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Long version of Audi A8 with the second generation

Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System

The highly acclaimed Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System which was elaborated for the new Audi A8, launched in December 2009, is now also available in the new Audi A8 L, the long wheel based model of the A8.

Audi and Bang & Olufsen started up their successful partnership in 2005, and have since then continuously developed high end sound systems for different models of the renowned car brand.
In December 2009, the new Audi A8 was presented, refined with the second generation of the Advanced Sound System from Bang & Olufsen. The popular Bang & Olufsen automotive sound is now available in Audi A8 L models as well. The A8 L sets new standards within luxury, dynamic and efficiency in the champion’s league of the car industry. It offers 130 mm additional length compared to the original A8, resulting in an enlarged rear seat section. Designed for passengers who mainly sit in the back of the car, the long wheel model offers extra comfort to the passengers and makes the car perfect for using as a mobile office.

The second generation of the Advanced Sound System has been thoroughly tailored for the long A8. The midrange speaker box in the rear doors has been altered and a larger midrange grill was required to match the extended dimensions of the rear section. Finally, a profound sound tuning has been made to obtain the listening sound experience in the roomy car.

Evolution based on revolution

When Bang & Olufsen launched the first generation Advanced Sound System for the Audi A8 in 2005, the system was received as a revolutionary design statement offering an acoustic experience unmatched in the automotive industry. In addition, the system took quality and craftsmanship of the sound system components to a new level.

During the last four and a half years, the people behind the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System have continued working on improvements in the system, in close cooperation with Audi Sound Engineers, to create even further refined sound performance. Adding to the magnificent features of the first generation, the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System for Audi A8 L has five additional loudspeakers, a total of 19, each driven by its own discrete channel of digital signal processing and amplification. Thanks to the use of Bang & Olufsen’s proprietary ICEpower technology the system produces a total amplifier power of 1.348 watts at only 1% distortion (equals 1.460 watts at the usual 10% automotive distortion specification).

Improved Acoustic Lens Technology and new design

The Acoustic Lens Technology is a Bang & Olufsen owned and patented innovation and one of the cornerstones of the Advanced Sound System. The unique shape and finely tuned acoustic optimisation have resulted in an improved acoustic performance and individual design statement.

The loudspeaker grills for the midranges and woofers in both front and rear doors are organically shaped and each formed from a single piece of aluminium thus integrating perfectly with the Audi A8 L’s interior curves. Further development of the Bang & Olufsen aluminium competences made it possible to achieve the elegant organic shapes, enhancing the contemporary interior of the A8 L.

The new generation Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System offers even better sound both for passengers in the front and rear seats. For the front passengers, improved staging and imaging is enabled by the addition of a two-channel centre speaker package and the enhanced acoustic lenses. The rear seat sound performance is distinctly increased through the introduction of a three-way speaker system in each of the rear doors and a two way system on the parcel shelf.

Exquisite sound tuning for the longer A8 model

Even though both A8 and A8 L are based on the same platform, the difference in length between the two cars required a completely new sound tuning for the extended version of the A8. In a car, neither driver nor passengers are placed in an ideal position between the loudspeakers, the so-called sweet spot. For instance, if a passenger is placed on the left rear seat, the sound waves from the right tweeter needs more time to reach the ear than the left tweeter. This makes sound tuning a very important factor to the total sound experience. With the right tuning of each loudspeaker it is possible to compensate this lack of ideal position and achieve a perfect sound experience.

Privacy effect, personal drive-in movie and volume levelling

The closed speaker cabinets ensure that the sound from music and phone calls stays in the car, giving an optimal ‘privacy-effect’ especially for phone calls. Furthermore the closed cabinets reduce undesired structural vibrations from the car when playing music at high sound pressure levels.

For the second generation of the Advanced Sound System four additional rear loudspeakers have been installed in order to improve the listening experience during playback of discrete multi-channel audio formats. This means that an even more “movie theatre like” experience is gained, particularly in conjunction with the Audi Rear Seat Entertainment package. This feature is complemented by the option of selecting the special sound mode ‘Movie’, giving a sound experience close to what you would have at the cinema. This gives the idea of drive-in movies a whole new meaning. The ‘Movie’ sound mode in the A8 can be adjusted via the ‘DSP Bang & Olufsen’ menu in the Audi infotainment system MMI.

The 'Volume Levelling' feature is a highly advanced vehicle noise compensation algorithm that is specifically optimised for the A8 L. The main input to the Volume Levelling system is a discrete, integrated microphone in the ceiling that continuously detects the background noise, including sound generated by the air conditioning, engine and road. This system ensures that the optimum sound experience is constantly enjoyed for each occupant of the vehicle regardless surrounding noise conditions.

Specifications

19 fully active loudspeakers:

2 x 19 mm soft dome tweeters in motorized acoustic lenses
5 x 25 mm soft dome tweeters
7 x 100 mm midranges (closed cabinet, fiber glass cone, ABS basket)
4 x 165 mm woofers (closed cabinet, air dried paper cone, cast aluminum basket)
1 x 200 mm subwoofer (closed cabinet, air dried paper cone, cast aluminum basket)

More than 1.348 watts at 1% distortion level (equals 1.460 watts at the usual 10% automotive distortion specification)
DSP (Digital Signal Processing) Amplifier:

True-Image™: Proprietary Bang & Olufsen up-mix algorithm for stereo and 5.1 multichannel material