YouTube. I was skepticle because usually my eq settings look like a wide U shape on prior vehicles. But these are pretty good.

 

[cgmb16]

I test drove the R2 on Tuesday. Not sure which software version it had. I tested the sound system using the integrated Apple Music, not Bluetooth. I also adjusted the EQ levels to ones that were recommended from the R2 Facebook group. I tested a wide variety of songs from different genres (rock, alternative, rap, pop, etc.), and it preformed flawlessly in my opinion. The sound quality was excellent, as was the bass. I am coming from a Ford Fusion that has a Sony branded "premium" sound system. It isn't the best, but it isn't terrible either. A few things I noted:

1.) I listen to my music at a higher volume in the fusion due to engine, road, & general vehicle noises. In the R2, that simply wasn't the case. The vehicle overall is so quiet comparatively. I felt like I actually didn't have to crank the volume as high to enjoy the music. That could also be due to a better overall sound system in the R2 as well.

2.) I feel that the R2 will be a lot of people's first EV. It will be mine when I finally get to order it. I think for the most part, people coming from ICE vehicles (unless coming from luxury brand with high end systems) will be amazed at the quality of the premium sound system, after the last update especially. My experience Tuesday was better than both of the HK sound systems in the BMW and MINI vehicles I have owned in the past, and certainly better than the SONY system in my current vehicle. It also sounded much better than the B&O branded system in my father's F-150.

Experience is relative, I understand that. This post is just a reflection of my observations from a Tuesday test drive. I have heard the sound systems in Tesla's before, and they are good, no doubt. For ICE consumers like myself that are upgrading to a Rivian, I think the sound system in the R2 is wonderful. Just my opinion though. Can't wait to get mine one day soon!

 

[iamnid]

Maybe OP or the moderators can rename this thread to "discussion of R2 sound system"

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

I test drove the R2 on Tuesday. Not sure which software version it had. I tested the sound system using the integrated Apple Music, not Bluetooth. I also adjusted the EQ levels to ones that were recommended from the R2 Facebook group. I tested a wide variety of songs from different genres (rock, alternative, rap, pop, etc.), and it preformed flawlessly in my opinion. The sound quality was excellent, as was the bass. I am coming from a Ford Fusion that has a Sony branded "premium" sound system. It isn't the best, but it isn't terrible either. A few things I noted:

1.) I listen to my music at a higher volume in the fusion due to engine, road, & general vehicle noises. In the R2, that simply wasn't the case. The vehicle overall is so quiet comparatively. I felt like I actually didn't have to crank the volume as high to enjoy the music. That could also be due to a better overall sound system in the R2 as well.

2.) I feel that the R2 will be a lot of people's first EV. It will be mine when I finally get to order it. I think for the most part, people coming from ICE vehicles (unless coming from luxury brand with high end systems) will be amazed at the quality of the premium sound system, after the last update especially. My experience Tuesday was better than both of the HK sound systems in the BMW and MINI vehicles I have owned in the past, and certainly better than the SONY system in my current vehicle. It also sounded much better than the B&O branded system in my father's F-150.

Experience is relative, I understand that. This post is just a reflection of my observations from a Tuesday test drive. I have heard the sound systems in Tesla's before, and they are good, no doubt. For ICE consumers like myself that are upgrading to a Rivian, I think the sound system in the R2 is wonderful. Just my opinion though. Can't wait to get mine one day soon!

I also found that the R1 sound systems performed very well using high quality input. I always use Apple Music at its highest quality. Dolby encoded tracks are exceptional on that system.

 

[Dark-Fx]

I'm particularly surprised at how he says the sound system is great, since I've basically only heard people say it sucks and my own experience on demo drive I only found it acceptable, not good or great, and that was only after adjusting the equalizer/settings.

The first major update improved it quite a bit. Supposedly this last one that I haven't gotten yet has improved it further.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Given my tinnitus, the low notes are all I hear these days…

Goes well with my IBS.

 

[rvnxyz001]

He mentioned this few times

Anyone else noticed this ?

The exact quote is:

"I will say there's some booms in this vehicle. There's some boommy sounds... There's some road noise and resonances that are coming up through the chassis, which are kind of uh shocking."


Timestamp

 

[DaveA]

I also found that the R1 sound systems performed very well using high quality input. I always use Apple Music at its highest quality. Dolby encoded tracks are exceptional on that system.

Here’s a great test track. Not Dolby but sounds great to me. Volume at 18 even.

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

Here’s a great test track. Not Dolby but sounds great to me. Volume at 18 even.

Probably the best that I've found on my R1 is Throwing Copper by Live. I agree with many people that the bass can be anemic on the R1 system at times, but it seems to be more of an issue with how the system sends audio to different channels because with Atmos enabled the bass is clean and hits hard on that album, especially Pillar of Davidson (which has a great baseline anyways).

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