Enhanced Apple CarPlay now offers superior in-car music experiences by another vehicle manufacturer
In a revolutionary move, several car manufacturers have announced their support for Dolby Atmos, a 3D audio format that is best known for home cinema soundtracks but is now making a significant impact on music, audiobooks, and even in-car audio systems [1][2].
One of the latest brands to join this audio revolution is Lotus. They have announced an upgrade to Dolby Atmos for the KEF sound system in the Lotus Eletre and Lotus Emeya. This upgrade, which requires an over-the-air update from Lotus and at least iOS 18 on the user's iPhone, will enable spatial audio through Apple CarPlay, providing a more expansive sound system experience [3][4]. The KEF system in the Lotus models boasts an impressive 23 speakers.
Apple refers to Dolby Atmos as "spatial audio," and for good reason. This technology creates a 3D soundscape, enabling sounds to move around the listener, much like they would in a real-world environment. This immersive experience is not limited to the home. In cars, it can transform the driving experience, making music, audiobooks, and even navigation instructions feel more lifelike [5].
Not all Dolby Atmos tracks provide a significant improvement over their original counterparts. Some remastered tracks only slightly enhance the audio experience, while others offer a spatial dimension not present in the original [6]. The variability in the Dolby Atmos music experience depends on the remastering of tracks.
Other car brands that have announced upgrades or support for Dolby Atmos spatial audio via Apple CarPlay include Volvo, Mercedes, Audi, Rivian, Polestar, and Lucid. Volvo was among the first to adopt Dolby Atmos with a special Abbey Road Studios mode; Mercedes offers Dolby Atmos across its range; Audi has made a significant commitment to the technology; and spatial audio through CarPlay is available in select vehicles from Rivian, Polestar, and Lucid as well [1][2].
Listening to audiobooks in Dolby Atmos provides a more immersive experience. For instance, the sounds of a bustling city or the rustling of leaves in a forest can be heard all around the listener, enhancing the story's atmosphere [7].
Services like Apple Music and Amazon Music offer tracks in Dolby Atmos format, allowing users to access this immersive audio experience [8]. Audible also offers audiobooks in Dolby Atmos format, promising a more immersive and engaging listening experience.
As more car manufacturers embrace Dolby Atmos technology, we can expect a new era of in-car audio experiences. A premium sound system is often required to enjoy Dolby Atmos, but the benefits—from more immersive music to a more lifelike driving experience—make it a worthwhile investment for many.
[1] [Car and Driver] (https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a38565188/rivian-polestar-lucid-volvo-mercedes-audi-dolby-atmos/) [2] [TechRadar] (https://www.techradar.com/news/dolby-atmos-in-cars-everything-you-need-to-know) [3] [Lotus Cars] (https://www.lotuscars.com/news/2022/09/lotus-announces-kef-3d-surround-sound-system-for-lotus-emeja-and-lotus-eletre) [4] [Apple] (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212799) [5] [Dolby] (https://www.dolby.com/us/en/brands/dolby-atmos/overview.html) [6] [Wired] (https://www.wired.com/story/dolby-atmos-music-review-sound-quality/) [7] [PCMag] (https://www.pcmag.com/news/dolby-atmos-for-headphones-review) [8] [Apple Music] (https://music.apple.com/us/genre/dolby-atmos/1184672354) [9] [Amazon Music] (https://www.amazon.com/Dolby-Atmos-Music/b?node=14838382011) [10] [Audible] (https://www.audible.com/pd/Dolby-Atmos-Audiobooks/B098G31DX3)
- With the integration of Dolby Atmos in their KEF sound system, the Lotus Eletre and Lotus Emeya will not only offer an impressive 23-speaker setup but also a smartphone-centric spatial audio experience through Apple CarPlay, making the sound system more lifelike for users with iOS 18 or higher.
- Expanding beyond home cinema, Dolby Atmos technology is now impacting the automobile industry, providing a 3D audio experience for music, audiobooks, and even navigation instructions, redefining the driving experience for car brands like Lotus, Volvo, Mercedes, Audi, Rivian, Polestar, and Lucid.
