Paris/Stuttgart – In a groundbreaking collaboration, Mercedes-Benz has joined forces with Apple Music and Universal Music Group (UMG) to redefine the landscape of in-car audio and music creation. This unprecedented partnership positions the in-car listening experience as the new gold standard for music production, ensuring music artists and fans alike can enjoy unparalleled sound quality within Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
This innovative venture builds upon the integration of immersive Dolby Atmos audio within the optional Burmester® high-end 4D and 3D sound systems available in the latest Mercedes-Benz MBUX generation vehicles. Recognizing the pivotal role of in-car audio, a recent survey highlighted that over 76% of drivers prioritize realistic spatial sound in their vehicles.
Universal Music Group is taking this commitment a step further by adopting the “Approved in a Mercedes-Benz” seal as the ultimate benchmark for sound quality. This means music artists and producers can now utilize Mercedes-Benz vehicles as critical listening environments during the song approval process. To solidify this standard, UMG plans to establish a state-of-the-art studio environment in Sindelfingen, Germany, mirroring the acoustics of Capitol Studios’ Studio C – a globally recognized Dolby Atmos mixing facility.
Making its debut in a non-Apple device, Apple Music’s Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos will be natively integrated into Mercedes-Benz vehicles. This seamless integration grants Mercedes-Benz and Apple Music customers effortless access to music in Dolby Atmos, ensuring “Approved in a Mercedes-Benz” tracks are experienced precisely as intended by the artists.
Considering cars are now primary music listening spaces, with 90% of the global population engaging with music for an average of 961 hours annually, and over 70% of music consumption occurring in vehicles, the significance of in-car audio cannot be overstated. Furthermore, approximately 72% of drivers consider music indispensable during car journeys, and for two-thirds, in-car sound quality is a crucial factor.
Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG, emphasizes the transformative nature of this collaboration: “Our alliances with Apple Music and Universal Music Group are truly unique, setting a new paradigm by merging music content and platform expertise with our Dolby Atmos-enabled Burmester® sound system. Through this exceptional partnership, we are delivering the extraordinary in-car audio experience our customers expect from Mercedes-Benz. Apple and UMG share our vision and values, and together with Dolby, we are crafting a seamless and unparalleled experience for our clientele.”
While the Burmester® Premium 3D sound system already delivers an exceptional auditory experience, the Burmester® High-End 4D sound system elevates it further with speaker-like resonators featuring sound massage and integrated surround speakers in the seats. This top-tier system boasts:
- 31 speakers, including six 3D speakers, 4 near-ear speakers, and an 18.5-liter subwoofer
- 8 sound transducers (two per seat)
- 2 amplifiers
- 1750 watts of total power
Mercedes‑Benz drivers who are Apple Music subscribers will instantly gain access to a constantly expanding library of songs and albums in Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos. The superior sound fidelity within Mercedes-Benz vehicles naturally positions them as the premier automotive manufacturer to natively offer Apple Music’s Spatial Audio. This is underscored by the fact that in-car sound system quality is prioritized even over home audio systems, with 45% of drivers valuing car audio more, compared to only 12% favoring home systems.
Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Apple Music and Beats, notes the importance of sound quality to Apple Music: “Sound quality is paramount to Apple Music, and we are thrilled to collaborate with Mercedes to bring Spatial Audio on Apple Music natively to the car for the first time. Spatial Audio is revolutionizing music creation and consumption, offering an experience that transcends words – it must be heard to be truly appreciated. Together with Mercedes, we now have even more opportunities to deliver fully immersive music to our subscribers worldwide.”
As the world’s leading music and entertainment company, UMG actively encourages its music artists and labels to produce music mixed in immersive Dolby Atmos audio. Under this agreement, Mercedes-Benz will provide UMG with vehicles equipped with the Burmester® high-end sound system for artists and engineers to use for critical listening and quality assurance. The aim is for UMG to ensure its music earns the prestigious “Approved in a Mercedes-Benz” seal, representing the highest standard of audio fidelity. This initiative directly benefits Mercedes Music Artist collaborations and ensures their work is heard in optimal conditions.
Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, states, “This significant milestone in recorded music history is the result of years of collaboration with our partners at Dolby to develop the Dolby Atmos Music format. This format provides our artists with an even broader creative palette. With Mercedes, a company sharing our dedication to quality and innovation, fans can now experience our artists’ music in Mercedes vehicles in a way that truly immerses them in the recording studio or live performance.”
Dolby Atmos, initially available in the Mercedes‑Maybach S‑Class, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, EQS, and EQS SUV models, enriches music with enhanced spaciousness, clarity, and depth. Dolby Atmos empowers music artists to position distinct audio elements within a three-dimensional soundscape, surpassing the limitations of conventional stereo production. Adapting to diverse playback environments, the system ensures listeners experience music with unparalleled clarity, staying true to the artist’s original studio vision. Integrated within the optional Burmester® high-end 4D and 3D sound systems, this fusion of hardware and audio technology transforms Mercedes vehicles into mobile concert halls, offering an exceptional experience for any mercedes music artist or listener.
Kevin Yeaman, President and CEO of Dolby Laboratories, remarks, “In 2021, we partnered with both Mercedes‑Benz and Apple Music to expand access to music in Dolby Atmos globally. Today, bolstered by a substantial and growing catalog of Dolby Atmos music from Universal Music Group, these efforts converge to provide Mercedes customers with an unparalleled immersive music experience, establishing a new benchmark for in-car audio excellence.”
As the music industry evolves and music enthusiasts become increasingly discerning in their listening habits, Mercedes-Benz and its partners are pioneering a holistic and deeply immersive audio experience that meets and exceeds modern expectations. This collaboration not only enhances the in-car experience but also sets a new standard for how mercedes music artist creations are evaluated and enjoyed.
