GENEVA MOTOR SHOW 2015 – HARMAN, the premium global audio, visual, infotainment, and enterprise automation group (NYSE:HAR), is extending its acoustic expertise beyond premium car audio with its new Individual Sound Zones technology, shown as a Europe-first at the Geneva Motor Show. Building on the principles of sonic personalization, this solution creates a more comfortable and enjoyable in-cabin environment.

HARMAN’s Individual Sound Zones (ISZ) enables drivers and passengers to create sonic zones between individuals for the ultimate personalized car audio experience. The solution can help to reduce the clutter of different sounds in the car – from navigation commands to phone calls and music – ensuring that all occupants in the vehicle hear only what matters to them.

“Individual Sound Zones help automakers to create cars that are more than ‘people movers’. By creating a unique listening experience for each passenger, driving becomes a true auditory journey,” said Michael Mauser, president, Lifestyle Division, HARMAN. “With HARMAN’s science-based architecture and acoustic precision, we’re pushing the barriers of sound and creating the ultimate personalized experience throughout the vehicle cabin.”

ISZ is a combination of innovative acoustic design and complementary digital signal processing to maximize speaker directivity and minimize crosstalk in and between the zones in a vehicle for a more personalized in-cabin experience. ISZ does not eliminate all sound signals, but tunes the vehicle to ensure passengers audio experience is optimized for their location in the vehicle and current mode of listening.

ISZ utilizes a vehicle’s existing audio system speakers with the addition of headrest speakers equipped with micro speaker technology, along with thin and flat Electro Dynamic Planar Loudspeakers in the vehicle ceiling. The digital signal processing has been specifically adjusted to the vehicle cabin and speakers such that it will temper the signals from other zones, regardless of whether they are music, voice or other noises. Each “zone” is activated and controlled by each passenger. The configuration can be customized based on the cabin design and layout of vehicles, as well as type of vehicle (i.e. sedan vs. minivan).

The ISZ technology can be integrated into any HARMAN in-car audio system via the amplifier, providing automakers limitless possibilities to further enhance in-car listening experiences. It is available now to all automakers.

Individual Sound Zones join HARMAN’s portfolio of leading automotive audio solutions including QuantumLogic Surround Sound, HALOsonic noise management solutions and Clari-Fi music restoration software.

HARMAN at Geneva Motor Show 2015:

Visit HARMAN during the Geneva Motor Show 2015 at its joint booth 6240 with Rinspeed in hall 6 for a demonstration of HARMAN’s portfolio of infotainment and in-car audio solutions. Follow HARMAN online during the Geneva Motor Show 2015:

About HARMAN

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets premier audio, visual, infotainment and enterprise automation solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® , Mark Levinson ® and Revel®, the Company is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems.  HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 17,600 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $5.9 billion during the last 12 months ended December 31, 2014.