Lucid Audio Experience ask me anything Summary

for those who like a simpler list than scouring the forums.

As a note, this was taken from the Lucid Audio Experience AMA Forum thread linked here:

Lucid Audio Experience AMA (March 11, 2025)

The Lucid Audio team, featuring Bob Windel, Technical Fellow and Audio Tuning Engineer, and Colin Mosgrove, Audio Product Manager, hosted an "Ask Me Anything" session. They answered owner questions about audio tuning in Lucid vehicles, focusing on Surreal Sound and Surreal Sound Pro. They also discussed music and owner playlists.

This list was lovingly scraped, fed through Gemini’s creative brain, and hand-corrected by yours truly. Accuracy level: somewhere between “mostly reliable” and “I really tried, okay?” read my AI policy here Basically, this is the Cliff Notes. Perfect for casual reference but maybe don’t stake your reputation on it. If you need sworn testimony, the original thread awaits your verification. Oh, and unless it was said directly by marqie on the forums, none of this is the official communication of Lucid.

Lucid Audio AMA - tl;dr

If you want a more detailed list with individual details, scroll down!

Here’s a concise summary of the key facts from the Lucid Audio AMA:

  • Connectivity & Sources:

    • Wired CarPlay provides the best audio quality (lossless).
    • CarPlay uses both Bluetooth (initial connection) and WiFi (data).
    • Native Apple Music app is under consideration (heavily requested).
    • Dolby Atmos support for Apple Music is being actively investigated.
    • Spatial Audio in CarPlay is being actively explored.
    • More Atmos content providers are being sought.
    • YouTube Music native app is a software question (referred to SW team).
    • USB audio supports Atmos (MP4), WAV, MP3, FLAC (32GB FAT32 limit).
    • Tidal bitrate display is being looked at.

  • Sound System & Tuning (General):

    • EQ should start at 0-0-0 (flat - as designed).
    • Volume control is logarithmic and psychoacoustically tuned.
    • Volume wheel sensitivity was changed (100 clicks to 50).
    • Bass adjustment is limited to -10dB to +6dB (woofer limits/feedback).
    • System is tuned for balanced sound while driving.
    • Software update 2.5 addressed volume.
    • A comprehensive equalizer is being discussed internally.
    • Tuning for different roof types (glass vs. solid) is desired (resource-dependent).
    • ”Hall” acoustic models will be discussed.

  • Surreal Sound Pro (SSP) vs. Surreal Sound (SS):

    • SSP has a “premium” sound signature; both share a “family sound.”
    • SSP and SS have significantly different hardware.
    • Gravity SSP has two rear subwoofers.
    • Dolby Atmos is not planned for the base SS (channel limitations).
    • Balance control is intentionally disabled in Atmos (preserves mix).
    • Driver-centric Atmos soundstage adjustments are being actively worked on.
    • Gravity’s audio tuning is not yet finalized (showroom is preliminary).

  • In Progress/Development:

    • Dynamic Speed Control (DSC) is in active development (auto volume/bass).
    • Preventing audio auto-start on entry is a high priority.
    • Base Surreal Sound improvements are in active development.
    • Notification sound upgrades are coming (Gravity first, then Air).
    • USB playback to continue to the next album (referred to SW team).
    • New spatial audio features are coming (Gravity first).
    • Default Volume Levels are being discussed.

  • Known Issues/Limitations:

    • No active noise cancellation (quiet cabin, potential artifacts).
    • Infotainment/CarPlay issues (sound, connectivity, album art) are being addressed.
    • Streaming Stablity being worked on.
    • High-pitched noise from window switch LEDs (being investigated).
    • Tidal app issues (favorites, genres) are Infotainment’s responsibility.
    • No audio “off” switch (government regulations).

  • Hardware Fix:

    • Butyl tape mod fixes “chuffing,” enabled bass retune.
    • Software Upgrade issues have been fixed remotely.

Detailed list

Here’s all the juicy details, with links to the posts. In the format of (##/##), the first number is the post that asked the question, and the second is the post that answers it. I’ve spot checked and this should be accurate.

Confirmed by Lucid (Positive)

CarPlay & Bluetooth Connectivity and Quality

  • Wired CarPlay Superiority: Wired CarPlay provides significantly better sound quality than Bluetooth due to the lack of compression. Bluetooth quality is acknowledged as good, but the wired connection is always optimal. (#6 / #48, #48)
  • CarPlay Connection Modes: Lucid CarPlay utilizes both Bluetooth (for initial connection) and WiFi (for data transfer). (#9 / #67)

