Walking into Huawei’s Shanghai Acoustics R&D Centre, I expected a standard facility tour. What I encountered instead was a comprehensive automotive sound engineering operation that challenges the established order of in-car audio systems. The facility, which Huawei has developed since beginning serious audio research investments in 2012, houses three distinct testing environments: a fully anechoic chamber measuring 4.8x4x4 metres, a larger semi-anechoic room spanning 14x12x5 metres with a reflective floor, and a dedicated listening room configured in a 9.1.6 layout.

Challenging the Status Quo

The team behind Huawei’s sound engineering operation is led by Goller, whose background includes positions at Gamut Audio, Bang & Olufsen, and Harman International. He oversees what Huawei calls “master-tuning methodology” – a process that begins with objective acoustic measurements but relies heavily on psychoacoustic principles for final voicing.

The goal is to faithfully reproduce recordings as artists intended them to be heard, creating what Goller described as a “phantom effect” that transports listeners to the original recording environment. This requires combining scientific acoustic measurement with artistic tuning expertise and purpose-built hardware.

The Science of Sound

The technical process starts with objective measurements – frequency response curves, phase relationships, timing behaviour, and distortion characteristics. These establish the performance boundaries. From there, extensive subjective listening sessions refine the voicing using psychoacoustic principles to compensate for the cabin’s inherent acoustic challenges: asymmetry, close-range reflections, and bass loading.

The team works within these constraints while remaining faithful to the source material. This approach has led to the development of Huawei’s HUAWEI SOUND ULTIMATE Series, the tech giant’s most luxurious audio system to date.

The Result: A Revolutionary Audio Experience

The HUAWEI SOUND ULTIMATE Series is currently deployed in the Maextro S800 luxury electric sedan. The system comprises 43 speakers driven by dual amplifiers delivering 2,920 watts total power. What Huawei terms an “industry-first seat-specific 4D immersive surround sound experience” includes rear 4D exciters that synchronise with music and video content, adding tactile feedback to the auditory experience.

The hardware innovations are specific rather than generic. The Tangential Force Woofer rotates conventional door-woofer geometry by 90 degrees, reducing panel resonance while extending bass response. A patented dual-diaphragm subwoofer leverages the cabin volume itself to deliver deep bass notes.

Overall, Huawei’s approach to in-car audio is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration between science and art. By pushing the boundaries of what is possible, the team has created a truly revolutionary audio experience that sets a new standard for the industry.

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• https://www.artificialintelligence-news.com/news/huawei-automotive-sound-engineering-lab-shanghai/