Sennheiser Enters Automotive Sector

Sennheiser has entered the automotive sector with an AMBEO immersive audio solution for in-car entertainment and communication in collaboration with Southern California-based luxury automaker, Karma Automotive. Meticulously engineered using highest-grade microphone and loudspeaker technology and 3D audio expertise, the AMBEO sound system provides impressively enveloping sound and clear audio for phone calls. The system can first be experienced as a technology showcase on a new 2020 Karma Revero GT during Monterey Car Week from August 15 to 18.

Karma Automotive’s Monterey Car Week activation is located on Peter Hay Hill at Pebble Beach and is open Thursday 15 through Sunday 18 August.

DISTRIBUTED SOUND SYSTEM

The AMBEO sound system on board the 2020 Karma Revero GT consists of a multi-channel loudspeaker set-up arranged in two main layers plus a subwoofer to provide authentic sound immersion anywhere in the cabin. To make this experience complete, the vehicle’s headrests have been integrated into the loudspeaker concept.

Crucially, the ability to enjoy breathtaking immersive sound does not require specific 3D audio sources – the system’s AMBEO upmix algorithm can turn any stereo material into an immersive experience. Audio sources and levels are managed via a convenient graphical user interface, which allows the driver and passengers to personalise the sound according to their preferences. The interface also lets you determine the preferred degree of immersive-ness, and your position within the sound stage.

BEAMFORMING PHONE CALLS

With the AMBEO system, clear phone conversations in the car are no longer a dream. The system employs beamforming technology to actively focus on the speaker, with the beamforming microphone arrays integrated into both sides of the cabin. The result is precise capture of the voice, while wind, engine and tire noise is efficiently attenuated. The other passengers can join the phone conversation, or continue listening to their music or film audio undisturbed. This solution has yet another advantage: It enables relaxed, clear communication between everyone in the car.

AN ENGINEERING FEAT

Sennheiser engineers worked more than two years on developing and fine-tuning the AMBEO technology for the automotive sector. “The main challenge was to bring immersive high-quality audio into the complex and difficult environment of the car, which is quite unlike our usual use cases for immersive audio and beamforming technologies,” said Dr. Véronique Larcher, Director AMBEO Immersive Audio at Sennheiser. “We almost had to start from scratch, with the objective of not only bringing a good solution to market, but creating the very best available. This AMBEO system now combines the gold-standard AMBEO upmix algorithm for immersive audio with high-quality, elevated sound reproduction and the latest beamforming technology for clear communications.”

Visit the Karma activation on Peter Hay Hill at Pebble Beach during Monterey Car Week to experience the unique AMBEO immersive sound system from Thursday 15 through Sunday 18 August.

Sennheiser: en-au.sennheiser.com