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Dolby, surround sound and dsp
Dolby Pro-Logic comes out of the home entertainment world, where it is used to manipulate the audio signal for maximum effect. So far, we have only seen this technology in Volvo vehicles, but the results are so impressive that it bears mentioning. The Volvo Dolby Pro-Logic factory sound system is among the handful of systems that we've rated a 9 out of 10. It truly must be heard to be believed. Whether other automakers will follow suit remains to be seen, but Volvo deserves recognition.
Surround sound is another technology coming from the home audio/video arena. The idea here is to wrap the listener in an envelope of sound. In other words, we've moved way beyond right and left speakers and plain old stereo. Now the sound comes at you from right, left, center and behind. A system that does this most impressively is the Mark Levinson system found in the 2003 Lexus LS 430. The listener literally feels like a part of the music, no matter where he or she sits. Gone is the boxy sound of right and left stereo speakers; instead, the listener is transported to a higher plane of listening, where every sound is detailed and lush. It's truly a memorable event, and this system has become the benchmark against which we measure all other systems. If you read on to our "Beyond CDs" section, you'll see that systems like the Mark Levinson aren't considered "surround sound" under the strictest definition of the term. We say this not as a criticism of the Mark Levinson but instead as a reminder that even greater sophistication is on the way.
DSP (Digital Signal Processing) is one more bit of technology making itself heard in current models. Appearing first in car audio about 10 years ago, DSP has gone through some changes and now finds itself in factory sound systems. For a listen, get hold of a 2003 Ford Explorer or Expedition equipped with the premium sound system. DSP works by manipulating and delaying the audio signal to create a psycho-acoustic effect (yes, that's a real word) and "fool" the listener into hearing something that isn't there. In layman's terms, the delay creates a series of echoes that have been preprogrammed to give a certain effect. In most systems, there are several settings, such as "Concert Hall," "Jazz Club" or "Stadium."
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