Speaker sizes…

So here's a question - I (only) have the Meridian 380W install, does anyone know if the loom sits unused in the centre vent position so I could "just" fit AW93-18808-EC ?
 
@wooch. You don't state what model year your car is, so 'it depends', but in simple terms - no, you can't just fit a centre speaker to a 380W audio system to gain centre channel sound. Jaguar fitted a range of amplifier, headunit, speaker combinations over the lifespan of the F-Type. Regardless of model year, the 380W amplifier does not have the ability to output a centre channel signal and although you will find a centre speaker fitted to MY19+ vehicles, this is not driven by the headunit/amplifier, but instead is used for the incoming voice signal by the Telematics Control Unit, during communication with the InControl centre in case of accident or SOS call. Cars prior to this, used the rear mids for communication.
For early model cars (prior to 2016), where the amplifier is fitted on the rear bulkhead inbetween the seats, it is possible to retrofit the (old pattern) 770W amplifier and a centre speaker. You then have to configure the CCF file with SSD to enable the surround sound functionality.
If you have a 5.0 litre F-Type with the characters LCK, MCK, NCK, PCK and RCK in the last eight characters of the VIN, it is possible to upgrade to surround sound without any hardware changes. This was due to Jaguar fitting higher spec hardware during a period of DSP chip shortage, to keep the order books going. See LR-Retrofits for details --> https://lr-retrofits.co.uk/x152-f-type bottom of page.
Finally, LR-Retrofits also provide a 380W to 770W hardware/software upgrade for later models, but this will be dependant on your current individual headunit/amplifier communication technology (change from optical to ethernet). Once again, see LR-Retrofits for details.
After all that, based on what I have researched, most owners with the 770W system use the system in one of the stereo modes, not surround, as they feel the centre channel is too powerful and drowns out the variation between left and right channels, detracting from the natural staging rather than adding. Perhaps some current 770W system owners could comment on this aspect?
 
I agree that the centre mid is too loud relatively, so I use stereo mode. All my door and front centre speakers I upgraded to the higher spec units. I wonder if a resistor would improve it for those that prefer surround, but I don't miss surround at any time, car or home.
 
770W Owner and I also use Stereo Mode, it doesn't sound right at all with the surround modes for music.

Very interested in this thread as would like to improve the overall sound a bit. and deadening seems like a good place to start, should I have the door cards off.
 
Surround sound is for movies - when did you last listen to a band playing where some of them were stood behind you?!
 
I deadened inside the door panels and some of the boot panels when I changed the speakers. A noticeable improvement but not absolute. In retrospect perhaps I should have added sound absorbent stuff as well, I might in the future. I've noticed the road noise is greater from the rear tyres than the fronts (you can tell when the road surface changes from rough to smooth and vice-versa) so I might do even more absorbent stuff in the boot. I also think that the road noise is quieter with a full tank than emptier, or with plenty of luggage? Anyone else noticed this, or am I imagining it? Lowering road noise gives a major improvement to the system sound. I haven't touched the speakers behind the seats, so I've faded well forward. (The low bass can rattle them a bit at high volume.)
 
Thanks for everyone involved in this thread, while I source the parts for my seats I thought I could do this over the Christmas break. My route is just going to be the door and tweeters from the RR and sound deaden the doors with dodo foam

All in it’s only cost about £200 in parts so definitely worth ago
 
Currently researching options and curious about amps used in the newer cars. A post above hints that they are now part of the head unit and not a separate module?

If that’s the case then the models referenced by the lr-retrofit programming option are already running with the 770W amp? Or perhaps it needs unlocking to use the full power? (Rather than just unlocking a few dsp modes and the central speaker that few people like 😋)
 
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