Question on our audio systems....

[Zoidz]

I had a weird one-off bug about two years ago with the volume, a few others reported similar. After installing an update, at volume 4, it was too loud to converse with people in the back seat, and at 3 it was a bit too quiet too hear. It was too large of a volume change between single steps. At 10 the dashboard rattled and it was painful. Resets did not fix it. I reported it to Rivian, never got a response - not that I expected one. I did have a custom EQ set up that I had not changed, so a few months later it dawned on me to try changing the customer EQ settings. No change in volume. I rebooted, and the volume issue was fixed, with 6-10 being a good range of volume.

So my suggestion is that if things are not working the way you want, try updating your EQ settings and reboot. Since all of this is software driven and still really being tweaked by Rivian, who knows what memory/data structure anomalies arise between updates that may not be fully regression tested. Bottom line - it worked for me.

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[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

FWIW... I had a SC loaner a couple of months ago that was a '22 LE with Meridian. I tuned EQ to match what Superfluid had posted and compared to my own '23 with a modified version of his EQ recommendations... and I did not hear a noticeable difference. I don't care what all the arguments online claim. The experience reaffirmed my believe that there is a fair bit of placebo effect involved with having a branded badge.

Both distorted just as readily with the same electronic music with low frequency bass elements (i.e. DJ Krush). I think any R1 could benefit greatly with additional vibration dampening mats on the doors, and possibly better quality speakers (including the factory sub and sub enclosure).

 

[Rizzian]

I wish Rivian sold a "plug and play" R1S subwoofer that fit in the large spare tire cavity, taps into the existing wire harness and gets a "Sub level" fader on the EQ screen. Seems like that would solve about 95% of the audio shortcomings.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I wish Rivian sold a "plug and play" R1S subwoofer that fit in the large spare tire cavity, taps into the existing wire harness and gets a "Sub level" fader on the EQ screen. Seems like that would solve about 95% of the audio shortcomings.

You can go to custom audio shop for that, or DIY if you want to get your hands dirty with fiberglass. Between TAP Plastics and the home improvement box stores, you can get almost everything you need.

Or you can just get the sub upgrade kit soonishev.com just released and keep the storage space.

 

[Rizzian]

The surround feature is virtual. Like any virtual surround, it sounds hollow/echoey. Atmos on the other hand is automatic, regardless of your surround setting if you are listening to Apple Music and available only on tracks that has it baked in. And not every Atmos track has is baked in well.

UnsungZerldTimeAdMan, when something is mixed well in Atmos, it sounds phenomenal. I'm not a huge Tom Petty fan, but the Atmos mixes of that material is amazing, along with some of the Beatles remixes/remasters. The problem I've got with Atmos is that most of the content out there has been quickly and haphazardly "remixed" in Atmos in hopes of getting a few extra streams on new hardware platforms. In some cases, these mixes are almost comically bad, like a karaoke version of the originals where someone decided to put the band "on stage" in the front speakers, the vocals coming from the center of the car and all of the effects pushed out to the far edges. Not every song that was recorded and mixed in stereo was meant to be played back in surround, just like every film you've ever loved is not supposed to be shown in 3D. Guns and Roses "Appetite for Destruction", the Pixies "Tromp Le Monde" are some of the WORST Atmos mixes I've ever heard. Since I use Apple Music in my R1S, I can "turn off" Atmos by going into my account settings and toggling off "spacial audio." Then everything defaults to stereo playback instead of prioritizing the Atmos versions (if they exist).

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Y'all cranking the volume like you're still in your 20's. Meanwhile I'm over here like:

 

[RIV1]

How do you have a '25 Meridian? I thought the Meridian sound systems were discontinued in Feb 2023?

You are 100% correct! Just goes to show I'm still learning. LOL

I purchase the "best" stereo system and it's no where close to the Meridian! The timing was perfect...I took my truck in for its 18K service and was given a 2022 R1T and what a difference in stereos!

My 2025 is pathetic in comparison! I did ask the service center to look into mine though...since i don't really hear any sound until the volume is at 12, which i think/hope is a setting/reformat vs. that's "normal".

Thank you for the response!

 

[portdirect]

I also suspect that there may be some build issues - or some weirdness going on the DSP.

I'm working on improving this thing I threw together last night: https://github.com/puppetsock/audio-soundstage

but it was super helpful today to help show how the front door speakers are out of phase, no idea how/when it happened during my trucks service history, or why I suddenly noticed one day in February...

A friends R1T:

harbor@audio-soundstage % make review S=results/session_20260504_204056_good-truck.json
.venv/bin/python soundstage.py review results/session_20260504_204056_good-truck.json

╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Audio Soundstage — Speaker Diagnostic ║
║ Rivian R1T ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

REVIEWING: good-truck
Timestamp: 2026-05-04T20:39:50.044653
Vehicle: Rivian R1T
Mic: Dayton Audio iMM-6C

============================================================
PHASE TEST RESULTS
============================================================
Front L/R OK: In-phase signal is 3.6 dB louder — speakers appear correctly phased.
Rear L/R OK: In-phase signal is 5.8 dB louder — speakers appear correctly phased.
Front/Rear OK: All-Center is 2.1 dB above the louder half — front and rear speakers are summing constructively (in-phase).

