Tailor-Made Surround Sound in the New Mercedes-Benz SLK

Tailor-Made Surround Sound in the New Mercedes-Benz SLK

KARLSBAD, Germany, March 27/PRNewswire/ -- The "Harman Kardon(R) Discrete Logic 7(R) Sound System" in the new generation of the Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster offers rich, three-dimensional surround sound from 5.1 and stereo recordings on both seats, whether the vario-roof is up or down.

Tailor-made technical components and careful acoustic tuning by the Harman Kardon acoustics specialists provide the basis for the authentic, rich-in-detail audio experience available in the new Mercedes-Benz SLK. "Even with the vario-roof down, the SLK roadster offers an enveloping surround experience with superior harmonic richness from stereo and 5.1 recordings setting a new standard in cars of this class," emphasizes Stephanie Sauter, Harman Kardon Global Brand & Product Marketing Manager, describing the brilliant audio quality.

The heart of the new sound system in the Mercedes-Benz SLK is the Discrete Logic 7 technology. It is only with Discrete Logic 7 technology that stereo recordings, and, in particular, modern 5.1 recordings, can achieve their full potential when listened to in cars. If most digital 5.1 recordings were to be played back without adjustment in the interior of the car, only one position would enjoy optimum sound results, the so-called "sweet spot": This would be precisely in the spot where no one usually sits - in the center console. The Discrete Logic 7 technology offers the solution by reading out all the surround information contained on the recording and distributing it to optimum effect over the respective channels of the sound system, exactly as intended in the original.

The Harman Kardon acoustic specialists spent a particularly long time adjusting the sound to ensure a realistic musical experience in the roadster, even with the folding hardtop open. As soon as the vario-roof is lowered, the amplifier receives a signal from the central electronic system and automatically adjusts audio reproduction to the acoustic conditions of the open-top car. A total of 11 sound transducers produce a brilliant musical experience in the SLK roadster. A three-layer sandwich structure was used in the diaphragms of the metal matrix high-end components. Aluminum is applied as the backing material, producing an excellent balance between rigidity and weight. Thanks to the perfect positioning, the music sounds as lifelike as if you were sitting in the concert hall.

The 500 watt Harman Kardon amplifier has a powerful digital signal processor (DSP). The digital DTCP (Digital Transmission Content Protection = DTCP) encryption technology means that high resolution signals can be transported and processed en route from the sound carrier to the amplifier. The result is loss-free transmission of normal stereo and modern multi-channel formats. This means that high-resolution multi-channel sound recordings in DVD-Audio(1), DVD-Video(2) or CD formats can be transferred to digital standards MLP, MLP 5.1, DTS(R) 5.1, Dolby(R) Digital 5.1 and PCM without loss of quality, guaranteeing optimum audio experience in both seats.

Harman Kardon, Inc., is a business unit of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (http://www.harman.com), which designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment products for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. Harman International maintains a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia, and employs more than 11,000 people worldwide. The Harman International family of brands includes AKG(R), Audioaccess(R), Becker(R), BSS(R), Crown(R), dbx(R), DigiTech(R), DOD(R), Harman Kardon(R), Infinity(R), JBL(R), Lexicon(R), Mark Levinson(R), Revel(R), QNX(R), Soundcraft(R) and Studer(R). Harman International's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "HAR."

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(1) In conjuction with the Audio 50 or COMAND system

(2) Only in conjunction with the COMAND system

          For more details, please contact:          Stephanie Sauter,     Global Brand & Product Marketing Manager,     Harman Kardon,     Harman/Becker Automotive Systems,     Telephone: +49(0)7248-71-1419,     Fax: +49(0)7248-71-1896,     E-Mail: SSauter@HarmanBecker.com.  

Source: Harman/Becker Automotive Systems

For more details, please contact: Stephanie Sauter, Global Brand & Product Marketing Manager, Harman Kardon, Harman/Becker Automotive Systems, Telephone: +49(0)7248-71-1419, Fax: +49(0)7248-71-1896, E-Mail: SSauter@HarmanBecker.com.

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Profile: International Entertainment