Harman Kardon Premium Surround Sound System in the new Volvo EX30

The new Volvo EX30 is said to boast a bespoke in-car entertainment system from the Harman Kardon brand, namely a Harman Kardon Premium Surround Sound System from Harman Automotive.

Michael Holzinger 18 June 2023Last Updated: 18 June 2023

0 5 minutes read

Harman Automotive supplies a bespoke Harman Kardon Premium Surround Sound System for the all-electric Volvo EX30.

In collaboration with Volvo Car AB, Harman International Industries‘ automotive division, Harman Automotive, has equipped the Volvo EX30 small electric SUV with a Harman Kardon Premium Surround Sound System, a highly engaging in-car entertainment solution from the Harman Kardon brand, the company has announced. The system is a high-performance audio system featuring a range of innovative speaker technologies that have been perfectly integrated into Volvo’s latest electric car to deliver nothing less than a limitless audio experience.

An iconic design language that embodies the best of Scandinavian aesthetics

In the Volvo EX30, Volvo Car AB engineers have sought to combine cutting-edge technology with thoughtful Scandinavian design, the company says.

Customers are offered a choice of four different interiors, with carefully selected materials in a variety of colours and textures, so that everyone can find the perfect finish for them.

A particular challenge was to integrate an audio system into the pared-down, timelessly elegant design of the car’s interior, with the Harman Kardon sound system blending into Volvo’s design language through subtle sophistication.

A soundbar that stretches across the dashboard

Interestingly, the design is based on a home audio-inspired soundbar that spans the entire width of the dashboard and is the first of its kind in a car. This creates a seamless sense of space and removes complexity for focused, safe and enjoyable driving, Harman Automotive is confident.

Harman Kardon’s iconic 60° grille pattern and the holes themselves are included in the lower rear door speakers to embody the radiant energy of Harman Kardon sound, the manufacturer says. The lightweight design of the speakers, including the space-saving dimensions of the externally coupled subwoofer in the boot and a woofer in the plenum, reflects and enhances the character of the Volvo EX30.

The optional Harman Kardon Premium Surround Sound System is designed to take advantage of the car’s unique interior configuration to create the most immersive listening experience possible, seamlessly blending with the car’s design language.

Powerful technologies for breathtaking sound on-the-road

Harman Kardon engineers have developed a bespoke system architecture that features groundbreaking technologies, Harman Automotive said in the related release.

The result sol a sound system that reveals all the nuances of fine-tuned surround sound, making music seem as natural as if it were being produced directly in the vehicle.

It features nine strategically placed high-performance speakers, including a subwoofer in the boot, that fill the interior with rich and enveloping sound. The system is powered by a 1,040-watt amplifier and features DSP-based signal processing, with a range of outstanding technologies. For example, Vehicle Noise Compensation (VNC), Quantum Logic Surround (QLS) and Dirac Unison are listed as particularly outstanding features.

Of particular importance for the best possible sound quality, according to the manufacturer, is the Harman Premium Surround Sound System’s Vehicle Noise Compensation, an advanced feature that ensures high quality at any speed by relying on an algorithm that adapts to ambient conditions and speed while driving, enhancing music playback and tonal balance to ensure the best audio quality at all times. This in turn allows drivers to spend less time adjusting the volume and more time enjoying their music, Harman Automotive promises.

Thanks to Quantum Logic Surround Sound Technology (QLS), the new Volvo EX30 offers a truly comprehensive listening experience for every passenger in the car. The system features special surround sound audio algorithms that extract signal streams and then translate them into specific signals for each speaker. The resulting effect is an individual soundstage, envelope and ambient content for each passenger, designed to give the audio tracks a natural yet controlled sound quality and immerse the listener in rich, beautiful sound.

A particularly realistic listening experience supported by Dirac Unison optimises multiple speakers together to eliminate variations in sound quality between seats. This, he said, guarantees the highest precision in performance as well as rich, room-filling sound to every seat.

“The Harman Kardon Premium Surround Sound System in the new Volvo EX30 reflects Harman and Volvo Car AB’s shared passion for high quality of life and aesthetic elegance, and their commitment to creating rich and memorable experiences for every user. The car has been designed from the ground up to make users’ lives more comfortable, relaxed and enjoyable. Thanks to the Harman Kardon audio system, this small SUV delivers big sound.”
Greg Sikora, Senior Director, Global Acoustic Systems Engineering at Harman International Industries

Getting to the point

It’s usually a win-win situation for everyone when renowned consumer electronics companies cooperate with premium brands in the automotive segment and jointly develop in-car entertainment systems for vehicles, as is currently the case with the new Volvo EX30 from Volvo Car AB. The compact electric SUV is available with an optional Harman Kardon Premium Surround Sound System, which is designed to conjure up outstanding sound in the passenger compartment with a range of outstanding technologies. Both manufacturers – Volvo Car AB on the one hand, Harman Automotive on the other – can benefit from each other’s impeccable reputation.