Ford refines SUV audio experience
Listening is an important part of any job or career.
But for a select group of Ford and Harman employees like Ford’s Joe Kafati, listening is, literally, everything. ,BGBUJ 'PSE T /PSUI "NFSJDBO BNQMJlFS BOE TQFBLFS TVQFSWJTPS MFBET the vehicle audio tuning process and integrates the feedback of a small team of Harman -trained listeners – people working to give Ford’s new B&O PLAY audio system the best TPVOE RVBMJUZ
While other companies only use data to hone audio systems, the B&O PLAY system uses feedback from acUVBM QFPQMF UP DSFBUF BOE SFlOF UIF PQtimal sound experience for each Ford vehicle. Sound benchmarking and an ongoing feedback loop between Harman, its trained listeners and Ford’s audio FOHJOFFST BMMPX UIF UFBNT UP SFlOF the sound experience over a 24-month period – as much as 1,200 hours per vehicle to get the sound just right.
The all-new 2018 EcoSport and &YQFEJUJPO BSF UIF lSTU 467T with available B&O PLAY sound systems, and the option will migrate across the Ford lineup.
Listeners are carefully selected for each vehicle evaluation based on age, sex, ethnicity and height. 5IFZ lSTU FYQFSJFODF TPVOE JO B special reference room – an acoustiDBMMZ JTPMBUFE TQBDF PVUlUUFE UP TPVOE like a living room. During each vehicle’s tuning sesTJPO MJTUFOFST lSTU SFGFSFODF B TFMFDtion of seven 30-second pieces of music of all different genres. 5ISPVHIPVU B GVMM lWF NJOVUF MPPQ the listener concentrates on audio eleNFOUT MJLF IJHI GSFRVFODZ QSFTFODF midrange, bass, image location and reproduction of musical instruments, UPOBM RVBMJUJFT PG NBMF BOE GFNBMF voices and many other factors.
When they’re done, they move immediately to the testing garage and into a development vehicle.
They carefully listen to the same music and proceed to score the vehicle’s audio system according to their listening and testing training.
In addition to listening simply to make sure the system reproduces sounds brilliantly, they also listen for any buzzing, vibrations or distortion from the interior components and share that feedback with vehicle engineers.
Every time a new software update is released, the system is evaluated and improved until objectives are met – a rich, transformative listening experience for which B&O PLAY is known.
Precision speaker placement and calibration also play a role to ensure optimal sound is maintained in the cabin, no matter the driving conditions or seating position.
Ford engineers work with B&O PLAY to focus on putting together a high-performance system, including GPDVTJOH PO QSPQSJFUBSZ TPVOE RVBMJUZ and tuning technologies to deliver a listening experience that is dynamic, engaging and elevates every drive. $PNQPOFOU QPTJUJPOJOH JT important as well. Deep, low instruments like drums are heard BU B MPXFS GSFRVFODZ BOE BSF MBSHFMZ unaffected by structure or vehicle occupants’ locations. Higher-pitched sounds like cymbals are heard BU B IJHIFS GSFRVFODZ BOE DBO CF absorbed by obstructions, so tweeters are positioned in the top half of the vehicle to optimize clarity.
Ford Expedition has 12 speakers in its B&O PLAY system – one in the center of the instrument panel, one in the lower portion of each driver and passenger side front and rear doors, tweeters on the front-pillar, surround sound tweeters in D-pillar, a subwoofer and two mid-range speakers in the rear, all powered by a 10-channel amp with digital processing.
B&O PLAY comes standard on EcoSport Titanium, featuring 10 speakers, including B&O PLAYbranded tweeters in the front doors and a subwoofer in the rear.
Expedition arrives in dealer showrooms this fall, and EcoSport arrives early next year.