Music Maestro AR Rahman On Mahindra XEV 9e/BE 6's Dolby ATMOS Sound System [Video]
The recently launched Mahindra Electric Origin SUVs- BE 6 and XEV 9e, are as much talked about for their audio systems as they are for their exhilarating performance. Both the electric SUVs get a Harman Kardon sound system with built-in Dolby Atmos ( the first Indian cars to get this technology)! Music Maestro AR Rahman was actively involved in the design and realisation of the audio experience of these vehicles. In a new video shared by Dolby online, we see him share his experience working on the project.
In the video, AR Rahman, fondly called ARR by fans, says that sound has been a major factor in his life from a very young age. Over the years, the sound industry has seen the rise and fall of the likes of mono, stereo, and binaural audio. The transition to 5.1 channel surround sound happened rather quickly. Quoting AR Rahman himself, 'In no time, everything shifted to 5.1, and then now we have Atmos'.
The evolution of movie sound has been exciting even for us, the audience. If you didn't know yet, Shivaji: The Boss, starring Rajinikanth, was the first Indian movie to feature 'Dolby Atmos'- the current global benchmark in surround sound technology. ARR says that 'it is very important to have great sound in a theatre for them to get seduced by the sound and the experience. Atmos actually gives that one-up feeling for them to drive them to the theatre.'
The folks at Mahindra seem to have tried to bring this theatre-like experience to these electric SUVs, together with Rahman and the brains at Dolby. The team wanted to bring ' the feel of real music experience' to the BE 6 and XEV 9e. Rahman says that when we drive a car, we get a sense of freedom, and the sound adds to that.
He further states that when Mahindra first approached him, they had another sound system in plans (which could be the Sony immersive 3D surround sound system that does duties on the Scorpio-N and XUV 700- we are not sure!).
The legendary musician, however, asked them to rethink and resort to Harman hardware for the best experience. He says he wanted to give the best experience to Indians.
The BE 6 and XEV 9e feature a 1500 Watts, 16-speaker Harman Kardon setup that delivers brilliant sound quality. It consists of three-way front speakers. The tweeters are placed near the front seats. It also gets mid-range drivers and woofers as well. A central unity speaker ensures a clear distribution of sound. The mid-range speakers that sit at the rear deliver high-fidelity audio. A powerful subwoofer ensures deeper bass.
Additionally, there are two ceiling-mounted speakers for a complete 360° sound experience. It is immersive and the setup delivers crystal-clear sound experience with remarkable depth and precision.
Rahman says that the idea was to give an experience in the car so that it feels real and he worked closely with the Dolby engineers to get this realised.
Karan Grover, Senior Director, Commercial Partnerships - IMEA, Dolby Laboratories, said in a statement:
"With Dolby Atmos, Mahindra’s Electric Origin SUVs will redefine the in-car audio experience, turning every ride into an extraordinary journey. This collaboration showcases our commitment to bringing consumers closer to the content they love."
This is not the first time that the Indian music legend is associating with Mahindra. He had previously designed the chimes and sounds for the XUV 700. Everything from what plays when you put the indicator lamps to various warning and notification sounds was designed by Rahman himself.