Harman Kardon Extends Partnership with Volkswagen

Harman, a company that is wholly owned by Samsung has announced that it has extended its longstanding partnership with Volkswagen to deploy its stylish and modernistic sound systems in Volkswagen vehicles on a global basis.

Harman specializes in connected technologies for automotive, consumer, and enterprise markets and the plan is to use Harman products to provide Volkswagen vehicles sold worldwide with stylish audio systems that deliver sublime sound.

The two companies began their audio partnership with the global launch of the all-new VW Golf 8 which made its debut at a gala event held at the new Hafen 1 location in Wolfsburg, Volkswagen base in Germany. The event was attended by over 650 international guests drawn from 20 countries who heard a Harman Kardon Premium Sound System in a Volkswagen vehicle.

Commenting on the partnership, Dave Rogers, President, Lifestyle Audio at HARMAN “said that the two companies have a long history of collaborating for the delivery of impactful in-vehicle experiences in the Connected Car, Infotainment and Telematics spaces.

Rogers added, “With our shared commitment to excellence and innovation, the extension of the HARMAN and Volkswagen Group partnership into the branded audio space is an exciting development for both companies. Music and driving are a powerful combination, and the captivating sound of Harman Kardon is sure to unlock a new level of connection between VW customers and their vehicles.”

Harman Kardon systems will be used for the first time in Volkswagen cars, thus providing drivers and passengers of the new VW Golf 8 with an exceptional in-car experience. The new Golf 8 is the eighth generation of Volkswagen’s best-selling model and provides users with the optimum combination of elegant design, high levels of digitization and connectivity, assisted driving features, an electrified ride and a wide range of customization options so that they get the VW Golf 8 that is well in tune with their preferences. The Harman Kardon Premium Sound System is yet another feature that makes the VW Golf 8 a true winner.

Harman Kardon is the winner of many awards and is known both for the quality of the sound that its products deliver and the sophistication of their design, when it comes to products that are used at home as well as its products for cars.

Harman Kardon’s audio engineering and design teams have earned a reputation for creating some of the industry’s most celebrated audio experiences. The company’s team worked with the Volkswagen team right from the design and conceptualization phase of the Golf 8 to ensure that the Harman Kardon Premium Sound System in the vehicle provides motorists and their passengers with memorable musical experiences. The audio system in the car features a powerful 12 Channel Ethernet Amplifier with an output of 480 watts and 10 high-performance speakers. The outcome is sound that is truly impressive with regard to quality and the enjoyment that it delivers, further enhancing every ride.

The sophisticated yet functional design of the system is meant to integrate harmoniously into the interior of the new VW Golf 8. Distinctive speaker grills are highlighted by a 60 degree hole pattern in a nod to the iconic angled slash in the Harman Kardon logo, and are crafted from ultra-thin 0.5mm high-strength steel to support optimal acoustic performance.

Aligning with the highly customizable nature of the VW Golf 8, the Harman Kardon Premium Sound System sports four sound settings for a more personal listening experience and users can modify these according to their mood: Pure, Chill Out, Live, and Energy. The sound system delivers exceptional acoustic quality and excellent sound reproduction in each setting.

Greg Sikora, Senior Manager and Head of Acoustic Systems Engineering for Harman, led the team that spent hundreds of hours perfecting a sound designed to move a new generation of VW customers and said “The Harman Kardon Premium Sound System combines innovative features and sophisticated design, creating high quality sound that invites consumers to fully immerse themselves in every moment in their VW vehicle,” he said. “Our ultimate goal is a truly inspiring listening experience for every passenger, every time.”