The June issue of audioXpress focuses on Automotive Audio and features an in-depth report by Roger Shively and J. Martins, plus articles from Jacob Soendergaard and Jesse Gratke (HEAD acoustics), Paul Beckmann and John Whitecar (DSP Concepts), Alexander Goldin (Alango Technologies), and Steve Temme (Listen). On other topics, Richard Honeycutt writes about the key objectives of architectural acoustics, Eric Carmichel describes an occluded ear simulator (OES) test solution, and Simon Ashton (AudioSmile) offers the technical details of his Little British Monitor (LBM)."When Everything Is New!" The June issue of audioXpress includes an in-depth report about everything that is happening in automotive audio, and this very dynamic segment of the automotive industry. Focusing on just the last months since CES 2025 and all the way to the Shanghai Auto Show 2025, this report offers an expanded perspective on the challenges and opportunities in play for established and emerging players. As software-defined audio features continue to evolve, and AI and large language models (LLMs) are now recurring topics, real innovative features are being introduced in new vehicles coming from the new breed of China's original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The fact that things are moving so fast in just a few months serves to show why automotive audio is now the most vibrant application segment for the whole audio industry. The report describes how the excitement witnessed around automotive audio continues to accelerate in 2025, propelled by the whirlwind of new vehicles and radical concepts being launched, offering new levels of premium audio experiences.
Following up on the automotive audio perspective, Jacob Soendergaard and Jesse Gratke (HEAD acoustics) write about the "Evolution of Automotive Audio Tuning and Testing." Offering an updated perspective on the topic, the article highlights the advantages of utilizing a head-and-torso simulator (HATS) and introduces the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) assessment of audio quality - both key technologies pioneered by HEAD acoustics. The article offers valuable insights about the methods used to benchmark automotive audio and advanced audio processing in modern vehicles, equipped with high channel counts and headrest speakers.
Next up, Paul Beckmann and John Whitecar (DSP Concepts) write about "Audio System Design in the Age of Software-Defined Vehicles." As the automotive industry is undergoing a transformation and SDV forces a re-evaluation of audio architectures to meet new technical demands and consumer expectations, this article offers a unique perspective on where things are headed - directly from two leading industry experts from a company at the core of everything that's happening in the automotive audio industry. Detailing how DSP Concepts is evolving its Audio Weaver modular audio processing framework to adapt audio systems for SDVs, the article offers unique insights on the latest implementations and the deployment of AI-driven audio features.
Expanding on different perspectives about automotive audio applications, Alexander Goldin (Alango Technologies) asks a very pertinent question that could completely change our perspective about design and tuning of audio systems for the car. As millions of dollars are invested to create the best possible sound experience inside cars, shouldn't we try to make sure that both driver and passengers are able to hear things as closely as possible? As increasingly sophisticated automotive audio systems allow immersive audio and even different experiences for each seat, "In Car Cabin Sound Personalization" sends out an important message to advocate for sound personalization as a natural extension for audio enhancement solutions. More importantly, the article describes a way to address hearing loss as a foundation for personalization inside vehicles.
And from a Practical Test & Measurement perspective, the June 2025 issue of audioXpress continues with another valuable article written by Steve Temme, the founder and President of Listen, Inc. In "Standardized Automotive Audio Measurements," he proposes a way to make accurate audio measurements in cars that meet the complex and ever-changing functionalities that manufacturers are introducing in vehicles. In 2023, the Audio Engineering Society (AES) Technical Committee on Automotive Audio proposed a standardized measurement configuration for in-car audio systems. This article builds on that work, using the same configuration to make a more comprehensive suite of measurements, including seat-to-seat spectral uniformity, THD, advanced impulsive distortion, as well as creating a foundation for a much wider range of in-car measurements.
Of course, not everything in the June 2025 issue of audioXpress is about automotive environments. We transition to other topics with Richard Honeycutt's Sound Control column, this time focused on architectural acoustics and three core objectives: getting the right level of sound in the right places and at the right times. The article details practical approaches to deal with these objectives, starting with controlling both the sound power introduced into the space and the sound absorbed by surfaces, furnishings, and people within the space.
The next article details an interesting effort from Eric Carmichel, of an occluded ear simulator (OES) test solution designed to develop and assess negative feedback (NFB) and hybrid ANC systems. This project, from a veteran electronics designer and acoustic engineer with vast expertise in hearing, speech, and audio analysis, is all the more relevant as this is one of the most cited research fields currently in the industry. In "The Ear That Talks," Eric Carmichel explains how he developed and validated his OES solution that produces "self-contained" sound, making it easy to evaluate the efficacy of feedback ANC independent of outside microphones on the DUT. And when placed in a test box, feedforward and hybrid ANC systems can also be evaluated. A fascinating reading also for those interested in ear-occlusion, self-voice, and the reduction of those unwanted effects via ANC.
And because we couldn't have an issue of audioXpress without a practical perspective of a product design, Simon Ashton describes all the technical details of his Little British Monitor (LBM). In his article, Simon Ashton walks us through some of his unique design choices, including how in an effort to identify port noise and resonance leakage, he embarked on an extensive research project culminating in a 39-page technical paper on port design. This is a truly fascinating reading of a serious design effort, where every aspect of a speaker has been considered. We only wish more companies would offer such detailed explorations of their design options. It would certainly help them gain a lot more credibility. Little British Monitor is available from AudioSmile, both as a finished speaker and a DIY kit.
Please remember that all the content contained in every issue of audioXpress is the reason this publication continues to reinforce its role as an essential resource for the audio industry, month after month, 12 times per year. Your support and that of our advertisers is what allows us to keep this publication in print and on all the digital platforms as well as pay our independent authors and contributors for their work.
Subscribe if you haven't done so in order not to miss future issues or renew your subscription. Subscribing to the digital online version allows immediate access and is available here: audioXpress Subscription Services
If you wish to buy a single printed issue or the complete audioXpress archive on USB, from 2000 to 2025 (yes, including the latest issue), just visit our online shop at www.cc-webshop.com.
And check out the new options to access the audioXpress Digital archive:
https://simplecirc.com/subscribe/audioxpress
Don't miss out, get your copy of audioXpress right now at www.gotomyxpress.com
