Meridian 380W or 770W ???

[basher]

I've seen a few discussions on here, and elsewhere.<div><br></div><div>1. Currently driving a TTS with 680W B&O... I wonder if there's any discernable difference in sound quality (bearing in mind cabin size & speaker placement) between the 2 Meridian systems?</div><div><br></div><div>2. Have the issues with both systems been fixed with software patches?</div><div><br></div><div>I'm possibly buying a used British Design Edition that comes with 380W as standard. And I'm a massive music fan, so sound quality is important.</div><div><br></div><div>However... I may just listen to the exhaust all the time! <img src="http://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/images/converted_files/smileys/smiley36.gif" border="0" alt="LOL" title="LOL" /></div>
<edited><editID>basher</editID><editDate>2017-01-17 20:26:19</editDate></edited>

 

[deano7]

I picked my BDE up yesterday. Owners pack has no audio handbook. It has the Meridian 380W fitted. It has 2 speakers fitted behind the seats. Question. Are these wired in? Cheers

 

[basher]

<blockquote>I picked my BDE up yesterday. Owners pack has no audio handbook. It has the Meridian 380W fitted. It has 2 speakers fitted behind the seats. Question. Are these wired in? Cheers</blockquote><br><br>Does that mean you've got issues with the system?<br><br>Do they not test it in the factory?<br><br><br>

 

[scoobydoo]

I have the 380w Meridian system and the two speakers behind the seats are subwoofers. They are wired in for sure. If you turn up the sub volume you should feel them thumping.

 

[deano7]

Cheers Scooby.Where in the touch screen should l be looking. I can.t see anything to help me. Cheers

 

[scoobydoo]

On mine it's in the audio settings - there are onscreen sliders for treble and subwoofer volume. I have the 2015 model though so the software could be different on the newer head units but I would still expect it to be there. I turned my subs down from the default setting when I bought the car as they were a bit boomy. Personal choice, of course and I upped the treble. Got a decent sound out of the 380w system in the end but it did take a bit of fiddling with the settings.<br /><br />Hope you can find the setting but, if you're struggling, ask your dealer who should be able to point you in the right direction. I think you might find a manual for the Merdian system on- line if there isn't one in your documentation pack.

 

[deano7]

Cheers Scooby. Much appreciated. Deano

 

[dezzy]

I've just got the standard sound system and it still has two speakers behind the seats. Is the difference that they are not subs? They do sound pretty bassy. <br /><br />I'm sure these upgraded systems sound amazing but the standard system sounds really good. Although I do spend most of the time listening to the exhaust instead! <img src="http://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/images/converted_files/smileys/smiley4.gif" border="0" align="middle" />

 

[ronniet]

to test the system another thing to try is to put a dvd in(pick a good one) with 5.1 surround sound and turn it up..sounds as good as the surround sound system in my RR Sport which is fantastic imho

 

[deano7]

Tried to get the rear speakers on yhrough the sound setting. Very, very faint. Rang the dealer , said it needs sorting. Going in Tuesday. They said you no longer get a seperate book on the Audio System. Its all in the owners manual . Not much info in there

 

[shakin_lee]

Hi Basher<div>As you are massive music fan you will find either versions of the meridian audio a big let down. You might want to consider going to a reputable car audio outfit to have the system upgraded.</div><div> </div><div>I had mine done and the sound quality is awesome and far better than the 380W Meridian that was installed by Jaguar. </div><div> </div><div>There are 3 outfits in the south east that are familiar with the Ftype. You can find details in previous discussions on the forum.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div>

 

[basher]

Thanks shakin_lee<div><br></div><div>I'll check those out.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm coming to the conclusion that the 770W is not worth the extra, even though it's meant to provide all these extra features:</div><div><div><ul><li>Audyssey MultEQ Audio Equalisation</li><li>7.1 Surround Sound</li><li>Meridian Trifield Technology</li></ul></div></div><div><br></div><div>I'll (probably) be buying a used F-Type BDE which comes with 380W as standard.</div>

 

[Senninha]

Mine came with the 770 ... when not listening to the exhaust I run it in standard stereo as it creates lots of boom and distortion that I believe are known issues I have yet to make time to have the dealer rectify. Pleased I didn't pay the upgrade price to have it ...

 

[Arne]

Mine came with the 770 as well, but I have no problems with mine. It sounds excelent - specially when set to DTS surround with balance in center, bass a few clicks down (from half), treble a few clicks up and the sub a few clicks up as well (a bit depending on the audio source).<div> </div><div>I am very happy with the system, but I do know that many has had some different issues. Happy to say that I am not one of those <img src="http://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/images/converted_files/smileys/smiley1.gif" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /></div>

 

[Tel]

The 770W system is fine - It's down to 'operator error' most of the time. Because the cabin (certainly on the vert) is small, you need to be a bit clever with the bass and sub controls.<div>Balance and fade need to be fine tuned as well.<br><div><br><div>I run mine like many on DTS mode with the sub just on, and it's pretty damn good, but it takes some setting up with CD's and high bit rate sampled MP3's.</div><div><br></div><div>We has the 300 W system in the S, and it was OK, but at the end of the day, I like the sound of the pipes over any kind of music!</div></div></div>

 

[basher]

If I go for the 380W then I'm probably going to miss the front speakers that I have in my TTS, because door & rear speakers are not going to give me that immersive experience??<div><br></div><div>So much to think about.</div><div><br></div><div>Godammit, why do F-Types need to be so gorgeous!! </div><div><br></div><div><img src="http://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/images/converted_files/smileys/smiley5.gif" border="0" alt="Confused" title="Confused" /></div>

 

[daytona650]

I've got the 380 and don't really find it lacking. It does have speakers in the front on the dash from memory.<div><br></div><div>Most of the time it's off anyway as the car sounds too good - don't worry </div>

 

[basher]

<blockquote>I've got the 380 and don't really find it lacking. It does have speakers in the front on the dash from memory.<div></blockquote></div><div><br></div><div>Page from F-Type brochure - looks like 3 speakers in door:</div><div><br></div><div><img src="http://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/images/converted_files/uploads/998/f-type-audio.jpg" height="435" width="700" border="0" /><br><div><br></div><div><blockquote></div><div>Most of the time it's off anyway as the car sounds too good - don't worry </div></blockquote>
</div><div><br></div><div>That's what I'm hoping for too. </div><div>No more iPod or Planet Rock.</div><div>Just fat exhaust note.</div>

 

[captainham]

<blockquote>The 770W system is fine - It's down to 'operator error' most of the time.</blockquote>
<div><br></div><div>I have to disagree with you there, Tel. Yours might be fine, many others are not, mine included. For the price it cost me, it's doubly shocking. Tweaking the settings merely pushes it from crappy to another type of crappy.</div><div><br></div><div>If I was speccing my car again to buy new, this is the number 1 change I'd make from last time as I'd leave this option well alone (and put the money towards an aftermarket install if I decided I wanted high quality sound at a later point).</div>
<edited><editID>captainham</editID><editDate>2017-01-20 14:44:37</editDate></edited>

 

[shakin_lee]

<p>Tel, I also have to disagree with you. Captainham is spot on.</p><div>I experimented with different genres of music (jazz, classical, pop etc.) as well as audio settings and the sound output was very poor. The speakers in the door and the rear are not Meridian but cheap paper speakers that even with a decent amp will not produce good quality music. Hence the numerous comments on this and the US forum on the poor quality audio.</div><div> </div><div>I love my Ftype but based on what I paid for the car and the upgrade to the 380W system it is an outrage !!!. I had an XE as loaner while my car was being serviced and the base model hifi in it sounded miles better.</div>