Until 7th April 2009, Renault is inviting the public to visit its “Welcome aboard – On-board innovation and enjoyment” exhibition. The special event is being held at the Atelier Renault, on the Champs-Elysées in Paris. Renault exhibits its latest models at the venue with a sneak preview of all the different technological innovations they offer.

3DSoundbyArkamys naturally occupies pride of place within the exhibition. A bell-based demonstration allows visitors to discover Arkamys sound as it can be heard in specially equipped vehicles.
The Renault Scenic, the latest model in the range to be fitted with 3DSoundbyArkamys, now also allows the listener the benefit of three-dimensional sound. As with the Megane and the Laguna, the digital sound processing is adapted specifically to the in-car configuration.

Eric Cantona, the famous actor and football player, acts in the last Renault advertising about the Laguna.  With his usual sens of humour, Cantona talks about his favorite new features in the Laguna and specially the 3D sound by Arkamys.

With its financially affordable state-of-the-art technology, a technology that will be found in several million Renault vehicles over the next 5 years, Arkamys captured the attention of the IE Club. This association was created with the aim of promoting collaborations between large companies and start-ups and, every year, acknowledges the most outstanding partnerships.

This year, the IE Club delivers the award to the dynamic Arkamys Renault duo by naming them winners of the Marketing category.
A promising start for a collaboration that began with equipping the Mégane and the Laguna coupé with 3D Sound by Arkamys.

In response to customer demand, Renault identified two priorities for its new range of audio systems: high sound quality and connectivity. New Mégane Hatch and New Mégane Coupé are both available with the ‘Classic’ 60W radio with single CD player, mp3 playback and RCA socket.
For customers looking for a higher quality listening experience, Renault has joined forces with the digital sound processing specialist Arkamys. This partnership has led to the development of the 3D Sound by Arkamys system which is unique on the automotive market and poised to become the Renault core range’s new audio benchmark.

Arkamys’ tailor-developed digital sound processing software incorporated in the radio enables optimized quality sound.

The 3D Sound by Arkamys system features:

• A radio and eight loudspeakers, characteristics.

• Arkamys digital sound processing which delivers three-dimensional sound (spatialization) and superior reproduction tailored to match the specific properties and materials of the cabin

• A total power output of 140W with reduced risk of the sort of saturation and distortion generally associated with listening at high volumes,

• Optimized radio reception thanks to a dual aerial set-up.

Connectivity also takes pride of place on New Renault Mégane thanks to the standard RCA/auxiliary socket located on the centre console which enables occupants to enjoy personal music collections stored on portable players. The Plug & Music option enables the driver to scroll through the functions of portable players (USB key, iPod®, etc.) using the car’s own steering wheel-mounted finger-tip remote controls, with menus and play lists shown remotely on the dashboard display.

On the occasion of 2008 Paris motor show, Arkamys has presented the 3D Sound by Arkamys, the 3d audio system on the new Renault Megane.

Four-wheel drive, two high-end navigation systems… but these are just two of the high-tech innovative touches to be found in the Laguna coupé. The new Renault coupé is also offering the series-built 3D Sound by Arkamys system across all finishes. Eight speakers with a total output of 140W give driver and passengers alike the benefit of an audio processing system housed directly within the car radio. Next to the Renault Mégane, it’s the second Renault model to be kitted out in such a way.

Lors d’un reportage vidéo sur les nouveautés du Mondial de l’automobile, Sébastien Erphelin, chef de Produit Mégane chez Renault, nous présente le 3D Sound by Arkamys.

It is hard to describe sound sensations, especially when it comes to 3D sound. But it is possible to identify three major impressions after a listening session in a Renault Mégane kitted out with 3D Sound by Arkamys
- Raising the ’sweet spot’
Since a car’s main speakers are placed inside the doors, the optimum listening area is situated at seat height. 3D Sound by Arkamys raises this ’sweet spot’ to the ear level of the car’s occupants and gives them the impression that the sound is coming from the windows, or indeed the ceiling.
- Wrap-around sound
Raising the listening location means the listener not only has the impression that the sound is emanating at his level, but that it is also originating from several sources. The sound is no longer only audible on one level, but envelops the car’s occupants. The listener is immersed in the sound.
- Distinguishing between instruments
In addition to this immersion, audio processing helps to differentiate more clearly between the different musical instruments playing in a piece. The result is fairly impressive with such types of music as classical, jazz or pop.

In order to ensure the best performance, 3D Sound by Arkamys requires a large number of manual adjustments, this is the job of the acoustician, or ‘Golden Ear’ as he is known. These are not the minor adjustments needed to fine-tune the digital processing performed on a car radio, but a form of customisation that is vital for achieving such a result.
The adjustments may be broken down into three stages:

- In-car Listening and Measurement
Acousticians perform an analytical sound study in the vehicle, which involves assessing the amount of bass and treble, etc…. They then assess the factors distorting the sound (speaker location, shape of dashboard). These observations are subsequently expressed in the form of an acoustic data sheet for the vehicle.

- Sound correction
The data gathered by the acoustician is then processed during real-time sound adjustment in a computerised unit known as a professional equaliser. Fifty different types of acoustic corrections can therefore be made and together they constitute the correction map.
- In-car implementation
The digital correction map is entered into the radio’s audio processor and is subsequently integrated into every model in the range.
This sound processing will function continuously as long as the car radio is switched on, without requiring any prior adjustments by the user.