Tesla's sound systems: Top-notch hardware, but without true spatial au

Do you love listening to music in top quality in your Tesla? Tesla's sound systems are among the best in the automotive industry, but they lack a crucial feature: true spatial audio. In this article, you'll learn why Tesla's current Immersive Sound system can't compete with technologies like Dolby Atmos, what's missing, and how Tesla could take the experience to the next level.

Tesla's Impressive Audio Hardware

Tesla invests heavily in its sound systems, and the result is impressive:

Cybertruck: With 17 speakers, including a subwoofer integrated through cavities in the vehicle, it offers one of the best OEM audio experiences.
Model S/X: High-quality speaker arrays deliver clear, dynamic sound, optimized for cabin acoustics.
Model 3/Y: Even the more affordable models have solid systems with 8-14 speakers that surpass many competitors.

Users on X, like @CybertruckFan, praise the "booming bass quality" and "crystal clear sound" in the Cybertruck. Yet despite the strong hardware, the software remains a weak point.

Immersive Sound: Good, but not Spatial

Tesla's Immersive Sound aims to create a surround experience by expanding the soundstage. It has evolved:

Settings: From "Off/Standard/High" to granular control and an Auto mode that adapts to the content.
Function: Activates additional speakers, e.g., in the A-pillars, for a wider sound.

Yet the experience remains two-dimensional. When listening to songs like Imagine Dragons' "Believer" with Immersive Sound (High), the sound feels broader but not three-dimensional. Compared to Dolby Atmos-capable headphones (e.g., AirPods Pro), it lacks:

Height effect: Sounds don't seem to come from above or below.
Precise sound sources: Instruments and voices blend instead of being clearly separated.

On X, @TeslaAudioNut complains: "Immersive Sound is nice, but it's not Atmos. Tesla is wasting the potential of the 17 speakers in the Cybertruck!"

Dolby Atmos: The Gold Standard

Dolby Atmos is the benchmark for spatial audio and stands out from Tesla's Immersive Sound through:

Object-based audio: Sounds are placed as individual objects in a 3D space, not tied to channels (like 5.1 or 7.1).
Vertical dimension: Special processing (and sometimes downward-firing speakers) creates the impression that sounds come from above or below.
Clarity: Complex mixes remain clear, with distinctly separated instruments and voices.

The result is an immersive experience that makes music and movies more vivid. Atmos is not just for audiophiles – even affordable 100-USD headphones offer spatial audio, which makes Tesla's lag all the more apparent.

Why is Spatial Audio missing in Tesla?

Tesla's hardware is ready for Spatial Audio, but the software lags behind:

Lack of Priority: Tesla focuses on FSD and Robotaxi, while audio features like Atmos receive less attention.
Forgotten Roots: Earlier Tesla models supported Dolby Surround, but this feature disappeared in favor of proprietary Immersive Sound.
Development Costs: Integrating Atmos requires adaptation to the complex acoustics of a car cabin, but Tesla's engineering expertise should be able to master this.

A Dolby Atmos license for PCs costs only 14.99 USD, and although automotive licenses are more expensive, the technology is accessible. According to @AudioTechX on X, the implementation would be "a piece of cake for Tesla, if they wanted to."

What would Spatial Audio bring?

A true spatial audio system like Dolby Atmos would enhance Tesla's vehicles:

Music Enjoyment: Sounds coming from all sides and heights make songs like Believer more immersive.
Video Experience: Movies and series on the Tesla screen would become more vivid with matching 3D sound.
Premium Feeling: Model S/X and Cybertruck could stand out more from Model 3/Y, strengthening Tesla's high-end position.
Competitive Advantage: Competitors like Mercedes (with Burmester 4D) or BMW (with Bowers & Wilkins) offer advanced audio options that surpass Tesla.

How could Tesla implement it?

The implementation is feasible:

Software Upgrade: Tesla could introduce Atmos or its own spatial audio system via OTA update, similar to FSD updates.
Calibration: Modern tools allow quick adaptation to cabin acoustics, often in less than an hour in controlled environments.
Hardware Utilization: The existing speakers (e.g., 17 in the Cybertruck) are powerful enough; only the right software is missing.

Strengthen technology leadership and accelerate development.

Conclusion: Time for Tesla to set the tone

Tesla's sound systems are world-class in terms of hardware, but the software lags behind the potential. Immersive Sound is solid but cannot compete with Dolby Atmos, which offers true 3D audio. For European Tesla fans who often spend a lot of time in the car, Spatial Audio would be a game changer for music and entertainment. Tesla should seize the opportunity to equip its high-end models with Atmos or a comparable system – the hardware is ready, now the software must follow. Look forward to the possibility that Tesla will soon set the tone!