Oh, well that's simple... All the Meridians have a balance adjustment under Settings that you can tweak.

It's got a Fade adjustment there too, but you keep telling us you won't have to worry about that for at least 10 emergency stops!

 

You're a funny man, Oz.

 

Yes Foosh.....and i play basketball too. Funny how some people create cliches in their mind. My Mustangs just came back from Paris...where i used to race them on formula tracks, like Magny Cours...i'm not the dude you think i am driving around LA listening to rap. However, i do pity the guys that might, cause the jag sound system would ruin their days.

My playlists do not include rap, nor do i listen to Bohemian rhapsody on auto replay.

I feel like the audio systems in these cars are their biggest defect, and i cannot imagine Jaguar doing something about that. So i want to take matters into my own hands, and get some real sound happening....with the advice of course of others on this forum who may have done it. ????
thanks

 

I haven't seen where anyone has done any mods to the audio system, so you can be the first.

 

Well, if you're 'handy' and get to the point where you can take a pic of a speaker with the cover off, it'd be interesting to see what quality of speakers they're using - can't tell everything from looks but it'd be nice to see to get some idea.

I've replaced speakers in a McIntosh (Clarion) system and Bose to good effect (as well as others over the years).

With the Bose I had to replace the entire system including the head unit due to the proprietary nature of the system - each speaker was in its own enclosure with an individual amp in each and was incompatible with anything else, but I have to say the Bose speakers were trash as well as being too small, and the individual amplifiers were cheaply made and failed all the time due to the poor quality of the components used. I was quite surprised - the Bose name appears to be mostly a marketing device.

Clearly replacing the head unit is not an option in this case though, so options will be limited.

 

Tho, for reverberation, dynamat or similar damping products may be the solution that JLR should be looking for.

 

So, my wife has a Range Rover Evoque, and the infotainment system is AWFUL. Wonderful vehicle, but antiquated and lame system. Particularly the Navigation and Sound.

I have also tried the Jaguar F 770 system and despite source, it is pretty darn lame. And it may very well be the reason I don't get one next year when my Mercedes lease is up. I LOVE the F type, but knowing what the infotainment system is like... I can't enjoy the rest of the car.

Sure, it is all subjective, but I am an audiophile who truly enjoys all types of music and has spent 20+ years critiquing, auditioning, and installing car and home audio, and this Meridian system is AWFUL.

I used lossless files (FLAC), Bluetooth Tidal and Spotify, CD, and XM. Each source was flat, tonally inaccurate, had poor spacial separation, anemic bass, etc... This is an AMATEUR sound system in a PROFESSIONAL car. Jaguar (and Range Rover) need to change this ASAP.

I am prepared to spend $110k on a car... But it damn well better have a quality system in it!

And typically, you will find it VERY difficult to alter the system in these cars as everything is linked in one way or another to the main "system". Warranty issues abound! Also, MAJOR work to change it all.

My Benz is not without its issues, but the sound is lovely... For a stock system. Sure, compared to a custom $10k+ rig, it holds no chance. But for "stock", it is quite nice.

Anyway, just wanted to chime in. Sorry my first post is so long.

Oh... For the record... The systems in Honda, Chevy, Ford, can and do sound nicer and work better than these Jaguar/RR ones. It's true. Don't take my word, go listen. It will make you sad But it outlines the need for Jaguar to step up and make a better infotainment system!

 

And forgive the "off topic" jab/gripe... But it's easier to train a pigeon to guide you somewhere (and faster!) than typing anything into the navigation system. Pigeon is also more accurate. *please don't kill me, just being honest and a bit silly

 

I happened to read this entire thread, and I see validity in all of the points posted.

I initially had a very bad buzzing situation behind the passenger seat that was due to a loose panel. It was crazy annoying and made the stereo almost unusable. My dealer identified the issue as a poorly cut panel that was cut too short during production....I still have to bring it in for this, but in the meantime, I wedged the panel with a folded index card and the buzz is gone.

That said, now the system sounds very robust. Is it the best OEM audio system out there? No, I doubt it. But, I don't think that it had a chance to be. Let me explain.

First, the F-Type simply does not have enough sound deadening in it. That would have made it much heavier and taken away from the sports car experience. But, without a cocoon environment, the Meridian system is constantly battling with ambient noise. That's tough.

Second, the JLR UI is just a jumbled to the point of making its operation clunky. That said, it works better than most. For example, Bluetooth connectivity just works flawlessly. Ever use a BMW system? The BMW system picks and chooses when to let you stream making you reconnect the Bluetooth to get it to work. The BMW also only streams the cover and data from the first song you stream from an iPhone. Annoying. The Meridian system streams perfectly even if it doesn't show cover art. There are different output modes and its a good system. But...the UI is so antiquated and jumbled that it gives you the feeling of a lesser experience.

