The luxury sports car maker Aston Martin is joining forces with fellow Brits, the high-end speaker and headphones manufacturer Bowers & Wilkins, to offer the latter’s newly developed high-performance surround sound system in its cars. Debuting with the new DB12 model, the audio system’s integration is set to offer what Aston Martin is calling “the ultimate sensory experience.”

“The pure sound of our engines alone already delivers visceral emotions and sensations. And now, with the addition of truly perforating sound being delivered so clearly through the newly developed audio system, we’ve harmonized our interior designs with new innovation and tech, so our drivers feel the energy, feel the calm, feel the luxury, all at once,” said Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President & Chief Creative Officer at Aston Martin.

According to Aston Martin, the company’s engineering teams worked closely with Bowers & Wilkins to develop this optional surround sound system upgrade. Drawing on technologies and innovations from Bowers & Wilkins’ industry-leading loudspeakers and audio products, the bespoke system has been acoustically engineered to offer a spectacular listening experience.

High-performance proprietary technologies, such as Aluminium Double Dome tweeters and Continuum mid-range drive units, give the 15-speaker, double amplified 1,170W surround sound system balanced and accurate sound quality, the firm says. Moreover, the system’s dedicated 3D headline speakers and its powerful subwoofer ensure that both drivers and passengers will have an immersive listening experience.

The location, direction and symmetry of the speaker positions has been similarly engineered to be built into the fabric of the DB12, which has been achieved through the close co-operation between Aston Martin and Bowers & Wilkins’ engineers.

Launched at a premiere during the Cannes International Film Festival, the new DB12 celebrates the 75th anniversary of the DB model line and also marks Aston Martin’s 110th anniversary. With its exceptional performance and handling, the DB12 offers a meticulously honed chassis that is matched to a class-leading 680PS/800NM V8 Twin-Turbo power train. The company is calling the DB12 “an energised Aston Martin that shines with authenticity, capability and passion to deliver a driving experience that’s second to none.”

According to Aston Martin their latest model also spearheads a new generation of cars that will be characterised not only by the prodigious performance and style the brand is known for, but by the seamless integration of advanced technologies such as the Bowers & Wilkins high-performance audio system.

The launch of the DB12 ushers in the start of an ongoing official partnership between the two well-established British brands that will see Bowers & Wilkins audio systems featured in future Aston Martin models over the coming years.

New high-performance audio partnership | Credit: Aston Martin

Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System

The Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System is centred around a configuration of 15 loudspeakers, a 14-channel amplifier and state-of-the-art sound processing technology.

The Nautilus Aluminium Double Dome tweeters, derived from the Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus™ loudspeaker, are located in the dashboard, doors and behind the B-pillar, offering spiralling diffusion channels that soak up reflected sound from the rear of each tweeter drive unit.  Meanwhile, the 100mm Continuum mid-range speakers deliver precision in the reproduction of voices and instruments to create realistic sound throughout the DB12, for all of its occupants

In addition, the system boasts tweeter-on-top technology that sees the tweeter separated from the rest of the cabinet to reduce coloration. Within the car, it also minimises acoustic reflection from the windscreen, instead directing sound directly at the occupants. The resulting sound is detailed, clear and natural. 

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