A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

Bongiovi Aviation's Speakerless Audio system for business aircraft cabins uses transducers attached to the back of interior panels, whose vibrations turn the entire cabin into a uniform “immersive” audio experience, without the need for speakers, woofers, or subwoofers to deliver high fidelity sound.

 


“Speakers are old technology,” said Heath Cohen, v-p of sales and marketing at Bongiovi. “Now there’s a new alternative to outfit your jet with immersive sound throughout your cabin—the same quality you get on your yacht or at home.” At the cabin mockup at the company’s NBAA 2018 display (Booth 641), 18 transducers, each about 2.5 inches in diameter and less than an inch thick, are mounted behind the interior panels.

 


Typically used in speaker systems to vibrate the speaker cones, transducers previously haven’t had the sound quality to support an application of this type. But its patented Bongiovi Digital Power Station (DPS) signal processing technology overcomes the limitations, according to the company. The technology was developed by parent company Bongiovi Acoustic Labs, founded by record producer Tony Bongiovi, who began experimenting with bringing quality audio into aircraft in the 1980s as a pilot and Twin Comanche owner.

 


The transducers, weighing about three ounces each, are easy to install and don’t require precise placement; once the installation is complete, professional audio producers “tune” each cabin to ensure maximum sound fidelity. The audio can be operated through any cabin management system. As additional benefits, the system can save weight compared with&nbsp;speaker systems with woofers and sub-woofers, and no holes have to be cut into interior paneling to accommodate speakers, creating a cleaner look in the cabin.

 


Costs are currently a little higher for the Bongiovi system compared with&nbsp;conventional installations, but the company expects the price to decline through economies of scale. The amplifier and other system components are manufactured and certified by Mid Continent Controls, which is hosting Bongiovi’s display.&nbsp;

 


Honda Aircraft was the launch customer for the Bongiovi Speaker-less Audio system, selecting it as the sound system for the HondaJet Elite. Bongiovi is currently in discussions with other OEMs and completion centers, and the audio system is available for retrofit installation, with some aftermarket orders in hand, Cohen said.

 


Bongiovi also makes a headphone module for aircraft cabins, designed to provide superior sound quality and clarity in high-noise environments.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Bongiovi Demos Speakerless Cabin Audio System

Sound system uses multiple transducers mounted behind interior panels to create an "immersive" experience.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Australian start-up is developing a hydrogen-powered aircraft

AMSL Starts Untethered Flight Tests with Vertiia eVTOL Aircraft

Hanneke Weitering

Chinese manufacturing wants to extend range with solid-state batteries

Deliveries Increase as EHang Works to Boost eVTOL Aircraft Performance

Jessica Reed

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Jo Damato and Andrew Broom assume additional responsibilities

NBAA Expands Roles for Two Senior Executives

Matt Thurber

Similarities between the piston- and jet-powered Cirruses make transition training easier

Transport Canada Certifies Cirrus SR G7 and Vision G2+

Kerry Lynch

Aircraft will be able to take off in 150 feet of runway

Electra Launches Hybrid-electric EL9 STOL Aircraft

First production-representative Alia CX300 takes flight

Beta Flies First Electric Airplane Produced in Vermont Factory

G700 next headed to the Bahrain International Airshow for display alongside the G500

Gulfstream’s G700 Surpasses 65 City-pair Records

Honda's secretive eVTOL program picks up steam

FAA Greenlights Honda eVTOL Flight Tests

NBAA-BACE 2018

More In Aircraft