Mine:

harbor@audio-soundstage % make review S=results/session_20260505_092952_bad-truck.json
.venv/bin/python soundstage.py review results/session_20260505_092952_bad-truck.json

╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Audio Soundstage — Speaker Diagnostic ║
║ Rivian R1T ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

REVIEWING: bad-truck
Timestamp: 2026-05-05T09:28:53.979544
Vehicle: Rivian R1T
Mic: Dayton Audio iMM-6C

============================================================
PHASE TEST RESULTS
============================================================
Front L/R INVERTED: Out-of-phase signal is 7.5 dB louder — speakers are likely phase-inverted relative to each other.
Rear L/R INCONCLUSIVE: Difference is only 0.5 dB — inconclusive. Try repositioning mic or increasing volume.
Front/Rear INCONCLUSIVE: Summation gain is only -0.3 dB — inconclusive. Try repositioning mic or increasing volume.

Back to the SC

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I also suspect that there may be some build issues - or some weirdness going on the DSP.

I'm working on improving this thing I threw together last night: https://github.com/puppetsock/audio-soundstage

but it was super helpful today to help show how the front door speakers are out of phase, no idea how/when it happened during my trucks service history, or why I suddenly noticed one day in February...

A friends R1T:

harbor@audio-soundstage % make review S=results/session_20260504_204056_good-truck.json
.venv/bin/python soundstage.py review results/session_20260504_204056_good-truck.json

╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Audio Soundstage — Speaker Diagnostic ║
║ Rivian R1T ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

REVIEWING: good-truck
Timestamp: 2026-05-04T20:39:50.044653
Vehicle: Rivian R1T
Mic: Dayton Audio iMM-6C

============================================================
PHASE TEST RESULTS
============================================================
Front L/R OK: In-phase signal is 3.6 dB louder — speakers appear correctly phased.
Rear L/R OK: In-phase signal is 5.8 dB louder — speakers appear correctly phased.
Front/Rear OK: All-Center is 2.1 dB above the louder half — front and rear speakers are summing constructively (in-phase).

Mine:

harbor@audio-soundstage % make review S=results/session_20260505_092952_bad-truck.json
.venv/bin/python soundstage.py review results/session_20260505_092952_bad-truck.json

╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Audio Soundstage — Speaker Diagnostic ║
║ Rivian R1T ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

REVIEWING: bad-truck
Timestamp: 2026-05-05T09:28:53.979544
Vehicle: Rivian R1T
Mic: Dayton Audio iMM-6C

============================================================
PHASE TEST RESULTS
============================================================
Front L/R INVERTED: Out-of-phase signal is 7.5 dB louder — speakers are likely phase-inverted relative to each other.
Rear L/R INCONCLUSIVE: Difference is only 0.5 dB — inconclusive. Try repositioning mic or increasing volume.
Front/Rear INCONCLUSIVE: Summation gain is only -0.3 dB — inconclusive. Try repositioning mic or increasing volume.

Back to the SC

Could it be as simple as wrong wiring causing speaker to be in wrong phase? I vaguely recall a not too old article, on another brand/model of cars having out-of-phase problems to due incorrect wiring.

 

[portdirect]

Could it be as simple as wrong wiring causing speaker to be in wrong phase? I vaguely recall a not too old article, on another brand/model of cars having out-of-phase problems to due incorrect wiring.

I’m pretty sure this is it - the number of times they’ve had my truck on the operating table, I suspect that this is another bit of fallout from that. Pretty pissed though as I got gaslit by the SC that they couldn’t hear anything (though everyone else can) - and then won’t stop talking about atmos.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I’m pretty sure this is it - the number of times they’ve had my truck on the operating table, I suspect that this is another bit of fallout from that. Pretty pissed though as I got gaslit by the SC that they couldn’t hear anything (though everyone else can) - and then won’t stop talking about atmos.

That would explain why some people think their in-house system is absolute shit while others are just fine with theirs... wrong wires on the speaker terminals.

 

[strykerwsu]

I can't fathom those numbers, 2023 R1T. For me listening to Apple Music 6 is normal, 7 is loud, with anything above 8 almost deafening. Cannot imagine over 10, my ears would be ringing or blown out. Listen to Metallica, Royal Blood, Ozzy, Janes Addiction all at 6 or 7 and you can hear it outside the car with the windows down.

For navigation and phone it's in the teens to be normal volume.

My 22 R1T Meridian is loud at 15+ on Apple or Spotify. My 23 R1S Elevation is ear piercing above 7. The Meridian is a lot better overall sound.

 

[strykerwsu]

Interesting a few have Atmos off. Thats the best feature of Rivian audio from my perspective and my passengers. Not all songs but for many really brings them to life.

 

[Biturbowned]

I agree with folks saying a well-mixed Atmos song is incredible and also agree that not all Atmos encoding is equal. 22 Meridian and I’m very happy with it. I really can’t listen to anything about 15 without the windows down, it’s plenty loud for my tastes.

 

[Mos Eisley]

I’m pretty sure this is it - the number of times they’ve had my truck on the operating table, I suspect that this is another bit of fallout from that. Pretty pissed though as I got gaslit by the SC that they couldn’t hear anything (though everyone else can) - and then won’t stop talking about atmos.

Wow- great investigating you've done there. Very cool. To think that somebody could manage to do that in a repair. Yikes! But doubtful it's something that has every crossed a tech's mind.

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