Meridian Audio develops in-car audio for Rivian electric cars

British audio specialist Meridian Audio has partnered with American electric vehicle maker Rivian, to develop innovative new in-car audio systems. The long-term relationship will see the two companies ‘working together to challenge convention and redefine the in-car audio experience.’

Meridian has been collaborating with Rivian for more than 12 months and has been focussed on designing, engineering, and tuning high performance audio experiences, using proprietary DSP technologies.

Innovations used within the Rivian R1T and R1S models include Meridian RE-Q, a Cabin Correction technology designed to remove unwanted cabin resonances; Meridian Horizon, an upmixing technology providing immersive multichannel audio from two channel stereo content, and Meridian Intelli-Q Data-Driven Equalisation, which optimises audio playback within the cabin based on data available from the vehicle such as speed, window state, occupancy and audio source.

“We were thrilled to have won the opportunity to work with such an exciting new company and to have been selected to engineer the in-car audio experiences for Rivian’s electric vehicles,” John Buchanan, CEO of Meridian Audio says. “Meridian is demonstrating itself to be the premium audio brand and technology partner of choice for automotive brands seeking market leading sound solutions. Rivian’s goal to redefine expectations in the automotive industry through the human-centric and nature-conscious application of innovation and technology makes Meridian the perfect partner for them. We are delighted that the renowned Meridian sound experience now extends to the Rivian R1T and R1S electric vehicles, and we are excited about the future with Rivian.”

Sound design was apparently considered early on in the development of these all-new, American-made vehicles, allowing Meridian to develop a close, collaborative relationship with the brand.

“Meridian has designed an audio system that provides both the driver and the passengers with a truly immersive listening experience,” adds Buchanan, resulting in a sound said to be natural, three-dimensional, and remarkably easy to listen to.