[pherplexed]

I recently traded my 2016 SCV8 for a 2021. Both have the 825W meridian system (confirmed), but the one in my 2016 sounded significantly better than my new one and I'm trying to figure out where to start digging.

The difference is the bass response...almost as if something is out of phase or the amplifier is not processing the signal consistently. For example: songs that sounded amazing in my 2016 with full, rich bass, play very flat with almost no bass at all in the 2021 system. Meanwhile, other songs that also sounded amazing in the 2016 will play with overwhelming bass in the 2021...to the point where I have to dial it way back so I don't get a headache.

Things I've tried to isolate what might be different:

• I've tried the various surround sound modes (Meridian; DTS; etc) and adjusted the various bass / treble / sub settings endlessly
• In the 2016, I exclusively used bluetooth audio from my iPhone. In the 2021 I've tried different audio sources from HD Radio; Satellite Radio; CarPlay / Apple Music; and even the OEM built-In Spotify app (unfortunately, I don't have the CD player option)

So my questions are:

• Does anyone know if any of the sound system components changed from 2016 to 2021?
• Is there a way to test if any of my speakers are out of phase?
• Could this point to an amp issue?

 

[chdavis]

Sorry I can’t help but I have this issue between my L322 here in the states and the one I keep in Monaco. Both have the same systems, but the one in Europe sounds 100% better and I find the processing inconsistent in the one here in DC.

 

[21Westminster]

None of your sources are very good. Try an Ipod at 256kbps and see how that sounds. Compression KILLS range and I think you may have used a different source. Output levels are consistent but I also wonder if they detuned the bass response a bit. I exclusively use my remaining Ipods because nothing new can compete with their potential, esp if you load them lossless!

 

[Keralis]

Agreed, compression is huge.

With iPhone, I have "lossless" turned on. Only use it if you have an unlimited plan! Haha.

My wife, who has never cared about anything but bass..can hear the difference between her iPhone playing music on standard settings, versus mine on lossless.

I've found in cars like my R56 MINI Cooper, that the lossless feature improved audio sound and general "depth" tenfold.

Now, why your 16 sounded better than the 21 I'm not sure. I've driven both and haven't discovered that issue. I don't listen to a lot of bass heavy songs..

But it is worth a shot to turn on lossless and play around with different sound profiles in the iPhone. Bass boosted, Jazz, etc.

 

[pherplexed]

I did some playing around with lossless files on a usb drive. Marginal improvement, if any at all. But I keep thinking that it can’t be the audio files if the same source sounded so great in my 2016. So I did some more digging and got connected with an audio engineer in the automotive space and learned some interesting things.

He said that it’s unlikely the physical components have changed since the 2016 and 2021 are both the same generation but that most car companies do adjust tuning and eq curves across model years to respond to customer feedback. So his theory is that engineers at Land Rover or at Meridian may have adjusted the eq curves at some point across the model years.

The other interesting point he made was that the amplifiers are made to be adjusted via software to provide this kind of tweaking to customer feedback, so theres a possibility the amp could be reprogrammed (ideally to the same eq curves as my 2016). Of course, the likelihood of Land Rover having and actually providing that level of software support is pretty low. But maybe someone out there will figure out how to do it at some point.

 

[21Westminster]

Agreed, compression is huge.

With iPhone, I have "lossless" turned on. Only use it if you have an unlimited plan! Haha.

My wife, who has never cared about anything but bass..can hear the difference between her iPhone playing music on standard settings, versus mine on lossless.

I've found in cars like my R56 MINI Cooper, that the lossless feature improved audio sound and general "depth" tenfold.

Now, why your 16 sounded better than the 21 I'm not sure. I've driven both and haven't discovered that issue. I don't listen to a lot of bass heavy songs..

But it is worth a shot to turn on lossless and play around with different sound profiles in the iPhone. Bass boosted, Jazz, etc.

Lossless is only useful in reality if the source is lossless. Otherwise it just avoids further compression.

 

[Rover Holic]

An Audiophile's perspective on how to achieve...

The Range Rover's Meridian audio system sounds absolutely fantastic when configured correctly. Audio is highly subjective, but when set up correctly, the range rover sounds incredible. In my opinion, it sounds better than off-the-shelf $600 stereo speakers from major audio brands like Klipsch...

www.rangerovers.net

Follow my post. My guess as to what is causing this change is sound signature is a combination of two factors.

First, in 2016 you were exclusively using Bluetooth. In 21 you cycled through a number of different audio inputs. Car playing apple music - if you have it set to lossless was the best one you tried; the USB connection is far superior.

Second, Meridian isn't going to change the EQ drastically. The interiors are fairly similar and so are the materials. The only thing that meridian could change that you might notice is the Meridian surround sound system decoding algorithm. Your Digital Audio Data gets decoded and then sent to the speakers. With the rise of the Atmos music fad, many high-end cars have added height channels to market their car's audio systems as 3D. With this said, the surround sound decoder has almost certainly been updated.

