Every year, Autoblog's automotive enthusiast site looks at all the innovations introduced in the automotive industry and picks their Technology of the Year. It could be a new drivetrain, suspension innovation, or even enabling EVs to provide electricity for your home during a blackout, such as last year’s winner. This year, Mercedes-Benz of Plano is pleased to announce they selected the Dolby Atmos component of the Burmester® 3D Surround Sound system*.
How the Technology of the Year is Determined
Autoblog’s Technology of the Year determination rests on how well the technology answers three primary questions:
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How significant is this tech?
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How well does it work?
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What's its “Wow Factor?”
Another consideration is how well this technology can expand beyond the specific model it was featured on.
Mobile Audio System Evolution
Forty to fifty years ago, before everyone was buying laptops and carrying phones with more computing power than Apollo 11, the craze in consumer electronics was focused on home and car audio systems. Very few who cared about how music sounded in their car trusted the audio systems provided by the manufacturer, and the business of replacing the speakers and head units with aftermarket components was massive. It has since completely turned around where audio systems, particularly in luxury models, are considered better than anything the now diminished aftermarket offers.
The change occurred when automakers tapped these aftermarket suppliers to design systems specifically for their models. After all, a vehicle cabin is an acoustic engineer’s dream. They know the size of the listening area, the what and where of all the surface materials inside it, and most importantly, where the listener’s ears are. The audio specialists were still limited at first. The manufacturer would present them with a complete car and then directed them where they could precisely place speakers based on the design. The results were often improved but short of optimal.
What makes Dolby Atmos Great
Today at Mercedes-Benz, the audio engineers work with the cabin designers from inception, designing and locating speakers to create the best listening environment possible, making the Dolby Atmos component so effective.
You may have seen the Dolby Atmos name on a soundbar system or other home theater set-up. Dolby Atmos significantly expands the possibility of what we have come to know as “surround sound” by adding height as a third dimension to what Dolby calls a “three-dimensional sound field.” Taking full advantage of this ability requires the optimal placement of speakers achievable in a controlled environment like a vehicle cabin.
Autoblog tested the 27-speaker system in the very exclusive Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 but noted that the technology is also available in other Mercedes-Benz models. To quote one of their system descriptions: “The 360-degree nature of what Dolby Atmos software is able to provide can’t be understated. You’ll hear the lyrics move from one corner to another and various instruments wash forward and overhead with such precision and clarity that it almost doesn’t feel real. Switch between a Spatial Audio track and the same version of that song without Dolby Atmos software applied, and you’ll hear the difference in depth instantly.”
Before you think this dynamic sound system is meant only for Deutsche Grammophon classical recordings, Autoblog cited Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio treated versions of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Taylor Swift, and Pink Floyd as examples that dropped their jaws.
Fortunately, the Burmester® 3D Surround Sound system with Dolby Atmos is one of the most effortless features to “test drive” at Mercedes-Benz of Plano, where we have Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio on hand to enable you to experience the audio system to its fullest. The only risk is never being satisfied with any other audio system again.
* Burmester is a registered trademark of Burmester Audiosysteme GmbH, Berlin, Germany
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