[Standing out in a quiet space] Changing relationship between cars and speakers Further with electric vehicles

Quiet car = a space where you can enjoy the sound

Mercedes-Benz is "Brumester", BMW and Audi are "Bang & Orfsen", Jaguar Land Rover is "Meridian", Toyota is "JBL" for domestic cars, Nissan and Mazda are "BOSE", automobile makers are high-end audio makers It's been a long time since we started to develop dedicated audio for each model.

By the way, the world's first premium audio designed exclusively for car models is from BOSE, and was installed in the Cadillac Seville released in 1983.

However, the big wave of EV shift that has hit rapidly these days should affect audio makers.

An EV that is overwhelmingly quieter than a car loaded with an internal combustion engine can also be an audio room in a more optimal environment.

The EV is carefully designed to ensure quietness, from preventing road noise from entering the vehicle to reducing wind noise. Not only has this made it easier to see how good or bad the audio sounds, but it has also created an environment where you can hear better sounds than ever before.

Although it is not an EV, when I participated in the test drive of the Nissan Note Aura, which is a model exclusively for the "e-power" series hybrid, the test drive was equipped with the "BOSE Personal Plus Sound System" jointly developed with Nissan.

The Note Aura has added soundproofing material based on the standard notebook, and the engine control has been reviewed in the 2nd generation "e-power" to improve quietness, and the goodness of BOSE's sound stands out.

The person in charge of BOSE came to the test drive event and finished the interview by listening to a brief talk about the features of the product and a part of the development process.

After that, Nissan made an online announcement of the start of domestic pre-orders for the EV "Aria" in the new luxury SUV.

It was also revealed that BOSE's premium sound system was adopted for that aria.

So, when I contacted Nissan for more information about the BOSE premium sound system, they provided me with an opportunity for individual online coverage with a BOSE marketer.

"Sound making" in a car

Mr. Gen Suzuki, BOSE Senior Marketing Manager, responded to the interview.

First, we received an explanation of the "Sound Philosophy" in BOSE's car audio, which forms the basis of the joint development of Aria's premium sound system with Nissan.

The "sound philosophy" is Spatial (spatial expression), Spectral (frequency characteristics), and Large Signal (performance at high volume), and each of them was explained as follows.

Spatial (spatial expression) brings a sound field that is faithful to the original sound and does not make you feel the size of the passenger compartment, and brings you the feeling and excitement of being in a concert venue. Realize a listening experience that does not feel the position of the speakers and is wrapped up.

Spectral (frequency response) faithfully reproduces all frequency bands, with treble that gives delicate details to music, midrange that reproduces natural vocals, and rich bass that brings trembling power. ..

Large Signal (performance at high volume) does not disturb the spatial expression and frequency characteristics even at the loud volume of a full orchestra, and does not cause unpleasant distortion.

In addition, these philosophies are based on the fact that the origin of BOSE was research to reproduce the sound of a concert hall, and it is said that the approach to room sound has become a legacy of BOSE.

Unlike audio that is listened to at home, car audio has a small space, asymmetrical speaker arrangement when viewed from the listener, and a number of complex and close-range sound reflectors and absorbers that faithfully reproduce the original sound. It becomes an environment where it is difficult to reproduce high-quality sound.

Therefore, for audio makers, making sounds in a car is also a highlight of their skill.