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On this episode of The InEVitable, we’re talking sound quality inside of the car, with Rishi Daftuar, the chief engineer of JBL Automotive. We were introduced to Daftuar
thanks to our man, Zach Gale, who covered Toyota and JBL’s 30-year partnership in
car audio.
Daftuar is an audio engineer with a deep and abiding interest in how to optimize the quality of sound waves that reach your head via your ears. We discuss how this interest developed and led to the engineering school at University of Michigan, where Daftuar studied electrical and sound engineering. We also chat about his post-college career path, before joining JBL, which included a stint as a sound engineer for the rock band IAMDYNAMITE.
Optimizing for Sound Free EVs
Would you like subwoofer in your subwoofer?
The bulk of our conversation is of course about car audio, as we go deep into how JBL works with its current OEM partners, particularly Toyota, and the roles Daftuar and JBL play in the overall in-car experience. One key point of discussion: how car audio has changed over the years, especially with the rise of electric vehicles and their quieter cabins.
Audio Quality Control
We also touch on the broader changes in the automotive industry, with the arrival of
software-defined vehicles (SDVs), and the implementation of centralized computing systems, zonal architecture, and new standards like 48-volt electrical systems.
The key to good quality car audio is not just All About That Bass…
Ever wonder how car manufacturers ensure that audio quality doesn’t vary from vehicle to vehicle? I never did, until we discussed how Daftuar and his team ensure consistency across hundreds of thousands of vehicles that roll off the production lines of manufacturers like Toyota. We go deep, and get Daftuar to tell us what pop songs he uses for testing out systems. I’ll give you a few hints: Meghan Trainor, John Legend, Steely Dan, Queens of the Stone Age, and My Bloody Valentine are all on his list of favored musicians for audio testing, but Daftuar’s number one favorite song for the job is _____________ by ______________.
We end the ’pod with some practical tips for car owners and audiophiles; what you can do to make sure you’re hearing the best sounds in your ride, no matter if you have a stock audio system or something high end and fancy.
Watch us chop it up right here or on our YouTube channel. If audio is your thing, download the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Like us? Then blast us on volume 11 on your JBLs. Then tell your friends, share us on social media, like the video, and don’t forget to give us a five-star review.
