Infiniti, Nissan’s luxury vehicle division, has introduced a unique feature in its new full-sized SUV that allows the driver to make phone calls without disturbing other passengers. This feature enables the driver to take a phone call while everyone else in the vehicle continues to listen to their choice of audio, all without the need for headphones.
The technology behind this feature is a combination of clever speaker placement and sound-canceling technology. The driver and front passenger seats have speakers mounted in the headrest, a feature typically found in convertibles to overcome wind noise. In addition, sound-canceling technology is used to create offsetting sound waves from speakers around the driver’s seat, effectively isolating the driver’s audio.
This feature is part of Infiniti’s efforts to stand out in the competitive world of luxury car sound systems, where high-end audio systems are a common offering. The system in the QX80 was developed in collaboration with Panasonic Automotive and Klipsch, a brand known for its top-end hand-made speakers. This is only the brand’s second appearance in a vehicle, with the first being the $87,000 Ram Tungsten luxury pickup.
While the sound isolation system is a technological marvel, it’s important to note that it’s much more challenging to cancel out sounds like music, which change frequently, compared to continuous, droning background sounds like engine noise. The optional Klipsch stereo in the 2025 QX80 overcomes this challenge by reading the digital music track being played and creating offsetting sound waves accordingly.
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