Introduction to Huawei’s Automotive Sound Engineering
Walking into Huawei’s Shanghai Acoustics R&D Centre, I expected a standard facility tour. What I encountered instead was a comprehensive automotive sound engineering operation that challenges the established order of in-car audio systems. The facility, which Huawei has developed since beginning serious audio research investments in 2012, houses three distinct testing environments: a fully anechoic chamber measuring 4.8x4x4 metres, a larger semi-anechoic room spanning 14x12x5 metres with a reflective floor, and a dedicated listening room configured in a 9.1.6 layout.
The Challenge of In-Car Audio
The challenge of in-car audio is significant. Goller, whose background includes positions at Gamut Audio, Bang & Olufsen, and Harman International, oversees what Huawei calls “master-tuning methodology” – a process that begins with objective acoustic measurements but relies heavily on psychoacoustic principles for final voicing. Speaking in the listening room during the first agenda of the tour, Goller outlined Huawei’s development philosophy: the aim is to faithfully reproduce recordings as artists intended them to be heard, creating what he described as a “phantom effect” that transports listeners to the original recording environment.
The Huawei Sound Ultimate Series
The tangible result of this research is the HUAWEI SOUND ULTIMATE Series, the tech giant’s most luxurious audio system to date, currently deployed in the Maextro S800 luxury electric sedan. The system comprises 43 speakers driven by dual amplifiers delivering 2,920 watts total power. What Huawei terms an “industry-first seat-specific 4D immersive surround sound experience” includes rear 4D exciters that synchronise with music and video content, adding tactile feedback to the auditory experience.
Technical Innovations
The hardware innovations are specific rather than generic. The Tangential Force Woofer rotates conventional door-woofer geometry by 90 degrees, reducing panel resonance while extending bass response. A patented dual-diaphragm subwoofer leverages the cabin volume itself rather than being constrained by traditional enclosure design. The Crystal Star-Ring Diffuser rises automatically when occupants enter, integrating with rhythm-synchronised ambient lighting while improving central image precision – Huawei claims 30% greater sound uniformity compared to the previous generation.
Independent Sound Zones
The most technically ambitious feature is the independent sound-zone technology. Each of the four headrests integrates four drivers – two tweeters and two midrange units. Combined with Huawei’s sound-field control algorithms, the main speaker array can function as an active silencer, targeting audio spillage between front and rear rows. Huawei claims up to 30dB isolation between rows and 99% energy separation.
Road-Noise Cancellation
The system also incorporates road-noise cancellation using what Huawei describes as an “omnidimensional model” – multi-channel amplification with low latency applying ear-adaptive cancellation. Multi-layer acoustic glass and absorptive materials provide passive isolation, targeting what the company calls a “library-level” baseline noise floor.
Investment and Market Implications
Huawei disclosed substantial R&D spending: CNY 179.7 billion (approximately £20 billion / €23.4 billion) in 2024, representing 20.8% of total revenue, with over 113,000 employees in R&D roles. The company states that approximately CNY 60 billion (roughly £6.6 billion / €7.8 billion) goes specifically to fundamental science research. The automotive sound engineering landscape has traditionally been dominated by established European brands. Huawei’s systematic approach – purpose-built testing facilities, recruited expertise from legacy audio companies, and significant capital investment – represents a challenge to that established order.
Assessment
After experiencing both the laboratory facilities and the in-car system, Huawei’s program appears methodologically sound. The combination of measurement-driven development and subjective tuning refinement represents standard practice in high-end audio, adapted for automotive contexts. Whether this translates to market success depends on factors beyond acoustic performance: production scalability, supply chain integration with diverse automakers, and ultimately, whether consumers value independent sound zones and advanced tuning enough to pay premium prices.
Conclusion
Huawei has built the technical foundation for a revolutionary in-car audio system. The commercial proof will emerge as these systems move from flagship demonstrations into broader automotive lineups. With significant investment in R&D and a systematic approach to sound engineering, Huawei is poised to challenge the established order of in-car audio systems.
FAQs
Q: What is the HUAWEI SOUND ULTIMATE Series?
A: The HUAWEI SOUND ULTIMATE Series is Huawei’s most luxurious audio system to date, currently deployed in the Maextro S800 luxury electric sedan.
Q: What is independent sound-zone technology?
A: Independent sound-zone technology allows each passenger to have their own unique audio experience, with minimal audible crosstalk between rows.
Q: How much did Huawei invest in R&D in 2024?
A: Huawei disclosed substantial R&D spending: CNY 179.7 billion (approximately £20 billion / €23.4 billion) in 2024, representing 20.8% of total revenue.
Q: What is the Crystal Star-Ring Diffuser?
A: The Crystal Star-Ring Diffuser is a device that rises automatically when occupants enter, integrating with rhythm-synchronised ambient lighting while improving central image precision.
Q: What is road-noise cancellation?
A: Road-noise cancellation is a technology that uses multi-channel amplification with low latency applying ear-adaptive cancellation to reduce road noise.
