I have a 2012 XF S with the standard Jag audio system. Can my audio be upgraded easily enough to bowers and Wilkins or Meridian? What's involved and will the Jag dealer take on the job?

Thanks in advance!

 

for the cost of the work at a dealership + the parts, you're better off going to an independent audio specialist and going an aftermarket route. you'll get a much better product for a LOT cheaper.

 

I disagree strongly with "much better product," especially if you value the highest possible fidelity, but certainly do agree with "a LOT cheaper."

 

Does anyone know if it's just as simple as- replacing the speakers and amplifier with the Meridian items?

 

It can be done, has been done a number of times now.

However it's not just a case of adding the speakers and the amp, some software changes are needed to activate the surround sound functions. Changes to the CCF (car configuration file) are needed.

You definitely have a 2012MY XF? Because 2012MY was a bit special.

Up to 2011MY, it was one type of infotainment system, you can see the upgrade from the base audio to the B&W 440W Surround here https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-audio-178264/

2012MY was a change in the infotainment system, completely revised hardware and software. In 2012MY the surround system was 1200W B&W.

Then 2013MY onward was the Meridian 825W system.

The amplifier, head unit and touchscreen in the 2012MY B&W 1200W is the same as the 2013MY Meridian 825W system. However the software in the components is not the same, and the speakers are different for the 2012MY (yellow-colour Kevlar B&W) with the 2013MY Meridian having plain black speakers.

You can see some explanation of the Meridian upgrade here https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...onward-147971/

It would be essentially the same for a 2012MY car except for different speakers.

The surround speakers in the 2008-2011 B&W cars are a single-driver, you can see in the pics it's a midrange speaker only, actually it's the same speaker that goes in the front doors as well, single cone only.

But in the 2012MY it changed to a dual-cone for the surround speakers, which is a tweeter and a midrange together.

However, the speakers in the 2012MY B&W system are not identical to the 2013MY onward system. The 2012MY were still yellow.

Here is a 2012MY B&W Surround speaker;
(C2D2079 or AW93-18808-EC)



Here is a 2013MY Meridian Surround speaker;
(C2Z22817 or BJ32-18808-DC)



And just for reference again, here is the 2008-2011 B&W Surround speaker;
(C2Z2287 or 8X23-18808-BA)



I can tell you that the connectors on the 2008-2011 speaker are different to the 2012 or 2013-onward ones, but the 2012 and the 2013-onward are the same connector so you can fit either one.

The other B&W speakers in the 2012MY are also yellow, this is the midrange speaker from the front doors;



(C2D2076 or AW93-18808-BC, these speakers are also used in the XJ with the B&W system)

Now, is there a difference in sound quality between the yellow B&W and the black Meridian speakers? I cannot say for sure myself, but a few people have told me there is a difference you can hear...

Seems that the midbass speakers in the doors in the 2012MY B&W system are not yellow, they are black, but from the pictures I can find they still appear to be Kevlar like the yellow ones, where the Meridian speakers are not.

Where are you located? I know a few people around the world with the necessary equipment to make the programming as part of this retrofit.

 

Thank you very much for all of the information.

Im in Southampton, Hampshire - UK

 

And yes, 100% 2012 car, it has no badges on the speaker grilles. I will remove a door panel and see what the speakers look like.

 

It's a 12-plate, but that doesn't mean it's a 2012MY, could be a 2013MY...

The last six digits of the VIN are key here;

S20753 to S61361 is 2012MY, S61362 onward is 2013MY.

Don't bother removing the door card, those speakers in the picture I showed you are the ones for the Surround systems. The speakers in the Base systems are plain black, not Kevlar, not Yellow.

I know a guy in Warwickshire, who did this exact upgrade on his 2012 XF, and he has the diagnostic tool to do the programming. I will send you a PM with his contact details.

 

I'm doing this same upgrade on a MY12 but using the Meridian system,speakers,sub,amp, 11 speaker system I need help with programming the head unit with correct software for this upgrade,also will the subwoofer level adjustment show on display when finished ?

 

there are other threads about CCF editing.

 

Fidelity is very subjective. You can have the best speakers in the world, however the audio is only ever as good as the source and the quality of the signal.