Also, Dolby has upgraded from Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby neo:x to Dolby TrueHD, which is a more accurate decoder.

If you're using poor audio files, the decoders can't do a proper and complete job as there is a lot of audio data that isn't able to be processed. If your tracks are missing highs, it may make the bass sound more accentuated.

Also, since Atmos Music is a fad that has recently come around, you might have set your phone to try to stream atmos music, but only are using Spotify (320kbps) or Bluetooth 250kbps. Make sure that you have your phone's audio streaming set to stereo and high quality. Stereo audio sounds the best. Surround sound is for movies and TV - it is added in cars for marketing. Reset your EQ to default. Also, make sure your streaming app's eq is set to neutral. About lossless audio in Apple Music

HD radio is bad, XM radio is bad, wireless car play is third best. 2nd Best is Wired Car Play. The best would be FLAC files on a USB but is functionally identical to using wired car play and lossless files.

The difference in the way the songs are played is likely a combination of using different audio inputs, updated surround sound decoders, possibly not having the correct audio streaming settings on your phone, as well as you playing with your car's EQ settings trying to fix things.

When you try to diagnose a problem, you need to have only one independent variable. It sounds like you are changing 4 different settings all at once hoping that you get it to sound "right". When trouble shooting anything, always compare ceteris paribus.Change one thing at a time; All else equal.

 

[aeggroup]

I also traded my 2016 for 2019 several months ago and the first thing that I noticed was the sound of Meridian System noticeably worse in 2019 compared to 2016 model.

 

[Compulsive]

I also traded my 2016 for 2019 several months ago and the first thing that I noticed was the sound of Meridian System noticeably worse in 2019 compared to 2016 model.

I have the same feeling, and while I didn't do a back to back comparison, I think the Meridian 825W in my 2015 sounded better than the same system in my 2018. At this point it is what it is because I don't plan to change any of the audio components or go back or an older RR

As an iPhone and Apple Music user, how can I get the highest audio sound quality possible? My Apple Music is set to Lossless and I can connect my phone via a Lighting to USB adapter to the centre console. Is this the best way to go?

 

[f10m5]

I just learned about lossless and turned it on….can’t wait to see how it sounds. Good info here for people with zero audio knowledge

The 825W between my 2014 and 2017 also sound different. The 14 is better. Noticed the same on loaners with the 825w, the 14 is always better. Perhaps it’s due to the infotainment? Isn’t the 17 the same as 18+?

I am actually upgrading the sound system on both by upgrading the door card speakers from the autobiography model. It’s supposed to be plug and play and make a marginal difference. Upgrade runs about $700 per truck.

Food for thought: I have zero audio knowledge.
But A buddy upgraded his infotainment to the “Android 12 inch screen” on his 17 which came with a DSP function. He spent a good amount of time playing around with that and his truck sounds phenomenal now.

 

[pherplexed]

In finally got to a place I was happy with by going with full Apple Lossless setup. Apple say that CarPlay via USB cable can handle lossless, but they're pretty vague on the specs. From my research, I think I've determined that it can handle Lossless (up to 24-bit/48kHz) but can't handle hi-res lossless (ALAC up to 24-bit/48kHz)...I could be wrong on that.

Once I updated my library to Lossless and played around with the various audio settings on the Range Rover system, i'm pretty happy with the results. I just wish it didnt' take so much effort to get it dialed in when my 2016 sounded so good across the board with very little effort.

 

[USRover]

Interesting.

I find so much technology getting less and less user friendly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Compulsive]

In finally got to a place I was happy with by going with full Apple Lossless setup. Apple say that CarPlay via USB cable can handle lossless, but they're pretty vague on the specs. From my research, I think I've determined that it can handle Lossless (up to 24-bit/48kHz) but can't handle hi-res lossless (ALAC up to 24-bit/48kHz)...I could be wrong on that.

Once I updated my library to Lossless and played around with the various audio settings on the Range Rover system, i'm pretty happy with the results. I just wish it didnt' take so much effort to get it dialed in when my 2016 sounded so good across the board with very little effort.

So your recipe is Apple music downloaded in their Lossless format through your phone connected into the USB under the center arm rest?

 

[pherplexed]

So your recipe is Apple music downloaded in their Lossless format through your phone connected into the USB under the center arm rest?

Yeah, that's the setup.

I'm mostly happy with the results - the clarity of the system is phenomenal. That being said, I still experience a few random songs that are so overwhelming with bass, I have to dial the bass setting nearly all the down. And these are songs you wouldn't necessary expect to be incredibly bass heavy.

 

[21Westminster]

That sounds like your library is being altered by an EQ before going to the Meridian. Make sure the source is flat...unless you want emphasis somewhere

 

[OyVeyzMeir]

Thrilled to have found this thread. I thought I was going out of my mind or that I had a defect! Here's my completely and totally uninformed and rank speculation. I do not believe it is a source material issue.

