I just got my 2025 P400 90 yesterday. My first defender. Like most people I was underwhelmed by the upgraded meridian sound system. satellite sounds terrible, FM not much better, but once I got the alexa set up, it actually sounded way better. I even though it sounded better using the amazon music than apple music. Anyhow, I feel a little better about the stereo now and using alexa is pretty cool

 

It is always best to use a proper lossless source like Tidal or Qobuz and to play it through the USB port instead of Bluetooth. In objective testing, Meridian systems have always tested extremely well, but the biggest issue on the Defender is the placement of the midrange speakers. They are too far down on the door. Other JLR products have the midrange speakers higher up on the door or in the dashboard, and the sound stage is higher and more accurate. Also, moving the fader back a couple ticks helps out. I have the 11-speaker, 400-watt Meridian system and have attached a picture of the settings I use, and I think it sounds pretty good. Not amazing, but good.

The 825-watt Meridian Surround in my old Discovery is still one of the best systems I've ever heard in a car. Only the Meridian Signature in the new Range Rover, Bowers & Wilkins in the new Volvo EX90, the Burmester 3D in the current Panamera and the Naim system in the Bentley Flying Spur sounded better IMO.

 

Cincy, what about the tidal through apple carplay? i have not tried it yet. Its still best to hook up your phone to the USB and play that way?

 

USB has the highest bitrate by far, allowing for clean, and more detailed sound. Bluetooth can't play lossless files even if you stream lossless tracks or have them downloaded to your phone. Lossless files played over Bluetooth are converted to higher bitrate AAC files. USB can play lossless files. Also, LR claims that the Pivi Pro system can handle a minimum bitrate of 192 kb/s. I don't use CarPlay - I'm in the minority, but I hate it. I'm pretty sure that wired CarPlay can play lossless files, and would sound the same as lossless files played via USB. Wireless CarPlay will most likely sound the same as Bluetooth, but lossless files will still be converted to a higher bitrate AAC files using wireless CarPlay.

The built-in Spotify app sounded good as well, but I quit using it because I didn't want to pay for both Spotify and Tidal.

 

Not completely certain how the CarPlay audio is handled these days but be aware it has a far higher throughput connection using WiFi now vs the old pure Bluetooth approach of old.

I still use a wired connection with mine because it charges better. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

Not to hijack the thread, but has anyone ever been able to figure how to solve the music file tags/album art not displaying correctly with the Gracenotes Media Player on the center screen or dash screen? Gracenotes doesn't provide support and neither does Land Rover. I've tried multiple USB devices and different USB formats (FAT32/NTFS).

Thanks

Andy

 

if you’re playing music downloaded to a USB, you will not get any album covers from Gracenote, as it is only available via digital downloads, & streaming.