Abstract: Vehicle audio systems including directional loudspeakers, particularly directional arrays. An exemplary audio system for a vehicle includes a plurality of audio channels. The vehicle includes a first passenger position and a second passenger position ahead of the first passenger position. The audio system includes a first directional loudspeaker positioned ahead of the first passenger position and in back of the second passenger position, constructed and arranged to radiate directionally a first audio channel so that a direction toward the first passenger position is one of a low radiation direction and a high radiation direction and so that a direction toward the second passenger position is the other of a low radiation direction and a high radiation direction.

Abstract: An audio system including a first audio source, including a surround channel signal, coupled to an electroacoustical transducer mounted in the back of a seat of, for example, an automobile, so that the surround channel is radiated from the electroacoustical transducer. In one embodiment, the electroacoustical transducer is oriented to radiate substantially upwardly.

Abstract: An audio system including a first audio source, including a surround channel signal, coupled to an electroacoustical transducer mounted in the back of a seat of, for example, an automobile, so that the surround channel is radiated from the electroacoustical transducer. In one embodiment, the electroacoustical transducer is oriented to radiate substantially upwardly.

Abstract: A vehicle sound system is constructed and arranged to establish a sound image at a desired location spaced from the sound source.

Abstract: A surround audio system for a vehicle with a plurality of operating modes. The vehicle includes seating locations. The audio system includes a plurality of input channels including surround channels. The audio system further includes a plurality of operating modes. A first operating mode is characterized by substantially equal perceived loudnesses at each of said seating locations, an equalization pattern developed by weighting frequency responses at each of said seating locations substantially equally, and a balance pattern developed by weighting sound pressure level measurements at each of said seating locations substantially equally.

Abstract: The invention features an audio system for a vehicle that includes an audio source. A controller modifies an audio signal from the audio source with one of a first and a second signal processing operation in response to a user input. The first signal processing operation configures the audio signal for listening inside the vehicle and the second signal processing operation configures the audio signal for listening outside the vehicle. A first plurality of transducers is driven by the audio signal that is configured for listening inside the vehicle by the first signal processing operation. A second plurality of transducers is driven by the audio signal that is configured for listening outside the vehicle by the second signal processing operation.