2025.09.25 Kia
Enriching Every Journey with Kia Premium Sound
Beyond providing auditory pleasure, an automotive sound system enhances the value of every driving experience. This is why Kia collaborates with Harman Kardon and Meridian to develop premium audio systems. We spoke with the engineers behind their design and testing to learn more about Kia Premium Sound.
Within every Kia model there are numerous details designed to enhance customer experience. Among them, the sound system stands out as a defining feature that heightens both vividness and immersion. In collaboration with Harman Kardon, a globally renowned premium audio brand, and Meridian, the distinguished British sound specialist, Kia delivers premium audio solutions tailored to the unique character and purpose of each model.
How does Kia maximize the value of its premium sound systems, and what music best showcases their performance? We spoke with Senior Research Engineers Young Kim and Juyoung Hong of the Infotainment Sound Development Team to learn more.
Harman Kardon & Meridian: Dual Dimensions of Premium Sound
Harman Kardon, founded in New York in 1953, is a premium audio brand widely recognized as a pioneer in automotive sound systems. In 1966, it amazed the industry by developing the world’s first door-mounted speaker. Since that milestone, the brand has continued to introduce innovative technologies that deliver crystal-clear, high-quality sound inside the cabin.
It is also celebrated as a brand that achieves a perfect balance between technology and design. A prime example is the SoundSticks, launched in 1999, which were praised for their creativity and enshrined in the permanent collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art. This achievement reflects the brand’s commitment to transforming audio components into objects of art and advancing design innovation.
Since 2015, Kia has partnered with Harman Kardon to develop sound systems tailored to a wide range of models. Why did Kia choose Harman Kardon, and what makes the brand so compelling? Senior Research Engineer Juyoung Hong explained.
“Harman Kardon is a premium audio brand with more than 70 years of history built on technology and design. That really connects with Kia, since we’ve also built our brand heritage on those same values while providing mobility solutions over the decades. I think that’s one of the key reasons why our collaboration with Harman Kardon has lasted so long.”
Kia models currently offering Harman Kardon’s immersive sound include the Niro, along with mainstream models such as the Kia EV3, EV4, EV5, and the Tasman. Hong described the system as one that “delivers smooth, well-balanced sound, built on a deep legacy of history and technical expertise.”
“Kia has equipped the cabin with an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Leveraging Harman Kardon’s digital signal processing technology, the front speakers create a sense of stage and spatial positioning, while the second-row speakers reproduce mid- and high-frequency ranges with clarity and fullness, adding depth and presence for rear passengers. Finally, the subwoofer delivers deep, tight bass with a punch.”
Hong ad-ded, “With the Kia Harman Kardon system, our goal is to create a fully immersive audio experience in the cabin. Its balanced spectrum and refined spatial qualities can satisfy diverse listening preferences, which is why we chose to bring Harman Kardon to Kia’s mainstream lineup.”
Meanwhile, Kia is also enhancing the value of premium sound through its collaboration with Meridian, the British audio brand founded in 1977. Meridian broke new ground in 1994 with the world’s first Digital Surround Sound Processor (DSSP), followed by Meridian Lossless Packing (MLP), which became the industry standard for digital audio format. It also pioneered MQA (Master Quality Authenticated), a codec — technology that compresses and decompresses digital audio data — designed for today’s high-resolution music streaming services. Through these innovations, Meridian has established a distinguished position in the global audio industry.
Building on these technologies, Meridian has been recognized for its distinctive approach to digital audio. By handling digital in a way that emulates analog, it reproduces sound true to the original. In addition, its custom modes allow users to adjust vocal placement and presence, creating a more dimensional sound environment inside the cabin.
The Kia K8 was the first Korean vehicle to feature a Meridian sound system, introducing the value of British high-end audio to a premium domestic sedan. That distinction continues in Kia’s dedicated EVs, the EV6 and EV9, where Meridian delivers an elevated mobility experience. We asked Senior Research Engineer Young Kim about the reasoning behind integrating Meridian into Kia’s lineup.
“When we first introduced the K8, Kia’s new vision of ‘Movement that inspires’ was coming to life. Combining that vision with K8’s premium concept, we felt Meridian was the perfect match. What sets Meridian apart is its ability to preserve the integrity of the original sound and deliver lossless, high-quality audio. Through this remarkable system, we wanted customers to enjoy a special experience unlike anything they had encountered before.”
How was Meridian’s defining feature—sound that stays true to the original—realized in a vehicle? Kim provided the answer.
