audioXpress June 2021 Explores the Exciting World of Automotive Audio Solutions

In another reference edition of audioXpress magazine, our June 2021 issue offers the most complete overview of the fascinating world of automotive audio, a detailed review of the KEF LS50 Meta loudspeaker and many more great audio electronics, theoretical approaches, and practical projects in the best audioXpress tradition. Now available in print and online!

As described in this edition’s editorial, many of the same technologies that have seen spectacular adoption at home, such as immersive audio and streaming services, are now also transitioning to the car. Regardless of its many unique challenges, automotive audio technologies are one of the most interesting markets at the moment, conveying all the technological and consumer behavior trends in a well-defined ecosystem — a small microcosm of what the future will bring.

This automotive audio overview begins with a Market Update on "Tech for the Automotive Framework," focusing on a few key technologies, platforms, and innovations that should be on every developer's radar when working on automotive audio projects. Audio solutions that are transversal to the vehicle's design and human interface. The article addresses a series of innovations from key technology players such as Dirac Research, DSP Group, Harman, Noveto, Panasonic Automotive Solutions, and Silentium.

This is followed by an overview on how British audio pioneer Meridian Audio is transforming listening experiences with new technologies for the car. For more than 10 years, Meridian has built a strong presence within the automotive market, with outstanding recent examples available for McLaren Automotive, Jaguar Land Rover, Human Horizons, Rivian, and Kia. The article details the company's approach with recent 3D surround sound and immersive in-car audio systems that combine all its digital processing solutions.

For an expanded overview of the many ways in which the audio industry is increasingly interacting with car manufacturers, particularly in the transition to fully-electric powered vehicles, Roger Shively (JJR Acoustics and Co-Chair of the AES Automotive Audio Technical Committee) writes about "The Changing Automotive Environment in 2021." His article discusses what is new in the user interface to the audio system, how cockpits are changing, and the approach to optimizing them for the end user's audio needs. It also looks at how the audio systems are expanding to integrate Active Noise Control (ANC), Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), and Acoustic Vehicle Alert Systems (AVAS) for quiet car sound design and autonomous driver alerts. Finally, it examines new challenges for OEM audio system designs and how they are being met.

To expand on this wide-ranging perspective on automotive audio solutions, Krunal Maniar (Silicon Labs) writes about Vehicle Electrification and Active Noise Cancellation, which are currently two key driving forces fostering innovation in In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) systems.

In this edition of audioXpress, we also feature a unique and detailed review of the completely redesigned KEF LS50 Meta Loudspeaker. Recently, the British brand updated its extremely popular LS50 coaxial speaker design and introduced the LS50 Meta, an improved version of the original LS50 passive design, now featuring a new Uni-Q driver that is coupled with an interesting new Metamaterial absorber in the back. audioXpress requested a pair of speakers for review and Oliver Masciarotte did the listening, while Kent Peterson checked the measurements. The KEF LS50 Meta was measured at Warkwyn’s facility using the Klippel Near Field Scanning system (NFS), which provides a great overview of the effect of the redesign. A team listening session also took place at 8VB Recording studios in downtown Minneapolis, MN, allowing the group to compare this home audio design with very linear reference monitors. And the KEF LS50 Meta impressed.

For all our readers following the fascinating article series “The Science and Physics of High-End Mic-Preamp Design,” this edition brings the epilogue of this five-part essay, exploring the fundamentals in microphone pre-amplifier design. Having looked at “the bigger picture” in the previous articles, Mike Meechan concludes this Audio Electronics series with the golden rules of low-noise, mic preamp design.

This edition also features the third and final article in the “Measuring Vibration with Piezoelectric Sensors” series, where George Ntanavaras describes his research, detailing different sensors and amplifiers circuits. He now describes the design, the construction of the system, and presents the results and the measurements of a new reference solution that all our readers can build.

Another article that we are certain many of our readers will be eagerly awaiting is the conclusion of “Noise is Everywhere - Even in MC Input Transformers.” In this article, Burkhard Vogel rounds-off his transformer measurements, and follows with a step-by-step approach to noise measurements, simulations and calculations, with conclusions.

In his Sound Control column, Richard Honeycutt revisits the history and practice of using line arrays to control the directivity of a speaker system. The article details the evolution of vertical columns in sound reinforcement, all the way to modern massive line arrays used in big live events and even high-end home systems.

Finally, our readers interested in amplifier design will be able to enjoy an article by Rien Oortgiesen (Infineon), detailing Class-D Amplifier Output Filters for audio devices using Infineon’s new MERUS family of multilevel Class-D amplifiers. Together with the reduced BOM that comes from simplified filters, these efficient devices open up new possibilities for the audio system designer.

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