McMuggets
Member
Sorry Cyclone, I totally didn't mean to quote you for anything except vibrating windows.
Is the Premium Audio Worth the upgrade?
- Thread starter chriSharek
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Sorry Cyclone, I totally didn't mean to quote you for anything except vibrating windows.
Cyclone
Cyclonic Member ((.oO))
McMuggets
Member
I tried some songs from my iPhone recently that weren't bought from iTunes (backed up from CD long ago) and it sounded horrible in the Model S. However, in my previous car it sounded pretty darn awesome. But then when I tried an iTunes matched version of the song in the Model S it was remarkably better, especially when hitting the heavy bass and trebles. I am wondering if my older car just doesn't process the sound as much?
As for Dolby, I like to keep it on, whereas I am noticing a lot of people turn it off. Perhaps I never got to experience it with the older sound processing. It would also be interesting for some people to see if there is a difference in the hardware on a 2013 vs. 2015 Model S.
As for Dolby, I like to keep it on, whereas I am noticing a lot of people turn it off. Perhaps I never got to experience it with the older sound processing. It would also be interesting for some people to see if there is a difference in the hardware on a 2013 vs. 2015 Model S.
Cyclone
Cyclonic Member ((.oO))
I've noticed the same. I also have iTunes Match. I didn't think about downloading the iTunes Match version of the song with hopefully better quality. Guess I got some downloading to do!
Both cars running 6.2. I made absolutely sure Dolby was on/off as in my car. I checked both ways. And I checked with various EQ settings and fades I'm familiar with. My ears are relatively good in detecting audio nuances. There is an audible difference to me especially at higher volumes.
There have been notable improvements in the audio with firmware upgrades over the last two years, especially in the Dolby and the EQ. My comment does not pertain to those. It addresses what I perceive to be a difference in premium audio sound between a 2 year old car and premium audio sound in a new car. It appears to me that something is different. Whether that is due to changes in the speakers or the electronics I am unable to guess.
It would be interesting for others to compare and post their comments. I suspect most people will not be able to tell much of a difference but those who are used to better quality sound systems may indeed agree that there has been a change somewhere which has slightly degraded the quality of the system.
McMuggets
Member
I can't seem to find any information of a tear-down of the hardware in the premium audio for the Model S. The closest I could find was a review from a self-described audiophile on teslarati.com, on his 2014 Model S found here The Sound in the Tesla Model S - TESLARATI.com . Perhaps this guy's is the same system as your 2013, because he seems to love it a lot. I must say I have never gotten to experience a 2013 Model S premium sound system, so I wouldn't know. Perhaps ignorance is bliss!
I have the Premium Audio in my D and both the Bass and Treble sound way better then in a 85 loaner with no Premium. When I turned the volume up the sound on the non premium was just not as nice overall and it was not just bass.
smsprague
Member
I am getting the NVX system installed on Monday and will report back. Given a do over I would order the premium audio and then maybe add the extra sub.
CHG-ON
Still in love after all these miles
I like it. Yes, it could be better. At some point I will upgrade the speakers and add the Rues subwoofer package. But I don't feel any rush to do so.
jeffro01
Active Member
I had my 85D test drive today and had a chance to hear the systems in different cars. I used the same song in the premium and standard sound cars. The standard sound lacked a little bit of the low end bass but overall I found it to be quite adequate and reasonable, at least to my ears. I'm opting for the standard sound when I order mine now that I've heard both, FWIW...
Jeff
Jeff
smsprague
Member
Had the NVX sub woofer install today by the guys at NVX (Sonic Electronix) could not be happier. Perfect install by Brendan and great clean sound. Really made my standard sound system sound great. Highly recommended.
jeffro01
Active Member
Curious what that set you back?
I just listened to both this last weekend and felt the "standard" audio was adequate for my needs but a little more bass wouldn't hurt... $2500 for the upgrade just doesn't make sense to me.
Jeff
I just listened to both this last weekend and felt the "standard" audio was adequate for my needs but a little more bass wouldn't hurt... $2500 for the upgrade just doesn't make sense to me.
Jeff
smsprague
Member
$1,000 for the sub, amp, lc2i and install kit. $600 for the install so $1,600. It rocks and I have a remote knob to control the sub.
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I'm going to adjust my stance from "both audios are lacking" to "undetermined"... after 2 weeks with the car, with base audio, I noticed that some songs sound pretty damn good (even with base audio) but most songs sound pretty flat (which is what I heard during my test drives even with the premium audio, which is why I didn't chose the premium audio).
