MotorTorque Tumbles
Headlines I didn’t expect to read today: BLACK EYED PEAS AND RADIOHEAD TRACKS PROVEN THE BEST TEST OF IN-CAR ACOUSTICS
Chevy has a list of some of the best songs to hear in terms of evaluating in-car acoustics.
Some fairly eclectic choices here - and it’s interesting to hear the opinions of someone who knows their in-car acoustics, even if half of the tracks are truly diabolical.
When you see someone singing along to their car stereo at the top of their voices it may look funny, but you know they’re enjoying their journey. So to get the most out of your drive, how do you make sure your car is more Albert Hall than tin-can? From the Black Eyed Peas to Johnny Cash, iconic car maker Chevrolet (itself immortalised in over 600 songs) has put together a playlist of the best 10 tracks for evaluating in-car acoustics.
Given the eternally powerful combination of an empty open road and an all-time favourite song, it should come as no surprise that car manufacturers take the subject of vehicle acoustics very seriously indeed. Matt Kirsch, lead audio engineer at Chevrolet, is responsible in principle for fitting a dynamic soundstage that works for every kind of music genre into a space not much bigger than the average recording booth. He and his team have conducted extensive research to find a selection of tracks that ensure the most rigorous test of a new sound system.
To set up your own personal audio test drive, Matt’s Top 10 can be downloaded from iTunes (http://c.itunes.apple.com/gb/imix/matt-kirschs-chevrolet-audio/id429870087):
“Packt Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box” by Radiohead: listen for the punch from the percussive bass, and the ring of the steel drums
“Bird on a Wire” by Johnny Cash: listen for the clarity in Johnny’s distinctive voice, and his guitar to sound natural and free of any colouration
“Don’t Know Why” by Norah Jones: listen for Norah’s voice to sound natural, and centred in front of you
“Diamonds and Rust” by Joan Baez: listen for strong vocals, and for the instruments to be set across a wide sound stage
“No One” by Alicia Keys: listen for clarity in Alicia’s vocals and spacious background sound
“Hotel California” by the Eagles: listen for the clarity and dynamic range during the opening guitar solo, and of course the powerful drum beat
“Boom Boom Pow” by the Black Eyed Peas: listen for powerful, accurate bass beats, even at full volume
“Rock that Body” by the Black Eyed Peas: listen to clear, intelligible lyrics over the powerful, persistent bass beat
“Hide and Seek” by Imogen Heap: listen for the enveloping ambiance of the song, building on the openness and dynamic vocals
“He Mele No Lilo” by Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu from “Lilo and Stitch”: listen for the ambience and staging as the children’s chorus is offset by powerful bass
