HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated, the premier audio, infotainment and software services company, is widely known for its love of technological challenges. And in the automotive audio industry, few things are more challenging than to get an audio system in a small car to sound great. That is why HARMAN and JBL have created the JBL audio systems for the current smart fortwo and forfour. The system in the fortwo features eight speakers with 240 W, the system in the forfour features twelve speakers with 320 W. Both systems set new standards for compact-car audio and are tailor-made for the narrow dimensions of the smart models. Due to refined sound processing and elaborate audio architecture, the passengers feel like sitting in a much bigger car, as the sound is able to spread through the interior homogeneously and harmoniously. Also, as space is at a premium in the smart, JBL and smart made the subwoofer removable to extend the trunk volume when drivers need to load extra baggage: a clever solution that is a perfect fit with the smart driving experience.

But even global companies want to have a little fun now and then – so a whole new project was born. “This project gives us the possibility to have fun with our regular aftermarket solutions. To speak frankly, it is actually quite ridiculous how much audio technology we have been able to fit into these small cars,” explains Michael Mauser, President Lifestyle Division HARMAN. “The results are two absolutely fantastic and breathtaking audio monsters on wheels.”