Hi there,

Quick question - I'm contemplating a Jaguar XJ Portfolio that comes with Meridian sound - albeit it is NOT Meridian Surround.

Anyway to retrofit the Meridian Surround on this car ? Preferable at a Jaguar dealer ? Can it be done ?

Best

GP

 

Sound system upgrades with factory equipment is possible, although a dealer might not be so interested in doing it, or they will charge a hefty fee.

For example if you have an XJ with the base sound system, its possible to retrofit the high-spec system from that model year, fairly easily.

You might have to explain a little better, it's a model that had Meridan as an option, but this car does not have it fitted? Yes it's possible to retrofit.

 

Sorry for my clumsy English.

Here is the car I want to buy : Jaguar XJ 3.0 D V6 Portofolio, € 77.500, Lisboa - Standvirtual

It comes with the "normal" Meridian sound. How can I retrofit the Meridian Surround ? At Dealers ?

For example, this XJL has the Meridian Surround system :

Jaguar XJ 3.0 D V6 LWB Portofolio, € 88.800, Vila Nova De Famalicão - Standvirtual

I would buy the second car in a heartbeat but the LWB is quite large in European terms... even the SWB is already a very large car... the LWB is just massive for Lisbon streets

 

OK so they are both 2014MY cars by the looks.

You want to buy the one with the 380W Meridian, and retrofit the 825W Meridian system to it. This is quite easy in the end.

Or you could go nuts and retrofit the 1300W Meridian "Reference" system too, it's also possible.

See the differences in the systems here https://www.meridian-audio.com/automotive/jaguar/xj/

In practical terms, all you need is the different amplifier, and to add the missing speakers. The car will also need to be programmed to activate the higher-spec sound system. You need the dealer-level diagnostic system to do this, a Jag dealer should be able to take care of the programming, although they might not have the experience.

It's pretty simple in the end, I recently retrofitted the Premium Surround Sound system to our Land Rover, it's basically the same process.

The most expensive component is the amplifier, but you might get lucky and find a second hand one (same amp is used in the XF, F-Type, as well as Land Rover models).

It can be done though, no question about it.

I'm afraid to think what a Jaguar dealer will charge you for it, if they would even agree to doing it...

 

My humble opinion. For the cost you would spend with dealer and additional speakers etc, it may not be worth the cost.

You could instead go for something high end like hybrid audio speakers etc with an additional DSP unit to do surround, that may end up being cheaper.

I have the standard Meridian, All I did was remove the rear subwoofers and added in a trunk woofer and I am pretty happy ..

 

I am very pleased with my XJL 2014 380 W system, and when I purchased the 2015F-Type S, I had my mind set on the same quality. Unfortunately that turned into a nightmare, which has been resolved "somewhat" to acceptable levels...., however nowhere near the sound of the XJL, nor perfection to my musical standards.

The dealer quoted me the cost for upgrading to the higher wattage for the F-Type, and it was more like $1790.00 US. This was ridiculous for a speaker, an amplifier and software reflashing. In fact it was a rip off, not by the dealer but by the combination of JLR and the dealership. I was sad to say no, and wish that I had the same sound in the F-Type as the XJL. Too bad!!!!

I wish I could upgrade both, and the only stop is the software!!! There isn't a harness or anything else but a speaker, an amplifier and software re-flashing!

 

If you know someone who has the SDD diagnostic system it's very simple to change the settings to activate the higher-spec amp.

 

My advice would be to wait until you have the car and run with the standard setup for a while.

I have the standard 380w meridian and it is still very good. I have no need to upgrade it (and I used to add amps and base tubes etc in my younger years).

 

Thanks for that. Then in summary:

1. - Amplifier swap out
2. - Speaker placement in center console for F-Type, and
3. - Speaker placement in open areas in F-Type
4. - No harnesses etc.
5. - Simple SDD diagnostic, which allows one to change the software on the vehicle?

Please advise....thank you. I want to do this, and only get concerned about going down a road that has other complexity to it than bargained for....

Appreciate the inputs...

 

No, it can't be that simple.

For a few reasons :

- Meridian 380w is 14 Speakers
- Meridian 815 is 20 speakers

So it can't be as simple as installing a center speaker and swaping the amps.

You have 6 speakers more on the 815w - I reckon the SDD have to be programmed to accept the new amp and surround settings and that seems firmware only, but you can't emulate 6 extra speakers

Also, I'm under the impression that the speakers on the surround meridian system are different - more clear, more trebble, more acoustic.

So perhaps even with adding 6 extra speakers, wont cut it - but we have to replace the 14 speakers and buying 6 extra plus and amp.

Next week I'll be home ( currently touring Spain ) and I'll pop by Jaguar in Lisbon and ask.

And will report the pornographic price for this

 

heres a pic from Meridian Sound webpage, about the speakers and system on Jaguar XJ :

 

Bit more research.

Here are the speakers location for a Meridian 380w :




Meridian 380w

And for the 825w Surround ones :





Meridian 825w Surround Speakers

One more center speaker in the front, two behind the seats

 

Speaker #3 in the picture is co-axial, it means two speakers in one assembly, so count each #3 twice and you get to 20 speakers for the 825W system.

The existing speakers in the 380W system are the same ones used in the 825W system, so it is only adding those 3 co-axials and the amp. The wiring should already be in place for them too.

The only trim you may need to change is on the parcel shelf where those two speaker assembly's go in. But without seeing what's in your car already i'm not sure, since the parts catalog is ambiguous as to the trim level, for the parcel shelf it says;

Jaguar 1500W Premium Sound System
Jaguar 1200W Premium Sound System
Jaguar 600W Premium Sound System
Jaguar 400W Sound System

I think the 1200W = 825W Meridian, and the 600W = 380W Meridian.

There are different speaker grills for the parcel shelf for 1200W or 600W, but I suspect the only difference between them is the badge...

 

But it will require an engineering code to be able to change these settings.
a Jaguar cars Ltd have banned an ability of the dealers to upgrade such a things and they don't even want to provide a codes to dealers.

Anyway, it can be done

 

Simply amazing, in that if the code to dealers can upgrade the sound to make it sound superior, why not help the overall experience to improve via the upgrade. Sure there are plenty of reasons, but if there is a will, then give us the way at a "non pornographic" price as stated previously :-)!!!

 

You still need to change the amp and add the extra speakers.

The code is needed in order to activate the larger amp.

 

Want a better car? Go get a new one That's the motto of the current car market
The configuration editing is $170, any types of option addition/removal. But, since i'm in Russia, the physical addition should be performed locally, also a laptop and cable (mongoose) and inernet connection is needed.

 

Exactly.
The code is needed to change a vehicle configuration and reflash a few modules.

 

Firstly try to find amp, if you want to install used one here is what you need BJ32-19C164-BG

This retrofit worth every spending dollar

 

As I understand it, the amps with p/n DX23-19C164-BA or BJ32-19C164-BF will also work...

They are very rare to find 2nd hand, so good luck