Audiovox Plans Bongiovi DPS For OEM Car Audio Systems

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 2/7/2012

Hauppauge, N.Y. - VOXX subsidiary Audiovox Electronics pledged to bring high-end sound quality to basic factory car audio systems by adding a 12-volt version of Digital Power Station (DPS) technology to the factory systems that it makes.

Audiovox also said it is considering a DPS introduction in the car audio aftermarket.

The company signed a letter of intent to become the exclusive U.S. distributor of DPS technology designed and patented by Tony Bongiovi, the sound engineer and record producer for Bongiovi Acoustics. Automotive DPS delivers high-end quality by "digitally remastering the audio signal in real time, effectively compensating for the acoustical deficiencies of the vehicle and optimizing the program material for playback in the vehicle," Audiovox said. DPS modules, designed and tuned for an individual vehicle, provide automakers "with the ability to take a basic factory sound system and dramatically improve the audio quality, ostensibly delivering sound normally found on much higher-end, step up systems, "Audiovox said.

On its web site, Bongiovi points out that "all vehicles have unique acoustic properties such as speaker placement and passenger compartment design. Bongiovi Acoustics engineers use these characteristics to provide the optimum listening experience." The site also describes the technology as extending the frequency response of the speakers, maximizing "the frequency-specific power distribution of your head-unit's amplifier, and compensating "for any inherent volume differences that may exist between audio sources or program material."

Bongiovi Acoustics, based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., licenses another form of its DPS active digital signal-processing technology for use in home audio products. iHome uses that technology in its tabletop audio products to improve the sound quality of compressed music formats. That technology is said by Bongiovi to compensate for the loss of material in compressed music by extending audio bandwidth and adding missing harmonics to "improve brightness, clarity and presence" and "deliver deeper, more resonant bass and crystal clear highs."

Audiovox licensed the automotive technology through Ontario-based AVG Group, which is Bongiovi's global DPS licensing and product development partner in the automotive business. AVG Group supplies style, safety, convenience, comfort, infotainment, wireless communication and audio products to the North American arms of Japanese and Korean automakers such as Toyota, Kia, Hyundai and Nissan. The accessories are installed at factory, port of importation, and at the distributor and dealer levels.