Apple Music’s Spatial Audio with support for Dolby Atmos is now available as a native experience in Mercedes‑Benz vehicles for the first time, providing occupants with a fully immersive listening experience of studio-quality sound said to be better than in any concert hall.

The limited edition Mercedes‑Maybach by Virgil Abloh was one of the first cars in the world — and the first model in the Mercedes‑Benz line-up — to offer this superior, multi-dimensional soundscape powered by the Burmester high-end 4D sound system. Apple Music with Spatial Audio will also be integrated through the MBUX infotainment system first in the Mercedes‑Maybach S‑Class and then the S-Class and other Mercedes-EQ models.

Immediately available to subscribers
Mercedes-Benz drivers who are already subscribed to Apple Music can gain immediate access to the constantly growing selection of music available in Spatial Audio. Apple Music also offers curated Spatial Audio playlists like Driving in Spatial Audio and Hip-Hop in Spatial Audio, additionally, subscribers can access Apple Music’s entire catalogue of 100 million songs, thousands of editorially curated playlists, and daily selections from the world’s best music experts.

“Sound quality is incredibly important to Apple Music which is why we are so excited to be working with Mercedes to make Spatial Audio on Apple Music available natively in the car for the first time,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s Vice-President of Apple Music and Beats. “Spatial Audio is revolutionizing the way artists create and fans listen to music and it’s an experience that is impossible to explain in words; you have to hear it for yourself to appreciate it. Together with Mercedes, we now have even more opportunities to bring wholly immersive music to our subscribers all over the world.”

‘Approved in a Mercedes‑Benz’
As part of the agreement, Mercedes‑Benz will provide Universal Music Group (UMG) with vehicles equipped with the Burmester sound system for creative and technical assurances, with the aim for UMG to ensure its music receives the highest quality seal ‘Approved in a Mercedes‑Benz’.

“This important step in the history of recorded music is the culmination of years of working together with our partners at Dolby to develop the Dolby Atmos Music format so we can provide our artists with an even wider palette for their creative expression. With Mercedes, a company that shares our passion for quality and innovation, fans can now enjoy our artists’ music in Mercedes cars in a way that virtually transports them to the recording studio or live stage,” said Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of UMG.

Music at its fullest creative potential
Dolby Atmos creates an immersive audio experience which adds more space, clarity and depth to music. It empowers creators to place discrete audio elements or objects in a 3-dimensional sound field, beyond the capabilities of standard stereo productions. The system adapts to any playback environment, meaning listeners hear music with unparalleled clarity that matches the artist’s original vision in the studio.

Integrated into the optional Burmester high-end 4D and 3D sound systems, the symphony of hardware and sound experience elevates Mercedes vehicles into state-of-the-art concert halls on wheels.

“In 2021, we launched partnerships with both Mercedes‑Benz and Apple Music to bring music in Dolby Atmos to more people around the world,” said Kevin Yeaman, President & CEO of Dolby Laboratories. “Today, backed by a robust and growing catalogue of music available in Dolby Atmos from our partners at Universal Music Group, these efforts come together to give Mercedes customers a one-of-a-kind immersive music experience in Dolby Atmos, setting a new bar for how music should be heard in the car.”

The music industry continues its transformation and music fans are becoming ever more sophisticated and demanding in how and where they enjoy music. The innovative approach Mercedes‑Benz and its partners are taking fulfils the promise of a holistic and more immersive sound experience people want and expect.

Partnerships between carmakers and music specialists have grown over the years, particularly with the premium brands. Mark Levinson has been associated with Lexus for many years while Bentley has collaborated with Naim to develop some of the world’s most advanced music systems for cars. Bose has also been developing premium sound systems for Mazda for over 30 years.