F-Type Meridian upgrade: 380W/10 to 770W/12 Surround
#41
12-01-2017, 05:09 AM
OK just to put this info in a useful place.
All F-Types up to VIN K22184 (2015MY) had the IAM2.1 infotainment system
Cars with the Base or 380W Meridian system from VIN K22185 onward got the NLI infotainment system, which cannot be upgraded to surround, however it would be possible to upgrade a Base system to the 380W, i.e. add subwoofers...
Cars in the 2016-2017MY with the 770W Meridian kept the IAM2.1 infotainment, VIN's K22185 to K47319.
Cars after K47319 with the Meridian Surround have the NGI infotainment.
All F-Types up to VIN K22184 (2015MY) had the IAM2.1 infotainment system
Cars with the Base or 380W Meridian system from VIN K22185 onward got the NLI infotainment system, which cannot be upgraded to surround, however it would be possible to upgrade a Base system to the 380W, i.e. add subwoofers...
Cars in the 2016-2017MY with the 770W Meridian kept the IAM2.1 infotainment, VIN's K22185 to K47319.
Cars after K47319 with the Meridian Surround have the NGI infotainment.
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#43
12-06-2017, 10:37 AM
Originally Posted by Tmaffers
To upgrade the base system to 380w by adding subwoofers. Where would I get the subwoofers from? And can they just clip in an go?
All it possible to do if your car before K47319, if your vehicle 2017-2018MY, you’ll need change head Unit additionally & solve wiring for amplifier.
Last edited by 08292; 12-06-2017 at 10:39 AM.
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Tmaffers (12-14-2017)
#45
03-30-2018, 11:47 AM
Member
I have Meridian badged system with the surround options. How can I find out the power? 2016MY. I suspect it's the lower power as it is not as loud as my high end XFR Meridian system was - but that was very shrill even with the treble well down. The Ftype is better from that point of view.
#46
03-30-2018, 12:20 PM
Veteran Member
#47
03-30-2018, 03:59 PM
I have Meridian badged system with the surround options. How can I find out the power? 2016MY. I suspect it's the lower power as it is not as loud as my high end XFR Meridian system was - but that was very shrill even with the treble well down. The Ftype is better from that point of view.
However, we are working on a solution for these systems which will add the missing centre speaker/channel, and provide a bit of fine tuning.
Will update this thread when the first one is ready.
#48
03-30-2018, 07:22 PM
#49
03-31-2018, 06:18 PM
#50
04-29-2018, 12:06 AM
Veteran Member
OK so if you have the 380W 10-speaker Meridian system it is quite literally just one speaker and the amp which is the difference to the 770W 12-speaker Surround Sound system.
All the speakers are the same between the 380W system and the 770W system apart from the center fill speaker, which is actually a pair / dual-cone speaker. The speakers aren't made by Meridian, actually they have no branding on them at all, most likely they are from a Chinese factory of PSS (formerly known as Philips Sound Systems) who were a long time supplier to JLR.
Meridian is just software and a marketing gag...
What? What do you mean?
The amplifiers for the "Meridian" systems are actually the same ones used in the Bowers & Wilkins branded audio in the 2012 XF before they switched to Meridian, and the Harmon Kardon branded systems in some of the Land Rovers. The actual amp that I fitted to this F-Type came out of a wrecked Range Rover Evoque...
OK so...
The center fill speaker;
Attachment 131354
Attachment 131355
Attachment 131356
As per usual, a Land Rover branded item in a Jaguar box. Actually this speaker is a bit unusual in that you can only order it with a Jaguar part number...
The speaker is mounted in the rising air vent assembly and is covered by the same grill.
Attachment 140392
The amp is harder work. Pulling out the rear scuttle without breaking anything is not my idea of fun...
Attachment 140393
But eventually the amp is exposed and it can be swapped over.
Attachment 140394
Attachment 140395
The next step is the kicker...
You need to be able to edit the Car Configuration File (CCF) in order to be able to activate the surround sound functions. A dealer is not going to do this for you. But the dealers diagnostic equipment can be unlocked in order to make these changes.
Without the software changes you do not get the upgrade.
After which you get the Surround options on the screen.
Attachment 140396
I've done the Surround Sound upgrade on a few cars now; Land Rovers LR2, LR3, LR4, Evoque, Jag XF's, and now F-Type. The difference in sound is always an eye opener (or ear opener lol)
Such an improvement for relatively little effort, $75 for a speaker and $400 for an amp off eBay...
The center fill makes the sound come out of the entire dashboard, you can't point your finger at the speaker grill and say "there!" the sound is a proper full surround.
And no rattles, no mud, turn the subs up full and it's fine.
All the speakers are the same between the 380W system and the 770W system apart from the center fill speaker, which is actually a pair / dual-cone speaker. The speakers aren't made by Meridian, actually they have no branding on them at all, most likely they are from a Chinese factory of PSS (formerly known as Philips Sound Systems) who were a long time supplier to JLR.
Meridian is just software and a marketing gag...
What? What do you mean?
The amplifiers for the "Meridian" systems are actually the same ones used in the Bowers & Wilkins branded audio in the 2012 XF before they switched to Meridian, and the Harmon Kardon branded systems in some of the Land Rovers. The actual amp that I fitted to this F-Type came out of a wrecked Range Rover Evoque...
OK so...
