Meridian - has anyone replaced theirs yet?
#43
Seeing that the speakers are all the same (at the very least at the surface level) was a little saddening. It's like we've paid a little extra for some Meridian badges.
The following users liked this post:
_Allegedly (03-04-2022)
#44
The big choice is "stereo" or "Meridian" which is some sort of hellish DSP that pushes through a center channel in the dash in an attempt to create a better soundstage.
It just doesn't work consistently. It's not an encode/decode process like Dolby surround so it's all artificial and it does okay with some songs but poorly with others.
Beyond that, it can be hard to tell if the sources are all poor quality or if the hardware is just that mediocre. You can't just pop a CD in and get the answer.
We do know the speakers look like they cost around $3.75 to build. Nice magnet.
The following users liked this post:
PaulLR (06-14-2022)
#45
Bringing back this topic with another brand for a reasonable priced upgrade.
French brand BLAM , several kits with 2ohm impedance.
For example the Relax 165RX2 , I think I will give it a try.
https://www.blam-audio.com/en/165rx_2/
French brand BLAM , several kits with 2ohm impedance.
For example the Relax 165RX2 , I think I will give it a try.
https://www.blam-audio.com/en/165rx_2/
The following 3 users liked this post by Defendit..:
#47
You would also need to know
Depth of each opening vs the depth of the speaker unless you plan to modify the opening (cut).
Height of the speaker once mounted to make sure the factory grills will still attach.
Hole pattern for mounting although new holes can often be drilled in the frame of the speaker.
Crossover specs for the factory component speakers (front tweeters). The crossover is probably built into the factory amp and it's easier to try to match up compatible tweeters rather than try to use another crossover (as shown above in the Blams).
Ohm rating. **I don't know the factory amp rating** but many say it's rated down to 2 ohms which does sound likely. This would mean 2 ohm or 4 ohm speakers can be used. 2 ohm will draw more power from the amp and will play louder than 4 ohm on the same amp. On the surface, this sounds desirable but the bass can be cleaner and tighter on a 4 ohm at more moderate volume. Good quality 2 ohm should be fine. 4 ohm could be considered if you prefer cleaner sound with volume limitations. Another way to describe would be 2 ohm = more boom while 4 ohm = more punch on the same amp.
I really wish I had time to do this.
Depth of each opening vs the depth of the speaker unless you plan to modify the opening (cut).
Height of the speaker once mounted to make sure the factory grills will still attach.
Hole pattern for mounting although new holes can often be drilled in the frame of the speaker.
Crossover specs for the factory component speakers (front tweeters). The crossover is probably built into the factory amp and it's easier to try to match up compatible tweeters rather than try to use another crossover (as shown above in the Blams).
Ohm rating. **I don't know the factory amp rating** but many say it's rated down to 2 ohms which does sound likely. This would mean 2 ohm or 4 ohm speakers can be used. 2 ohm will draw more power from the amp and will play louder than 4 ohm on the same amp. On the surface, this sounds desirable but the bass can be cleaner and tighter on a 4 ohm at more moderate volume. Good quality 2 ohm should be fine. 4 ohm could be considered if you prefer cleaner sound with volume limitations. Another way to describe would be 2 ohm = more boom while 4 ohm = more punch on the same amp.
I really wish I had time to do this.
Last edited by _Allegedly; 03-23-2022 at 11:16 AM.
The following 2 users liked this post by _Allegedly:
ballandchain (03-23-2022),
MattF (03-23-2022)
#48
#49
#50
I’m always confused when I read these posts that complain about the Meridian audio in the Defender. I have the 400W version in my P400SE and using a high quality audio file streaming service like Tidal, and more recently Qobuz (best file rate of any service), the sound is more than decent. I would recommend avoiding Sirius and lower file rate streaming services but most especially Sirius XM - it sounds just as awful in my Defender as it did in my previous Jeep Summit with a great sounding Harmon Kardon Surround system. I think it might be more to do with dud speakers that slipped through the QC section of the production line, rather than the system being poor. I’m not saying you’re wrong - just that we know there are many (many) quality control issues with the Defender and perhaps poorly wired, or poor quality speakers (or amps) incorrectly got installed on some vehicles, because it doesn’t seem like a universal issue - certainly I have no issues with mine, and I’ve also rented two Defenders in the UK and both sounded good too.
Either way, if you do switch out for better speakers or system - let us know. Most of the time, I like the sound of the P400 engine so much I drive in silence anyway….(that or the PiviPro system HATES CarPlay and music apps….)
Either way, if you do switch out for better speakers or system - let us know. Most of the time, I like the sound of the P400 engine so much I drive in silence anyway….(that or the PiviPro system HATES CarPlay and music apps….)