“The K8 comes with 14 speakers that build a three-dimensional sound environment, really showing the value of Meridian audio. Each speaker uses a NATec (Natural Application Technology) diaphragm made from a mix of natural wood and metal, which helps create sound that feels both natural and precise, while also boosting performance in the low, dynamic ranges.”
According to Kim, “Technologies such as Intelli-Q, Horizon Effect, Digital Precision, and RE-Q Cabin Correction enable customers to fully experience the distinctive value of Meridian sound.”
“Each of them plays a different part, but together they create space, presence, and depth while preserving the best qualities of analog and eliminating unwanted resonance or noise. It is all about keeping the sound true to the original. This makes the bass deeper and tighter, and the instruments and vocals clearer.”
Kia’s Pursuit of the Ultimate Acoustic Experience
Through Harman Kardon and Meridian sound systems, Kia aims to give passengers truly special moments on their everyday journeys. Behind this achievement lies the dedication of the Infotainment Sound Development Team’s engineers, who strive to create the very best audio. “We are concentrating on three key areas in the development of Kia’s premium sound system,” said Senior Research Engineer Juyoung Hong.
“First, it is important to harmonize with the vehicle’s acoustic characteristics. We consider factors such as body size and interior layout to determine the number, placement, and specifications of the speakers. The system is then tuned with a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) for optimal sound. Phase differences are corrected using time delay, while frequency distortion is refined through equalization (EQ).”
“The most important factor is accurate sound balance. We must deliver the original sound without distortion so customers can truly lose themselves in the music and feel moved by it. At the same time, the system must reflect lifestyle. For example, customers who choose a comfortable, stable sedan expect fatigue-free, high-resolution sound, while vehicles chosen for leisure or family trips require powerful, noise-resistant audio with balanced quality throughout the entire cabin.”
How does Kia determine the reference sound it seeks to implement in its vehicles with Harman Kardon and Meridian? The most reliable way is to directly experience the audio each brand envisions. To that end, Kia has established a listening room within the Infotainment Sound Development Team, where immersive design and multidimensional speaker placement allow engineers to experience the ultimate sound each brand pursues.
Based on the acoustic data collected in the listening room, Kia performs customized settings and tuning that consider interior size, spatial characteristics, and materials. The facility is also used to test custom speakers developed specifically for automotive applications. One notable example is the NATec-diaphragm speaker created exclusively for Kia’s Meridian sound system, as mentioned earlier.
“As you can see, it’s not just about putting fancy speakers into a car. What we do is optimize the strengths of each brand to give every model its own distinctive value. That is why we have worked with Harman Kardon for many years, and why we spent years of development traveling between Korea and the UK to integrate Meridian sound into K8. We will continue working to ensure that Kia’s premium sound systems allow customers to go beyond simply listening to music and enjoy experiences that feel richer and more special,” explained Kim.
Experiencing the Full Value of Premium Sound
How can customers enjoy Kia’s premium sound system at its best? And which songs are especially suited for the upcoming Chuseok holiday drive? Here are some suggestions from Juyoung Hong.
“Harman Kardon delivers refined, well-balanced sound across a wide spectrum of genres, from mainstream pop, rock, and hip-hop to emotional ballads. For the playlist, I’d suggest Bruno Mars’ 〈24K Magic〉, Dua Lipa’s 〈Don’t Start Now〉, and Stella Jang’s 〈L’Amour, Les Baguettes, Paris〉. These tracks will lift the mood and enrich the holiday drive.”
“With Meridian sound, drivers can adjust vocal placement and immersion across five levels, making tracks with prominent vocals or instrumentals even more engaging. Its 14-speaker configuration further enhances spatial depth, bringing classical and live recordings to life with striking realism.”
Hong continued his recommendations: “I would suggest 〈JUMP〉 by BLACKPINK and 〈Don’t Know Why〉 by Norah Jones. The former makes you feel as if you’re at a concert with its heavy beats and powerful rhythms, while Norah Jones’ gentle vocals and expressive piano details offer a sense of refined relaxation for the long holiday drive.”
Cars are no longer just about getting from one place to another—they’ve become spaces where people spend part of their lives. That is why the experience and value of in-car audio continue to rise, and Kia’s premium sound systems reflect this shift in the times.
“For Kia, the sound system is not just about playing music. It is also about conveying the emotions customers feel inside the car and expressing Kia’s brand identity. When premium sound becomes a memorable part of the journey, drivers look forward to driving and are drawn to experience that same sound again when choosing their next car—leading them back to Kia.”
As Hong emphasized, Kia will continue to bring the experience of its premium sound systems to more customers. May every journey be enriched with the joyful moments these systems create.
Photography. Hyuksoo Cho
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