R1T vs. R1S Meridian Stereo Quality?

[Ralph]

I understood Wassym to say in one of the Instagram videos earlier this week that "the in house audio system allows us to do OTA updates". This seems to imply that the Meridian may not.

I hope that is not the case and I either misunderstood or the comment was an "in the moment" inaccuracy.

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[usofrob]

I understood Wassym to say in one of the Instagram videos earlier this week that "the in house audio system allows us to do OTA updates". This seems to imply that the Meridian may not.

I hope that is not the case and I either misunderstood or the comment was an "in the moment" inaccuracy.

My guess is that it's accurate. It's very possible that Meridian wants to put the stamp of approval ($$) on any sound profile that has their name on it. So, maybe it's technically possible via SW to do the update, but Rivian doesn't want to pay Meridian (or their relationship has gone sour) to create the updated profile. I can easily see how it's not cost effective to keep paying Meridian if they just want to make a few tweaks here and there.

Ever since I heard they dropped Meridian, I've been assuming that they're basically using mostly the same hardware all around and just providing their own sound profile. But, one would need to tear apart a before and after vehicle to really see the difference. OR maybe you could see it in the parts catalog. Anyone have access to that?

 

[moosetags]

We got our R1T yesterday at the Factory. It was produced about three weeks ago and has the Rivian sound system. It sounds great to us. Of course, our play list is mostly 50s/60s Doo Wop.

Brian

 

[Ralph]

My guess is that it's accurate. It's very possible that Meridian wants to put the stamp of approval ($$) on any sound profile that has their name on it. So, maybe it's technically possible via SW to do the update, but Rivian doesn't want to pay Meridian (or their relationship has gone sour) to create the updated profile. I can easily see how it's not cost effective to keep paying Meridian if they just want to make a few tweaks here and there.

Ever since I heard they dropped Meridian, I've been assuming that they're basically using mostly the same hardware all around and just providing their own sound profile. But, one would need to tear apart a before and after vehicle to really see the difference. OR maybe you could see it in the parts catalog. Anyone have access to that?

I worry more that the new units provide the ability through OTA updates to implement some of the promised to come functionality. And that it will not be possible for the Meridian systems.

Texts, DRM video, etc. We will see....but I understand nothing can be future proof forever.

 

[usofrob]

I worry more that the new units provide the ability through OTA updates to implement some of the promised to come functionality. And that it will not be possible for the Meridian systems.

Texts, DRM video, etc. We will see....but I understand nothing can be future proof forever.

I doubt any of those things would be effected by the Meridian vs Rivian speakers. The amplifier with the sound profiles is likely entirely separate from the main head unit that would provide all the features that you're worried about.

Basically, your sound system may never sound any different than it is right now where as the Rivian systems will likely change. I would expect that to be the only difference between the old vs new.

 

[Ralph]

I doubt any of those things would be effected by the Meridian vs Rivian speakers. The amplifier with the sound profiles is likely entirely separate from the main head unit that would provide all the features that you're worried about.

Basically, your sound system may never sound any different than it is right now where as the Rivian systems will likely change. I would expect that to be the only difference between the old vs new.

Yeah, not worried about sound profiles or speakers. And only "slightly concerned" about the head unit being a barrier to new functionality as I don't know how the system as a whole is designed/integrated.

 

[dleepnw]

do you guys know approx what VIN numbers they switched from meridian to the in-house ones?

not sure about the R1S but for the R1T it was somewhere around the 19000 VIN. i am in the 19000 range and I have Meridian. some others who were in that range also have Meridian and some have Rivian Elevation.

 

[R1Tom]

I know the door speaker covers removed the Meridian name, but what did they do with the dash speaker covers? Did they pull the Meridian logo from those too? I assume they did, but haven't seen anyone comment on that.

 

[Jayhawkeye]

Got our vehicle back. As I suspected, there was an issue. One amp wasn’t even working!

I have not tested the quality yet but will do so this weekend.

 

[electruck]

Got our vehicle back. As I suspected, there was an issue. One amp wasn’t even working!

I have not tested the quality yet but will do so this weekend.

Looking forward to hearing your impression post-repair. Also, when you get a chance, can you share the repair details from the invoice?

 

[Jayhawkeye]

All it says is:
AMPLIFIER PREMIUM. Remove and replace.
Part# PT00012023-F

 

[Jayhawkeye]

It took quite a bit of tuning to get my R1S to sound decent. One of the things I had to do was use the fader to center the audio over the back of the second row seats instead of over the front row. I need to have a better listen from the second row but initial impression was it wasn't detrimental and from the front seats it certainly sounds much better, not so much like all the speakers are in the windshield.

After messing around with it this weekend, THIS IS THE WAY!!! Center over the middle row seats and it sounds drastically better.

 

[iBang]

not sure about the R1S but for the R1T it was somewhere around the 19000 VIN. i am in the 19000 range and I have Meridian. some others who were in that range also have Meridian and some have Rivian Elevation.

My R1T VIN is 203xx range and have Meridian audio.

 

[Southern R1S]

not sure about the R1S but for the R1T it was somewhere around the 19000 VIN. i am in the 19000 range and I have Meridian. some others who were in that range also have Meridian and some have Rivian Elevation.

My R1S VIN is 61XX and it has the (non-Meridian) Rivian in-house system.

 

[AWDrift0]

Our R1T Meridian system does not sound good to me at all. It is the one gripe that I have with the car but I think it is only more obvious to me because I am driving my Tesla model S more often than the rivian and the quality difference is stark.

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