Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Automotive Meridian in Jaguar XF

Has anyone on this forum purchased Meridian in the Jag XF?
I am probably buying the new XF sportsbrake and it has a Meridian audio "extra" option.

I have not been told how much extra � yet!

I wonder also if it is modular - that it can be updated as time passes by.

Although not in the Jag, the general view among Range Rover Sport owners seems to be that the standard fit audio system is deliberately poor to encourage you to specify the Meridian upgrades. These cost �1,700 for the intermediate and �5,000 for the high end system.

I have a RRS and did not opt for either of these expensive upgrades as I do not think the car environment lends itself to critical listening. In fact the standard system is quite adequate for MP3s and radio. I also like to listen to the car and outside noise when driving and not have this obliterated by drum and bass.

There is no chance of it being modular. You order what you want fitted from the factory.

Having changed head units regularly over the years, I notice the great variation in quality. DACs can be rubbish, and as for DAB radio in cars - a bit hit and miss. I disagree about the general in car appreciation of music. I do a lot of driving and if I listen to good quality head units and 320 MP3s the experience can be impressive. I have gone through almost every make - and last purchased a really good "Pure" head unit - and the DAC on that is far far superior to other makes and makes a huge difference. Also the DAB is half acceptable where others are just impossible to keep tuned in on a long journey.

I have tweeters at dashboard level which divide and raise the sound away from knee level! And front and rears and a subwoofer. Each part adds to the experience. I notice that the higher end Meridian in the XF has many speakers and fitted into the roof? The price is difficult to ascertain until the dealer gets back to me, but from the "build your own model" web site it seems the entry level Meridian is around �600 extra, which seems a bit low.

Door speakers do not appear to have developed much in the last 10 years, so it really is just the head unit which is variable.

I test drove today the Jaguar XF Sportsbrake. I listened to the Meridian �590 stereo add on to the Jaguar brand, and the Meridian �1580 surround sound system.

The �590 stereo version was nice and clean and radio quite good quality, but all a bit weak in a car environment.

The �1580 version however was great and I will be ordering it.

The spec is unclear as to whether the CD part plays SACDs or DVD audio (the salesman thought yes but he knew nothing really!) and if the USB plays WAV files. I have emailed Meridian to clarify.

I sent Meridian via their web site an email asking two questions about their auto product:

1 - Does it play SACDs or DVD-Audio discs - as the salesman thinks it does.

2 - Does it play WAV files from a USB.
The salesman suggested I contact Meridian for definitive answers.

I received a no-reply response from Meridian on Saturday 2nd August - but they have still not answered my question.

They say they will respond as soon as possible.
"Possible" is clearly some stretchy time not defined.
I am not amazingly impressed.

Sigh. Cannot even post a response in the appropriate thread. Try here. Its one you started about the Jaguar XF rather than a review on general ICE.

Have you tried contacting the manufacturers of the equipment? ie information@jaguar.co.uk or 0800 70 80 60

I would imagine that Meridian would be the manufacturers of Meridian in car systems, not Jaguar.
And I did as the Jaguar salesman suggested as Jaguar did not know the answer
(bigger sigh)

Just take discs and files to the showroom and try...

So simple

Yes, and take an 8-Track as well

That's far more likely to play than an SACD on a Meridian system

Such a good suggestion
They are closing many Jag showrooms - so I have to travel 2 hours just to put a disc in when a simple email answer from Meridian would do?
Is that what Meridian also expect?
And yes - where is the 8 trackplayer??? I had one in my first car - a spitfire - and it was GREAT. There is no suitable hole to stick them in these days!

Ricky

There is a Jaguar dealer 5.5 miles from HG1 where I believe you are, at HG5 8PY, this according to Google maps is a 17 minute journey in a car.

Just trying to help you help yourself.

Link to Dealers website

Russ