The creation of Engineered by Meridian (EbM) is a direct response to the company's rapidly growing automotive business. In home audio, Meridian is best known for the hi-fi and surround sound cinema products. For the demanding in-car environment, the company focusses on pioneering DSP and other software technologies, supported by deep expertise in electronics, hardware integration and system tuning. Many of the world’s most ambitious vehicle manufacturers trust Meridian to support their audio system design, adding value to their most premium systems through the addition of the Meridian brand.
"More than a decade working with some of the world's most ambitious luxury vehicle manufacturers has taught us a great deal about how best to support their accelerating drive to amazing in-car experiences," states Meridian’s automotive business director, Paul Andrews. "As the move to EV makes cars more refined and driver assistance systems continue to reduce engagement, in-cabin experience will become a critical differentiator."
"EbM is the result of taking a hard look at what Meridian’s automotive customers need, at their in-car experience roadmaps and how they like to work with highly specialist technology partners. It brings a new way of thinking that is focussed on the quality and flexibility offered by a combination of psychoacoustic analysis, innovative software and deep integration expertise alongside marketing and brand licensing support," he adds.
Meridian Audio chief executive John Buchanan says one of the fundamental pillars of EbM is that it offers a hardware independent solution. "Designing systems from a fixed portfolio of hardware can limit performance, as well as increasing weight, energy consumption, packaging volume and environmental impact. EbM is shaped to take full advantage of the most innovative software and electronics, freeing our customers from those limitations and allowing them to source components from their most trusted Tier 1 suppliers."
The key to this approach is Meridian’s focus on control software, DSP, and other proprietary innovations, complemented by the expertise required to support the design and integration of new audio technology platforms. EbM offers a wide portfolio of specialized services and unique technology products that can be tailored to any listening application and may include third-party technology licenses, audio tuning consultancy; marketing services, and brand licensing.
Opening New Opportunities
Andrews believes that vehicle manufacturers can miss opportunities because they begin planning audio systems too late into the vehicle design phase. "Experience shows that considering system architecture and integration at the earliest stages will increase opportunities for a full range of system options, reduce the cost of implementing each option and allow higher fidelity for the most premium specifications," he explains. "We are also seeing more vehicle manufacturers looking at system architectures that allow over-the-air monetization. This is a really exciting time for in-cabin experience, it’s changing very quickly. We have shaped EbM to help our customers fully develop these opportunities."
Intended services provided by EbM include helping to define the desired audio experience and option levels, plan the desired upgrade paths for future model revisions, and support or lead system architecture design. The company also supports the specification, design, testing and manufacture of hardware, as well as the selection and integration of the most appropriate Meridian innovations and DSP technologies, including brand licensing and marketing. Efficient full system in-cabin integration and equalization of the system (complex audio system tuning) is also provided. Finally, EbM will be able to provide HMI design and control integration support.
EbM currently works with a variety of brands across different sectors and markets, including Jaguar Land Rover, HiPhi, Kia, LG and Rivian. Less obviously, it also works with a number of specialist industry, including ASK Industries, Hyundai Mobis and Linstol.
The EbM attended CES 2023 in Las Vegas to anticipate the creation of the new automotive audio consultancy, where they also demonstrated Meridian's all-new Vibrohaptic Audio technology, which integrates into a car seat in order to emulate a more natural and visceral listening experience, or any given environment (it could also be integrated into airline seats or gaming environments). This technology generates tactile signals from the audio content that are transmitted through the seat to create a more immersive listening experience.
Meridian is also heading to Germany in May 18-21, for High End Munich 2023 and the EbM team will be available to meet with new and prospective customers in the Meridian room (Atrium 3.1, Room C112). The team will also be demonstrating Meridian’s Vibrohaptic Audio at the show.
www.meridian-audio.com
