HARMAN, a leader in automotive electronics and a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., is excited to announce the launch of its cutting-edge Car Acoustic Experience Lab in Pune, India. This innovative facility is designed to cater to the diverse requirements of car audio acoustics, engineering, and research, as well as customer demonstrations.
A Pioneering Facility for Car Audio Acoustics
Inspired by the groundbreaking research of HARMAN experts, Dr. Sean Olive and Dr. Floyd Toole, the Acoustic Experience Lab replicates a typical residential listening environment. This unique setting allows around 500 engineers and research teams in India to test, develop, and validate products in a 1,000 sq ft facility that mirrors consumer expectations.
Key Features of the HARMAN Acoustic Experience Lab
- Engineering and R&D: The lab serves a wide spectrum of engineering and R&D needs within HARMAN, providing a valuable tool for acoustic engineers to architect and fine-tune car audio systems to meet the highest audio standards.
- Consumer Testing: Utilized by the Experiential R&D team for conducting consumer and internal sound quality testing, supporting product development, optimization, and competitive analysis.
- Qualified Listener Program: HARMAN conducts a Qualified Listener Program in the lab, training employees and OEMs to become qualified listeners.
Advanced Acoustic Engineering Capabilities
The Automotive Acoustic Experience Lab is equipped with hidden modular panels, allowing for easy manipulation of the lab’s reflective properties. This flexibility enables engineers to tailor the listening experience to meet specific testing or demonstration requirements, ensuring optimal results.
Collaboration with Modi Digital
To bring this dynamic listening environment to life, HARMAN partnered with Modi Digital, India’s leading Pro Audio consultancy. Modi Digital, known for its impressive client portfolio that includes the legendary AR Rahman, contributed its expertise to the meticulous design of the space. The lab complies with strict NC 20 room criteria as per ISO 9568 and aligns with ASHRAE guidelines for acoustically sensitive spaces.
Exceptional Acoustic Experience
The lab is outfitted with HARMAN Luxury Audio products and Professional products, featuring:
- Nine Main Loudspeakers
- Four In-Wall Subwoofers
- Seven Height Channels
- Digital Signal Processing (DSP) by BSS Audio
- Amplification by Crown
With a remarkable 9.1.6 Dolby ATMOS configuration, meticulously calibrated by Dolby engineers, the lab delivers an immersive audio experience like no other.
Driving Innovation in Automotive Audio
Jonathan Pierce, Director of Audio Benchmarking and Engineering at HARMAN Automotive, stated, “This lab adheres to our global standards for automotive research and evaluation. It is HARMAN’s sixth global testing environment, aimed at bringing critical tools and resources to our customers and engineering teams. We are optimistic that this lab will not only meet our customer expectations but also provide them a new perspective towards the car audio experience.”
Sanjeev Kulkarni, Vice President at HARMAN Automotive, added, “We are thrilled to introduce this groundbreaking Automotive Acoustic Experience Lab, which sets a new standard for automotive engineering and research. By replicating a typical residential listening environment, we can ensure that our products meet and exceed consumer expectations. This facility represents our commitment to delivering exceptional audio experiences and driving innovation in the automotive industry. We are delighted that the leading OEMs in India, who happen to be our esteemed customers, visited and appreciated the lab.”
Conclusion
The launch of the Car Acoustic Experience Lab in Pune marks a significant milestone for HARMAN in its mission to advance automotive audio engineering. This state-of-the-art facility not only supports product development and optimization but also ensures that HARMAN continues to deliver unparalleled audio experiences to consumers. With this lab, HARMAN solidifies its position as a pioneer in the automotive electronics industry, driving innovation and setting new standards for car audio systems.
