Enjoy the moving experience with BOSE "Premium Sound" ... Honda Civic New

In September 2021, the 11th generation Honda "Civic" with the grand concept of "exhilarating Civic" was launched in the Japanese market. The "BOSE Premium Sound System" was the first Civic audio to be adopted in the EX grade. Here, we will deliver the audition report.

◆ 12 precisely designed speakers.Metal grill for discerning tweeters

The connection between BOSE and car audio started when it was installed in the Cadillac "Seville" in 1983. At this time, it was born as the world's first customized audio for car models, and this triggered the adoption of BOSE's audio system in famous cars around the world. It has a deep connection with Honda, and has been well received by being installed in the first "NSX" and "Legend" that appeared in 2004.

However, since the predecessor Legend, Honda has temporarily stopped installing brand audio. Under such circumstances, Honda decided to introduce the vehicle development of the collective planning when introducing the 11th generation Civic, and to adopt the premier brand as part of it. This time, as Honda and BOSE agreed on the direction of sound making, BOSE was selected as its joint development partner.

The new Civic is equipped with a 12-speaker BOSE premium sound system that has been precisely designed for the redesigned interior.

The breakdown is to install 17cm wide range speakers on the left and right front doors for the front seats, install tweeters on the left and right A pillar sides, and install 8cm midrange speakers in the center of the dashboard. The rear has a 13cm wide range speaker on the left and right doors and a tweeter on it. In addition, 8cm midrange surround speakers were set up in the left and right rear quarters.

I was particularly particular about the structure of the tweeter housed in the A pillar. An ultra-thin metal grill is used on the surface, and the area around which the tweeter is attached is also scooped out like a horn. By doing this, we have devised a way to radiate a high range with strong directivity over a wide range so that it reaches every corner of the car.

In addition to this, a subwoofer with the largest enclosure in its class with a volume of 10L is installed on the right side of the cargo room, and a 20cm caliber neodymium driver unit is installed here. This enables powerful bass reproduction. And it is a 12ch digital amplifier that drives these, and it is customized and optimized for the new Civic by the equalizer built in here.

◆ "Center point" that you can enjoy in the best sound field no matter which seat you listen to just by turning it on.

The audition was first performed in the driver's seat and the left side of the rear seat while the vehicle was stopped, and then in the driver's seat while driving. There were a wide variety of audition sources prepared, including classical, jazz, and pop, but by chance, Diana Krall's temptation, which I used as the audition source, was recorded, and I decided to listen mainly to this.

What impressed me when I played it was that her husky and silky singing voice was delicately and faithfully reproduced. The bass playing that continues from the start of the performance is also rhythmically and carefully reproduced, and the excitement until you hear her singing voice is irresistible and comfortable. In particular, the drumstick that hits "Kan!" At the start of the performance is a real thing that conveys the lingering sound. It is presumed that the processing applied to the tweeter part was successful. The stage feeling was also beautifully reproduced on the dashboard, and it seemed that the realism of playing was firmly conveyed.

Here, I tried the "Centerpoint" that this system has. This means that you can enjoy a spacious sound field as if you were sitting in the "center of music" no matter where you sit in the car. Digital technology is used for signal processing, which enables the left and right 2ch sources to have a surround effect without deterioration.

When this mode is turned on, the whole thing floats up and the atmosphere is like being surrounded by the performers. Still, Diana Krall's vocals are properly localized in the center. I could hardly feel the ambiguity of the low range, and could hear the solid low range with a core. Generally speaking, when it comes to surround mode, the localization is somewhat vague and uncomfortable, but it can be said that the concept of surround has changed significantly since I started listening to this Centerpoint.

Next, I moved to the left rear seat with the intention of being a passenger. Here, I got the impression that the center point further enhances the sense of presence and further enhances the wrapping condition. The reason why the low range feels stronger than the front seats is probably because the subwoofer is close. However, it made me feel like I was able to catch the low frequencies with my body, and I was able to listen to music with a more realistic feeling.

However, I was a little worried that the presence of rear quarter speakers tended to be stronger. I think it was originally equipped for the purpose of enhancing the surround effect, but the vocals were pulled back a little and it seemed to be. However, with a source without vocals, that kind of discomfort has almost disappeared. Rather, the feeling of being wrapped up became stronger and the comfort was clearly increased.

◆ Sound that does not make you feel dissatisfied even if you raise the volume to a comfortable level

And finally, it's time to start running and listen. The selected route entered the Gulf Line from the Metropolitan Expressway Iikura Ramp via the Metropolitan Expressway Inner Circular Route, and switched various system settings at Tatsumi Daiichi PA. Furthermore, we decided to repeat the route from Kasumigaseki ramp to Kasumigaseki via Hakozaki JCT from Metropolitan Expressway Route 9.

The sound was extremely comfortable. Here, listen to other pop and classical sources as well. The pop music system closely follows the crisp performance, giving the impression that it will be fun to listen to for a long time. The classical music is a full orchestra that expresses the dynamics that make you feel the wide range, and reproduces the faint sound of the violin in high definition. I don't feel any dissatisfaction even if I raise the volume to a level that I think is safe and comfortable while driving. Obviously, it can be said that it is a spec that makes you feel a difference in dimension from the genuine audio that you usually listen to.

I experienced the effect here with a mechanism called "Dynamic Speed ​​Compensation (DSC)".

This is a technology that automatically adjusts the volume and sound quality according to the vehicle speed, and even if the driving speed increases, the driver can enjoy music comfortably without having to mess with the volume. In fact, this feature itself is not uncommon. Many have the ability to make step-by-step adjustments. In addition to operating it continuously, BOSE automatically adjusts the volume of the music you are listening to for each frequency band based on the noise level estimated from the vehicle speed. In other words, the target of correction is not just the step-up / down of the volume.

I ran on the Metropolitan Expressway and general roads in this state, but in fact I never adjusted the volume while driving. It is natural that the noise level increases as the speed increases, and in some cases it becomes noisy on a slightly rough road surface. Nevertheless, he continued to listen to music at a much more comfortable level, unaware that the corrections had been made. In other words, this means that the control of the DSC was so skillful that the occupants would not notice it.

Nowadays, more and more people are enjoying music with earphones. However, it is certain that the music you listen to with your ears open will make you feel relieved. What's more, "BOSE Premium Sound" has the wonderfulness that the richness of the bass does not change even if the volume is turned down. Even if you have a passenger and the volume is modest, you can still enjoy the comfortable sound. It can be said that the appeal of this system is that you can enjoy music in the best condition regardless of the volume.