Apple and Mercedes-Benz announce the introduction of Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos in their top-of-the-line of cars.

Those with an Apple Music subscription and a spare $100k will soon have access to an immersive, multidimensional listening experience right in their car.

The launch of Spatial Audio to Mercedes-Benz drivers is the first time the technology on Apple Music will be available natively in a car, as well as the first time we’ve seen Apple Music extend Dolby Atmos outside of its own hardware. Spatial Audio from Apple Music was previously only available on AirPods, Beats, HomePods and the built-in speakers on various Apple devices.

Spatial Audio through Apple Music will be fully integrated through the MBUX infotainment system on Mercedes-Maybach models, the EQS and EQS SUV, as well as the EQE and the S-Class. These cars don’t come cheap, starting at $100,000, but this is a good first step into wider availability through other car models and makes.

The limited edition Mercedes-Maybach by Virgil Ablog, released last month, was the first model in the Mercedes-Benz line up to offer Spatial Audio and one of the first cars in the world. This is powered by the Burmester high-end 4D sound system, with 31 speakers throughout the car. That includes six 3D speakers from above, four near-ear speakers in the front seats, an 18.5-liter subwoofer, eight sound transducers (two per seat) and two amplifiers for 1,750 watts of power. This sound system should be able to provide a more “immersive, multidimensional experience”, compared to the virtual soundscape offered by Apple devices. Spatial Audio will roll out to the rest of Mercede-Benz top-end cars soon.

Sound quality is incredibly important to Apple Music, which is why we are so excited to be working with Mercedes-Benz to make Spatial Audio on Apple Music available natively in the car for the first time. 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-Benz, we now have even more opportunities to bring wholly immersive music to our subscribers all over the world.

Oliver Schusser, Vice President of Apple Music and Beats, Apple

We’re joining forces to offer our customers a benchmark music experience unparalleled in the industry. We are proud that our vehicles will be the first-ever non-Apple devices to feature immersive Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos. This seamless experience shows how in-car entertainment can reach exciting new levels by perfectly integrating hardware and software.

Markus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer and a Member of the Board of Management, Mercedes-Benz Group AG

Apple Music subscribers will find editorially curated playlists like Driving in Spatial Audio and Hip-Hop in Spatial Audio, along with the rest of their 100 million song-strong catalogue, live-stream radio stations and much more from the music streaming service.

Get your own music on Apple Music for free, with distribution from RouteNote!