Member Since: 20 May 2013
Location: Devon
Posts: 91
Meridian Sound System
Hey Guys
So I've still got my old Disco 3 (selling, will list on here as well shortly) but I've ventured into the Disco 5 realms!
Question about Meridian, I've read lots of people being unhappy with the sound system in the D5. Compared to Harmon in the D3 the sound seems very poor to me - the vibrations, resonance and tweeters sound very lost.
Has anybody got any tips/advice or has anybody upgraded the sound system in the D5, and if so, what did they use? I think the bass is decent enough and likely the mid speakers aren't 'awful' - but the tweeters and treble sounds distorted and ghosty to me VS the clean sounds of the D3 system and what I'm used to at home from HK sound systems.
Thanks in advance
27th Oct 2022 3:46 pm
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4522
I've not heard the sound system in a D5, but the HK locic7 kit in a D3 is quite special!Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
27th Oct 2022 5:45 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23830
Re: Meridian Sound System
Xternalhunter wrote:
Hey Guys
So I've still got my old Disco 3 (selling, will list on here as well shortly) but I've ventured into the Disco 5 realms!
Question about Meridian, I've read lots of people being unhappy with the sound system in the D5. Compared to Harmon in the D3 the sound seems very poor to me - the vibrations, resonance and tweeters sound very lost.
Has anybody got any tips/advice or has anybody upgraded the sound system in the D5, and if so, what did they use? I think the bass is decent enough and likely the mid speakers aren't 'awful' - but the tweeters and treble sounds distorted and ghosty to me VS the clean sounds of the D3 system and what I'm used to at home from HK sound systems.
Thanks in advance
From memory the D5 had two (possibly even three) levels of Meridian system. The D5 I had for 12k miles had the top of the range Meridian. I can’t say I had any complaints with it. Didn’t sound as good as the FFRR though.
There are videos on YouTube about Meridian in Land Rovers. You may get some tips from them. Or the D5 forum. 2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
27th Oct 2022 6:03 pm
RRSTDV8
Member Since: 07 Apr 2014
Location: Here
Posts: 13553
I've used Meridian in a DS loan car and thought it was "OK" rather than special. But as mentioned by others, there are different levels of Meridian and doubtless the top of the range 1700W with silly numbers of speakers is a world away from the base 400W version.Visiting from rrsport.co.uk
2012 RRS SDV6
2008 RRS TDV8
"When you fire that first shot, no matter how right you feel, you have no idea who's going to die! You don't know who's children are going to scream and burn. How many hearts will be broken. How many lives shattered. How much blood will spill, until everybody does what they were always going to have to do from the very beginning: SIT DOWN AND TALK!"
27th Oct 2022 6:13 pm
mse
Member Since: 27 Jun 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 2704
I think (and it might have been on here) that people laughed at me when i said Meridian was more the aldi of the audio world preferring the HK and Bose car set ups.
Ive probably eased my view, especially if you choose the higher spec, but i would agree HK and Bose (not fitted to JLR) have always seemed better.
The D5 has the top spec Meridian system and its fine though. The defender has the same and it does have a speaker rattle which is a known fault i need to get fixedMike
31st Oct 2022 9:38 am
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14412
I can’t speak for D5, but the standard audio in my XC90 is leagues ahead of the Meridian unit in my new Defender. If you really want to hear exceptional audio, the B&W top spec unit in the XC90 is astonishing!D4 HSE EU6 (Known as Jeeves)
New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!) Sold
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
31st Oct 2022 10:30 am
mse
Member Since: 27 Jun 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 2704
but you would have to own a volvo so
sorry Mike
31st Oct 2022 10:54 am
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14412
Luckily I do and also a Defender, so I can compare and enjoy both worlds. Which ever way you cut it, the Volvo is better built, has better cabin seating than a D5 and sounds sooooo much better. Whats not to like? D4 HSE EU6 (Known as Jeeves)
New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!) Sold
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
31st Oct 2022 4:04 pm
RRSTDV8
Member Since: 07 Apr 2014
Location: Here
Posts: 13553
If the sound system in the D5 sounded like the London Philharmonic playing at the Royal Albert Hall, I'd still have the Defender. Visiting from rrsport.co.uk
2012 RRS SDV6
2008 RRS TDV8
"When you fire that first shot, no matter how right you feel, you have no idea who's going to die! You don't know who's children are going to scream and burn. How many hearts will be broken. How many lives shattered. How much blood will spill, until everybody does what they were always going to have to do from the very beginning: SIT DOWN AND TALK!"
31st Oct 2022 4:31 pm
s60r
Member Since: 14 Mar 2021
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 287
Its sad that the new D5 doesn't live up to the D3 or 4 in standard form... everything is a bloody extra these days...Its a shame though as even the Meridian in the new IPACE (whilst good) was not on par with my D4....it clarity was good..but couldn't replicate the bass.
I did hire an XC90 for a Scottish trip and it had the B&W on board... so a big agreement with Moo.. a truly great set up...best staging I've heard in a car. Probably should be though as it was a 4k option iirc! A mod a week until I have nothing to improve or add.
31st Oct 2022 6:35 pm
sasdiscos
Member Since: 22 Feb 2013
Location: Northants
Posts: 889
I found the hk in the d3/4 is probably one of the best car audio systems I have ever heard.
I have the b/w in the xc90 and it’s great but we’re not comparing apples with apples.
The hk in the ffrr was not as good as the d3/4 and the meridian in the rr was also not as good.
I can only assume it’s due to cutbacks of quality and the staging in the d3/4.
The wife has the bang and olufson in the Audi and quite honestly it’s crap.
The prev Audi had the Bose and it wasn’t as good as the hk.
I think lr hk absolutely nailed it. And it was standerd on the hse. Something that no longer happens as they can charge 3-4K for upgrades. Shame.
Steve.You remind me of a younger me, not much younger mind...perhaps even a little older!
1st Nov 2022 6:18 pm
Xternalhunter
Member Since: 20 May 2013
Location: Devon
Posts: 91
Thanks for all the replies and chip ins
Didn’t realise there was different versions of the D5 Meridian I must admit - I think it’s the treble and rattle that I have the issues with coming from a d3…
I’ll see if I can work out which one is in this beast and if I can do anything about it.
Cheers
2nd Nov 2022 4:59 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23830
I think the total number of speakers is the simplest way to find out.
There shouldn’t be any rattling though.
I thought I’d “blown” a speaker in the passenger door once. It turned out to be a small tin of sweets tucked in the corner of the door bin that would rattle at a certain frequency/volume. 2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
2nd Nov 2022 5:17 pm
Xternalhunter
Member Since: 20 May 2013
Location: Devon
Posts: 91
Haha sounds like something I’d do! It’s a new car so I doubt it though?
Turning the treble down ‘helped’ just feels underwealming to me but maybe I’m just a HK guy as I have that in the house too and it’s always epic for the cost.
I’ll count them but I think was 3 in each door when I checked last
2nd Nov 2022 8:34 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23830
Could be a loose screw?
I’m still of the impression that the acoustics are better in the box like D3/4. That’s not based on anything more than a hunch though. 2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
and also a Defender, so I can compare and enjoy both worlds. 
