I had high expectations for this sound system after reading about it in the sales brochure. I think it sounds awful. Both of my other cars have a much better sound system. My BMW Z4 has a Harmon Kardon system with Carver Technology and my Q5 has a Bang and Olufsen stereo. I have played with the 3 different settings, but I am still not happy. My salesman advised me to use the Meridian setting which I don't think improved the sound. I did see a post in the how to where someone has detailed info and pics as to what he did with speaker separation, etc to make this system come alive. I haven't had the time to adjust the settings like th op suggested. I will report back after I do. Anyone else feel like this system is lacking?

 

They could have definitely done better in the audio department. Unfortunately, it's getting so that it's extremely difficult to modify the system to make it sound decent without major surgery to the car. And even then it's questionable.

I remember when one of the first things I did when I got a new car was to rip out the sound system and put in my own.

That said, I listen to mostly 70's and 80's which wasn't exactly known for stellar music production techniques.

 

Well, they made such a big thing about the technology of the Meridian sound system, I just expected so much more. Both my sound systems in m other two cars blow this away. I would have to go as far as to say, that it is probably the worst sound system I have ever heard any of my cars, including all the ones that I no longer own. I would expect this from the standard, but not from the upgraded version. I am still hoping that making all the tweaks that Domino_z stated improved the system, will make it somewhat better.

 

The standard sound system in my VW Passat is way better than in my F-Type

 

Wow, interesting view point. I'm no audio expert by any means but I think the 770 Meridian sound system sounds great. I've owned several bimmers with Harmon Kardon. By know means would I say those systems were way better than the Jags, nor in my previous AMG or Cadillacs (Bose).

Again, I'm not an expert on the subject either but what exactly don't you like about the system? (bass? clarity? volume?) Just wonder if there is something wrong with your system. ?

 

I just have the basic system. Wouldn't like to 'fork out' € 3003,- for two extra speakers and an amplifier.. ...you made my day Roadstergall ! The sound from the basic system isn't magical. I have in my D3 a standard audio from 2006
and its way-better then the set in the F-Type. I know, its Harman Kardon, so a different species all together.

What upsets me is that this sound system is standard issue in the UK... And around USD 700 in the America's. So WHY charge € 3003- in the rest of Western Europe...

For which in hindsight, I should be glad... Boy would I be if I did pay even € 700 extra for it.. But I read somewhere [ sorry. can't remember where, too many forums], that Meridian is just a cheap chinese ripp-off now and
nowhere near what it used to be. Some guy demounted the kit from the F-Type and found LR serial numbers... Now I guess if you can find comparable diameter speakers from a better manufacturer it will sound better, but then you
would need to have the same impedance and comparable efficiency. I once did it with a 2008 Ford Fiesta which happened to have a good amp, but cheapo speakers. Threw € 120 at it and replaced two front speakers, you wouldn't
believe the difference..

So I bet if you source a specialist audio car shop, they might serve you with replacement speakers and maybe a booster amp feeding off another speaker.. ..or so & such..

 

VR 46, it is all three, volume, clarity, bass, and hardly any sound coming from the rears. I don't know what model Bimmers you had as they outfit different models with different systems. I have the high end sound system in my Z4 with 14 speakers and as I sometimes have driven the Z4 on one day and the next day the F Type, I can say without hesitation that the Z4's sound system is rich and clear at all volume levels and with the top up or down. I am going to really mess around with it this weekend.

 

If you had suffered through previous Jag systems, including the execrable B & W system that they somehow got awards for, you'd think that the Meridian was awesome. It does sound a lot better in the XE than in the F Type, probably due to better speaker placement.

 

I've been following this (and will do more research later). I'm honestly not sure which system I have (honestly haven't cared enough to look), but either way it isn't great. It's fine for now since I'm still in love with the sound of the car and since people aren't being as creepy anymore (seriously does "hey baby can I get a ride in your car?" ever work?!), I'm not having to be as obnoxious with the loud music. To even crank it up enough to hear while driving with the top down though, I've had to turn the bass down more than I'd like and while it works, it isn't great (my Solstice had MUCH better overall sound and low end), but for now I can live with it. If the car itself didn't sound so fabulous, I'd be more unhappy about it (although I do miss having a good bit of low end in my music). Once I'm out of CPO maybe I'll look into playing around with replacement speakers or something, but at least I know there will be plenty of information here for me when I'm ready to do something about it.

