BMW Z4 THX Certified

First European Cars to Offer THX Certified Car Audio System

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 premium sound system, 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 Coupe
and Z4 M Coupe.

THX Certification for the top sound 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 passengers 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 premium sound
system, developed specifically for the BMW Z4 M Roadster and BMW Z4
Roadster to become BMW’s first THX Certified Audio System. The premium
sound system will be tailored for the BMW Z4 Coupe.

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 premium sound system 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 liters 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 premium sound system 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 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 Science Officer 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 world’s
premium brands to deliver an exceptional car audio experience,” adds
Fincham.

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