F-Type Meridian upgrade: 380W/10 to 770W/12 Surround
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Joined: Sep 2017
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From: PA
Has anyone else done what the OP described for the vert? New center speaker and new amp? I'm pretty dissatisfied with the 380w Meridian and would like it to sound better. I'm not even sure I care about the software aspect of the upgrade (unless you don't see any improvement without it). Was there a significant improvement in sound quality?
CAMBO - Any chance you can PM me the info for the guy from NJ that can help with the software aspect of this upgrade? Are these still the recommended part numbers:
Amp - DX23-19C164-BA
Center Speaker - C2Z22817
Also, has anyone actually done any of the below as an additional alternative/upgrade? Did it work?
The front door bass speakers are the same as the X351 XJ rear door bass speakers, and the subs on the parcel shelf.
This means there is a potential to swap out these "cheap" Meridian speakers for the Kevlar ones from the B&W 1200W system, or the special ones from the 1500W Meridian Signature system.
Likewise the front door midrange speakers are also taken from the X351 XJ, however they are the low-spec version from the Base audio, and 380W Meridian. In the XJ there is a "better" midrange speaker used in the 825W system, also a "better" one from the earlier 1200W B&W system, and the 1500W Meridian Signature system.
CAMBO - Any chance you can PM me the info for the guy from NJ that can help with the software aspect of this upgrade? Are these still the recommended part numbers:
Amp - DX23-19C164-BA
Center Speaker - C2Z22817
Also, has anyone actually done any of the below as an additional alternative/upgrade? Did it work?
The front door bass speakers are the same as the X351 XJ rear door bass speakers, and the subs on the parcel shelf.
This means there is a potential to swap out these "cheap" Meridian speakers for the Kevlar ones from the B&W 1200W system, or the special ones from the 1500W Meridian Signature system.
Likewise the front door midrange speakers are also taken from the X351 XJ, however they are the low-spec version from the Base audio, and 380W Meridian. In the XJ there is a "better" midrange speaker used in the 825W system, also a "better" one from the earlier 1200W B&W system, and the 1500W Meridian Signature system.
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From: upstate new york
If you reference the other thread on the stereo issues you will find what I and some others did with speaker swaps. I have the 770w and changed out all the speakers except subwoofer combo speakers behind the seats with oem upgraded speakers; plug and play. Also sound deadner on doors. Incredible difference, would highly recommend. I also actually prefer the setting in stereo rather than surround as it is more balanced.
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From: PA
Thanks and I assume you are talking about these specs:
Tweeter: C2D30486 (titanium dome)
Midrange: C2D2076 (yellow Kevlar 100mm)
Bass: LR047119 (black Kevlar 200mm)
Coaxial dash: C2D2079 (yellow Kevlar 100 mm)
Sound Matt (don't know which type) on the metal behind the finished door panel.
I noticed you have a 2016 R Coupe and I have a 2014 S Vert, is everything the same? Also, I am starting with the 380w not the 770w.
Can I assume the quantities above are x2 with the exception of the dash speaker?
Tweeter: C2D30486 (titanium dome)
Midrange: C2D2076 (yellow Kevlar 100mm)
Bass: LR047119 (black Kevlar 200mm)
Coaxial dash: C2D2079 (yellow Kevlar 100 mm)
Sound Matt (don't know which type) on the metal behind the finished door panel.
I noticed you have a 2016 R Coupe and I have a 2014 S Vert, is everything the same? Also, I am starting with the 380w not the 770w.
Can I assume the quantities above are x2 with the exception of the dash speaker?
Last edited by watson6505; Aug 12, 2018 at 09:34 AM.
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From: upstate new york
Yes, x2. I ended up combing landrover and jag speakers due to a availability. You may want to stay with one or the other. Also, combined B&W with Meridian, although I understand they may just be branded. With the 380 w, the center surround may not work as it is coaxial. If you read Cambo's threads he indicates which part numbers go with which speakers. Rather than my hybrid approach staying all same brand/marque may be best. He sent some of us a chart. I have it on my computer at work if you are interested. I can email it to you. I don't recall a 1500w system? Hopefully Cambo can weigh in on 380w vert. I don't want to steer you wrong.
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From: PA
Thanks Jaguny....I'd definitely be interested in anything that you have charts, grids, etc...
I'm not looking for Carnegie hall quality or anything like that, I just know I had an 82 Base Camaro with an aftermarket JVC head unit and a $50 amplifier that sounded much better back in 1989. I would think a 100k car would be able to match or beat that quality.
So my basic questions are:
- Does the 380w have a dash/center speaker? My guess is No since it doesn't have surround option
- Will the dash/center speaker work WITHOUT the dealer tool to reconfigure the system and give it a surround option? My guess, same as above
- Will the 770 Amp upgrade improve quality on its own or are the stock speakers that bad?
I'm fine spending 500-1000 for a decent upgrade in sound quality and want to minimize the possibility of having to do anything too risky (taking stuff apart that may not go back together easily or may break)
Thanks again
I'm not looking for Carnegie hall quality or anything like that, I just know I had an 82 Base Camaro with an aftermarket JVC head unit and a $50 amplifier that sounded much better back in 1989. I would think a 100k car would be able to match or beat that quality.