The center fill speaker;
Attachment 131354
Attachment 131355
Attachment 131356
As per usual, a Land Rover branded item in a Jaguar box. Actually this speaker is a bit unusual in that you can only order it with a Jaguar part number...
The speaker is mounted in the rising air vent assembly and is covered by the same grill.
Attachment 140392The amp is harder work. Pulling out the rear scuttle without breaking anything is not my idea of fun...
Attachment 140393But eventually the amp is exposed and it can be swapped over.
Attachment 140394Attachment 140395
The next step is the kicker...
You need to be able to edit the Car Configuration File (CCF) in order to be able to activate the surround sound functions. A dealer is not going to do this for you. But the dealers diagnostic equipment can be unlocked in order to make these changes.
Without the software changes you do not get the upgrade.
After which you get the Surround options on the screen.
Attachment 140396I've done the Surround Sound upgrade on a few cars now; Land Rovers LR2, LR3, LR4, Evoque, Jag XF's, and now F-Type. The difference in sound is always an eye opener (or ear opener lol)
Such an improvement for relatively little effort, $75 for a speaker and $400 for an amp off eBay...
The center fill makes the sound come out of the entire dashboard, you can't point your finger at the speaker grill and say "there!" the sound is a proper full surround.
And no rattles, no mud, turn the subs up full and it's fine.
Cambo, I am attempting to install a new center dash speaker & am unable to access the front screw. Topix makes it look like the panel on top of the center vent should pop out. Any help would be appreciated.
#51
04-29-2018, 06:04 AM
Veteran Member
I have found that Meridian setting demphasizes the center dash the most but I don't like the setting as much unless you really crank it. The balance setting helps some if you move emphasis more to center/rear. I've also found the treble tone control seems to impact midrange coming from side speakers. I now have the upgraded speakers and the coaxial seems to dominate more, but overall the sound is much better. Not sure why left and right seem to get less signal/power?
#52
04-29-2018, 11:34 AM
I have found that Meridian setting demphasizes the center dash the most but I don't like the setting as much unless you really crank it. The balance setting helps some if you move emphasis more to center/rear. I've also found the treble tone control seems to impact midrange coming from side speakers. I now have the upgraded speakers and the coaxial seems to dominate more, but overall the sound is much better. Not sure why left and right seem to get less signal/power?
#53
04-29-2018, 01:45 PM
Veteran Member
Yes, meridian seems to do both. Demphasis front center and lessen sides. Whole things seems more muffled.
After driving around this morning with ipod recordings (mp3) via bluetooth, the stereo setting actually seems to provide the most balance between all speakers, but also seems to be most direct implementation of changes from tone controls. I played a wide range of music from Eta James to Jimmy Hendricks. Again I have upgraded the door and dash speakers. Sounds the most natural too.
After driving around this morning with ipod recordings (mp3) via bluetooth, the stereo setting actually seems to provide the most balance between all speakers, but also seems to be most direct implementation of changes from tone controls. I played a wide range of music from Eta James to Jimmy Hendricks. Again I have upgraded the door and dash speakers. Sounds the most natural too.
Last edited by jaguny; 04-29-2018 at 01:52 PM.
#54
04-30-2018, 10:55 AM
Maybe a stupid idea but if people find the centre speaker overpowers too much from left and right, does the stereo option not disable it?
Or just simply remove the speaker from the car?
I assume if you just disconnect some speakers, the stereo will still function fine, for example I've been tempted to just remove the rear subwoofers for both weight savings and because I simply feel they make the car vibrate, more annoying unless you listening at high volumes where the system seems to come alive but as I listen at low volume as I like the engine noise more, the bass vibration from subs is a bit annoying.
Question is what do the rears subs weigh, if they weigh nothing its just easier to turn the subwoofer down to under 50%, all fine then.
Or just simply remove the speaker from the car?
I assume if you just disconnect some speakers, the stereo will still function fine, for example I've been tempted to just remove the rear subwoofers for both weight savings and because I simply feel they make the car vibrate, more annoying unless you listening at high volumes where the system seems to come alive but as I listen at low volume as I like the engine noise more, the bass vibration from subs is a bit annoying.
Question is what do the rears subs weigh, if they weigh nothing its just easier to turn the subwoofer down to under 50%, all fine then.
#56
04-30-2018, 06:38 PM
Veteran Member
Now that I have upgraded speakers I'm settling into using the stereo setting. This setting does not eliminate sound from any of the speakers. I know I didn't prefer this setting before I upgraded the speakers. My center speaker is now a Kevlar black aluminum (I think) that is significantly better quality than original. As I said above tone and balance controls seem to work most effectively on this setting.
Appreciate Gibbo's suggestions, but I enjoy music at times in the car and am relatively satisfied with the upgrades given that there do not seem to be easy replacements for the rear speakers behind the seats.
Appreciate Gibbo's suggestions, but I enjoy music at times in the car and am relatively satisfied with the upgrades given that there do not seem to be easy replacements for the rear speakers behind the seats.
#57
05-02-2018, 06:04 PM
Veteran Member
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#58
05-02-2018, 06:22 PM
Veteran Member
#59
05-02-2018, 08:33 PM
I would love to add a hint of front center to the stereo setting .... Currently the stereo setting is the cleanest, but it is too "far left/far right".
Last edited by mlebofsky; 05-02-2018 at 09:46 PM.
#60
07-21-2018, 08:10 PM
Junior Member
