HEAD acoustics MOBILITY Voice and Noise Conference, May 8-9, 2024

"We Cannot Predict the Future, but We Can Shape Its Sound." This is the slogan and inspiration for the MOBILITY Voice and Noise Conference, promoted by HEAD acoustics. Promising a practical look at all applications related to Voice and Noise in the mobility sector, including the latest trends and methods for automotive audio and acoustics, the conference takes place May 8-9 at the Presidio Golden Gate Club and Presidio Officer’s Club, in San Francisco, CA.

Apple and Mercedes Benz announced that Apple Music’s Spatial Audio content with support for Dolby Atmos is now available as a native experience in Mercedes Benz vehicles for the first time. Apple Music with Spatial Audio comes fully integrated through the brand's MBUX infotainment system in the Mercedes Maybach S Class, the EQS and EQS SUV, as well as the EQE, EQE SUV and the S Class. These vehicles are all equipped with studio-quality sound, giving drivers a fully immersive listening experience.

Meridian continues to expand its automotive audio business working in close cooperation with car makers. The British audio pioneer has now unveiled the results of its work with Kia Corporation taking in-car audio to another level in the brand new K8 modern sedan. Featuring a purpose-designed 14-speaker surround sound system, Meridian has worked with Kia to provide an exceptional audio inside the new K8 model exploring all the possibilities of its proprietary DSP audio technologies.

One of the key technology demonstrations in automotive audio at CES 2020 was promoted by Continental and audio specialist Sennheiser. The two German companies presented a "speakerless" audio system for the vehicle interior, which Sennheiser claims is able to generate immersive audio by exciting surfaces inside the vehicle to produce sound. The Continental actuator solution - Ac2ated Sound - reduces weight and space by up to 90% in comparison to conventional systems.

The level of interest in adding a premium audio system as an option at vehicle purchase increased from 2017 to 2018 in both the US and Western Europe. In the new 2018 Premium Audio Report from the Strategy Analytics’ In-Vehicle UX (IVX) team, consumers in the US, France, Germany, Italy, and the UK were surveyed in respect to their interest and willingness to pay for an in-vehicle premium audio system. Bose was the preferred brand, while Sony gets the most recognition among consumers.