Bose introduced the first premium in-car stereo system in 1982, and in doing so, helped launch an entirely new industry. Since then, big names in audio like Infinity, Bowers & Wilkins and Harman Kardon have joined in, as have ultra high-end brands such as Mark Levinson and Bang & Olufsen.
What started out as a relatively modest 4-speaker system in a 1983 Cadillac Seville has grown into a monstrous industry filled with component speaker systems, subwoofers, multi-channel amplifiers, custom equalization, DVD playback, built-in navigation, and more. And what started out as a GM exclusive in the early 1980s has developed into a partnership with over 15 auto manufacturers.
You might be surprised to learn that Bose has also explored other avenues of automobile technology outside of audio. Though none of its inventions have really taken off commercially, it is hard to deny the engineering behind some of these inventions is impressive.
Check out our video for a retrospective on Bose’s love affair with the car, from past to present, culminating with an ear-bending 11-speaker system featured in the new 2015 Cadillac Escalade.
