LoginThere’s A Simple Way To Fix The Kia EV6’s Most Annoying Sound Issue
- Fixing the faulty subwoofer requires replugging four wires in the trunk.
- Owners say the simple solution makes a big difference in sound quality.
- A similar issue was experienced by Hyundai Tiburon owners 20 years ago.
Do you own a Kia EV6 with the optional Meridian sound system? If so, you might have noticed that the subwoofer isn’t delivering the deep, satisfying bass you’d expect. It turns out your EV’s subwoofer could be wired out of phase, limiting its punch.
Fortunately, one Reddit user uncovered a straightforward fix that anyone can perform with a few basic tools.
Read: Kia’s EV Sales Collapse As Shocking Drop Hits Key Models
The Redditor who discovered how to rectify the wonky subwoofer says he used to be a member of the Hyundai Tiburon forums. Roughly 20 years ago, members of those forums discovered that the stock subwoofer’s sound could be improved by reversing the positive and negative terminals.
Applying the same principle to the Meridian setup in his EV6, he found that the results were immediate, with stronger bass and a more balanced overall sound.
A Simple, DIY Adjustment
To carry out the fix, EV6 owners first need to open up the trunk where the subwoofer is stored. They then need to remove a piece of rear trim to gain access to a plug running into the sub.
Once they do so, it’s just a matter of using a small screwdriver to release the four wires, which are typically arranged red, black, red, black from top to bottom, and then reconnecting them in reverse order, black, red, black, red.
Shortly after the Reddit post gained traction, YouTuber Technically Jeff posted a clip of him performing the same fix, and he found it made a huge difference. Dozens of EV6 owners have jumped into the comments section to confirm that the fix transforms the subwoofer’s performance, making the listening experience much richer.
Meridian Sound Subwoofer fix
byu/nex703 inKiaEV6
Why It Happens
According to two audio specialists who spoke with The Drive, the problem likely stems from the EV’s active sound cancellation system. They explained that the subwoofer’s low frequencies are being partially canceled out by opposing frequencies from other speakers positioned throughout the cabin.
It’s not yet clear if the same issue is present on other Kia, Genesis, and/or Hyundai models with Meridian sound systems, but if you own one, it may be wise to take a look at the subwoofer to see if it, too, has been wired incorrectly.
