Dolby Atmos is, according to the product blurb, a fully immersive sound system that places you, the listener, in the centre of the sound, so that it appears to be coming from all around, even beneath you. You'd imagine that such a system would be difficult to integrate into a car, but Polestar has managed it…
Which Polestar is running Dolby Atmos?
The Polestar 3, the brand's current SUV flagship, is the first production car in the world to use Dolby's Atmos system, and the technology is integrated into the Polestar 3's Bowers + Wilkins stereo setup.
To show off this remarkable stereo system, Polestar has collaborated with both Bowers + Wilkins and Dolby to create a special version of the classic Christmas carol, Silent Night.
What makes this performance so special?
Well, according to the three audiophile companies involved, the Dolby Atmos system allows: "listeners to experience Silent Night's layered harmonies, choral textures and delicate instrumentation with a sense of space and realism not possible in traditional stereo.”
How does it all work?
According to Polestar, the Polestar 3's stereo system includes 25 strategically placed speakers, including the proprietary 'Continuum' cone technology and is complete with a 1,610-watt power output, 3D surround sound, the all-important Dolby Atmos capability, and active road noise cancellation.
That last point is a crucial one, because it's the Polestar 3's very quietness that makes it the ideal car for Dolby Atmos' on-road debut. Matt Galvin, from Polestar, said: "Sound is a core part of the Polestar experience, and our partnership with Dolby allows us to bring an entirely new level of immersion to in-car listening. Reimagining 'Silent Night' in Dolby Atmos celebrates the quiet, calm nature of electric driving while demonstrating the incredible level of detail that our Bowers & Wilkins system can deliver. We're proud to collaborate with Dolby on this next chapter of audio innovation.”
Jane Gillard, Head of Music from Dolby, said: "Dolby Atmos transforms the in-car listening experience by placing every instrument, vocal and harmony in precise three-dimensional space. Unlike traditional stereo, where sound is limited to left and right channels, Dolby Atmos allows audio to move around the cabin, above you, beside you and in front of you, creating a truly immersive soundscape. Christmas music is full of layered vocals, choirs and delicate instrumentation, and Dolby Atmos lets those elements shine. When combined with the near-silent cabin of an electric vehicle, it creates a peaceful, enveloping atmosphere that's perfect for long journeys home for the holidays.”
Tom Henderson, Director Partnerships Marketing, Bowers & Wilkins, commented: "Working with Polestar to deliver the first Bowers & Wilkins in-car system to support Dolby Atmos has been a milestone moment for us. The quiet interior of an electric vehicle provides the perfect environment for high-performance audio and our proprietary technologies featured in Polestar 3 enables Spatial Audio to shine with accuracy and realism.”