Kia's Premium EV9 SUV Gets Unique Meridian Audio Technology

Developed by Meridian Audio after extensive research into delivering an immersive acoustic experience in EVs, the 14-speaker system is an audio revelation.

The forthcoming Kia EV9, set to debut across Europe, Asia, and the US in the 2024 model year, stands out as a pioneering luxury SUV in its class. It introduces an exclusive sound system meticulously crafted for the distinct audio characteristics of electric vehicles. Developed by British innovators Meridian Audio after extensive research into delivering an immersive acoustic experience in EVs, the 14-speaker system utilises a suite of proprietary Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technologies fine-tuned for this unique acoustic setting.

As an all-electric SUV, the EV9 follows in the footsteps of Kia's K8 luxury sports sedan and the EV6 premium electric crossover, integrating Meridian technology. With prices starting at £76,245 in the UK, the EV9 signals Kia's entry into direct competition with established luxury vehicle manufacturers.

Buchanan, from Meridian, highlights the challenge of creating an exceptional audio experience in an EV, emphasising the complexity of noise sources and their differing frequency profiles compared to combustion vehicles.

"The challenge with delivering a fantastic audio experience in an EV isn’t the level of the background noise, it’s the complexity of noise sources and their frequency profiles," asserts Buchanan.

"These are typically at significantly higher frequencies than in a combustion vehicle, which can affect our ability to perceive the position of sounds, and they can be more random, which makes the acoustic environment more difficult to manage with active noise cancellation."

He underscores the shift from hardware to software solutions, leveraging Meridian's DSP algorithms to manage the acoustic environment and tailor the sound to vehicle specifics and occupant preferences. Meridian dedicates around 15% of revenue to research, particularly focusing on software for optimising audio signals in various listening environments.

Meridian's engineers curated a suite of DSP technologies for the EV9. Meridian RE-Q precisely optimises the audio system for the vehicle cabin's unique acoustics, while Meridian Digital Precision maintains a high signal-to-noise ratio, preserving the performance's natural rhythm.

Additionally, Meridian Horizon offers multi-channel audio and surround sound from stereo and native 5.1 content, delivering a customisable experience. Meridian Intelli-Q Data-Driven Equalisation adapts audio playback psychoacoustically in response to the changing in-car acoustic environment as vehicle speed alters.

"Intelli-Q allows us to manage the distinctive acoustic inputs of an electric vehicle," explains Buchanan, emphasising its nuanced response to background noise profiles rather than solely increasing volume. This approach creates a managed acoustic environment conducive to an immersive listening experience.

The EV9 incorporates an open-air connected subwoofer (OCS) to eliminate the need for a large box enclosure, resolving issues associated with conventional enclosures. This approach, combined with Meridian's tuning techniques, ensures exceptional bass performance across all seating positions.

Byungchul Cho, Kia Corporation’s Head of Product Planning, expresses excitement about integrating Meridian’s authentic sound into the EV9, creating a luxurious audio experience.

Dr. Soonkwon Paik, Vice President of Infotainment Engineering Group at Hyundai Motor Group, underscores Kia's commitment to offering customers Meridian's renowned sound quality and an exclusive branded speaker grille design.

Kia's collaboration with Meridian extends to a flexible, upgradeable in-car audio platform, benefiting from the audio specialist’s hardware-independent sourcing approach. Buchanan highlights the collaboration with Mobis, Kia's chosen hardware partner, emphasising improvements in manufacturability, packaging, and costs.