Dolby Atmos is not just for stars in the movies. Hollywood has been relying on Dolby Laboratories’ surround sound technology for blockbusters for years. Mercedes Benz, the brand with the three-pointed star, also wants to benefit from its fame on the road. The two brands announced a comprehensive partnership at a multi-day event for press media and influencers from all over Europe.
Mercedes and Dolby announce partnership
The message announced at the Dolby European Press Days with Mercedes-Benz is likely to set alarm bells ringing among some competitors: The Swabians will be offering Dolby Atmos sound systems for all model series in future. With this, “The Länd” is setting a trend. Only shortly before, Porsche had announced that it would be bringing Dolby Atmos into the car via a software update as part of the PCM update(we reported). The two Stuttgart-based car manufacturers are now even ahead of the international competition. Although the Swedes have excellent 3D sound systems with Dolby Atmos in the Polestar 3 and the Volvo EX90, the surround sound technology with its discrete treble channels is reserved for the two top SUVs of both brands.
From the CLA to the S-Class: Atmos for all models
Daimler, on the other hand, already offers impressively spatial and dynamic sound solutions in compact and affordable coupés such as the new CLA, with Dolby Atmos from 18 loudspeakers with a powerful 850 watts of amplifier power. However, the surround sound technology is reserved for the Burmester systems at the top of the list of audio options. At Porsche, on the other hand, Atmos is also set to find its way into the more affordable Bose systems. However, we have not yet had the opportunity to listen to it.
At Mercedes, we were able to get a quick overview of the program. From the headquarters of the German Dolby branch in Nuremberg, after a tour of the Dolby Germany premises, which are probably better secured than our Ministry of Defense, we headed to the large Mercedes plant in Sindelfingen with a fleet of “star cruisers”. In Nuremberg, for example, licensed televisions, loudspeakers and car audio systems are tested for perfect implementation; in Sindelfingen, many of the most popular Mercedes models and, above all, the custom-made products from the factory are manufactured.
First-class live feeling even in the second row
I was able to experience three of the vehicles listed below as a driver and rear passenger on the road: The Mercedes EQS 580 4MATIC SUV, the GLE 400 e 4MATIC with EQ hybrid technology and, as a personal highlight, the E 400 e 4MATIC with EQ hybrid technology. Regardless of the vehicle, it became clear that the Burmester 3D and 4D sound systems sound extremely balanced, dynamic and, above all, very spacious. Even in the rear, you can clearly hear that the Mercedes in question has Dolby Atmos under the hood.
At the front, you can enjoy a wide and unusually high stage image. At the rear, you are amazed at the stable 360-degree sound distribution when listening to rock, pop and electro tracks, true to the motto: in the middle of it all instead of just there. The E-Class with its 4D Burmester system was particularly worth testing. Maybe it will work out this year.
Equipment of the test vehicles
- EQE 350 4MATIC
Burmester 3D surround sound system:
15 loudspeakers, 710 watts system output - EQS 450 4MATIC
Burmester 3D surround sound system:
15 loudspeakers, 710 watts system output - EQS 580 4MATIC SUV
Burmester 3D surround sound system:
15 loudspeakers, 710 watts system output - S 500 4MATIC Saloon
Burmester 3D surround sound system:
15 loudspeakers, 710 watts system output - GLE 400 e 4MATIC with EQ hybrid technology
Burmester Surround Sound System:
13 loudspeakers, 590 watts system output - GLC 300 de 4MATIC with EQ hybrid technology
Burmester 3D surround sound system:
15 loudspeakers, 710 watts system output - E 400 e 4MATIC with EQ hybrid technology
Burmester 4D surround sound system:
17 loudspeakers, 4 exciters in the seat, 730 watts system output - Mercedes CLA with Burmester 3D Surround Sound System:
16 loudspeakers with 850-watt amplifier - Mercedes-Maybach S 580 e with EQ Hybrid technology
Burmester high-end 4D surround sound system:
31 loudspeakers, 8 exciters in the seats and 1,750 watts of system power
This list could go on and on, because Mercedes is really serious about Atmos and offers Dolby’s surround sound across all model ranges.
