R2 audio system is being tuned with "amazing results" per Wassym

[TSD]

I listened to the sound system in the pre-production unit on display at the Miami R2 Block Party. It sounded very good to me with plenty of base. Hopefully it will only get better with production units and updates. I closed all the windows and cranked it up and was pleasantly surprised after reading all the comments on R1 sound system issues.

We also had one of the Rivian staff connect his Apple Music to the Catalina Cove R2, and with the windows closed and the volume all the way up to 30 (maxxed out on the haptic control), the mid/high range was nice and clear but not particularly heavy bass.

Rivian actually had a sign posted at the door to the Block Party about the early pre-production software, and that audio quality was not representative of production vehicles. lol

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[Zathras]

This is verbatim the same thing he said around the time of SXSW. I know they’re a relatively small team, but sometimes things feel like aspects of the vehicle get into the customers’ hands when they’re still alpha, not even beta. Tuning a space and the audio for example. More-established carmakers, Volvo or BMW say, aren’t going out the doors either sound systems that are “good but give us some time and we’ll make it better.” I’m an audio geek, if I test drive a vehicle and the stereo is just “ok” with a promise that someday it will better, is quite an obstacle for me. Here’s to hoping that they really nail the audio from the get go and R2 has, at least, as much EQ flexibility as R1.

You can't assume the software-based cars are going to be like the old school cars we've dealt with from the beginning of time. Updates are expected. Rivian's still new in the car world and learning. I'm afraid though I do have a pretty decent audio system at home (Marantz M1 with Klipsch speakers) I'm not about to choose my car based on the audio system at launch, knowing it will get better. YMMV.

 

[Underwhirled]

Keeping my reservation for now, but I'm in my car for 2 hours a day. I hope that by the time my number is called, there will be rave reviews of the audio. Otherwise, it will be a factor when considering whether to follow through on any future purchase.

 

[Mos Eisley]

You can't assume the software-based cars are going to be like the old school cars we've dealt with from the beginning of time. Updates are expected. Rivian's still new in the car world and learning. I'm afraid though I do have a pretty decent audio system at home (Marantz M1 with Klipsch speakers) I'm not about to choose my car based on the audio system at launch, knowing it will get better. YMMV.

I know that- I've Marantz and Paradigms at home
My point is - the cavity design and physical speakers matter. Car manufacturers cannot solely depend on voodooing their way to great audio simply through software. And if I do want to make audio the #1 priority, I should pony-up for something like he EV60 with B&W . Mind- I, and I am sure you, have been in cars with $$$ high-end hardware with SHITE tuning.

 

[Honey]

He also said people preferred Rivian in-house audio over Meridian

 

[Zathras]

Early Meridian hardware was pretty spectacular, but they were perpetrators of what many considered fraud with that questionable file format. So I prefer not to support them.

 

[Zathras]

I know that- I've Marantz and Paradigms at home
My point is - the cavity design and physical speakers matter. Car manufacturers cannot solely depend on voodooing their way to great audio simply through software. And if I do want to make audio the #1 priority, I should pony-up for something like he EV60 with B&W . Mind- I, and I am sure you, have been in cars with $$$ high-end hardware with SHITE tuning.

It sure would be nice to have options for vendors of speakers we prefer. Even if the vendor has to make it specifically for our vehicles. And yes I have been in vehicles with garbage audio. How about a 1953 Studabaker Pickup, or a 1955 Packard? 1963 Ford Galaxy 500 (I drove to High School). '68 VW Bus (college), Audi Fox (Grad School). My 1977 Chevy Pickup after grad school didn't have a radio. The Premium audio in my Subaru Crosstrek hybrid is spectacular.

 

[Supratachophobia]

Per the recent Reddit AMA, Wassym talked about the audio system for R2

Blah blah blah. They need to get back to quality speakers with good magnets and more windings, but especially a decent powered subwoofer.

I don't know why they keep trying to "fix" the audio when they've put themselves behind the 8 ball with materials. Speakers need to play the frequencies they were designed to, but you also have to have enough speakers to play all the ranges. Just had a loaner with premium audio. It matters jack squat if it has more speakers or "presence" but is missing the bottom 25% of your audio frequencies.

 

[ukyank]

Audio would be an area where I would be fine if they just 100% copied Tesla. Even the cheapest model 3 has fantastic sound.

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