Sound System Tuning and Adjustments

  • EQ Starting Point: The recommended starting point for EQ adjustments is 0-0-0 (flat), reflecting the team’s baseline tuning. (#24 / #140)
  • Volume Control Linearity: The volume control curve is custom-designed, approximating a logarithmic scale, and is psychoacoustically tuned for a pleasing experience. (#22 / #137)
  • Volume Wheel Sensitivity: The volume wheel’s sensitivity was intentionally adjusted in a recent update, reducing the range from 100 clicks to 50 for easier and quicker volume changes. (#32 / #146)
  • Bass Adjustment Limits: The bass adjustment range was intentionally limited to -10dB to +6dB. The -10dB option was added based on customer feedback, while +6dB approaches the woofer’s physical limitations. (#35 / #155)
  • System Tuning for Motion: The audio system is tuned for optimal frequency balance while driving. Bass may seem excessive when parked, but Dynamic Speed Control (DSC) (see “In Progress”) will address this. (#83 / #83)
  • Accurate vs Pleasing: The team aims for an audio experience that balances accuracy with listening pleasure.(#134/#165)
  • Software update: Software update 2.5 addressed volume level concerns. (#7 / #60)
  • Software Upgrade Issue Resolved: A user issue with a missing audio upgrade (despite having the correct software version) was remotely resolved. (#65 / #90)
  • SSP Trial: If the Surreal Sound Pro trial made no noticeable difference, it likely was not enabled. (#74 / #160)

Surreal Sound Pro (SSP) & Dolby Atmos

  • Surreal Sound Pro Tuning: Surreal Sound Pro has a “premium” sound signature compared to the standard Surreal Sound, but both share a “family sound.” (#10 / #77)
  • Gravity Subwoofers: The Gravity model with Surreal Sound Pro features two subwoofers located in the rear. (#25 / #91)
  • Speaker Locations (SSP): Details of the speaker locations for Surreal Sound Pro were provided. (#45 / #150)
  • Balance Disabled in Atmos: The balance menu is intentionally disabled when playing Dolby Atmos content. This is a design choice to preserve the intended spatial audio mix. Alternative methods for balance/fade control are being explored. (#78 / #93)
  • Dolby Atmos Staging (Upmixed): Dolby Atmos content in the Lucid is upmixed to create a more evenly distributed sound field throughout the cabin, unlike the focused “sweet spot” of a home theater setup. Traditional fade/balance controls would compromise the Atmos mix. (#80/#96)
  • Gravity Audio Tuning (Preliminary): The audio tuning for the Gravity model is not yet finalized. The tuning in showroom vehicles represents a preliminary stage. (#130 / #149)
  • Balance Setting Issue: Being looked into (#21 / #126)

Hardware & Troubleshooting

  • Hardware Modification (Bass “Chuffing”): A hardware modification using butyl tape was implemented to eliminate “chuffing” noises from the woofers, allowing for a retune with improved bass response. (#8 / #73)
  • High-Pitched Noise (LEDs): A high-pitched noise (around 7850 Hz) emanating from the window switch LEDs was confirmed by a user recording. The team will investigate. (#85 / #73)
  • High Pitch Audio Issue (General): Users experiencing any other high-pitched audio issues are advised to bring their vehicle in for service, as this is not an intentional characteristic. (#47 / #148)
  • Calibration Track List: Calibration tracks are available. (#71 / #170)

USB Playback

  • USB Audio Format Support: Supported USB audio formats include Dolby Atmos (in MP4 containers) and stereo in WAV, MP3, and FLAC. USB drive limitations are 32GB capacity and FAT32 formatting. (#138 / #166, #166)

Confirmed by Lucid (Negative)

  • No Active Noise Cancellation: Active noise cancellation is not currently planned. The rationale is the already quiet cabin and the potential for undesirable audio artifacts. It may be considered in the future. (#2 / #55)
  • SS vs. SSP - Hardware Difference: Surreal Sound and Surreal Sound Pro have significantly different hardware. Upgrading from SS to SSP is not a simple software switch. (#23 / #79)
  • No Atmos in Base System: Dolby Atmos is not considered for the base Surreal Sound system due to an insufficient number of channels to properly reproduce the intended spatial audio experience. The base system aims for competitiveness within its class, while SSP aims to exceed the competition. (#132 / #145)
  • Tidal App Issues (Infotainment): Issues with the Tidal app (favorites, genre information) are not within the Audio team’s responsibility; they fall under the Infotainment team. (#17 / #159)
  • No Winamp: Winamp is not planned. (#95 / #162)
  • No Audio ‘Off’ Switch: An audio ‘off’ switch is not feasible due to government regulations requiring audible chimes. Amazon Music is an infotainment issue. (#164 / #164)

Acknowledged By Lucid/In Progress

Software Features and Improvements

  • Prevent Audio Auto-Start: The request to prevent audio from automatically starting upon vehicle entry is a high priority and is being actively worked on to improve the ingress/egress experience. (#15 / #97, #168)
  • Volume Ramp-Up (On Start): A suggestion for a gradual volume ramp-up on car start was acknowledged and is being considered. (#29 / #97, #142)
  • Dynamic Speed Control (DSC): Dynamic Speed Control (DSC) is under active development. This feature will automatically adjust gain and low frequencies (bass) based on vehicle speed to maintain a consistent listening experience. (#14 / #83, #92, #128)
  • Default Volume Level: Option being discussed. (#142 / #142)
  • Infotainment/CarPlay Issues: Reported issues with Infotainment and CarPlay (including lack of sound, connectivity problems, and incorrect album art) are being tracked and actively addressed by the software team. Users experiencing these issues were asked to provide logs and their VIN. (#42 / #157)
  • Streaming stability: Passed to SW QA team.(#152 / #152)

