The partnership with Sennheiser Mobility is intended to enhance smart vehicles across all global markets, including China and Europe, ensuring an immersive experience for drivers and passengers. Central to the all-new smart #5 SUV is the Sennheiser Signature Sound System, featuring Sennheiser's patented Concerto with AMBEO technology and Contrabass audio algorithms. The sound system encompasses 20 speakers and 1 portable speaker, featuring a peak output exceeding 2000 Watt and supporting Dolby Atmos. The upcoming all-new smart #5 will celebrate its world premiere on August 28 in Australia.
Since the birth of the smart Automobile brand in the 90s, the company always maintained the vision of exploring the best solutions for future urban mobility. The name "smart" (lower case is part of the brand) derived from an original cooperation between famous Swiss company Swatch with Mercedes-Benz. Becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler-Benz in 1998, the company was subsequently renamed as smart GmbH, fully absorbed by Daimler in 2006, within the Mercedes-Benz Cars division, producing primarily the fortwo and forfour models in Europe.
smart Automobile Co., Ltd. is a joint venture established by Mercedes-Benz and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group in 2019, aimed at producing smart-badged cars in China to be marketed globally. It now produces a new fleet of battery electric vehicles at a manufacturing plant in Hangzhou Bay, Ningbo, China, with distribution, marketing and aftersales activities in Europe handled by smart Europe GmbH. In the transition to becoming an all-electric company, smart is pursuing a global development strategy, described as a "premium intelligent all-electric auto brand".
As smart completed this comprehensive restructuring of its global product development, engineering, and research activities for the new generation all-electric vehicle portfolio the company intends to bring an all-new model to customers each year, further enriching the new generation all-electric product portfolio. So far, smart has launched two all-electric models, the smart #1 and smart #3, with deliveries underway across multiple markets in China and Europe and continued expansion into high-potential markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. In 2024, the all-new smart Concept #5 was officially unveiled, opening up the mid-sized all-electric SUV segment.
smart and Sennheiser are joining forces in this effort, with the all-new smart #5 being the first vehicle to feature a premium immersive audio experience designed by the audio experts at Sennheiser Mobility. Central to the audio experience is the Sennheiser Signature Sound System (with 20 speakers and a portable speaker), featuring Sennheiser's patented audio algorithms, Concerto with AMBEO technology and Contrabass.
AMBEO Concerto is Sennheiser's immersive audio software module that plays back native immersive audio formats, such as Dolby Atmos, but also allows for traditional stereo content to be played back in full three-dimensional depth and resolution. The algorithm creates an immersive, concert-like experience while still preserving the original artistic intent. AMBEO Concerto distills the fundamental components of any piece of music, such as different instruments and room information, and redistributes them throughout the car.
AMBEO Contrabass is a bass enhancement algorithm, exploring psychoacoustic properties to increase the perceived bass performance while actually reducing physical stress on the bass drivers. This results in more definition and punch in the bass frequencies.
"smart is born to inspire people to explore the opportunities of the world by making their journey utterly enjoyable and comfortable experiences. Our collaboration with Sennheiser represents the beginning of a new era in smart’s in-car entertainment offerings and the start of another journey with a truly outstanding global partner. We are more than confident in delivering an unparalleled experience in sound," says Mandy Zhang, Global CMO of smart Automobile.
The Sennheiser signature sound philosophy is to preserve the intent of the artist and present it with authenticity, ensuring that music in the car will sound like the moment it was recorded. As the highlight of the smart #5 setup is a raising speaker with ambient light that synchronizes with the rhythm of the music. The system is designed to support Dolby Atmos, promising an immersive audio experience at a whole new scale.
"We are delighted to continue bringing our remarkable Sennheiser sound to the automotive space through our partnership with smart. At Sennheiser we deliver products and experiences that create goosebumps on the skin. In this partnership we are poised to do exactly that, offering a truly immersive listening experience that puts the driver and passengers at the centre of their favourite music," adds Andreas Sennheiser, Co-CEO of Sennheiser.
The partnership will enhance vehicles across all global markets, including China and Europe. As a multi-purpose SUV in the mid-size segment, the all-new smart #5 is scheduled to celebrate its world premiere on August 28 in Australia. In the meantime, the #1 and #3 will be officially launched in the Australian market.
www.smart.com
www.sennheiser.com
