Harman reveals latest seat-based audio system

MANILA: Harman has revealed SeatSonic — one of its latest offerings — at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. 

Per the audio electronics company, SeatSonic is a scalable seat-based and passenger-centric audio system. 

Compared to the traditional automotive cabin audio system, SeatSonic places the speakers into the car seats and puts users at the center of a high-quality, personalized listening experience.

“SeatSonic’s user-centric approach delivers a personal sound subsystem for every passenger that is flexible, lightweight, and energy-saving while freeing up space in critical spots for trim designers,” Harman wrote in a press release. 

The product, Harman pointed out, uses a combination of specifically designed near-field transducers integrated for both acoustic performance and safety. These components are strategically placed on the headrest of the automotive seat. 

Complementing the said speakers is a proprietary bass unit in the lumbar section of the seat to provide a multi-modal experience that you both hear and feel. 

To bring SeatSonic to life, Harman is working with Adient, a global leader in automotive seating, to deliver a wide range of customized experiences to its customers. 

In addition to SeatSonic, Harman presented its “Ready” products. 

These include the Ready Vision QVUE and AR HUD, Ready Upgrade Base and Advanced, Ready Care Driver Activity Detection and Life Presence Detection, Ready Display, and Ready Connect. 

According to Harman, these products deliver the right information at the right time in the right place and enable fast, seamless hardware and software upgrades that prepare vehicles for today and tomorrow.

“Harman Automotive products live at the intersection of consumer demand, technological advancements, and our uncompromising drive to transform the in-cabin experience in the most meaningful ways,” Harman International Senior Vice President of Automotive Product Management Armin Prommersberger stated. 

“Our focus on partnerships to access a broad spectrum of content and capabilities combined with delivering the right products at tech company speed enables OEMs to stay current with what their customers want — the newest experiences that make every drive safer and easier. As part of Samsung, one of the world’s most respected consumer electronics companies, we aspire to make the vehicle a seamless extension of consumers’ connected lifestyles, for as long as they choose to keep it on the road,” he added. 

Photos from Harman

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