A Piezoelectric Actuated Flat-Panel Loudspeaker Approach to Immersive Automotive Audio Reproduction

El Achak H, Badiane D, Buccoli M, Proverbio A, Pecorino S, Grosso A. A Piezoelectric Actuated Flat-Panel Loudspeaker Approach to Immersive Automotive Audio Reproduction. In: 2026 AES 6th International Automotive Audio Conference. Audio Engineering Society; 2026. Paper 18. Available from: https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=23411

@inproceedings{ElAchak2026_23411,
  author = {El Achak, Hakim and Badiane, David and Buccoli, Michele and Proverbio, Alessandro and Pecorino, Simone and Grosso, Antonio},
  title = {{A Piezoelectric Actuated Flat-Panel Loudspeaker Approach to Immersive Automotive Audio Reproduction}},
  booktitle = {2026 AES 6th International Automotive Audio Conference},
  note = {Paper 18},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  publisher = {Audio Engineering Society},
  url = {https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=23411}
}

TY  - CPAPER
TI  - A Piezoelectric Actuated Flat-Panel Loudspeaker Approach to Immersive Automotive Audio Reproduction
AU  - El Achak, Hakim
AU  - Badiane, David
AU  - Buccoli, Michele
AU  - Proverbio, Alessandro
AU  - Pecorino, Simone
AU  - Grosso, Antonio
T2  - 2026 AES 6th International Automotive Audio Conference
M1  - Paper 18
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/29
UR  - https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=23411
PB  - Audio Engineering Society
LA  - en
AB  - This paper presents a vehicle-scale multichannel automotive audio demonstrator based on piezoelectrically actuated flat-panel loudspeakers (FPLs) integrated into existing cabin surfaces. The proposed architecture combines piezoelectric driven radiators embedded in headrests, front and rear doors, and an OLED center console with a conventional electrodynamic subwoofer for low-frequency extension, enabling full-band reproduction in a hybrid configuration. Operating frequency bands are assigned from electroacoustic characterization of each radiator and implemented through dedicated crossover design and DSP tuning. The system is analyzed through numerical simulation and evaluated experimentally in a prototype vehicle using AES automotive assessment procedures, objective electroacoustic indicators, and perceptual evaluation through Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) metric. Results show that surface geometry, actuator placement, and time alignment improve in-cabin sound field distribution and directivity. After tuning, spectral balance improves and impulsive distortion artifacts are no longer evident, with corresponding enhancements in perceived timbre and overall quality. However, maximum output level remains constrained by the subtractive equalization required to control distortion and spectral balance. Overall, the study demonstrates the feasibility of hybrid piezoelectric dynamic automotive systems, highlighting their packaging advantages and potential for reduced electrical power consumption while identifying the remaining limitations in low frequency capability, distortion performance, and achievable Sound Pressure Level (SPL).
ER  -