With the increasing capability of automotive audio systems, many staple brands are striking deals with car makers to get their newest innovations into the latest models. Last year, for example, electric car brand Polestar announced it was bringing the sound of Abbey Road Studios to its fleet of vehicles.
Now, Sennheiser is getting in on the fun, announcing two new technologies which it hopes will be snapped up by major car brands: Scenico with AMBEO Technology and Polifonia. The former is said to deliver immersive sound from speakers concentrated in the dashboard of the car, while the Polifonia uses assistive noise cancellation technology to enable personalised listening experiences for each seat. Both are software modules developed by Sennheiser Mobility, the company’s in-car audio division aimed at car manufacturers.
Scenico is a patented software module that delivers “compact immersive sound” via transducers integrated into the car’s dashboard. The appeal to car makers, Sennheiser says, is that by concentrating speakers within a smaller zone, manufacturers will have more space and flexibility when designing vehicle interiors.
And because the Scenico design concentrates its speakers in one compact zone, Sennheiser says it allows for the removal of speakers from the car’s doors altogether, supporting easier disassembly and recycling.
Meanwhile, the design of Polifonia enables “enhanced acoustic separation” between seating positions via headrest speakers and noise cancellation technology, thus allowing for, incredibly, personalised listening experiences for each occupant. Sennheiser even says this extends to allowing the driver to receive navigation guidance and driving information without disturbing passengers, while passengers can listen to their own music without disturbing the driver.
“The future of automotive audio is about delivering richer experiences while intelligently adapting to the needs of every occupant,” said Dr Véronique Larcher, Managing Director of Sennheiser Mobility. She adds that the two technologies bring the industry closer to “a future where every seat in the vehicle can become its own premium listening space”.
There’s no word yet on which car brands might adopt this new technology, but Sennheiser encourages brands to request a demo by contacting the Sennheiser Mobility team at mobility@sennheiser.com.
Learn more about both Scenico and Polifonia at Sennheiser.
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