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Ultra High Fidelity Sound, opinions from true audiophiles?

Discussion in 'Model S: Interior & Exterior' started by eyedrop, Jan 23, 2018.

  1. eyedrop

    eyedrop Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2018
    Messages:
    153
    Location:
    Prescott AZ
    I'm a big time audio nut thats into 2 channel home audio. I have an acoustically treated dedicated listening room with some reference monitors, high end DAC, FLAC collection, equilateral triangle listening position, the entire works... Big time snob.

    I ordered a CPO Model S that happens to come with the premium sound system, and I am wondering how it sounds. I normally don't even bother listening to music in the car as the road noise typically ruins the listening experience for me, and the acoustic environment in a car is terrible by design. The sound is coming from the floor, reflections everywhere, your not placed in the middle for equal stereo effect, 10 speakers fighting each other in a tiny area, making it a sloppy mess, etc...

    Most reviews of the MS sound are very vague and seem to come from people who value excitement and a colorful sound signature vs. a nice, flat sound.

    The vast majority of premium car audio systems I've heard are wildly bass heavy with screeching highs and subdued midrange. The Nissan Titan Rockford Fosgate system has to be the worst system I've ever heard. With EQ off and no sound enhancements, the bass was so sloppy that it was actually out of sync with the rest of the music, due to the massive backwaves in the cabin. The base model sound was much better. I find this to be the case with many premium car systems. The bass is just way overblown, to the point where the stock system is much flatter.

    To give you an idea of my tastes, I like the sound of Etymotic IEM's, Sennheiser HD800, Beyerdynamic DT880, K702, etc... Im not really into mainstream sound signature such as Beats, Bose, etc... I would rather have crappy recordings sound crappy, and good recordings sound good vs. every single track sounding "good", if you catch my drift. The sound system shouldn't be enhancing the music in any way...

    So what does the MS premium sound like with the EQ off, no Dolby, FLAC files, etc??? Im looking for descriptions of soundstage, imaging, frequency response and tilt (compared to reference), timbre quality, detail, midrange accuracy, tightness of bass, distortion levels, etc...
     
  2. bhzmark

    bhzmark Active Member

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  3. snd92

    snd92 Member

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    Oct 27, 2016
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    Location:
    Norway
    The biggest issue is the time alignment and the lower end bass (below 60 Hz). Your best bet is an aftermarket DSP and a new Subwoofer (unplug the original sub) tuned at e.g 29 Hz. Sound quality of the front door speakers are good. Also, consider to unplug rear hatch speakers and move the fader to the front.
     
    • Like x 1
  4. Atlantan

    Atlantan Inactive Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Messages:
    248
    Location:
    Gwinnett County
    My brief assessment...

    I am also a 2 channel enthusiast, including analogue and large electrostatic speakers. On the S, I prefer Dolby Off and the EQ tweaked a bit to my liking. There is no distortion at high volumes. From a car system that is labelled "ultra" HiFi don't expect a huge/open or airy soundstage like that of a dedicated listening room. The sound isn't harsh but isn't analogue HiFi warm. I haven't felt the need to upgrade the system in my S. Interestingly enough Spotify high quality bluetooth sounds decent relative to tracks from the thumb drive. Now Tesla supports DSD files...that would be cool.
     
  5. arcus

    arcus Active Member

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    Denton, TX
    Ha! I thought I was the only one. If there only was an option to select an artist from a USB stick and "play all" (not just a single album), I would be using my FLAC collection more.
     
  6. Cripps

    Cripps Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2018
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    Location:
    Victoria
    IF you order a model S now with the Premium Upgrade Package, all it says about the hi fi is "custom audio system specifically tuned for a Tesla's ultra-quiet cabin"

    So I don't know if this is the S1nn development or not.

    Can anyone give more specifics what is currently offered?
     
