Automotive Infotainment & Audio Testing

The customer’s expectations when it comes to automotive multimedia systems, multimedia and communication systems in a modern vehicle are very high. The sound quality must be good and any features like voice control or hands-free must work perfectly. Most development is done at the supplier’s side and fine-tuning is done in the vehicle. The entertainment system can also have a secondary task, i.e. active noise control (ANC) to reduce powertrains or road noise by creating an antiphase sound. This obviously needs careful tuning. The same active system can also add desirable sounds to improve engine sound quality at certain driving conditions.

Learn more about the challenges and how to select the right microphone for automotive infotainment testing and NVH validation

Key Acoustic Test Types in Automotive Infotainment Testing

System testing is done in a quiet environment, preferably a hemi-anechoic chamber. Microphone arrays or artificial heads are used for measurements of the frequency response from the entertainment system. Artificial heads can also be used for recordings to be used for subjective comparisons. Speed-dependent volume and equalization tuning needs to be measured and verified in combination with road noise measurement data. Testing includes verification of frequency response, sound field and sound quality, and is done both with measurements and with subjective evaluation.

Challenges common to multimedia testing

The entertainment system performance is typically something everybody has an opinion about. This means that the correlation between the subjective experience and the objective measurements is important. Comparisons between subjective evaluation protocols and measurements for different settings are of course a useful method for the development team to capture the progress. Binaural recordings can also be used for blind tests.

The expected future with autonomous vehicles means that multimedia systems will be given even more significance to enhance the travel experience.

Testing time should be short since the access to prototypes is limited.
Microphone positioning should be done fast and easy, and in a way to record repeatable results.
The microphones should be placed so that they minimize structure-borne sound.
Microphone holders and cables should not introduce any rattling noise.
The installation should be safe for the test engineer to perform during vehicle testing.
Calibration verification should be easy to perform.

The transducers have been designed to withstand exposure to harsh environmental conditions such as strong vibrations, shock, drop, extreme temperatures and wet or dusty conditions without sacrificing performance or lifetime.

Selecting the Right Microphone for Automotive Infotainment Testing

Evaluation at test driving will be the final verification. Microphones used to measure frequency response must be robust. Random-incidence microphones with a frequency response of at least 20 Hz – 20 kHz are most often used.

FAQ for Automotive Infotainment Testing

What is automotive infotainment testing?
Automotive infotainment testing evaluates the performance and sound quality of in-vehicle audio, communication, and multimedia systems. It ensures that speakers, microphones, and software deliver clear audio, reliable voice interaction, and an optimal listening experience.

What microphones are used for automotive infotainment testing?
Measurement microphones and head and torso simulators (HATS) are commonly used for automotive infotainment testing. These tools help engineers capture accurate sound pressure levels and evaluate how audio is perceived by occupants inside the vehicle cabin.

Why is sound quality validation important in infotainment systems?
Sound quality validation ensures that music, navigation prompts, phone calls, and voice assistants are reproduced clearly and consistently. It helps manufacturers optimize the listening experience and meet customer expectations for premium in-vehicle audio.

How is infotainment testing different from general vehicle acoustic testing?
Infotainment testing focuses on evaluating audio system performance and user interaction with multimedia and communication features. In contrast, general vehicle acoustic testing analyzes broader noise sources such as powertrain, road, and wind noise.

How does active noise control relate to infotainment testing?
Active noise control reduces unwanted cabin noise by generating sound waves that cancel noise from sources like the road or engine. This technology works alongside infotainment systems to improve overall sound quality and listening comfort inside the vehicle.

Related Acoustic Testing Applications

Acoustic measurement expertise developed for automotive infotainment testing is also applied across advanced aerospace acoustic environments where precision sound analysis is critical.

In-vehicle Acoustic & NVH Testing