Subaru To Offer SRS CS Auto In Impreza

By Anthony Fontanelle

Subaru of America, Inc. partners with SRS Labs Inc. to offer cutting-edge SRS Circle Surround Auto to the new Impreza.

The new feature delivers surround sound from any audio source including surround encoded content, stereo and mono radio broadcasts, satellite radio, standard CDs and compressed music files. CS Auto overcomes many of the challenges inherent in automobiles to present a realistic and immersive surround sound environment, CNN reported.

SRS Lab, a leader in the manufacture of quality surround sound voiced and audio technologies, recently announced that the SRS CS Auto will be offered as an optional feature in the 2008 Subaru Impreza.

"The sound quality offered by SRS Circle Surround Auto is amazing," said Tim Colbeck, the vice president of sales of Subaru of America, Inc. "It's a smart and extremely effective way of producing premium quality sound in a vehicle."

The optional feature does not only deliver awe-inspiring in-car surround sound experience but also yields an overall higher quality of sound from various audio sources such as surround encoded content, satellite radio, HD Radio, mono or stereo radio broadcasts, standard CD and compressed music files from a portable media player.

"Subaru understands the unique challenges that can limit audio performance within the interior of an automobile, which is why they choose SRS to be their audio processing partner for the 2008 Subaru Impreza," said Chris Sabbarese, Product Manager for SRS Labs. "With CS Auto consumers will experience high-end surround sound, with enhanced audio fidelity, along with an expansive sound field and rich, deep bass."

CS Auto is especially engineered to meet the unique challenges of modern car interior. CS Auto includes processing to elevate the sound image to ear level, even from speakers located in some car-doors and under the dashboard. Also, the innovative feature creates a "phantom center speaker" to efficiently pull out and clarify vocals in the audio track.

CS Auto also includes a channel-mixing feature that enables car occupants using the front and rear seats to clearly hear all vocals and be engrossed in a thrilling audio experience. What is more, CS Auto incorporates SRS Labs' patented bass enhancement system to produce a virtual subwoofer to finally complete the gratifying surround experience.

All new and available in Subaru dealer showrooms across the country, the 2008 Subaru Impreza and the company's performance flagship the Subaru Impreza WRX boast more sophisticated styling, along with enhanced comfort and utility, while still delivering the handling and performance of Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, the report added. Also new for the model year 2008, is the availability of stability control or Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC).

The automaker, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan, is focusing on improving its lineup, offers, as well as auto parts accessories such as the Subaru coil springs, engine, upholstery, and the like.