Harman and JBL transform smart showcars into ‘boom box’

Harman International Industries, the leading audio, infotainment and software services company, and JBL have created the JBL audio systems for the current smart fortwo and forfour. While the system in the fortwo features eight speakers with 240 W, the system in the forfour features 12 speakers with 320 W. Both systems set new standards for compact-car audio and are tailor-made for the narrow dimensions of the smart models.

Due to refined sound processing and elaborate audio architecture, the passengers feel like sitting in a much bigger car, as the sound is able to spread through the interior homogeneously and harmoniously. Also, as space is at a premium in the smart, JBL and smart made the subwoofer removable to extend the trunk volume when drivers need to load extra baggage: a clever solution that is a perfect fit with the smart driving experience.

“This project gives us the possibility to have fun with our regular aftermarket solutions. To speak frankly, it is actually quite ridiculous how much audio technology we have been able to fit into these small cars,” says Michael Mauser, president, Lifestyle Division, Harman. “The results are two absolutely fantastic and breathtaking audio monsters on wheels.”

In cooperation with German tuning company X-Dream Car Audio, two smart fortwo cars’ interiors were completely stripped to create the ultimate fun sound experience in a small car. The whole interior was rebuilt from scratch, with a completely isolated cabin, 100m cables, a customisable RGB ambient lighting for the interior as well as the underbody, and controls for lighting and audio processing. But the heart of the two smart cars is definitely the audio system: fitted into custom-made plates, a top-of-the-line JBL sound system was integrated. Eight JBL GTO 609C loudspeakers, 2,460 W output, 5,720 W peak, four 12-inch subwoofers, and five JBL amplifiers for maximum power output – creating a maximum sound pressure level of 150 dB.

Each modification took 650 hours to complete and building on the standard form factor, the showcars were transformed into handcrafted high-end sound monsters. Both cars are currently showcased at the X-Dream Car Audio facility in Markgröningen, near Stuttgart, Germany, but they will be presented at several other events all over Europe.