At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this year, Pioneer is taking car audio to a new dimension with SPHERA, the world’s first aftermarket spatial audio in-dash unit featuring Dolby Atmos playback in Apple CarPlay. Until now, Dolby Atmos in vehicles was limited to models with factory-equipped systems, but SPHERA opens the door for millions of cars already on the road to experience immersive, multi-dimensional audio using the speakers already installed.
Following last year’s CES prototype, SPHERA brings the vision to life with a 10.1in HD capacitive display, wireless CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The product leverages Pioneer’s PURE Autotuning technology, which adapts to the unique acoustics of each vehicle cabin by adjusting timing, frequency response, and channel levels, placing the listener at the centre of the music.
Pioneer’s four-channel solution delivers rich spatial audio over the vehicle’s existing speaker layout, creating a sense of movement and depth above and around the passengers. The Luminous Bar adds subtle lighting that syncs with music or supports navigation cues, while the split-screen mode allows easy access to key controls on the large display.
SPHERA is designed for universal aftermarket installation, enabling a straightforward upgrade path for vehicles of many makes and models. Available in Spring 2026 at Pioneer authorised retailers in the US, with pricing said to start at $1,300 (around £1,000), we hope to hear about a UK-equivalent model soon.
If you’re currently at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, visit Pioneer’s booth (LVCC, West Hall — 3527) for an on-site demo.
© Copyright 2025 Smart Media Publishing. All Rights Reserved.