Sound System Enhancements

  • Base Surreal Sound Improvements: Planned improvements for the base Surreal Sound system are in active development. (#16 / #98)
  • Comprehensive Equalizer: A request for a more comprehensive equalizer (beyond the current bass/mid/treble controls) is being discussed internally by the Audio Team, recognizing the diversity of user preferences. (#3 / #38)
  • Driver-Centric Atmos Staging: The team is actively working on innovative approaches to allow for a more driver-centric Dolby Atmos soundstage, potentially allowing users to adjust the spatial audio focus. (#63 / #158, #136 / #158)
  • Hall Acoustic Models: The concept of simulating different hall acoustics is considered interesting and will be discussed in future audio team meetings. (#26 / #152)
  • Tuning for Roof Type: Developing different audio tunings based on roof type (glass vs. solid) is on the “want to do” list, but is dependent on available resources. (#36 / #156)
  • Notification Sound Upgrades: Chime sounds are being improved in the Gravity model, with plans to bring these enhancements to the Air. (#43 / #169)
  • Next Level Audio: Signal processing and tuning are areas of focus. (#33 / #153)
  • New Spatial Audio and Gravity: New tech is coming to Gravity first, then being ported to Air. (#153/#153)

App Integrations & Streaming

  • Native Apple Music App: A native Apple Music app (similar to the existing Tidal integration) is under consideration. This was a frequently requested feature. (#49 / #50, #163)
  • Apple Music Dolby Atmos: Adding support for Dolby Atmos within Apple Music (similar to Tidal’s Atmos support) is being actively investigated. (#5 / #57)
  • Spatial Audio in CarPlay: Support for Spatial Audio within CarPlay is being actively explored. (#13 / #167)
  • Atmos and Apple Music in Carplay: Priority and timeline are being looked at.(#121 / #135)
  • Additional Atmos Content Providers: Lucid is actively seeking to expand the availability of Dolby Atmos content by adding support for more streaming providers. (#57 / #57, #127)
  • YouTube Music (Native App): The possibility of a native YouTube Music app is a software question that will be forwarded to the relevant department. (#34 / #154)
  • Displaying Bitrate on Tidal: The idea of displaying the streaming bitrate on Tidal (e.g., Low, Medium, High) is being considered for a future update, potentially mirroring the functionality of the Tidal mobile app. (#84 / #151)
  • USB Playback (Continuous Play): The request for USB playback to automatically continue to the next album is a software issue that will be passed on to the software engineering team. (#94 / #99)

Not Acknowledged by Lucid

  • Simpler XM Interface: Request for a simpler XM interface. (#11)
  • Balance Setting Glitch (SSP): A reported glitch where the balance setting in Surreal Sound Pro does not persist after restarting the car. (#19)
  • Tidal Playlist Issue: An issue where Tidal playlists reset to the beginning and music sometimes fails to play after a car restart, requiring a system reboot. (#27)
    • Seconded: (#58)
  • Android Bluetooth Quality: A request to improve the audio quality of Bluetooth streams from Android devices, potentially through higher bitrate codecs. (#31)
  • Improved S/XM UI and Android Auto: Requests for improvements to the SiriusXM UI and controls, as well as Android Auto integration. (#37)
  • SSP Lacking DSP: Feedback that Surreal Sound Pro lacks digital signal processing (DSP) and needs improvements in clarity, soundstage, and dynamic range compared to audio systems in lower-priced vehicles. (#53)
  • Front Speaker Sound Quality: Reports that the front speakers sound like AM radio, lacking clear mid-range and highs, and needing better processing. (#56)

Unanswered

  • Air GT vs. Gravity GT Audio: A question about the differences in the audio systems between the Air Grand Touring and Gravity Grand Touring models. (#18)
  • Front Speaker Sound Correction: A question regarding potential sound correction for front speakers that sound like AM radio compared to the rear speakers. (#28)
  • Vendor Collaboration: A question about whether Lucid receives advance notice from vendors like Apple and Tidal regarding new technologies and the nature of the collaboration (push-pull system). (#59)
  • Apple Music Integration: A question about potential challenges in securing an agreement with Apple for Apple Music integration. (#64)
  • Base Surreal Sound Adjustments: Inquiries about future software or hardware adjustments for the base Surreal Sound system, specifically addressing a potential subwoofer buzzing issue. (#100)
  • Upcoming SSPro and Base SS Features: General excitement and anticipation for upcoming features for both SSPro and the base Surreal Sound beyond what was discussed in the AMA. (#125)
  • EQ Frequencies and 5-band EQ: Questions about the specific frequencies controlled by the current EQ and a request for a user-definable 5-band equalizer. (#141)
  • Speaker Specifications: A request for detailed speaker specifications, including impedance (Ohms), power handling (Watts), and frequency response. (#143)