As part of an ongoing partnership, UK audio specialist Meridian Audio and HiPhi – the smart all-electric vehicle brand from Human Horizons – have collaborated on the HiPhi Z Fully Electric GT’s audio system.
The vehicle will come with Meridian’s Sonic Pro as standard and will now benefit from an increased channel count, improved amplifier power and several other technologies from the UK audio company. The collaboration comes shortly after Meridian introduced EbM (Engineered by Meridian), an enhanced audio engineering consultancy and technology licensing offering. EbM worked with the auto maker from the outset to develop a fully optimized system.
“Having worked together for the last three years, we understand what Human Horizons want to achieve in their HiPhi vehicles,” commented Paul Andrews, director of sales, EbM. “This is the second HiPhi model featuring a Meridian engineered audio system, and we have been able to push the boundaries of the audio experience delivered in a HiPhi vehicle.”
The Sonic Pro sound system installed in the HiPhi Z includes 23 fully active loudspeakers, comprising woofers, midranges and tweeters in the front and rear doors. These are supported by four rear surround channels and four height channels, in addition to a center channel and subwoofer.
“The HiPhi Z is a high-tech ultra-futuristic luxurious vehicle, and it was important that the sound experience matched the car’s design aesthetic,” added Andrews. “The ambition for this model was to create fully immersive entertainment in the vehicle that is lifelike, natural and authentic, while also providing occupants with the flexibility to personalize elements of the experience to match their own taste.”
Some of the Meridian technologies in the vehicle are: Meridian Horizon, an up-mixing technology which provides the end user with four different sound setting modes and five EQ pre-sets; Meridian Intelli-Q, which enables Data-Driven Equalization to optimize audio playback within the cabin based on data available from the vehicle; and Meridian Perfect Balance, which dynamically applies psycho-acoustically informed frequency compensation to incoming audio to ensure a consistent tonally balanced audio experience at all listening volumes. Meridian Digital Precision, Meridian RE-Q cabin correction technology, Meridian True Time and Meridian Perfect Balance also feature.
“At Human Horizons, we strive to continuously innovate and push the boundaries of possibility,” explained Ding Lei, founder, Human Horizons. “For this new range of vehicles, we look up to concepts of space and time for inspiration, drawing parallels between science, art, human imagination and sensory experience to create something truly special. As a flagship model, the HiPhi Z represents everything we want to be in a brand and is built for people who are, like us, driven by a desire to explore and create.”
