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.



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.

 

So, where to get the dealers diagnostic equipment?

 

Thank God you made it!

 

I'll be going aftermarket.

My great stereo guy is developing a plan to do a relatively inexpensive upgrade for our cars that I will publish. I.e. a sub $1000 path. Basically a simple amp and speaker replacement, using a simple bit-one style, signal summing pre amp, stand alone unit. No external sub box and custom enclosure, just high quality speakers in factory locations.

What he really needs to know id the depths not only of the factory speakers so we can determine fitment but the possible depths after modifications in the locations. I should have asked Smoke Em while his car was gutted but we just got to this point. Any help will be welcomed and at the end of the day we may all contribute to engineer a cost effective solution.

 

nevermind, found what i was looking for

 

Very interesting!

You say that there is no rattle, did you do something to prevent the rattle or did you just get a factory jag that doesn't have a rattling problem?

 

@Cambo
The things I would commission you to do if you were here in the States.

 

If you want to go down the DIY path get in touch with me first.

This car had been in for the "Vibrations & Rattles" TSB when it was still a 380W system.

There is a forum member in New Jersey who could do this for you, but I haven't got any contacts on the West Coast yet.

 

Can't really help with that i'm afraid, I never touched any of the other speakers, just what you see in the pictures.

 

I already have the upgraded Meridian; just looking to see if I can get the CCF files I need to get some functions working/activated!

 

Never mind the stereo. As the owner of a base v6 coupe I'm interested in what it's possible to switch on via the CCF...

 

Well that all depends on what you're starting with.

There's not a great deal which is software only, some things do require additional hardware; modules, components, etc.

 

I just bought an F-Pace with the Meridian 380 Watt system & want to upgrade. I live in New Jersey. Do you have a contact person in NJ that can help me?

 

Hi Cambo,

Do you have any of the part numbers available so we could order them off ebay?

Also, is it just me or are some of the installation pictures not showing?

Thanks much!

 

You're right, some of the pictures are not showing, i'll try to fix that...

The amp is the most expensive item, you need p/n DX23-19C164-BA, same one used in the XF, Range Rovers, and other models.

The center speaker you will probably only find new, p/n C2Z22817 from Jaguar

You can install the surround amplifier and the sound system will continue to function as normal (without surround features) so the install can be done first, programming done later.

 

Sorry I missed your message before, have sent you a pm/email.

 

Is there a how-to anywhere for how to get the trim off from behind the seats to get at the speakers and amp?

 

Probably not.

It's a bit of a different arrangement for a coupe or a convertible.

I have only done the Surround retrofit on convertibles.

The hardest part is removing the speaker panels behind the seats without damaging them. Then there are four bolts you need to remove which hold the rollover hoops in place. Then lifting out the hoops there are also plastic clips on there which you need to carefully extract or they will break. Once the hoops are out the bulkhead panel just lifts out.

Some cars that have a storage cubby hole in the middle of the bulkhead will need a couple of screws removed to free the part of the cubbyhole.

 

You need instruction for coupe?

 

Yes please sir