Skip to main content

A new Mercedes might be the best way to experience Apple Music’s spatial audio

Mercedes has announced that it’s the first car maker to give drivers a way to hear Apple Music’s spatial audio content as it was meant to be experienced. Starting with the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and the EQE, EQE SUV, EQS, and EQS SUV, spatial audio tracks in Dolby Atmos Music from Apple Music can be played without the use of an iPhone when buyers select the Burmester 4D or 3D sound system option for their vehicles.

Interior of a Mercedes-Benz with an Apple Music Spatial Audio sound system.
Mercedes-Benz

Dolby Atmos support in cars isn’t new. The Lucid Air became the first car to support the 3D audio format in 2021, and Mercedes itself added support for it on its Burmester systems that same year. But having a sound system that is Dolby Atmos capable, and being able to actually stream Dolby Atmos content to that system, are different things. Prior to Mercedes’ announcement, getting a true Dolby Atmos Music experience from Apple Music meant using an iPhone with headphones or earbuds, or using an Apple TV connected to a Dolby Atmos-capable TV, soundbar, or home theater system.

Recommended Videos

Universal Music Group (UMG) was also part of the Mercedes announcement. It said that it will be creating a new approval process for its Dolby Atmos Music releases based on how the songs sound when played in a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, under the label “approved in a Mercedes-Benz.” According to a press release from Mercedes, many musicians and recording artists already base their approval of a new mix of a track on how it sounds when played in a car. Going forward, Mercedes-Benz, Apple Music, and UMG hope to formalize that process by making the in-car audio experience the benchmark for music production and playback quality.

That sounds like a very heavy-handed marketing push, but the companies appear to be backing these statements up with real-world changes. Mercedes will provide UMG with vehicles equipped with Dolby Atmos-capable Burmester sound systems for “creative and technical assurances,” presumably to ensure that the UMG’s spatial audio tracks sound as good as the artist intended.

The three-way partnership is quite a coup for Mercedes, as it not only gives the company a first-of-its-kind Apple Music experience but also bragging rights. In theory, if UMG is recording and mixing its Dolby Atmos Music tracks with a Mercedes in-car sound system as its target experience, these vehicles become the de facto standard for the growing catalog of spatial audio tracks available via streaming services. UMG isn’t the only label producing tracks in Atmos Music, but it is the world’s largest music label.

Simon Cohen
Contributing Editor, A/V
Simon Cohen is a contributing editor to Digital Trends' Audio/Video section, where he obsesses over the latest wireless…
No more speaker cables? New tech uses your home’s power lines to transmit audio
A set of Fasetto Audio Cu devices.

Imagine being able to place your existing wired speakers anywhere you have a power outlet, instead of running speaker cable through walls, or under carpets. That's the promise of Audio Cu, a technology developed by Scottsdale, Arizona-based Fasetto.

Audio Cu uses your home's existing power lines to transmit up to 10 channels of lossless, hi-res audio at up to 24-bit/192 kHz from a single transmitter to multiple receivers. Fasetto recently received Dolby Atmos certification for Audio Cu from Dolby Labs and the company claims it is the first audio-over-power-line manufacturer to do so.

Read more
How much is Apple Music, and how can you get it for free?
Apple Music on iPhone.

Apple Music has established itself as a formidable player in music streaming, trailing only behind the giant Spotify. Offering a treasure trove of over 100 million songs, handpicked playlists, and exclusive artist content, it’s a paradise for music enthusiasts.

Since its inception in 2015, Apple Music has expanded its vast library and continually enhanced its features, perfectly weaving itself into the rich fabric of the Apple ecosystem to provide an unparalleled listening experience. It’s no wonder it has become a beloved choice for auditory adventurers, standing tall as a fierce competitor among the myriad streaming services available today.

Read more
What is Apple Music? Music, pricing, and features explained
Person touching phone with Apple Music app opened.

In an era where music streaming services reign supreme, Apple Music stands out as a premier platform for music lovers seeking a rich, immersive listening experience. Though it stands behind Spotify in total users, Apple Music has become a powerful player in the digital music landscape, offering access to over 100 million songs, curated playlists, and exclusive content. Whether you're a die-hard music enthusiast or enjoy tunes on the go, Apple Music  offers an all-encompassing solution that promises to cater to your every auditory whim.

In this post, we'll explore what makes Apple Music a unique service, outlining its features and benefits and how it compares to other streaming giants in the industry.
The basics
Like Spotify, Apple Music offers millions of streaming songs on demand. It also blends your personal music catalog with on-demand streaming and live radio, all in one place. At the moment, Apple offers a one-month free trial (or more if you buy eligible audio devices). After the trial period, the service will cost you $11 per month for the Individual plan or $17 per month for a Family plan that accommodates up to six members. Students will pay just $6 per month.

Read more