Meridien 380 upgrade options/cost

[Jimbo095]

I know this, or similar has been done before but I'm hoping to find some middle ground on cost/quality. I try to accept the sound quality but for me it is woeful compared to previous other cars. Yes I realise the acoustics in the coupe are different but I think it's well established that it's a poor system for a £100k + car, end of. So, having spoke to an Audio specialist that appear to be very knowledgeable of the car in general, apparently it's somewhat 'all or nothing' when it comes to upgrading the audio. That being the fibre optic cabling changed to accept the digital signals (I think that's what he said!), all new Focal speakers, dynamatted, and the system reprogrammed accordingly. This comes in at £3,500 inc. which hurts, hence the all or nothing statement from them I guess! They also offer an iPhone mirror link system too for £800 or for another £1,000 with Apple TV if you want it! Anyway, has anyone done a speaker/audio upgrade successfully and could share their experience, especially if it's more cost effective!? Yes I know I can turn it off, windows down and listen to the engine/exhaust etc, I happen to like both options! Cheers in advance...

[Gasman2]

3500 is a ridicoulous amount to pay for a stereo upgrade...mi would look at just upgrading to speakers to focal and see if its a improvement

[Jimbo095]

I agree, but perhaps not compared to the £990 charged by JLR for seemingly ONE improved central dashboard speaker, as is the jump from 380 to 770. Sure reference system in the RRS was around £6k too. The £3,500 includes two amps, new wiring, dynamat and 10 new speakers. As it is so much I asked the exact same question regarding a staggered replacement of speakers starting with the door speakers but they said it would be very marginal and probably a waste of time as the amp is so poor, by comparison. But yes, the point of the thread as posted is if anyone has any direct experience improving their audio more cost effectively, I don’t want to pay £3.5k but want improvement.. Btw they weren’t hard sell in any way shape or form, quite the opposite in fact, just gave me the info and left it with me.
I guess it’s a question of personal value, I paid over £4K for full PPF that some would scoff at, but it gives me less sleepless nights so, value for me.

[scm]

I have the 380 Meridian and I'd say say mine is far from woeful, it's at least as good as the 550W B&W system I had in my previous XKR. Although I hardly ever use it, I prefer the sounds of the car.

[Jimbo095]

I guess I mean woeful in relation to the vehicle cost and comparable to other vehicles I've owned. I’ve found there are some owners of your opinion too, perhaps they’ve improved components and/or fittings/installations/damping on newer MY’s? The latter does niggle me in case some less costly damping/dynamat would improve things, the shop were fairly dismissive when I suggested it though. I’m certainly no expert on audio but even to my untrained ear my 380 is worlds apart from the BOSE in my Audi, previous HK BMW system and the meridien signature that was in my MY17 RRS.

[basher]

I'm surprisingly happy with the 380 in mine. It was the one thing that really concerned me when I swapped from my TTS which had a 680 B&O system.

Yes - 380 not as good as B&O, especially at LOUD volumes. But I tend to play music at much lower volumes now so I can enjoy the car's soundtrack!

I'm a musician (ex-musician - I can't fit my drums in anymore!!) so I value good sound reproduction. I've spent a lot of money on my home system, but I'm not so bothered about the Meridien. Just as well really, as I wouldn't want to spend £3500 on an upgrade.

One thing I'll throw into the mix... I'm short, so I have my seat quite far forward. Does this perhaps help the quality of my rear speakers? I guess if the seats are right back, the sound goes straight into the back of them.

[Jimbo095]

Cheers fella, something I've not tried regarding the seat so will give it a bash, excuse the pun! lol. It does get me thinking that perhaps there are further things I can do/try to improve things, I really don't want to spend that sort of money I likely won't. A quick search/google search finds other threads/posts regarding disappointment with the system and I believe there was a fix for early cars involving dynamat type stuff but pretty certain my chassis number doesn't apply. Of course there are some folk on FB who have spent out with subs and the like, not my thing at all, I just want a bit better quality. Hey ho, taxed and back on the road tomorrow so I'll see how it goes, sure the 'other' noises will distract me for a while, happy driving people...

[Senninha]

Hi Jimbo095,

I no longer have my F-type Coupe which came with the 770 option ... I was underwhelmed to the point of only having it on in the background to enable hands free phone usage ...

I did have a link (cant find it at present) to an audio company that was offering services for the F-type. If owner Kasper doesn’t see this thread, it may be worth an IM to him as he appears knowledgeable about such things and is likely to have saved the link ... from memory they offer a far more cost effective solution.

Your other option if not yet considered would be to have a look at the US site as I recall several threads of a similar nature that may bare fruit for you ...

HTH, Paul

[Jimbo095]

Thanks Paul, I was beginning to think I’m on my own here! Yes I’ve seen numerous U.S. threads with the same issues/opinions as us and some of their solutions. Did you see the one recommending the meridien reference speakers as they are Kevlar in areas and don’t have what seem like paper cones!? I actually think dynamat will help as half my issue is with buzzing/vibrating at any upper volume, and I don’t mean blasting. But the speakers/sub woofers distort too so got to look at them as well.

I’d be really grateful if you have the link if not I’ll try and PM the chap you mention, nice one. I assume it’ll be a different audio place to the one I spoke to which Cartronics in Surrey.

Out if interest what do you have now Paul??!!

Cheers. James

[cj10jeeper]

I'm the least interested person in the world on audio, but the base system is terrible. Rarely even use it.
I would say though that on my former Z4 the system was equally poor and a local ICE dealers sold me some better quality speakers and once I'd fitted those and dynamat inside the doors the result was a huge improvement. Cost me about £150
As I said not a top audio guy, but I don't think you have to go crazy to make these things a lot better