Harman Kardon® in Mercedes-Benz® Vehicles

• Mercedes Models
  •  A-Class
  •  B-Class
  •  C-Class
  •  CL-Class
  •  CLS-Class
  •  E-Class
  •  G-Class
  •  GL-Class
  •  GLK-Class
  •  M-Class
  •  R-Class
  •  S-Class
  •  SL-Class
  •  SLK-Class

Excellent surround sound for the compact-car class

The new generation of the Mercedes-Benz® A-Class has been equipped with an even more powerful Harman Kardon® sound system that now has a 9-channel DSP amplifier and a total output of 450 watt. The result is an increase in output of around 40 percent in comparison with its predecessor. The compact design, however, means that the new unit does not take up any more space: The amplifier is still stowed under the luggage-compartment lining on the right-hand side.

More powerful bass tones, greater depth

Depending on the respective model, ten to 12 metal-matrix speakers are used in the A-Class, depending on the model. The specific interior architecture of the four-door A-Class sedan is complemented by two 43 mm tweeters, as well as two 100 mm low/midrange speakers in a shared housing in the rear doors. The two-door A-Class coupe, on the other hand, has two 80 mm metal-matrix broadband speakers in the rear side section. The faithful, three-dimensional surround sound is based on innovative discrete Logic 7® technology.

For the acoustic specialists working to produce the best possible sound in every seat, 5.1 surround recordings posed a particular challenge. If these recordings were to be played without alteration in the car, there would be only one "sweet spot": in the center-console area, where no one sits. It is only with discrete Logic 7 technology that stereo recordings and 5.1 surround recordings can achieve their full potential in cars. The surround information is read out from the recording medium and distributed to optimum effect via the system architecture of the A-Class, producing a sound that remains faithful to the original. Digital Transmission Content Protection (DTCP) allows high-resolution sound formats to be digitally transported from the sound carrier to the amplifier. In other words, the technology means that there is no need to convert digital signals to analog signals. This means that sound recordings in the DVD-Audio¹, DVD-Video¹ or DTS® CD formats can be transferred to the MLP, MLP 5.1, DTS 5.1, Dolby® Digital 5.1 and PCM digital standards without loss of quality.

¹ Only in combination with COMAND system
* Car models may be subject to availability in certain countries