HARMAN Acoustic Innovations

24th February 2022 Adam Rayner

Harman, like a serious slice of CES booked-to-go companies simply cut their losses and did not go to Las Vegas this year. Unlike last year’s all-digital event seen here: https://www.adamrayner.net/all-digital-ces-experiential-versus-informational/ the likes of Amazon Google and Microsoft were the most famous also cancelled by Covid. I saw deserted pre-view ‘CES unveiled’ events with pointless empty queue systems and images of aisles from the show floors themselves with empty booth spaces and very few visitors.

Not a single press release was sent out from anything in my world that raised any eyebrows and a lot of things from many companies simply got put to one side. This HUGE slice of In-Vehicle technology news was only released just before Valentine’s day and I am itching to get a go on the system and have been asking. I shall persist, although I fear that demo vehicles would be USA -based.

Check out my review of the sound system by Meyer in the theatre in Las Vegas where Cirque Du Soleil had their Michael Jackson ONE^TM show. This too has INDIVIDUAL sound field speakers in every single headrest. It has to do with what Harman are doing in car.

OK, here is the stuff!

New Acoustic Innovations from HARMAN Bring the Whole Family Together with Easy to Use, Integrated and Upgradable In-Vehicle Experiences

These experiences go beyond the highest quality audio and entertainment to transform family trips with advanced in-vehicle communication, connectivity, and productivity.
Newest human-centric products include Ready Together, for easy in-vehicle entertainment and communication management, and Software Enabled Branded Audio, to upgrade the in-vehicle listening experience at the touch of a button.
Both deliver a true consumer tech experience in automotive grade form and are ready for in-vehicle integration.

HARMAN, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. focused on connected technologies and solutions for automotive, consumer and enterprise markets, today announced two new acoustic innovations, Ready Together and Software Enabled Branded Audio, during the HARMAN EXPLORE 2022 event. Ready Together uses advanced acoustic technology to streamline and enhance in-vehicle communication and entertainment. Software Enabled Branded Audio is an on-demand software platform that upgrades the sound quality and feature set of existing unbranded car audio systems with the touch of a button. Both products are ready for in-vehicle integration.

Based on HARMAN’s extensive consumer research and feedback, consumers are looking for new ways to improve time in the car, including advanced connection and communication, added customisation capabilities, and accessible high-quality listening experiences. As the in-vehicle entertainment and audio segment continues to grow, HARMAN is focused as much on the needs of everyday drivers and their families, as on those of audiophiles. By delivering the great experiences that they expect and love, Ready Together and Software Enabled Branded Audio elevate time in the vehicle for the whole family.

“At HARMAN, we remain hyper-focused on delivering new in-vehicle solutions that directly solve entertainment, communication and productivity pain points for drivers and passengers alike, all while providing the same consumer tech experiences that they enjoy outside the vehicle,” said Chris Ludwig, Vice President, EPIC Experience Team at HARMAN International. “By offering these experiences via automotive-grade applications, HARMAN can now provide the whole family with their own personal content and space, while allowing them to remain safely connected and engaged with others while in the car.”

Entertainment, Communication and Productivity for the Whole Family
Ready Together delivers better ways for the entire family to be safely connected while enjoying shared or personalised entertainment in the vehicle. It manages and optimises features like voice prompts, alerts, and music/media to work together as an integrated whole, for seamless information and communication. Ready Together also uses advanced sound zone technology so that each occupant can enjoy their own media – while also allowing shared experiences and conversation, providing a sense of harmony for any trip.

Key features include:

Immersive Audio Experiences: Families can enjoy an amazing, shared listening experience, powered by the latest audio innovations from HARMAN. When they want to enjoy their own content, sound zone technology enables that level of personalisation.
Enhanced In-Car Communication: Advanced noise management, microphone, and voice processing capability enables clear, frustration-free conversations for all vehicle occupants.
Customised profiles: A fully customisable experience for families that caters to every lifestyle. Dedicated profiles and presets for each driver and passenger deliver independent entertainment, customised for all types of trips, with no interruptions.

HARMAN will also introduce an updated Personal Audio Headrest as part of the Ready Together solution. The Personal Audio Headrest’s unique design is more efficient and streamlined to create the best audio headrest on the market. The Personal Audio Headrest safely delivers elevated levels of audio performance in an ergonomic and comfortable way. Additionally, the modular design allows OEMs seamless in-cabin integration with their preferred seating system. With the ability to adjust their immersion level from 2-channel stereo to full surround sound, passengers can customise an individual car audio experience to suit their personal preferences and needs.

Base Audio Systems Transformed On Demand with Branded HARMAN Sound and Features
Software Enabled Branded Audio offers consumers a user-friendly and affordable way to elevate and customise their unbranded in-cabin audio systems to deliver the sound and character of HARMAN’s renowned Infinity brand – on demand and with no additional hardware required. For the first time, an existing unbranded base car audio system can be instantly upgraded to a high-quality HARMAN branded audio experience.

Software Enabled Branded Audio features personalised audio features and brand-new, customisable sound experiences for any style of listening.

Key features include:

Infinity Branded Sound On Demand: Easily activated through the in-vehicle infotainment system at any point during the life of the vehicle.
Personalised EQ Overlay: Customised according to individual listening tests based on HARMAN’s patented Personi-Fi® technology.
Seat-specific tuning: Optimised for location and number of occupants and enhances image and overall sound quality.
Multi-profile user management: Personalised settings for each user to switch between easily and quickly.

Customisable sound experiences are created with technology based on HARMAN’s Virtual Venues, which transforms the vehicle interior with the acoustic characteristics of a real-world performance environment. Experiences include:

Live, replicating the acoustics of live stadium environments.
Club, delivering a crisp, punchy bass experience.
Talk, enhancing spoken content through customised filters that accentuate the vocal range.

Software Enabled Branded Audio includes an easy-to-use UI that serves as a control centre for users and integrates with the OEM’s e-commerce and cloud platforms, managing activation and offering opportunities for monetisation.

For more information on HARMAN’s solutions or the HARMAN EXPLORE showcase, visit https://car.harman.com.