Mind you, I have a L494 vs a L405 but it is the same. I just traded a '16 RRS/SC for a '19 RRS/SC. Both the '16 and '19 have the Signature 1700w system. One of the draws of the '19 was a large improvement in noise isolation. But the stereo in the '16 would reliably get loud enough to make your ears bleed if you wanted where as the '19 at times is "tame". Further, as noted elsewhere, the flat settings are WAY flat. No impact, no bass.

What I believe is happening which would account for all the above; I do not believe the '16 did Active Noise Cancellation but I'm all but certain that the '19 IS. That would account for the loss in max volume capacity and bass because most of the work in ANC happens at low frequencies. My dealer is useless for anything outside strictly pedestrian needs so if anyone has a dealer with a brain I would very much appreciate a request being made as to if ANC is in use AND if it can be turned off!

For now, I've found listening in stereo gives the best results, whereas on the '16 my preference was DTS:X with the height channels engaged. I also found that I must turn the subwoofer WAY up compared to what I was used to in the '16, and leave the bass flat or slightly elevated.

 

[golar3_1240]

Thrilled to have found this thread. I thought I was going out of my mind or that I had a defect! Here's my completely and totally uninformed and rank speculation. I do not believe it is a source material issue.

Mind you, I have a L494 vs a L405 but it is the same. I just traded a '16 RRS/SC for a '19 RRS/SC. Both the '16 and '19 have the Signature 1700w system. One of the draws of the '19 was a large improvement in noise isolation. But the stereo in the '16 would reliably get loud enough to make your ears bleed if you wanted where as the '19 at times is "tame". Further, as noted elsewhere, the flat settings are WAY flat. No impact, no bass.

What I believe is happening which would account for all the above; I do not believe the '16 did Active Noise Cancellation but I'm all but certain that the '19 IS. That would account for the loss in max volume capacity and bass because most of the work in ANC happens at low frequencies. My dealer is useless for anything outside strictly pedestrian needs so if anyone has a dealer with a brain I would very much appreciate a request being made as to if ANC is in use AND if it can be turned off!

For now, I've found listening in stereo gives the best results, whereas on the '16 my preference was DTS:X with the height channels engaged. I also found that I must turn the subwoofer WAY up compared to what I was used to in the '16, and leave the bass flat or slightly elevated.

I think you are spot on with the noise cancelling issue. There is a great sound at low speed, however while driving faster, say around 62-75 mph, when exterior noise is higher, the sound is a mess. Turning it louder does not help. I read years ago about how the noise cancellation is done and there are microphones in the ceiling that adjust the output according to road noise. Also, it can't be disabled/adjusted...

 

[rjsimmons]

Forgive me if this is a pedestrian observation, but I am presuming that the thread is pertaining to streaming or a bluetooth connection? Would any of the issues stated have bearing on a wired connection? Case in point, I have my iPod Touch connected via cable to the iPod port and at random times during a song playing, the sound will cease. Song continues to play but nothing comes through the speakers. I have tested the device solo as well as on my home PC, even having purchased my current iPod after believing it was my older version that was the problem and it checks out 4.0 on deck.

Anyone else encounter this ghost in the machine?

 

[golar3_1240]

Forgive me if this is a pedestrian observation, but I am presuming that the thread is pertaining to streaming or a bluetooth connection? Would any of the issues stated have bearing on a wired connection? Case in point, I have my iPod Touch connected via cable to the iPod port and at random times during a song playing, the sound will cease. Song continues to play but nothing comes through the speakers. I have tested the device solo as well as on my home PC, even having purchased my current iPod after believing it was my older version that was the problem and it checks out 4.0 on deck.

Anyone else encounter this ghost in the machine?

Could your issue be related to the cable? Did you try the other USB port too?

The mentioned issues occur both in wired/wireless connections.


Also, I found the article about noise cancelling :

"With the advent of PHEV vehicles OEMs face additional NVH (Noise, Vibration & Harshness) issues. A particularly new issue, is a low frequency booming noise caused during charging of batteries using the internal combustion engine. During charging, the engine is operated at low rotational speeds and high loads, leading to pronounced low frequency noise. While in the past reducing low frequency noise either required large absorbers and/or heavy dampers, today the issue can be tackled by use of an Active Noise Cancellation system. Jaguar Land Rover decided to introduce an Active Noise Cancellation system in the PHEV variants of their vehicles. The system builds upon software by Müller-BBM Active Sound Technology GmbH and makes use of the existing audio amplifiers. The only extra hardware component required are microphones in the vehicle headliner. Overall, the ANC system only adds minimum weight to the vehicle but allows for noise reduction in excess of 10 dB at frequencies below 40 Hz during charge sustain idle operation. In addition, the system enabled JLR to cancel noise at other operating conditions, allowing several mass-dampers to be removed, offering weight opportunities of around 5 kg."

 

[rjsimmons]

Could your issue be related to the cable? Did you try the other USB port too?

I have tried different cables as well as tried both ports. The iPod port is the only one that recognizes that an iPod is attached.