Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System

Good looks are part of the audio experience: perfectly integrated into the sporty and luxurious context, the sound system also strikes an exclusive note of the visual kind. The system, specially developed for the A8, takes account of the specific acoustic properties of the interior - such as the volume of the space, the shape and the materials used, but also noise from the engine, wind and road. The speaker grilles are made from anodised aluminium - the material from which the body of the A8 is likewise made.

The developers attached particular importance to computing the surround sound. Most sound sources such as CD and DAB only have two programmed output channels (stereo); A8 drivers should nevertheless be able to enjoy the benefits of surround sound even when using these stereo sources. In addition, a special energising program calculates a surround signal with five channels and subwoofer signal from just two channels.

The Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System consists of a total of 14 speakers, each with their own output stage. There is a 2-way speaker unit with a 90 mm mid-range speaker and a 140 mm woofer installed in each of the front doors. The treble is reproduced by two 19 mm Acoustic Lens speakers that are extended out of the instrument panel. A 70 mm cone speaker serves as the centre speaker. The rear doors incorporate 2-way speakers with 130 mm woofers, supported by a 25 mm tweeter. The low bass tones are reproduced by a 200 millimetre subwoofer - it is installed beneath the rear shelf together with two 70 mm wide-band speakers, for surround reproduction.

Acoustic Lens technology
The front tweeters using Acoustic Lens technology are among the most important elements of the new sound system. When the system is activated, two lens tweeters are automatically extended from the instrument panel. These assure an extremely in-depth performance at every seat thanks to their precisely aligned horizontal transmission. Here the visual fascination of visible technology is combined with the acoustic brilliance of the new Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System.

Amplifier power
On the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System, two amplifiers provide more than 1,000 Watt if necessary. The high-performance amplifier has four channels of 125 Watt each for the four woofers and one 250 Watt amplifier for the subwoofer. The second amplifier (DSP) is responsible for signal processing and, with nine output stages of 28 Watts each, for energising the surround speakers and tweeters.