Meridian Audio and Range Rover get psychoacoustic

Meridian Audio has released details of the three audio packages it’s providing to Range Rover for the new Range Rover Sport, including an insight into new psychoacoustic compensation technology debuting on the new vehicle.

The performance packages are designated Sound, 3D Surround and Signature.

The sound system features 15 speakers, a 400 watt amplifier, centre channel and subwoofer, while the 3D Surround level steps up to 19 speakers, an 800-watt amplifier, centre channel, subwoofer, rear surround speakers and front heights. The premium Signature package comprises 29 speaker, a 1430-watt amplifier, centre channel, subwoofer, rear surround speakers, front and rear heights and headrests in each of the four seats.

A unique Tailgate Event Suite can be added onto the 3D Surround and Signature systems as an optional extra. Comprising of four additional drive units, when the tailgate suite is activated, the car intelligently turns selected speakers off to put emphasis on the speakers towards the rear of the car and turns on the carefully integrated drive units mounted in the tailgate itself.

The Signature system in the Range Rover Sport also features headrest speakers, making it the second model within the Range Rover portfolio to feature this. These speakers provide the surround sound experience, effectively enveloping each passenger in their own audio bubble.

All three levels feature unique Meridian technologies. Meridian Digital Precision maximises the signal-to-noise ratio, while Meridian RE-Q cabin correction technology optimises the audio system to the acoustics of the vehicle cabin.

All three models feature Trifield, immersive multichannel audio from two channel stereo content, while the 3D Surround and Signature systems include Trifield 3D, which delivers three-dimensional immersive multichannel audio from two channel stereo content.

The L461 Range Rover Sport is the first model from the vehicle manufacturers to include Meridian Perfect Balance technology, which dynamically applies psychoacoustically informed frequency compensation to incoming audio to ensure a consistent tonally balanced audio experience at all listening volumes.

“The human ear’s sensitivity to different frequencies varies with the level of the sound source,” said Meridian’s CEO, John Buchanan. “Therefore, as the level of the sound sources decrease, the perceived loudness of low and high frequencies decreases faster than mid frequencies. This results in a perceived loss of low and high frequencies at low volume levels.”