Automotive Acoustic System (Audio, Multi-Channel) Industry Report, 2026
Automotive Acoustics Research: Multiple Channels, AI Tuning, and Self-Developed Algorithms Drive the Transformation of High-End Cockpit Sound Fields
I. Automotive Audio Hardware Solutions with 6–9 Speakers Still Account for Nearly Half
By sorting out the installation of multi-speaker solutions in passenger cars in China from January to April 2026, 6 to 9-speaker solutions remain the mainstream configuration adopted by automakers, with installations taking up 47.3%. The 2 to 5-speaker solutions follow, accounting for about 17.9% of installations.
In addition, to create an ultimate in-vehicle acoustic experience, some automakers have adopted hardware solutions with 41 or more speakers on their high-end flagship vehicle models. Typical examples include the MAEXTRO models fitted with the HUAWEI SOUND ULTIMATE, and the NIO ES9 equipped with the LYRA 9.2.4.8 Immersive Sound System.
II. Sound Channel Layout Evolves from 7.1.4 to More Complex Acoustic Architectures
There are two common structures for channel marking of automotive audio systems: the two-segment A.B format and the three-segment A.B.C format. Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 is a typical example of the three-segment architecture, and each digit in its three segments corresponds to different channel meanings: the first digit stands for "the number of horizontal surround channels" (including left, right, center, left surround, right surround, left rear surround, right rear surround, etc.); the second digit refers to "the number of bass channels"; the third digit is "the number of overhead channels" (height channels, such as front height left, front height right, rear height left, rear height right). Automotive audio systems rely on the cooperation of various sound-emitting channels to create an immersive full-vehicle surround sound field for users.
With the upgrading of acoustic technologies for high-end intelligent cockpits, some premium vehicle models have derived a brand-new four-segment sound field architecture with four-digit format A.B.C.D based on the three-segment architecture, and 9.2.4.8 serves as a typical case. The newly added fourth digit represents the number of independent headrest channels. Differing from ordinary headrest speakers that share the vehicle channels, independent headrest channels are equipped with separate signal channels and independent power amplifier outputs, and can output audio streams completely different from the main system of the vehicle. Its core advantages are as follows:
Achieve precise audio zoning within the cockpit to create multiple private sound zones. The driver's headrest can independently output navigation, voice broadcasts and call voices; the main channels of the vehicle can continuously play music, and the independent headrest channels for the copilot seat and rear row can separately play audio and video content. Multiple audio sources run simultaneously without mutual interference, solving the problem of conflicting audio and video needs among passengers.
Near-field sound emission enhances the clarity of human voice. Headrest speakers sit only 10–30 centimeters from human ears, so human voices can be clearly heard without turning up the volume of the vehicle, which effectively avoids the interference of driving noise and sound reflection reverberation inside the cockpit.
Improve the stereo sound field system. The near-field mid-high frequency and human voice output of headrest speakers can complement the traditional horizontal surround channels and overhead height channels, optimize the sound field positioning around the head, and further enhance the full-automotive audio immersion.
Overall, compared with two-segment layouts, the three-segment A.B.C channel architecture expands sound from a flat plane into a 3D spatial space, constructing a complete shared immersive sound field for the whole vehicle. The derived four-segment A.B.C.D architecture further introduces seat-level private sound zone functionality, enabling coexistence of a shared public sound field and independent sound zones for individual seats. However, this four-segment format is an automaker-customized channel standard, primarily adopted by auto brands to differentiate products and create competitive selling points for premium vehicle models, and has not yet evolved into a universal industry upgrade route.
III. Automakers Self-Develop Automotive Audio Systems to Create Proprietary Acoustic IP
Chinese automakers have launched self-developed automotive audio systems in recent years. Distinct from traditional third-party premium audio brands offering OEM/licensed solutions, automakers establish their own acoustics teams to complete full-link development including vehicle acoustic simulation, channel architecture definition, DSP algorithm development, power amplifier logic design, and real-vehicle acoustic tuning.
By gaining independent technical control over algorithms and tuning, automakers are freed from iterative constraints imposed by external suppliers. Automakers can update sound effects based on user feedback and push new algorithms via OTA updates to enable deep integration between acoustic systems and vehicle NVH performance, intelligent driving alerts, and multi-zone cockpit audio interaction, create differentiated cockpit auditory experiences and build proprietary acoustic intellectual property (IP).
Case 1: Chery introduced its proprietary automotive audio brand "Sound of Boya", divided into three product series: Feng, Ya, Song.
Feng Series positioned as entry level is equipped with 12 acoustic units and 7.1-channel architecture, delivering basic sound performance. It has been mass-produced.
Ya Series oriented to the mid-to-high-end market is configured with 23 acoustic units, and supports 7.1.4 / 7.5.4.2 dual channel architectures. It includes 4 overhead height channels, independent bass speakers, headrest speakers, and a full suite of AI sound field algorithms. It is already mass-produced and installed on vehicle models like Fulwin A9L, Exeed ET5, Fulwin T11, Exeed EX7.
Song Series, flagship product, carries no fewer than 30 acoustic units and adopts full-domain full-dimensional panoramic sound architecture, with peak amplifier power above 3000W. It is equipped with seat vibration units, multiple independent bass arrays and flagship-exclusive hardware tuning. It is currently in planning stage and not yet launched on market.
Case 2: DiSound is BYD’s full-stack self-developed automotive acoustic system, primarily equipped on BYD’s high-end models. Unlike the cooperation model of outsourcing Dynaudio hardware and Dirac algorithms, DiSound realizes full-link independent development involving sound-emitting units, power amplifiers, DSP chips, sound field algorithms and cockpit acoustic tuning. It has multiple versions of hardware configurations, and takes into account both the in-car panoramic sound experience and innovative application of external portable audio.
Automotive Acoustic System (Audio, Multi-Channel) Industry Report, 2026
Automotive Acoustics Research: Multiple Channels, AI Tuning, and Self-Developed Algorithms Drive the Transformation of High-End Cockpit Sound Fields
I. Automotive Audio Hardware Solutions with 6–9 S...
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