  7. Muzzman1

    Muzzman1 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2014
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    Location:
    Los Angeles
    What is being offered today is the exact same system found in all upgraded sound Model S's. It has been renamed a few times over the yrs "sound studio", "UHFS" etc , but the system is exactly the same one that was designed by S1nn linked above :
    How Tesla developed the in-car audio system for the Model S saloon
    Audio Systems for the Tesla Model S and Model X | TeslaTap
     
  8. Tech_Guy

    Tech_Guy ALWAYS IN LUDICROUS MODE! P90D>P100D Upgrade

    Joined:
    May 6, 2016
    Messages:
    1,169
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    I highly suggest a Reus Audio system. I had one added to my car with Tesla’s “premium sound” and it made a world of difference. www.reusaudio.com
    Contact them at 714-633-6636 for more information
     
  9. doctoxics

    doctoxics Member

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    Location:
    Davis, CA
    I played DSD music files in my Model X with premium sound and was disappointed. Much higher quality sound from the $1,000 stereo system in my office.
     
  10. Atlantan

    Atlantan Inactive Member

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    Location:
    Gwinnett County
    Thanks. Will have to try DSD files, hopefully plays on my S.

    Cheers
     
  11. Altes

    Altes Member

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    Sep 30, 2016
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    Location:
    SF Bay area
    weak at best....If you were buying new i would invest the $$$for premium in aftermarket systems (Good ones start in the $3K-4K range based on your taste. The stock sound system supposedly has better signal input for an aftermarket system, still has rolloff at 50Hz presumably to protect the cheap ass speakers telsa uses (both premium and stock). To get an idea check this out

    Electric Slide the Jesse Way - Tesla Model S 90D Build - AF, Mosconi, Morel, Illusion - Car Audio | DiyMobileAudio.com | Car Stereo Forum

    I went to SIS and spent time with the owner, seriously comtemplating an upgrade (not this as its about 7K) from him.

    Since you have the premium I would give it a chance, but know there are installers with good Tesla build experience out there. Teslas are hard to work on as there is a lot of dissassembly and power routing issues to deal with that dont exist with ICE cars. Good news is that the dreaded alternator whine will never be an issue!!!
     
    • Informative x 1
  12. ManniK

    ManniK New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2017
    Messages:
    1
    Location:
    Utah, USA
    As a relatively new MS owner and old-time HiFi nut, I appreciated these links to these articles.
     
    • Like x 1
  13. timvracer

    timvracer Member

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    Mar 5, 2017
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    Location:
    Los Gatos, CA
    Ditto... I added Reus to UHFS... totally worth it. I drove to L.A. and had it done there (from SF Bay area). You can hang out at Disneyland while he installs it :)

     
  14. The T-man

    The T-man Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Norcal
    Anyone else have Rues and love it?

    or other options that don't cost $3-4 K
    =)
     
  15. beatle

    beatle Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2019
    Messages:
    966
    Location:
    Springfield, VA
    Front speakers (midbass/midrange/tweeter): $800
    Speaker adapters: $150
    Main amp/DSP: $800
    Sub+box: $600
    Sub amp: $180
    Sound damping material: $180
    Amp Install / wiring: $700

    That's around $3400 for retail prices. I did my own speaker install and sound damping labor, and I bought some of my speakers as open box and used. You can also save money on a less amp and speakers as well, and if you're willing to cut up your factory speakers, you can repurpose them as midbass adapters. Don't waste your money on rear speakers as they do very little for the sound. People almost universally say that sound damping is worth it. If you do it yourself, it definitely is, especially once you move into aftermarket speakers that can vibrate the doors.
     
    • Informative x 1
  16. Crutonius

    Crutonius Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2020
    Messages:
    130
    Location:
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    I'll throw in my experience with the ultra high fidelity upgrade. I just got a used 2013 model s with it and at home my setup is a krell integrated amp driving a pair of b&w 805s.

    This is subjective obviously but it sounds... good. Bass actually exists, a bit flabby and a little boomy. Midrange is solid, highs are decent. The sound does sort of fall apart at higher volumes. Maybe they should have used an amp with some more oomph.

    It's good enough that I don't feel like it's murdering my music and I'm not planning on upgrades anytime soon.
     
  17. dpodoll

    dpodoll Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2012
    Messages:
    349
    I love mine. Got what I payed for.
     
  18. Kurtbe

    Kurtbe Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2019
    Messages:
    53
    Location:
    Ghent/Belgium
    This is exactly my thoughts. Until... I upgraded to MCU2. Don't know what they did, but the decency of their premium sound system has seriously degraded since. I am making formal complaints to Tesla.
     

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