On The Dial: The Deeper Art of Automotive Sound Reproduction

It is worth repeating that when I first started to love the automobile, audio playback was a more simplified experience. You were lucky to get an AM radio and a speaker in your vehicle. 

From there, the automakers added more speakers – two, four, and more. Then, added the FM band to the radio. They even played with turntables, 8-track cartridges, cassettes and CDs. Don’t forget about satellite radio. 

Today’s audio system is now more complex, thanks to infotainment systems driven by touchscreens and multiple menus. Not to mention the proliferation of branded speaker and sound reproduction systems. 

The stakes are now higher than ever. So are customer’s demands for a vehicle experience that matches the one at home. After all, we sometimes spend more behind the wheel than we do in our bedroom. 

This is why you are seeing the finest names in high fidelity audio reproduction are now found in today’s automobiles. Names, such as Naim, Bowers & Wilkins, Bang & Olufsen, McIntosh, and, now, Klipsch have become original equipment in your automobile. 

While they appear to add value to the complete automotive experience – and a few thousand dollars to the sticker price – can these top shelf audio systems offer the same sound reprocessing experience as their home counterparts?

This subject was prompted for exploration when I had a 2023 Grand Wagoneer L Series III in to work with recently. After perusing the Moroney, I noticed that this vehicle had the McIntosh audio system as standard. The 23-speaker system is capable of playback of both audio and video sources – ranging from AM radio, music files from your smartphone, streams from an Amazon Fire connection, and video games from an HDMI-connected device. 

At the same time, I was working on a similar story for the magazine I am the editor for as part of their first Arts & Entertainment issue of the year. During this process, I interviewed Rustyn Robinson, Global Technical Lead – Audio Integration/Acoustics at Stellantis to get a deeper understanding about implementing high fidelity systems in today’s automobiles. 

In the process of doing that story, I wanted a deeper understanding about how audio systems really work. In particular, one with such an esteemed brand name and placement in the high-fidelity world. Something that bordered on being super geeky…perhaps, on the level of an audiophile. 

So, I asked Robinson, “What have you found that worked to capture the highest level of audio playback from these sources?”

“In our experience,” Robinson explained, “we have found that portable media, such as USB drive and files stored on mobile devices tend to have the highest quality in terms of their content. These are files that are usually high-res MP3 or WAV or FLAC. These are used in most of our tuning and a specific calibration (EQ) is developed for these files. We do find variation on some of the streaming apps, which vary with the app, network and device. This does make it difficult to predict how to tune around those.”

Robinson continued, “Whenever we talk to customers (or anyone interested), we recommend turning off any EQ settings they might have on their mobile device or in the app they are using to stream music. Separate from mobile devices, we create a unique calibration (EQ) for the FM tuning mode to compensate for compression and possible reception issues such as static.”

“We also do this for AM where we limit the bandwidth to compensate for the limited bandwidth of AM broadcast,” Robinson further explained. “Satellite radio provides a strong challenge as each channel is compressed differently and there is not always enough stereo separation to offer an excellent listening experience. We create a specific calibration (EQ) for this source mode, as well. In general, we have found and recommend that the highest quality listening experience is to use an uncompressed audio file stored on a mobile device.”

This did not make it into the magazine due to column-width space and level of explanatory detail. Therefore, I wanted to share it with you – people who truly understand the art and science of sound reproduction in automobiles. I know that you are on the crossroads of being an automotive enthusiast and an audiophile. 

No matter what label your speakers in your vehicle wear, this is some sound advice whenever you want to maximize your listening pleasure or to enhance it. 

It just comes down to what you bring to your audio experience inside your vehicle. If you understand how sound reproduction works, then there is a chance you will be enjoying your favorite song, piece of music, radio program, podcast, video game, or movie with a greater appreciation of what goes into your vehicle’s audio system. 

DISCLAIMER: Special thanks to Stellantis North America for the interview with their audio integration team and the use of the 2023 Grand Wagoneer as part of this story

All photos by Randy Stern