The GRAS 46BL-1 microphone has been chosen by technology specialist Harman International for its new measurement arrays for calibrating vehicle sound systems.
GRAS Sound & Vibration’s GRAS 46BL-1 microphone, in size 0.25in, will be arranged in a six-microphone array to cover the sound field at different head positions of the driver.
Due to its small size, high sensitivity and low noise floor, the 46BL-1 is proficient at in-cabin testing and measurement, and fulfills the Audio Engineering Society’s (AES) recommendations for infotainment system evaluation.
A typical Harman automotive sound system has anywhere between 10 to 30 speakers. The company chose to implement the GRAS 46BL-1 as it was the only microphone that could match its demands for a low-noise floor.
“For us it is important to use microphones that meet our strict requirements. After all, this will be the equipment that lays the foundation for our work,” explained Greg Sikora, acoustic systems senior director and head of Harman’s automotive acoustic systems engineering department.
“The only limitations should be the environmental noise floor, not the microphone noise floor. The GRAS ¼in microphone is basically plug-and-play, and it lets us retain backward compatibility of our current system while lowering the noise floor. It’s a perfect fit.”
