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New Standard in Sound Quality: Harman Kardon in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2009

KARLSBAD, Germany - (BUSINESS WIRE) - The Harman Kardon discrete Logic 7^® sound system in the new S-Class offers excellent premium surround sound from stereo and 5.1 recordings for each passenger in every seat. The luxury limousine features 15 optimally positioned speakers and a powerful 600 watt Harman Kardon DSP amplifier.

To achieve an even more brilliant sound stage, Harman Kardon's specialists supplemented the 14 speakers with an additional tweeter^*. The innovative Alumaprene speakers with improved efficiency at reduced weight are characterized by greater dynamics and achieve even better performance. The basis for the surround sound experience is the discrete Logic 7 technology from Harman Kardon, which was originally developed for professional recording studios. The DTCP encryption technology ensures fully-digital transport of the audio signals and the extended Speed-Sensitive Volume Adjustment (SSVA) offers consistent sound quality at any driving condition, thanks to continuous adjustment of sound balance and loudness in response to the speed of the car.

"The sound system in the predecessor model has already set standards in the premium class. That is why we are particularly proud of the fact that with the new system in the S-Class 2009 we have once again succeeded in making a quantum leap in surround sound quality" , stressed Dr. Klaus Blickle, CEO and President of the Harman International Automotive Division.

The Harman Kardon premium surround sound system is perfectly integrated into the infotainment system of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2009, for which the Harman International Automotive Division is also responsible. The Europe-wide navigation data is stored on the internal hard drive and enables even more convenient route calculation and guidance. The driver is shown, for example, useful information such as gas stations and parking areas along the route. The text-to-speech function enables the driver to have traffic messages related to the route, station names, address book entries or SMS messages spoken out loud. The option to control the infotainment system using whole-word speech input also simplifies day-to-day use, with the names of countries, cities, towns and streets as well as radio stations or entries from the address book no longer having to be spelled.

Another highlight is the impressive 3D map display: in addition to the three-dimensional display of mountains and valleys, various points of interest (POIs) or entire city regions are shown in three dimensions. This ensures faster orientation and makes trips even more interesting, comfortable and fuel efficient. The new COMAND system generation uses displays that work like modern LCD televisions. The result is a needle-sharp picture and brilliant colors. In a world's first, the new split-view technology allows the driver and passenger to watch different content on the same screen at the same time.

Harman Kardon is a unit of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com). Harman International designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of high-end audio and infotainment systems for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. Harman International maintains a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia, and employs around 11,000 people worldwide. The Harman International family of brands includes internationally renowned brands such as AKG, Audioaccess^®, Becker, BSS^®, Crown^®, dbx^®, DigiTech, DOD^®, Harman Kardon^®, Infinity, JBL^®, Lexicon^®, Mark Levinson^®, Revel, QNX^®, Soundcraft^® and Studer^®. The company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the code "HAR."

* Except Japan.

Stephanie Sauter
Director Global Communications
Harman International Automotive Division
Tel.: +49 (0)7248 71-1419
Stephanie.Sauter@harman.com