The CES 2026 demonstrations showcase how Dirac’s software-defined audio solutions unlock scalable, immersive sound across entire vehicle lineups.
LAS VEGAS, January 6, 2026
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.
About Dirac:
Dirac develops digital software solutions that create significantly improved sound experiences for all types of sound systems. Our customers include enterprises, such as sound system manufacturers and streaming services, as well as consumers. Dirac is a global company with headquarters in Uppsala, Sweden, and R&D facilities in Copenhagen, Denmark and Bangalore, India, with representation in Greater China, Germany, Japan, Korea, and the USA.
About the Audio Foundry:
The Audio Foundry is a technology collaborative, empowering members to bring disruptive ideas to life in automotive audio and acoustics. Headquartered in Wales, United Kingdom, the Audio Foundry hosts a member alliance and fully equipped makerspaces staffed by experienced engineers and support team members. Founded in 2023, the Audio Foundry serves as an experimental retreat for OEMs, component manufacturers, and technology providers across the value chain including Analog Devices, Dirac, DSP Concepts, Masimo, MediaTek, Primax, Polestar, The CARLAB, Trèves Group, Tymphany and Zilltek. The Audio Foundry is dedicated to the discovery of novel technologies and experiences that enhance the automotive audio ecosystem. Visit www.audiofoundry.org for more information.
About Pioneer:
Pioneer is a leading global manufacturer that has been developing an array of world-first products and services since its inception in 1938, guided by its corporate mission, “Move the Heart and Touch the Soul.” Through its core car electronics business, Pioneer delivers new and distinctive value by providing products and services that enhance comfort, excitement, safety, and security in vehicle interiors, combining unique ideas with cutting-edge technologies. With the corporate vision “Creating the Future of Mobility Experiences,” Pioneer is committed to transforming into a solution-oriented company that addresses the diverse challenges of the mobility field.
Learn more at https://global.pioneer/en/