This is not just a simple car audio system. It allows drivers and passengers to adjust the musical atmosphere to their taste. Moreover, it can create a three-dimensional sound experience by activating speakers depending on the desired situation of the passengers. This is the Bang & Olufsen car audio perfected by Harman in the Genesis.
On the 25th, Harman Korea held an audition event for the Genesis Bang & Olufsen car audio system at Erebo in Gangnam, Seoul. Within Harman Korea, there exists the Acoustic System Engineering (ASE) team, which operates in the USA, Europe, China, and Korea. The ASE team consists of over 100 employees worldwide, with eight conducting car audio research in collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group in Korea.
Director Moon So-yeon of Harman Korea’s ASE team stated, “The Bang & Olufsen car audio is based on a philosophy. The sound quality is the same regardless of the seat.” She explained, “The configuration of the system, including amplifiers and speakers, is designed architecturally to create the optimal system.” Furthermore, she added that factors such as speaker size and performance are considered during the vehicle design phase to determine placement.
The sound demonstration followed. In the chilly weather where the biorhythm descends, lively jazz music envelops the inside of the GV80 to uplift the mood.
The Bang & Olufsen Harman car audio features a Beosonic function. Beosonic allows users to control music through a circular-shaped controller that lets them drag and select music that matches their mood. Setting the music to an energetic mode transforms even the same jazz tune into a more vibrant melody.
Conversely, setting it to a calm mode adds a serene backdrop for driving home after a noisy day, transforming the atmosphere with quiet and mellow tones.
Moreover, the Bang & Olufsen system in the GV80 offers a three-dimensional sound experience. While home audio systems are designed for a single listener, car audio accommodates all passengers.
During the demonstration, music occasionally emanates only from the front seats and side speakers and sometimes flows from overhead speakers, creating a surround-sound effect. If the sweet spot in a home audio system is limited to one position, in the GV80, the 18 speakers throughout the cabin convert every seat into a sweet spot.
There are subwoofer speakers located under the front seats. These subwoofers provide a punchy sensation during powerful symphonies, making one feel as if they are in a concert hall. This is thanks to Harman’s collaboration with Genesis, showcasing appropriate sound staging and tuning technologies. With the Bang & Olufsen car audio system in Genesis, the joy of driving is undoubtedly enhanced.
By Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr