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Acoustics is the study of sound. And if you want to listen to music, you should think about the acoustics. So far, so easy. Funnily, for example, I only consciously listen to music in the car. Unfortunately, the car is the dumbest environment to listen to music. So what do you do? Forgo music?
Roadtrip: Because sound matters
No - giving up is stupid. Then a little tutoring on music, sound and acoustics. And just ask a few experts. The idea was born quickly and the right partner was found just as quickly:
Dynaudio: Because sound matters
The audiophile freaks among you will have raised your eyebrows slightly. So Dynaudio. You know it. You probably knew it. Until a few weeks ago, the name was not really known to me. But I'm also not an audiophile freak, I'm just someone who likes to listen to a little music - but only in the car.
The idea:
The experts of Dynaudio should explain what is important when it comes to sound in the car. In order to stock up on enough time so that you could hear a lot of songs, the only option was a road trip. The goal? Quickly chosen: Dynaudio's headquarters in Denmark, of course. Now only a starting point had to be found.
And that's where the connection between Dynaudio and Volkswagen came into play. The currently most complex sound system in the VW Group is owned by the current one Phaeton. And where is this luxury VW manufactured? Right, in a city that is not only known for the “Gläserne Manufaktur”, the Phaeton's birthplace, but also for a world-famous opera: the Semper Opera House.
So there were a good 800 kilometers ahead of us, and back. “Because sound matters” was born.
I divide the whole road trip into three articles. This one here, the first, with explanations and insights, a second one that will revolve around the Phaeton, and a third party that will provide a deeper insight into the speaker secrets.
Part 1: Because sound matters
You stand in front of this Semper Opera House and a beer advertisement is pressed into my cerebellum. Well, I'm a culture bogeyman. But in Dresden you have a big heart and so you even let banauss like me through the back entrance to the Saxon State Opera. Behind the stage, on the boards that mean the world, you could be in almost any theater in the world. Awesome tremors only set in when you step in front of the curtain.
Okay, a few facts about the Semper Opera:
The Semper Opera is actually a prime example of tenacity. Built in 1840, the “first version” of the Semper Opera House was completely destroyed in a fire in 1869. Gottfried Semper started the reconstruction as early as 1871. Theoretically. Because Gottfried Semper had fallen out of favor with the rulers. So his son Manfred took over the management of the new construction. In 1878 the new Semper Opera House was reopened. In 1945 the Allies bombed Nazi Germany to rubble and ashes. Among them was the Semper Opera in February '45. In 1948 operations started again in the “Schauspielhaus Dresden”. However, the Semper Opera House was still badly damaged. It was not until 1977 that the foundation stone was laid for the reconstruction of the Semper Opera House. In February 1985 the new Semper Opera celebrated its resurrection. In 2002 the Elbe flooded and left millions of euros in damage. It reopened three months later.
Funny anecdote on the edge: When the Semper Opera was canceled after the Elbe flood, Volkswagen made the “Gläserne Manufaktur” available as a stage for a planned performance of “Carmen”. This is how the passionate one became The story of Carmen, a “Car Men” performance in a factory hall, between luxury limousines and W12 engines, Funny anecdote number two on the edge? On the posters for the performances of Carmen in the Transparent Manufactory, a second automobile manufacturer was represented: DaimlerChrysler. At that time, the Stuttgart were not only verkuppelt across the pond, but also a partner of the Semper Opera.
The visit to the Semper Opera House was a special experience for me. Just barely past the culture overkill, I was still looking forward to the first trip in the Phaeton. It may well be that you have a better sound in the Semper Opera - but I prefer to hear my music while driving, you remember?
That's why, in part two of the road trip: “Because sound matters”, it's about the Phaeton. About 800 km to Skanderborg. And about my passengers. And about the playlist 😉
So, stay tuned!
