Automotive Audio: Audio System Design in the Age of Software-Defined Vehicles

As the automotive industry is undergoing a transformation and software 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. 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 deployment of AI-driven audio features.

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.

Millions of dollars are invested to create the best possible sound experience inside cars. With increasingly sophisticated automotive audio systems allowing immersive audio and different experiences for each seat, sound personalization is a natural extension for audio enhancement solutions. This article describes a way to address hearing loss as a foundation for personalization inside vehicles.

Voice Coil June 2025 offers the latest news from Klippel and Dayton Audio, and includes a complete listing of Headphone Test & Measurement Equipment, with updates on all the companies active in that space. For this issue's Test Bench, Vance Dickason prepared two extended characterizations of the TSQ2145 21" Pro Sound Subwoofer from Celestion's 10 Squared line-up, and the C16NX001/X, an advanced 5.25" metamodal TPCD coaxial driver from SEAS.

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, Eric Carmichel describes an occluded ear simulator (OES) test solution, and Simon Ashton (AudioSmile) offers the technical details of his Little British Monitor (LBM).