Third, it does not properly adjust for sound source differences. That creates a situation that some music sound good, while others especially from different sources sounds bad. You can have it set to sound great while streaming Judas Priest, but then it sounds crappy while listening to talk radio.

I'm not an audiophile but I know it's a decent system albeit with real limitations. Everyone also has to remember, this was not a $6000 option like Audi's Bang & Olufsen system.

 

This is soooo true... i rented a suburban for a film shoot last week, and it sounds so good. the new new ford mustangs pro audio is also 100 times better. Really Jag...this is a small issue to deal with...but ever so important.

 

Let me test my understanding: You're saying that you won't choose a particular car because of the thing that lets you listen to Traffic Reports?
It may be that there are more appropriate vehicles for the - apparently - heavily congested conditions you normally drive in.

A Prius for example.

In addition to demonstrating your commitment to ecological issues*, it's very quiet, giving you the opportunity to clearly hear details of how big the traffic jam you're stuck in is.

* Whole-life emissions may be a concern...

 

I too consider myself somewhat of an audiophile - although I'm of the opinion that that term comes off as a bit elitist (but I'm with you) - and I've not had any issues with my 770w sound system. I totally agree that the nav/infotainment system seems antiquated and awkward to use but the fact of the matter is - and this coming from a guy who rarely doesn't have music playing in his home, office, or cars - I'm so enamored with the sights and especially sounds of my V6S that I rarely desire to hear any music (or news) over the melodious sounds of the engine. I've even surprised myself how rarely I listen to music while driving my F-Type.

Sure there are times when I will want music (or news) - particularly on a long drive - but, as I said, I have found the sound system to be, relatively speaking, excellent (and without any issues).

Personally, I would not rule out the F-Type simply due to a questionable (or poor if that's your opinion) sound system. I'd buy the car if it had no sound system at all...

 

Why the hostility? No need to challenge someone's values.

 

Thanks for the above Nice to see some people don't have to hate on an opinion

As for not wanting to buy a car b/c the sound system and infotainment are weak, well, perhaps it's because there are MANY other options out there, and music is such a big part of my enjoyment of the driving experience!

I am simply expressing disappointment that the Meridian system, to me, is not quality enough compared to the car it is in! And, I couldn't fully enjoy driving it daily without the ability to hear (to these ears) quality music.

 

Have a look at the post I put on the other thread. If the sound quality is why you're buying a particular car I'm happy to recommend a Bently.

But that path leads to a "sports" car in which the sound of the car itself is entirely electronically generated and played to the "driver" via the infotainment system.

One pays one's money, and...

 

1) lhoboy is and has always been - in my opinion - a gentlemen and a genuine pleasure to have here.
2) your opinions and reasons are 100% valid [re] any or all aspects of the F-Type and if any or all stop you from buying it, that's all that matters. You.
3) all I'm saying is it's a shame that you would let the sound system prevent you from enjoying this otherwise magnificent automobile.

But...I get it and 100% respect your opinion.

 

Well, if you're going to buy a Benz just because of the audio system, just don't try playing any Soul, coz German cars sure as heck don't have any!

 

I am not an audiophile but I do like listening to music, I do have to admit that the upgraded 770w Meridian system is not as good as the base level Harman Kardon system in my Land Rover D3 (LR3).

Having said that it's not terrible, and as others have said it does have a lot to compete with, especially in a convertible, the car is loud. I do find myself turning the stereo off as to listen to music clearly you need to have it too loudly in order to overcome the ambient noise. But to listen to news and talkback and just have a bit of background music it is fine.

If you are an audiophile and you must indulge your audiophilia in your car then this car is not for you, it probably still wouldn't be for you even with a brilliant system.

If you are happy to indulge your audiophilia at home and enjoy a wonderful growly sports car when you are driving then forget the stereo, turn it off and love the sound of the car. I have no regrets and would buy it even with a worse system than the Meridian is.

 

And let's be honest...while automobile audio systems have come a long way and many of us here - audiophile or no audiophile - believe the F-Type's system is far from the best, or ideal (although, as I've said, I have no complaints), any and all automobiles are not the best or ideal (far from it what with engine and/or road noise) place to listen to audiophile quality music period.

And I think AnD3rew hits the nail on the head when he says the F-Type - in any configuration I might add - is loud. And, yes, we love it!

Certainly not conducive to audiophile quality music in not just my opinion. The conditions just aren't there and, however you look at it, a compromise must be made.

P.S. None of this means anyone's system should be poor and/or defective...at any price (and not in a car costing anywhere near this much).

 

Your listening to the wrong source. I use to like to play my music loud and enjoy the sound but in the f-type the stereo is always turned down low so I can hear the two speakers coming out of the rear bumper