So my basic questions are:
- Does the 380w have a dash/center speaker? My guess is No since it doesn't have surround option
- Will the dash/center speaker work WITHOUT the dealer tool to reconfigure the system and give it a surround option? My guess, same as above
- Will the 770 Amp upgrade improve quality on its own or are the stock speakers that bad?
I'm fine spending 500-1000 for a decent upgrade in sound quality and want to minimize the possibility of having to do anything too risky (taking stuff apart that may not go back together easily or may break)
Thanks again
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From: upstate new york
I can't answer questions 1. and 2. as I don't know. Upgrading to 770w I don't think will give you the satisfaction as I was dissatisfied with mine. All the speakers I used were plug and play, low risk in my opinion. The center dash speaker required a small bit of modification to some plastic tabs. The door sound deadening material can always be removed, but I think that also helped. The biggest improvement is in the bass sound in my opinion.
380W system does not have the centre speaker in the dash.
If you fit a centre speaker it will not function unless you fit a Surround amp and reprogram the car to have Surround functions.
The Surround amp has pretty much twice the power output of the standard system, so it is "better" but only if the car is re-programmed, fitting a Surround amp without reprogramming actually sounds a bit worse.
If you fit a centre speaker it will not function unless you fit a Surround amp and reprogram the car to have Surround functions.
The Surround amp has pretty much twice the power output of the standard system, so it is "better" but only if the car is re-programmed, fitting a Surround amp without reprogramming actually sounds a bit worse.
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Joined: Jul 2018
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From: Listowel, Ontario
Do we know, can all model years be reprogrammed? My 2014 has the 380 system....I’m really not looking for more volume or power, but feel the centre speaker would provide more balance in the cabin. Simple solution?
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From: PA
So does this guy still exist in the NJ area?
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From: Metrowest Boston
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Does anyone have experience in reprogramming CCF with SDD? I've been able to reprogram CCF for additional speakers and AUD3 for the amp and the Surround sound, enabled. What I have problems is having the system recognize the amp properly. I'm thinking SDD is reprogramming the amp to the Mid amp (380watt amp) and not the DX23-19C164-BA premium amp. I have an 2012 XF Portfolio which the amp came from an F-Type and when I just plug and play I can get the amp use the different surround sounds but the rear door speakers seem quiet and the sub not as powerful in the surround mode. It is similar with the regular stereo mode. Also none of the front or rear parking sensors sound with the Premium amp. The rear surround speakers don't seem to work. I was told that the polarity was different in the 2012 models and I used the older 2010 surround speaker deck.
My High Amp (BJ-19C164-AG) seems to be pretty good with just the plug and play, however the voice for the bluetooth voice is tinny and the front parking sensor volume is much lower than the rear sensor volume. I'm thinking this is because the amp has not been programmed for the XF. By using just the programming amp feature it seems to only provide the files for the As Built Mid amp and thus borks the amp.
The original mid amp works fine for the front speakers and the bluetooth cell phone calls are clear and easy to understand. It lacks the base and the rear speakers lack the base and power. Thus, why I have upgraded to the B&W speakers and added surround speakers and tried to upgrade the amps.
I'd offer to help others as I have SDD 1.52 and VCX Nano and seem to be able do much of the CCF changes. But there are things which just aren't working for what ever reason. One question is do you have to change all of the CCF's to match? All of them match except for the As Built CCF.
How do you edit the As Built CCF?
My High Amp (BJ-19C164-AG) seems to be pretty good with just the plug and play, however the voice for the bluetooth voice is tinny and the front parking sensor volume is much lower than the rear sensor volume. I'm thinking this is because the amp has not been programmed for the XF. By using just the programming amp feature it seems to only provide the files for the As Built Mid amp and thus borks the amp.
The original mid amp works fine for the front speakers and the bluetooth cell phone calls are clear and easy to understand. It lacks the base and the rear speakers lack the base and power. Thus, why I have upgraded to the B&W speakers and added surround speakers and tried to upgrade the amps.
I'd offer to help others as I have SDD 1.52 and VCX Nano and seem to be able do much of the CCF changes. But there are things which just aren't working for what ever reason. One question is do you have to change all of the CCF's to match? All of them match except for the As Built CCF.
How do you edit the As Built CCF?
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 189
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From: Birmingham, Alabama
Yours has the 380W Meridian with NLI head unit, a retrofit to the factory 770W Meridian Surround is not feasible.
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.
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.
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Joined: Apr 2018
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From: New York
I have the 2019 Ftype 380 watt. After reading this thread i realize i don't have a center speaker. Is there anything that can be done? like adding a speaker, or swapping out the ones that are in there because the system sounds like crap
Last edited by Tsar21; Apr 4, 2019 at 01:07 PM.
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From: Gauteng Johannesburg
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;
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...
But eventually the amp is exposed and it can be swapped over.
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.
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;
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...
But eventually the amp is exposed and it can be swapped over.
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.
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.