I too have the 380 Meridian and play (relatively!) high quality MP3s from a USB. I leave everything set flat and it's fine for me. I prefer listening to the 4 speakers at the back, though.

 

Reviving yet again. What about those 770W settings (on a 2020 model)? I primarily listen to various forms of rock and audio books. I played with most of the settings and found stereo to be about the best, but dialing in actual settings has been difficult. To get any punch from rock (from either USB, FM or phone stream) I have to turn the bass and sub up considerably. However audio books (audible over android auto) sound like crap no matter what. Turn up treble and bass down and it's terribly tinny, leave bass at zero and everything vibrates.

 

The F Type's audio is pretty bad. While the drivers can be upgraded it's really the "tune" that sucks. I would try the Dolby surround scheme but then set the balance slightly left until the voices come from directly in front of your nose and the fader as much fully forward as you can.

 

Thanks, that helped a fair amount actually. I tried dolby initially but couldn't get much out of it, however i didn't try adjusting balance and fade. That did correct the some of the "strangeness" and I'd agree it sounds better than stereo now.

 

I've been using Meridian with the fade set more to rear. More midrange as this is the range for voice and make better use of the center speaker. I'm no audiophile and I think I got this from a post years ago.

 

Ditto on all points!

 

Initially didn't like Meridian but finding streaming through bluetooth with Tidal is best using Meridian. The 18 svr has the buzzing subwoofer which surprised me.