Audi A4 offers Bang & Olufsen sound system

Audi’s all-new A4, released at the Frankfurt Motor Show, is available with Bang & Olufsen’s award-winning sound system to offer the best musical entertainment in the class.

The fully integrated sound system is precisely tailored to the exact acoustic requirements of the innovative new car’s cabin – its size, shape and materials – and is the result of close engineering co-operation between Audi and Bang & Olufsen. It also showcases state-of-the-art audio technologies, never seen in this class of car before. The Audi A4’s sound system follows on from similarly bespoke systems fitted to the Audi A8/S8, Q7, R8 and A5/S5.

‘Our philosophy of offering specially tailored integrated sound systems to different models helps make Bang & Olufsen the leader in its field,’ says the managing director of Bang & Olufsen UK, Derek Mottershead. ‘As with all Bang & Olufsen systems used in Audis, it raises sound quality to a new level. It is the nearest thing to high-end home stereo systems in motoring.

‘Yet it isn’t just the quality of the sound that makes the Bang & Olufsen system so appealing. It is a beautifully designed audio system featuring the finest craftsmanship. It complements the cabin of the new Audi A4 perfectly.’

Though precisely tailored to the A4, much of the technology is shared with the new sound system recently unveiled on the Audi A5. Features that guarantee an exceptional sound experience include the 14 tailor-made speakers. Bang & Olufsen’s proprietary True Image upmixing algorithm turns two-channel stereo signals into perfect 7.1-channel surround sound. The True Image algorithm allows for the proper use of all 14 speakers. Instead of simply sending left and right channels to associated loudspeakers – as happens in most car stereo systems – both channels are distributed to all the loudspeakers, each with its own particular delay, level and equalizing.

Bang & Olufsen’s patented 10-channel Digital Signal Processing (DSP) also automatically optimises sound irrespective of weather and car speed. An ‘intelligent loudness system’ ensures that the perceived balance of bass, mid-range and treble information remains constant at all volume levels. Total power of the sound system is 505 watts.

On cars fitted with MOST (Audi’s advanced Media Oriented Systems Transport)the acoustics can also be optimised for the correct number of people in the car. Sound can be focused on the driver, the driver and front seat passenger, those sitting in the rear, or to everyone in the car.

Despite the unrivalled audio technology, the human ear plays a key role. The tonmeister for the new Audi A4’s sound system, Bang & Olufsen music PhD Natanya Ford, is responsible for the rich audio result. ‘I work with a team of acousticians and they specify the appropriate hardware for the system. Once we have the physical components, it is my role to get these components to work together to produce the perfect listening experience.’

Orders for the new Audi A4 begin in September and UK deliveries start in March. The Bang & Olufsen sound system is optional on the A4, costing £525 including VAT.