Sound system sounds bad

[rivs505]

For my R1S, one of the biggest improvements was adjusting the fader to move the sound toward the back of the second row instead of the default position over the first row.

ah, I should try that.

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[Electrified Outdoors]

I have both a T (3/23 build) and an S (6/23 build). Both have the Rivian in house system.

The T I have to turn the volume way up. Between 13-17 ...Below 10 I can barely hear it. With the S anything over 10 is blasting me out.

Also, with the S, the enhanced 3D sound makes rattling noises out of speaker in driver door area. They should be the same system so not sure why such a dramatic difference.

I'm going to play with the EQ. I used the fader in the T to make sure all speakers were working and they seem to be.

 

[COdogman]

I wouldn't call myself an audiophile, but I appreciate a quality audio system and I feel the Meridian in my R1T is pretty damned good.

I would recommend starting by using one of the presets (Rock/ Hip Hop. Jazz) that is closest to what you listen to often, then play with it by changing one bar at a time to see how it affects the sound.

Also turn off the 3D sound. It's too processed, like most "3D" settings.

With an R1S many have said setting the fade back further than might seem normal makes a difference.

 

[R1Tom]

I don't understand why they dropped Meridian. Or at least didn't replace with another premium brand. I know it is alot of marketing and alot of this stuff is made by same people anyway, bit at this price point, I prefer my vehicle to have B&O versus "Ford Premium Sound" in it, etc...

 

[Prime]

I don't understand why they dropped Meridian. Or at least didn't replace with another premium brand. I know it is alot of marketing and alot of this stuff is made by same people anyway, bit at this price point, I prefer my vehicle to have B&O versus "Ford Premium Sound" in it, etc...

Since Rivian does a lot of software updates, it gives them more control to provide enhancements in their Rivian branded audio processing. Something Tesla does as well. With a branded system they are unable to provide any software updates to the audio system without approval of the branded audio company, which I assume is very cumbersome. That said, as others have mentioned, sub and speaker tear downs have revealed that the speakers are still Meridian branded for all vehicles, Rivian just controls the audio processing software in the Rivian branded audio system.

 

[R1Tom]

Since Rivian does a lot of software updates, it gives them more control to provide enhancements in their Rivian branded audio processing. Something Tesla does as well. With a branded system they are unable to provide any software updates to the audio system without approval of the branded audio company, which I assume is very cumbersome. That said, as others have mentioned, sub and speaker tear downs have revealed that the speakers are still Meridian branded for all vehicles, Rivian just controls the audio processing software in the Rivian branded audio system.

Makes sense. So plausibly Meridian spent alot of time getting the processing and balancing correct for the R1 and I would assume Rivian can't use it in non-Meridian branded audio systems, so all the updates may never achieve the results Meridian did when they put their name on it.

 

[Prime]

Makes sense. So plausibly Meridian spent alot of time getting the processing and balancing correct for the R1 and I would assume Rivian can't use it in non-Meridian branded audio systems, so all the updates may never achieve the results Meridian did when they put their name on it.

Possibly, or it may get even better (with time) if they get some dedicated audio engineers on board.

 

[R1Tom]

Possibly, or it may get even better (with time) if they get some dedicated audio engineers on board.

Very true! Maybe they will upgrade amps and speakers too at some point.

 

[electruck]

Also, with the S, the enhanced 3D sound makes rattling noises out of speaker in driver door area.

I believe this is a well known issue where some trim material impinges on the speaker cone and is easily resolved by Rivian service (if I'm recalling correctly, haven't had the issue myself).

 

[LL75]

I have both a T (3/23 build) and an S (6/23 build). Both have the Rivian in house system.

The T I have to turn the volume way up. Between 13-17 ...Below 10 I can barely hear it. With the S anything over 10 is blasting me out.

Also, with the S, the enhanced 3D sound makes rattling noises out of speaker in driver door area. They should be the same system so not sure why such a dramatic difference.

I'm going to play with the EQ. I used the fader in the T to make sure all speakers were working and they seem to be.

If i want to hear good music in my r1s , gotta be at least 20 and above. or else it is so soft.

 

[kyunam]

Since I got my R1S (Meridian), I've been thinking "1995 Nissan Maxima Bose sound system" sounded a lot better. I will try the suggested EQ settings and I hope it makes difference.

 

[electrictaco]

Another thing to improve audio for Spotify users:
- Go into the Setting page in the Spotify app (it's a profile button in the upper right)
- If you have any music playing swipe away the applet to the right (IMPORTANT)
- Now you can change the streaming quality to Very High

If you skip step 2, you can't see the section to change the streaming quality. The default is Auto and it's usually very bad.

 

[R1Tom]

Another thing to improve audio for Spotify users:
- Go into the Setting page in the Spotify app (it's a profile button in the upper right)
- If you have any music playing swipe away the applet to the right (IMPORTANT)
- Now you can change the streaming quality to Very High

If you skip step 2, you can't see the section to change the streaming quality. The default is Auto and it's usually very bad.

Easily the most hidden feature of the vehicle....

 

[Supratachophobia]

Depends on if you have the Meridian system or Rivian's in house system. I found the in-house system in my loaner R1S to be terrible. Poor sound stage, poor bass response, highs and mids were off. I prefer the Meridian in my R1T. I still prefer the ML system from my wife's Lexus or Bowers & Wilkins from my my previous Audi overall.

Lexus ML FTW.....

 

[Supratachophobia]

Hello all,

Is it my R1S or the sound system is poor in general or I should get it checked. Don't feel the woofer is powerful, very poor bass.

You have less speakers and smaller magnets with the in-house system. I doubt it sounds objectively bad, but the math states it wouldn't sound as good.

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