I tested the same songs with LTE and wifi, so it's not a data issue. The source is not in the equation either, could be either FM or TuneIn or Slacker.
Maybe it has more to do with the DSP vs. speakers?
I tested the same songs with LTE and wifi, so it's not a data issue. The source is not in the equation either, could be either FM or TuneIn or Slacker.
Maybe it has more to do with the DSP vs. speakers?
smilepak
Active Member
I think this is a much better choice for premium Audio:http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/build-logs-project-install-gallery/175166-electric-insanity-tesla-model-s-p85d-sq-build-audio-frog-mosconi-morel.html
ClearwaterBchSteve
P445 / VIN 1794
I have the original "Sound Studio" premium sound system and I think it sounds great. It gets plenty loud and never seems to have any strain or distortion. When I really want to enjoy it, I listen to hi-rez FLAC files from USB. XM and the Internet stations sound acceptable as well. I noticed significantly better bass response when I installed the cargo cover in the rear hatch area. When our car came, we had to wait a while for the cargo cover so I had some experience with the sound system before it. I think that might be a standard item now. When I ordered the Model S, the Premium sound was a <$1000 option which made it a no-brainer. If I were purchasing the car today, I know I would not be satisfied with the standard 6 channel system so I'd probably still go with the Premium Tesla system just because it's fully integrated and provides XM which I do use.
smilepak
Active Member
Just picked up MS and got standard sound. Just can see why ppl complain on it. It's pretty flat, no bass. If you max out the bass setting it is ok, not great but ok.
I wouldnt want want to spend $2500 just to get a bass box.
I wouldnt want want to spend $2500 just to get a bass box.
Pilot_51
Member
I had a loaner with premium sound last week and I could hardly tell the difference listening to my podcasts. Yeah, not music, I usually don't listen to music unless I'm trying to focus at work with my game tunes. It was a little clearer and more bassy, but definitely not $2500 better for how I use it, especially considering the loss of the right trunk pocket which I use rather excessively. I noticed the reduction in tire noise (Michelin and springs vs. my Goodyear and air) more than the improvement in the sound.
manis
Member
I picked up my P85D with UHF on Wednesday and when I first got in an listened to music over bluetooth I was completely unimpressed and so was my audiophile friend that was with me. I haven't played any FLAC yet so I don't know what improvement I'll see.
However, after several hours of listening to music and making a few adjustments both on my phone and to the equalizer, bluetooth audio was significantly better. When I mentioned this to my friend today he did point out that speakers need to be broken in some (he experienced this with his high end home speakers) and once they are they tend to sound a lot better. So far that aligns with my experience since the sound has gotten better even after making adjustments and tonight when I was sitting at a supercharger, I was really enjoying what I was hearing both from Slacker and my phone.
As I said, when I first got it, I wasn't happy with the tone, but I did notice that the vocals on several songs were significantly better than my HK audio in my E350. The overall audio tone in the E350 was way better, but the vocals in the MS were clearer and I felt like there was more range and I could hear more subtle notes. Now that the bass has improved the overall tone sounds better, but the bass isn't as good as my '09 E350.
Something to keep in mind is that if you don't get UHF you are only getting 6 speakers instead of 12 and the front door speakers are 6" instead of 7.9" (based on this). So even if the audio isn't what you would expect for $2500 you are getting an extra 6 speakers that can be upgraded. Those speakers are also already integrated into the car so no need to customize anything. So an upgraded UHF system should be way better than an upgraded standard set up.
However, after several hours of listening to music and making a few adjustments both on my phone and to the equalizer, bluetooth audio was significantly better. When I mentioned this to my friend today he did point out that speakers need to be broken in some (he experienced this with his high end home speakers) and once they are they tend to sound a lot better. So far that aligns with my experience since the sound has gotten better even after making adjustments and tonight when I was sitting at a supercharger, I was really enjoying what I was hearing both from Slacker and my phone.
As I said, when I first got it, I wasn't happy with the tone, but I did notice that the vocals on several songs were significantly better than my HK audio in my E350. The overall audio tone in the E350 was way better, but the vocals in the MS were clearer and I felt like there was more range and I could hear more subtle notes. Now that the bass has improved the overall tone sounds better, but the bass isn't as good as my '09 E350.
Something to keep in mind is that if you don't get UHF you are only getting 6 speakers instead of 12 and the front door speakers are 6" instead of 7.9" (based on this). So even if the audio isn't what you would expect for $2500 you are getting an extra 6 speakers that can be upgraded. Those speakers are also already integrated into the car so no need to customize anything. So an upgraded UHF system should be way better than an upgraded standard set up.
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