Pioneer Sphera Revolutionizes Car Audio with Dolby Atmos
Imagine cruising down the highway, surrounded by an immersive soundscape that transports you to a world of pure sonic bliss. This isn't just a pipe dream - Pioneer has just made it possible for car enthusiasts to experience the magic of Dolby Atmos in their vehicle.
Meet the Sphera, an aftermarket in-dash receiver that brings the renowned audio technology to those who can't afford luxury vehicles or don't want to compromise on features. With its 10.1-inch capacitive screen and virtualization capabilities, Pioneer has managed to deliver a convincing Dolby Atmos experience without needing multiple speakers.
The Sphera's setup is surprisingly straightforward. After placing an included mic at the driver's headrest and letting the system calibrate itself, users can select their preferred listening environment - from just the driver or passenger seats to the entire cabin. Pioneer has also made sure that even with just four speakers installed in your car, the Atmos experience remains rich and immersive.
The results are nothing short of impressive. During a demo in a 2017 Toyota Highlander equipped with Pioneer's own A-Series speakers, I was blown away by how effectively the Sphera recreated Pink Floyd's "Money" and Elton John's "Rocket Man". The sonic envelopment was convincing, even if some listeners might still crave more specificity.
The Pioneer Sphera will hit stores in spring for a whopping $1,300 - not an insignificant amount, but one that offers a fraction of the cost of luxury vehicles with built-in Atmos. So if you're itching to experience the full sonic range of Dolby Atmos in your car without breaking the bank, the Pioneer Sphera is definitely worth looking into.
Imagine cruising down the highway, surrounded by an immersive soundscape that transports you to a world of pure sonic bliss. This isn't just a pipe dream - Pioneer has just made it possible for car enthusiasts to experience the magic of Dolby Atmos in their vehicle.
Meet the Sphera, an aftermarket in-dash receiver that brings the renowned audio technology to those who can't afford luxury vehicles or don't want to compromise on features. With its 10.1-inch capacitive screen and virtualization capabilities, Pioneer has managed to deliver a convincing Dolby Atmos experience without needing multiple speakers.
The Sphera's setup is surprisingly straightforward. After placing an included mic at the driver's headrest and letting the system calibrate itself, users can select their preferred listening environment - from just the driver or passenger seats to the entire cabin. Pioneer has also made sure that even with just four speakers installed in your car, the Atmos experience remains rich and immersive.
The results are nothing short of impressive. During a demo in a 2017 Toyota Highlander equipped with Pioneer's own A-Series speakers, I was blown away by how effectively the Sphera recreated Pink Floyd's "Money" and Elton John's "Rocket Man". The sonic envelopment was convincing, even if some listeners might still crave more specificity.
The Pioneer Sphera will hit stores in spring for a whopping $1,300 - not an insignificant amount, but one that offers a fraction of the cost of luxury vehicles with built-in Atmos. So if you're itching to experience the full sonic range of Dolby Atmos in your car without breaking the bank, the Pioneer Sphera is definitely worth looking into.