Picture yourself navigating the roads with your loved ones, the car filled with the melody of your chosen soundtrack. Suddenly, a phone call demands your attention. With the unveiling of Infiniti's latest SUV, this scenario no longer requires the music to cease or your passengers to be privy to your conversation. The vehicle's innovative design ensures that only the driver is engaged in the call, while the rest of the cabin remains undisturbed, immersed in their auditory activities.
This advancement is not just about uninterrupted music; it's a nod to the privacy and individual experience of each occupant. The driver can handle calls with ease, confident that the content of the conversation remains confidential, and the passengers can continue to enjoy their entertainment without disruption.
The realm of luxury automobiles is witnessing an arms race in terms of audio excellence. Prestigious brands are vying for the spotlight, boasting sound systems that promise an auditory experience akin to a private concert hall. Infiniti's latest offering is a testament to this trend, showcasing a feature that sets it apart from the high-end audio systems found in its rivals' cabins.
From the hand-crafted speakers of Klipsch to the acoustic prowess of Burmeister and Bang & Olufson, the competition is fierce. Yet, Infiniti's unique sound isolation system propels it to the forefront, offering a feature that even the most opulent of vehicles, like the Ram Tungsten with its standard Klipsch stereo, have yet to match.
Infiniti's approach to sound isolation is a symphony of strategic speaker placement and cutting-edge sound-canceling technology. The QX80, developed in collaboration with Panasonic Automotive and Klipsch, integrates speakers within the headrests of the driver and front passenger seats. While this concept is not entirely new, its application in a vehicle as serene and spacious as the QX80 is a novel twist.
The ingenuity of this system lies in its ability to create a serene auditory space for the driver, allowing for clear communication without external interference. This is achieved through a delicate balance of sound waves, meticulously engineered to ensure that only the driver is privy to the phone call.
Sound-canceling technology is by no means a newcomer to the automotive scene, but its implementation in the QX80 is a sophisticated evolution. Traditional methods involve the generation of opposing sound waves to neutralize unwanted noise. Infiniti's system takes this a step further by analyzing the digital music track being played and using this data to create a 'quiet bubble' around the driver.
This technological marvel allows for the driver to receive navigation prompts or take phone calls without the person on the other end being any wiser to the musical backdrop. The result is a dual-zone audio environment where the driver can engage in calls as if in a secluded space, while passengers are enveloped in their chosen soundscape.
The bustling streets of Manhattan provided the backdrop for a real-world demonstration of this sound isolation system. Inside a stationary QX80, amidst the cacophony of a nearby party, the system's efficacy was put to the test. The experience was surreal; as a passenger, I could hear the driver's side of the conversation, but the caller's voice was reduced to a mere whisper, eventually disappearing into the melody of the music.
Stepping outside the vehicle and engaging in a phone call with the driver further solidified the system's capabilities. Despite the lively tunes continuing within the SUV, they were imperceptible from my end of the call, creating an impressively isolated audio experience.
While Infiniti's sound isolation system is a significant leap forward, it does come with its nuances. The call-masking feature is contingent on music being played; in its absence, the privacy bubble dissipates, and conversations become audible to all occupants, albeit at a reduced volume.
Furthermore, while the system conceals the caller's voice from passengers, it cannot mask the driver's responses. For those moments that call for discretion, a series of 'yes' and 'no' answers might be the driver's best bet in preserving the secrecy of the conversation.