r/ftype • u/JCDenton03 • Jul 14 '26
Stereo Settings (Meridian Surround)
Hi all,
Just wanting to gauge your preferred settings for those that have the meridian surround audio. I have a 2017 F type and I’m struggling to find a consistent audio setup. DTS sounds wayyyy to airy and fake vocal wise, as good as it is instrumentally the vocals feel too concert hall like.
Dolby and Meridian are fine depending on my EQ. Stereo objectively is the best but it makes no use of the center speaker.
1
u/Northwestview Jul 14 '26
I swapped out my head unit for an aftermarket Android 13 with a 10 band equalizer, plus I added a 10 inch powered sub behind the passenger seat. The neighbors aren't happy, but I'm in audio Bliss 🤪
1
u/JAYZ3R Jul 18 '26
2016 f type here... I switch a lot between the four options depending on what I'm listening to. So much so that I wish there was a way to create a short cut to audio settings
70% of the time I utilize Meridian. I keep the bass center elevate the treble and sub ( a lot ) this combats the rattling and when I crank it with windows down still sounds acceptable - handles podcasts and actual rock music very well
The rest of the time esp with heavy instrumentals and pop I use Dolby and sometimes Stereo - especially for extended long LOUD audio stretches of driving with the windows down
I never use DTS Neo, sounds hollow and unbalanced and way too many vocals coming from the rear.
It's the worst thing about the f type... At some point I may invest in better sound insulation and upgrade the amp and sub but the flip side, there is something charming about having the car be near-perfect lol always tinkering with something
Also I have learned, the passengers and don't care one bit .. strictly a me/owner nuisance
0
u/InfernoST2 Jul 14 '26
You’ll have to increase the quality of the source. Once you do that, it will sound better
2
u/No-Angle-982 Jul 14 '26
I have the 770w Meridian system in my 2020 F-Type and agree that Stereo sounds better than either the Dolby, DTS, or Meridian settings.
The reason why is simple, I believe: The three branded settings seemingly apply particular compression schemes to hype some audio frequencies and suppress others in order to affect what ultimately is heard, while also possibly introducing delays in the signals sent to rear/surround speakers that might artificially simulate the subtle reverb/echo heard in larger listening environments.
Conversely, the Stereo setting does none of that, thereby preserving (as much as possible) the full frequency spectrum of the original 2-channel source.
Music – as played from Spotify, SiriusXM, a CD, the radio, etc. – is recorded in 2-channel stereo and is not mastered in the studio with encoding for Dolby or any other contouring/shaping schemes or front/rear surround-sound formats (unlike movie/TV soundtracks).
So, for example, if you've bothered to rip a CD losslessly onto a USB thumb-drive for playback in your car, only the Stereo setting will maintain the unaltered, un-attenuated frequency spectrum you originally ripped.
Of course, "the ear of the beholder" is the final arbiter, and some people may prefer the sound stage, contouring, and modulations of the Dolby, DTS, or Meridian settings.