Meridian Sound System Query

[snerkler]

Music is important to me and I was wondering how good the base Meridian Sound System compared to the Meridian Surround Sound system is please? I know the specs but I can't translate that into how it sounds in the real world.

My wife has a 68 plate Evoque, is there a way to tell which system she has please?

[camel_landy]

The only way you’ll know is if you sit in a car and try it for yourself.

M

[snerkler]

camel_landy said:

The only way you’ll know is if you sit in a car and try it for yourself.

M

Very true however I’m ‘distance shopping’ and ideally would like to get some idea before a wasted trip 👍🏻

[camel_landy]

snerkler said:

camel_landy said:

The only way you’ll know is if you sit in a car and try it for yourself.

M

Very true however I’m ‘distance shopping’ and ideally would like to get some idea before a wasted trip ????

Problem is, it's very subjective.

M

[snerkler]

camel_landy said:

Problem is, it's very subjective.

M

Yeah it’s not black and white. However if someone’s had both they may know whether it’s night and day difference or subtle.

[Crumpet]

I’ve had the Meridian systems since they were first introduced in about 2014 and, frankly, they’ve got worse as time has gone on. The 825w surround system in my 2015 D4 was waaaaay too loud - it was awesome. The 2017 D5 with surround was pretty good. Then in my 2019 the surround system was just ‘ok’ but nowhere near as powerful and just lacked something.

I decided not to spec the surround system on my current 2022 F-Pace SVR and it’s just the normal Meridian. It’s average at best and definitely not one for the audiophile. I listen to the V8 instead.

So basically you want the Meridian Surround system if you really care about music. That being said, rumour has it that on Defenders they’ve had people pulling the Meridian speakers out and they’re unbranded junk - not actually Meridian. So who knows what you’re actually getting these days but, in my opinion, the quality has dropped off massively.

[snerkler]

Crumpet said:

I’ve had the Meridian systems since they were first introduced in about 2014 and, frankly, they’ve got worse as time has gone on. The 825w surround system in my 2015 D4 was waaaaay too loud - it was awesome. The 2017 D5 with surround was pretty good. Then in my 2019 the surround system was just ‘ok’ but nowhere near as powerful and just lacked something.

I decided not to spec the surround system on my current 2022 F-Pace SVR and it’s just the normal Meridian. It’s average at best and definitely not one for the audiophile. I listen to the V8 instead.

So basically you want the Meridian Surround system if you really care about music. That being said, rumour has it that on Defenders they’ve had people pulling the Meridian speakers out and they’re unbranded junk - not actually Meridian. So who knows what you’re actually getting these days but, in my opinion, the quality has dropped off massively.

Thanks, very useful info. I've found the same with BMW, I don't think the Harman Kardon is as good as it was in older models.

If I had a V8 I doubt I'd listen to the stereo either

[drmike37]

It's a shame that the quality may have dropped. My 17 D5 HSE had the middle spec Meridian (not surround) and it's the best sounding car audio I've ever had. Went really loud with good solid bass. Bob Marley sounded really good on it.

[911wise]

I had a Discovery sport HSE luxury with meridian sound. Not sure if it was standard or surround. Either way It was average at best and door card speakers would buzz at about 1/3 volume.
Not a patch on the Harmon Kardon system I had in a FFRR several years before.
That said the HK system I have in a X5 now isn’t great either.

[Deranged Rover]

I've heard the Meridian system in a top specification Range Rover, plus a lower spec one in a different model. My wife also had the first level Meridian upgrade in her Jaguar XE.

All were varying degrees of rubbish with the one in the Jag being particularly dreadful, and I say this as a long-time and very enthusiastic fan of Meridian's domestic hi-fi equipment.

Trouble is, I'm a hi-fi obsessive and former car loudspeaker designer and so am difficult to please! Your views may be less extreme so you really do need to try and hear one of the setups for yourself.

[Crumpet]

snerkler said:

Thanks, very useful info. I've found the same with BMW, I don't think the Harman Kardon is as good as it was in older models.

If I had a V8 I doubt I'd listen to the stereo either

No worries. My advice would be that if you care about music then go for the Surround system; the Meridian would sound good to someone who is used to the junk that comes as standard but if you’ve been spoiled before or have nice equipment at home then you need the top system.

The best assist way to tell would be the speaker plates on the doors. It’ll either say ‘Meridian’ or ‘Meridian Surround’ - it should be that easy!

One other thing to add is that it’s REALLY sensitive to the media that you play through it. On my Discos with the Surround system they had screens in the back for the DVD player. With a Blu-ray Disc (presumably with a Dolby soundtrack?) the sound was incredible! Through Bluetooth it was junk and there was a noticeable improvement with a cable. I never tried a CD but I expect that would’ve been better.

[snerkler]

Crumpet said:

No worries. My advice would be that if you care about music then go for the Surround system; the Meridian would sound good to someone who is used to the junk that comes as standard but if you’ve been spoiled before or have nice equipment at home then you need the top system.

The best assist way to tell would be the speaker plates on the doors. It’ll either say ‘Meridian’ or ‘Meridian Surround’ - it should be that easy!

One other thing to add is that it’s REALLY sensitive to the media that you play through it. On my Discos with the Surround system they had screens in the back for the DVD player. With a Blu-ray Disc (presumably with a Dolby soundtrack?) the sound was incredible! Through Bluetooth it was junk and there was a noticeable improvement with a cable. I never tried a CD but I expect that would’ve been better.

Thanks, I never use Bluetooth due the poor sound quality. I usually use a USB drive with high quality mp3. It’s obviously not CD quality but WAV files are too large to have enough albums on a USB drive.