2006 Chrysler 300C Royale...
2006 Chrysler 300C Royale Santini with Boston Acoustics Aftermarket Mobile Audio.
For SEMA, Boston Acoustics decided to demonstrate the ability to seamlessly interface Boston Acoustics Mobile Aftermarket Mobile Audio equipment with Boston Acoustics Premium OEM systems. You can find these systems in so equipped Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles. For the discriminating owner looking for more than what the factory supplies, these installs are examples of the natural upgrade path. Our thanks to Sandy Lirag, Manager of Automotive OEM development at Boston Acoustics for taking time out before CES for the following Q & A.
CA&E: What did Boston set out to do, or what's the goal with the upgraded systems in the two Chargers and the 300?Sandy Lirag: The goal in upgrading the vehicles was to show a concept of an Boston Acoustics aftermarket expansion path for owners of vehicles equipped with a Boston Acoustics OEM sound system. I termed it "expansion" because the total sum of these components add up to more speakers, more wattage, more output. It shows the ability to "expand" the system by replacing the front and rear speakers with Boston Acoustics S-Series drop-in replacement coaxial speakers along with the addition of a high performance Boston Acoustics G-Series 10" subwoofer in a custom sealed enclosure. This is being powered by a dedicated Boston Acoustics GT-Series amplifier receiving its signal from a re-equalized factory amplifier. The subwoofer is designed to be an add-on to the factory Boston Acoustics six speaker system or in the case of [our] seven or eight speaker system, replaces the factory 8" subwoofer.
CA&E: What kind of testing goes into the OEM systems?SL: There is extensive testing that goes on with all our OEM systems. We utilize a system design approach that involves looking at the system at the component level as well as the listening environment it will be operating in. We characterized the vehicle acoustically and test every component to meet stringent specifications and quality standards. And when everything has passed these standards, a final "voicing" session is done by extensive listening. Only after all of these objectives are met is the system signed off for production.
CA&E: Can you tell us something about the proprietary software you use in conjunction with the factory DSP?SL: There really isn't much that can be said except that the proprietary software was designed to fully utilize the digital signal processor chip imbedded in the factory amplifier. With this tool, our engineers have the ability to fine-tune the system to perform at its best. The tool also allowed us to seamlessly integrate the Boston Acoustics aftermarket components into the concept vehicles. So whether it's a sedan or SUV or the interior has cloth or leather upholstery, the customer is guaranteed to experience the "Boston Sound."
CA&E: In which current vehicles can we find the Boston audio upgrades?SL: Currently, the Boston Acoustics premium audio systems are available in the Chrysler 300, Chrysler PT Cruiser & PT Cruiser Convertible, Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander. The two 2006 Dodge Charger R/T's and the Chrysler 300C SRT8 featuring the Boston Acoustics aftermarket components are strictly concept vehicles and are not in production.
CA&E: How much are you limited by the automaker in terms of what you can do for speaker placement and such?SL: Ideally, it would be best to be involved early in the vehicle's design stages so considerations can be made with regards to speaker placement. In the case of the vehicles we are currently in, the engineers at Daimler Chrysler have done a superb job of allocating speaker locations that do not penalize the speakers. This is one less major obstacle for our engineers to overcome during the development process.
CA&E: What sets Boston's system apart from other OEM upgrade packages? For instance, the cabin measurements, the quality of the components you use, etc?SL: What sets us apart from the other OEM systems is our goal to consistently deliver the "Boston Sound." The definition of the Boston Sound is: "Performance characterized by smooth octave-to-octave tonal balance, natural frequency response and a distortion-free presentation from the very softest to the loudest musical passage identifies the Boston Sound." We actually describe our sound quality and therefore must deliver on this statement in every system we produce. It is a sound quality philosophy imbedded in all our products, whether for the home, car aftermarket or automotive OEM.
CA&E: For Boston, where do you see the OEM and aftermarket business over the next, say, five years?SL: I suspect OEM system content will continue to improve resulting in better sound performance across a broader cross-section of vehicles. Overall, the future is favorable for us and customers buying vehicles with a Boston Acoustics sound system because we have set a high standard for sound quality performance. The OEMs understand the need for premium branded audio and our ability to provide high-performance sound systems as well as aftermarket solutions that complement our OEM system will allow us to service two distinct markets for car audio systems in the years to come.
CA&E: In your opinion, does working on the OE side help promote Boston's aftermarket business?SL: It certainly has strong benefits in terms of branding. I truly believe that being able to deliver the "Boston Sound" in a vehicle gives us the ability to connect with the customer more effectively because it is delivering an experience that is distinctive and directly associated to our brand, by our brand.
2006 Dodge ChargerThe Boston Acoustics 6-speaker system comes standard on all DCX LX Hemi V-8 vehicles and is optional for the 3.5 liter, V-6 models. For this concept vehicle J and G Customs in California upgraded the OE Boston Acoustics 3.5" speakers (dual cone) with their Aftermarket Mobile Audio S35 3.5" (two-way coaxial) speakers. The 6" x 9" speakers (woofers) were left as is while the rear package tray (in the 300 and Charger) or rear side panel (in the Magnum, not pictured) Boston 6" X 9" speakers (dual cone) were replaced with Boston Acoustics Aftermarket Mobile Audio SL95 6" X 9" (two-way coaxial) speakers.
The Boston 8" speaker in the 300 and Charger was replaced with a single G-Series 10" subwoofer in a custom 1/2 ft3 sealed enclosure located inside the trunk. A GT-Series amplifier was added to power the subwoofer.
As indicated in the interview, Boston Acoustics engineers recalibrated the factory DSP amplifier to allow for seamless interface with the Boston Acoustics Aftermarket Mobile Audio.
The end result is an Boston OEM upgraded system featuring Boston Acoustics Aftermarket Mobile Audio that is completely seamless in operation with the car. Each vehicle receives custom equalization to maximize sound quality performance (tonal accuracy, imaging/staging, dynamic range). The addition of the subwoofer amplifier with more power yields better accuracy on bass reproduction, superior system dynamic range and increased sound pressure level capability without a hint of distortion, even at full volume.
Vehicles featured at SEMA with this upgrade path included the Dodge Charger R/T Boston Acoustics Special Edition built by Larry Weiner Performance West, 300C Santini Royale by DCX, 300C Supercharged by G&S Motorsports, Dodge Magnum featured on Overhaulin' and production clone of the Boston Special Edition Charger featured in the Katzkin leather booth.