September 16, 2008 Aston Martin and Bang & Olufsen have collaborated to produce the BeoSound DBS audio system – it’s one of the most expensive audio systems on the planet, mainly because you have to purchase an Aston Martin DBS to get your hands on one. The system is seamlessly integrated into the DBS’s bespoke interior, providing the driver with an unrivalled audio experience. Consisting of 13 individual speakers and Bang & Olufsen’s unique Digital Signal Processing system, the system transforms the DBS into an acoustically sophisticated venue, capable of conveying subtle and striking musical dynamics from every source.
The Bang & Olufsen BeoSound DBS system is acoustically and physically matched to the DBS, with a design that follows the inherent quality and material honesty of the Aston Martin interior. The loudspeaker grilles are finished with smoothly contoured aluminium so as to integrate seamlessly with the fluid lines and curves of the cabin. When the system is turned on, the twin acoustic lens speakers emerge silently and swiftly, adding a touch of theatre and technological panache that is the perfect complement to the Aston Martin DBS.
Bang & Olufsen's experts worked in close collaboration with Aston Martin's product development team, ensuring optimum speaker placement to take account of the unique aluminium structure of the car. The result is a system that has become an integral part of the Aston Martin, creating an incomparable ambience which embraces both design and performance. As a result, the sound is crisp and clear at all volumes, making the audio system the perfect match for the commanding performance of the Aston Martin.
The BeoSound DBS system incorporates Bang & Olufsen's proprietary ICEpower® technology, a fusion of high power and hi-fi sound quality with ultra-compact design and sleek, functional operation. The proprietary and automatically operated ALT (Acoustic Lens Technology) motorised tweeter units mounted either side of the dashboard enable 180° horizontal dispersion of high frequencies, giving listeners an improved sense of space, staging and realism, regardless of their location in the car. In addition to the two tweeters incorporated into the ALT, the system comprises five mid-range speakers, three further tweeters and three woofers, including a powerful 200mm subwoofer mounted beneath the rear bench. In all, thirteen speakers are positioned in ten locations around the car.
The system is acoustically tuned by Bang & Olufsen's advanced Digital Signal Processing (DSP) unit, which stage manages the musical performance to accommodate the in-car experience. Coupled with hours of research by Bang & Olufsen's technicians, all 13 speakers are tuned to work together in harmony to deliver an outstanding listening experience. The DSP also provides dynamic modelling that adapts automatically to changing acoustic conditions, allowing the occupants to concentrate on an engaging driving and listening experience.