 

@BruceTheQuail.

I just noticed your signature : we both have FT's and a MiTo.. .. mine have the bleu's , your in the red..

 

Is that not some updates / bulletins Jaguar announced that updates the software and also some other updates where they remove door panels and other areas of car and add in some dynomat to help stop the rattles/resonating?

 

As discussed in many other threads, the audio systems are very sensitive to the quality of the source. I have the 380W system, and it's horrible on satellite, mediocre on FM, and not too bad from CDs or streaming.

I suspect I'll replace the speakers at some point, and maybe some dynamat. I had the radio on yesterday (news, talking), with the top down, and hung my arm out. The outside skin of the door was vibrating pretty badly, as was the door card.

 

Here's JTB00432v2...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fx74fn2exc...ystem.pdf?dl=0

 

I agree completely. The 770 system in my car is superb BUT it takes a bit of playing with the various choices (stereo or the 3 different surround sound choices) as well as with the balance controls to find the best result - which varies according to the choice of music. In addition, you have to keep in mind the configuration of the interior. The two large speakers are directly placed behind the seat back (nowhere else to put them!) so that has an effect. It is not logical to compare the sound inside this very confined 2-seater space with that in a car with a rear seat.

 

I didn't think anyone was comparing the 770 to a car with a back seat. At the expense of sounding redundant, my Z4 is a 2 seater with speakers behind the seat and the sound system in that compared to the F Type is like day and night. As much as I am an audiophile, I love this car and the sound of the exhaust.

 

Thats why I can not hear them almost.. ... the seats are closing off the speakers to accomodate my 6ft 4" frame..

 

Hello

Sorry can not believe this comment, I have the 380 Meridian system and sounds great ..

Trust me I make valve amplifiers for a living so know something about audio production, at the end of the day its a small metal box that we are listening music to.

For example what music files are you using ? I use FLAC lossless and WAV uncompressed not MP3 compressed.

I have had Bose systems / Harmon Kardon / etc etc and sound just as good if not better then my recent Z4 35is system, trust me if the system was no good I would be the first to complain .. there is a software upgrade I believe mentioned in topix

You most have a fault .. sorry just saying also as just mentioned I have Z4 E89 35is and it is not better in anyway

regards

 

Yeah, I've been reading a bit and knew about the TSB. I haven't tried CDs (since I ripped them all long ago), but maybe I'll try. Sirius is better than BT streaming for me (I have to turn it up a good bit louder to get the same sound volume I was getting from Sirius). I don't do regular radio because Atlanta radio is beyond terrible. After they killed the one station I liked, tried to merge it into the station I grew up with and then killed that one I gave up on them. Besides, almost none play music in the mornings anymore and I don't want to listen to any of the morning crews. Guess I'll play a bit with CD and USB/thumb drive when/if I get bored with the engine sound. I just figure at some point I'll upgrade speakers/look into that TSB or something, but for now I really don't care. I suspect I just have the base system since I don't seem to have as many adjustments as some of you have mentioned, or I just haven't found them yet.

 

One thing it took me awhile to learn, is that the BT device volume has to be turned up all the way to get similar volume from that as you do from Sirius or broadcast.

 

I agree that the upgraded Meridian is not good. But for those of you looking for more sound from the rear speakers, your understanding of an audio system is incorrect. You should NOT hear much from the rear, particularly in a 2-seater. Sound stages are meant to be front-biased. Ask yourself this: When is the last time you went to a concert and the band was behind you? In car audio, when building a system for sound quality, most times the rear speakers are thrown in the trash or replaced with something very basic.

Same with home audio. You shouldn't have much output from the rear surround speakers. The screen is in front of you, as are the people talking. My dad used to drive me nuts because he thought that with surround sound, you should have equal sound from all speakers, which just isn't the case. The rear should only provide sound for noises behind you, such as bullets and airplanes flying by.