DBS Bang & Olufsen
Perfect Partnership
The combination of pioneering high-technology manufacturing and traditional craft skills of both Aston Martin and Bang & Olufsen ensures a perfect relationship between the two brands. Both companies represent the epitome of exclusivity, which, of course, is vital to the bespoke aura surrounding their products. Joining forces in their continuous quest for perfection, Aston Martin and Bang & Olufsen are dedicated to delivering an exhilarating driving and listening experience to their discerning customers.
Brand Heritage
Aston Martin and Bang & Olufsen share a common approach. Both companies were founded by a pair of pioneering engineers at the start of the 20th century, and through a commitment to manufacturing skills and design values, each has grown into an iconic global brand, bringing together technological and design excellence with the strongest possible emotional appeal.
Experience
The Bang & Olufsen BeoSound system has been developed exclusively for Aston Martin, acoustically and physically matched to the car. While the visual aluminium elements match seamlessly with the dynamic lines and curves of the vehicle, the sound performance has been designed to the exact dimensions of the interior. This ensures the listener is enveloped and engaged in a complete acoustic experience which effortlessly complements the outstanding power and supreme balance, handling and ride that are hallmarks of an Aston Martin.
System Development
Developing in-car audio systems is very different to the process of working with home AV. The interior layout of the car is critical as it dictates the placement of the speakers. The biggest challenge for Bang & Olufsen’s engineers was to work creatively within this pre-defined space. Working in collaboration with Aston Martin’s own engineers, the acousticians established the relationship between speaker placement and the unique aluminium structure of the car. Through the use of pioneering acoustic competencies and proprietary technologies, Bang & Olufsen in conjunction with Aston Martin has managed to reach a level of seamless integration, resulting in an incomparable ambience. This applies to both the performance and the design of the audio system, which have been tailored to the precise acoustic and aesthetic characteristics of the vehicle. The result is crisp and clear sound at all volumes, which makes the sound system the perfect match for the commanding performance of the Aston Martin.
Sound
Innovation, sophistication, craftsmanship, beauty and, of course, peerless sound quality are fundamental to any Bang & Olufsen system. As such, it is the embodiment of the art of shaping sound to the interior contours of performance cars, focusing not only on horsepower or output power, but on the overall experience and musicality in every sense of the word.
Design
Designed specifically for Aston Martin, the focus is on total visual harmony within the environment of the vehicle. Flowing, smoothly contoured, aluminium loudspeaker grilles seamlessly integrate with the fluid lines and curves of the Aston Martin cabin, while the iconic acoustic lenses (ALT) which emerge silently from the dashboard when the system is turned on add that touch of magic which is rightfully expected from Bang & Olufsen.
Translating the pioneering acoustic technologies into a functional yet elegant design language, the look and feel of the sound system is a perfect reflection of the Aston Martin ethos of Power, Beauty and Soul as well as a strong testament to the innovative design excellence and long-established craft tradition of Bang & Olufsen.
Technical Specifications
A variety of technologies are employed to ensure the Bang & Olufsen bespoke audio systems for Aston Martin exceed expectations.
ICEpower® (a proprietary technology of Bang & Olufsen) offers a sought after combination of high power and hi-fi sound quality with ultra-compact design and cool operation.
Acoustic Lens Technology (ALT) enables a wide (180°) horizontal dispersion of high frequencies. The technology prevents the loss of critical sound and gives listeners an improved sense of space, staging and realism, even when not sitting in the optimal listening position (the ‘sweet spot’).
13 loudspeakers in 10 locations including 2 tweeters with ALT (Acoustic Lens Technology)
• 1 x 19mm soft-dome tweeter with Acoustic Lens Technology on either side of the dash board (2 speakers)
• 1 x 90mm midrange unit in each door (2 speakers)
• 1 x 140mm woofer on either side of the centre console (2 speakers)
• 1 x 90mm midrange and 1 x 19mm soft-dome tweeter at the centre of the dashboard (2 speakers)
• 1 x 90mm midrange and 1 x 19mm tweeter in each rear quarter (4 speakers)
• 1 x 200mm subwoofer mounted behind the left seat, under the rear bench.
Even the best speaker and the best amplifier would sound wrong in a car unless adapted to that car through the use of advanced Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and sound tuning. DSP essentially stages the musical performance. The combination of the advanced DSP and hours spent tuning each system by ear ensures all loudspeakers work together seamlessly to deliver the best listening experience possible.
Custom-moulded closed-cabinet loudspeaker boxes ensure that the same conditions are maintained for each loudspeaker regardless of position or what is happening in the surrounding environment. There is less sound leakage and more control.
Furthermore, the Bang & Olufsen sound systems for Aston Martin adapt automatically to changing noise conditions. This dynamic tuning lets occupants concentrate exclusively on an engaging driving and listening experience.