BMW Brings THX Certified Sound to the BMW Z4.

Z4 Roadster and Coupé are the First European Cars to Offer a THX
Certified Car Audio System. Munich/San Rafael. Great music and a
great car are, for many, critical ingredients for the ultimate driving
experience. BMW is no exception. Now, the exceptional sound quality of
BMW audio systems has been acknowledged by THX Ltd., the world's
leading developer of technologies and certification programs for the
entertainment industry. By achieving THX certification on the BMW Z4's
HiFi System Professional, BMW drivers and passengers are provided a car
audio experience that rivals high-end home entertainment systems. This
makes BMW the first European car manufacturer to offer a THX Certified
Car Audio System. The THX Certified Car Audio System is available in
the BMW Z4 Roadster and Z4 M Roadster, the BMW Z4 Coupé and Z4 M
Coupé. THX Certification for the top HiFi system in the BMW
Z4. THX Ltd. was established in 1983 by filmmaker George Lucas to
improve the way cinema audiences experience feature films. THX today
continues this spirit of innovation at the box office and beyond. The
company has taken its mix of technology and certification programs to
emerging entertainment media, including home theatre systems, DVDs,
video games and high performance car audio systems. The THX
Certified Car Audio system in the BMW Z4 is designed to deliver a music
experience as the artist intended. So whether the focus is on classical
music or pop, both the driver and passenger in a BMW Z4 will enjoy
their favourite music programme - with a standard of intensity and
brilliance traditionally offered by the most sophisticated home
entertainment systems. BMW develops sound systems for the top
connoisseur of audio quality. BMW's sound systems are configured and
coordinated individually for each model within the BMW range. This
ensures that each system meets all the demands made of each vehicle's
varying size and body contours. "One of the particular challenges
is to develop optimum sound systems for a convertible required to offer
the same listening experience with the roof both open and closed"
says Edgar Kirk, Head of Development of Audio Systems of the BMW Group.
BMW's engineers offer a HiFi System Professional, developed
specifically for the BMW Z4 M Roadster and BMW Z4 Roadster to become
BMW's first THX Certified Audio System. The HiFi System Professional
will be tailored for the BMW Z4 Coupé. THX engineers worked
closely with BMW to analyze in detail the Z4's cabin acoustics,
speakers and other audio components in order to check whether they
performed to THX specifications. THX rigorously tested the audio system
under a variety of road and driving conditions. THX analyzed the system
for dynamic range, frequency response, power output and distortion. The
result is a THX Certified System that delivers a smooth, clean sound.
BMW Carver technology, a digital ten-channel audio amplifier, and a
digital sound processor all interact to ensure a supreme THX Certified
sound experience. The Z4 HiFi System Professional offers the option to
choose the experience of enjoying music either in an open-air stage or
a concert hall setting. In order to offer the aficionado of roadster
and coupé motoring not only a unique driving experience, but
also an incomparable experience of sound, BMW has introduced Carver
technology into this THX Certified system. "Thanks to Carver
technology, a high sound pressure can be produced with a small speaker
diameter" says Edgar Kirk. The limited package space available for
large bass speakers in a two-seater can be used in the best possible
way. Requiring a volume of only 10 litres per loudspeaker, the system
is able to generate enormous sound pressure (output level) of more than
120 db. A digital 10-channel audio amplifier and sound processor, in
turn, gives the sub-woofers an output of 100 Watts. Two woofers each
developing 40 Watts are positioned at the front of the car, six
midrange loudspeakers and tweeters are fitted in the doors and behind
the seats, each driven by a 25 Watts terminal. The HiFi System
Professional develops a total power output of 430 Watts. THX
certification combined with BMW's Carver technology, top-end amplifiers
and the perfect configuration of sound sources within the car ensures a
premium sound experience for both driver and passengers. "We are
very happy that our work is honoured in this way," declares Edgar
Kirk. The BMW HiFi System Professional option retails in Germany in the
BMW Z4 Roadster and Coupé at a price of Euro 1,000.- incl. VAT.
The THX philosophy: Deliver entertainment experiences that are true to
the artist's vision. THX is one of the few entertainment companies in
the world that works to optimize how music, films and other content is
created in the studio, while also focusing on the consumers
entertainment experience in the cinema, home and automobile. In order
to achieve THX certification, car audio systems must be designed to
meet THX's rigorous standards for quality and performance. THX works
with automakers to make sure speaker layout and positioning, and
acoustic performance are optimal for distributing sound throughout the
vehicle. "THX Certified Car Audio systems are best in class
because they are designed to present music exactly like it was produced
in the recording studio or concert hall" says Laurie Fincham,
Chief Scientist at THX Ltd. Today, THX certification is applied to
consumer environments including home entertainment systems, HiFi
components, DVD productions, multi-media speakers and components, as
well as PC and video games. Leading companies from around the globe
look to THX to help them create products and build venues that deliver
the highest quality entertainment experience. "By teaming with BMW
to offer a THX Certified System in the BMW Z4, we are combining the
strengths of two of the world's premium brands to deliver an
exceptional car audio experience," adds Fincham.