Dirac Showcases Software-Defined Automotive Audio with Audio Foundry, and Separately with Pioneer, at CES 2026

Dirac is showcasing the future of software-defined automotive audio at CES 2026 through two distinct demonstrations with Audio Foundry and Pioneer. These showcases highlight how Dirac’s AudioIQ optimization suite and Dirac Dimensions spatial audio engine can transform vehicle cabins, regardless of speaker placement, into cohesive, high-performance sound environments that deliver immersive, studio-grade audio experiences.

At the Audio Foundry booth, Dirac is powering an experimental concept system inside a re-engineered Karma Revero, challenging traditional speaker layouts and proving how intelligent software can unify unconventional designs. Separately, at the Pioneer booth, Dirac’s full automotive audio suite is integrated into Pioneer’s next-generation Integrated Sound Platform, demonstrated in a Volvo XC90, showing how amplifier-level processing and software-defined hardware can deliver premium sound without bulky subwoofers.

Swedish digital audio innovator Dirac today announced it will showcase a new generation of in-vehicle sound at CES 2026, presenting multiple breakthrough automotive audio experiences with leading industry partners.

Demonstrations will take place in the Audio Foundry booth (#7330, West Hall, LVCC) and the Pioneer booth (#3527, West Hall, LVCC), where attendees will experience the latest advancements of Dirac’s AudioIQ optimization suite and Dirac Dimensions spatial audio engine.

Together, these technologies show how software-defined architectures can transform any cabin – even unconventional speaker layouts – into coherent, high-performance environments while enabling automakers to scale a consistent signature sound across entire lineups with minimal manual tuning.

“Automotive audio is moving beyond incremental hardware upgrades toward intelligent, fully integrated software frameworks,” said Hendrik Hermann, Vice President of Automotive at Dirac. “When hardware and software are engineered together, vehicles become acoustically adaptive platforms capable of delivering studio-level precision, immersive staging, and tonal consistency across every model – elevating how drivers work, relax, and connect inside the car.”

Reimagining Vehicle Acoustics with Audio Foundry

At the Audio Foundry booth, Dirac joins Tymphany and other collaborators to debut a concept system installed in a re-engineered Karma Revero. The system challenges long-held assumptions about in-cabin speaker placement, featuring headrest-mounted speakers for near-field clarity, a conceptual woofer system engineered for full-range authority, and additional experimental locations that defy traditional automotive layouts.

With AudioIQ’s intelligent impulse response correction and mixed-phase tuning, Dirac ensures all speakers – regardless of location – operate as a unified, reference-grade system. Dirac Dimensions Infinity then expands standard stereo content into enveloping, multidimensional soundscapes without altering the integrity of the original recording.

“Audio Foundry exists to push boundaries, and Dirac gives us a platform to do that at a fundamentally new level,” said Matthew Marchese, Automotive Business Unit Leader, Tymphany, a member of Audio Foundry. “Their processing stabilizes acoustics that would otherwise be impossible, letting us prototype architectures that point toward an entirely new design standard for future vehicles.”

Advancing Automotive Audio Through Turnkey Solutions with Pioneer

At the Pioneer booth, Dirac will preview its newest collaboration: the full suite of Dirac automotive solutions built directly into Pioneer’s Integrated Sound Platform (ISP), a next-generation amplifier and signal-processing architecture, showcased in a Volvo XC90.

This collaboration brings Dirac’s turnkey solutions into Pioneer’s next-generation amplifier architecture, enabling a more coherent, intelligently corrected soundstage throughout the cabin. With Dirac Infinity™, stereo content becomes a spacious, multidimensional listening experience that remains faithful to the original mix – illustrating how amplifier-level processing can anchor the software-defined audio systems automakers increasingly require.

The system also demonstrates Pioneer’s highly innovative subwooferless premium automotive audio architecture. By combining compact, lightweight Green Speakers with Klippel Controlled Sound technologies and Dirac’s advanced signal processing, the platform delivers full-range, high-impact sound without the need for a dedicated subwoofer. This approach reduces system size and weight while enabling precise control of speaker behavior through software – a clear example of software-defined hardware designed for next-generation vehicle platforms.

“Pioneer and Dirac share a belief that the next breakthroughs in automotive sound will come from intelligent collaboration between hardware and software,” said Werner Koestler, Executive Officer, Pioneer. “By embedding Dirac’s processing into Pioneer’s ISP, we’re demonstrating how amplifiers can become computational platforms that enable sound quality once limited to high-end listening rooms.”

Shaping the Future of In-Car Audio

Dirac’s automotive solutions currently appear in vehicles from Volvo, Polestar, Genesis, NIO, BYD, and other global brands. At CES 2026, the company reinforces its commitment to giving automakers scalable, software-driven tools that deliver consistent, immersive signature sound across every model and trim.

Better in-vehicle audio has become a priority for automakers as cabins evolve into personal spaces for productivity, entertainment, and relaxation. High-quality sound increasingly influences purchase decisions, strengthens brand identity, and enhances the in-car experience – from EVs that expose more acoustic flaws to premium models using audio as a key differentiator.