BMW Z4 Roadster and Coupe Become First European Cars With THX Certified
Car Audio System

    SAN RAFAEL, Calif., March 29 /PRNewswire/ # THX Ltd., the leading
provider of technologies, certification programs and quality assurance
standards for the entertainment industry, today announced that the Premium
Sound System available in the BMW Z4 Roadster and Coupe has achieved THX
certification. This makes BMW the first European manufacturer to offer a THX
Certified Car Audio system, providing car buyers a system that can deliver
state-of-the-art sound experiences.
{mosgoogle}    "THX is dedicated to providing high-end entertainment experiences beyond
cinemas, home theaters and listening rooms," said Kaling Lim, Executive
Director of THX.  "More and more consumers will demand car audio that can
rival the performance of premium home entertainment products.  THX and BMW are
committed to addressing that demand."
    With a THX Certified Car Audio System, the speakers, subwoofers and other
audio components are only half of the equation. The other half is equipment
performance, positioning and an analysis of the vehicle's acoustic design.
During the certification process, THX worked with BMW engineers to analyze
speaker layout and positioning, and acoustic and equipment performance in the
Z4 to make sure they were optimal for distributing sound throughout the
vehicle. In addition, THX rigorously tested the system under a variety of road
and driving conditions to measure exterior and interior noise to ensure it met
THX standards for quality and performance.
    "BMW Z4 buyers are not only getting a high quality car audio system, they
are getting one that is backed by THX," said Edgar Kirk, head of Development
of Audio Systems of the BMW Group. "THX is known throughout the world for
ensuring uncompromised sound quality in the cinema, home and now the
automobile. We are thrilled to offer an audio system of this caliber to BMW
drivers."
    THX is one of the few entertainment companies in the world that works to
optimize how music, films and other content is created in the studio, while
also focusing on the consumers' entertainment experience in the cinema, home
and automobile. The goal of the THX Certified Car Audio program is to produce
audio systems that deliver sound presentations that match the quality and
ambience of the original recording. For luxury automakers, THX certification
provides a means to differentiate from competitors by offering a premium sound
system.

    THX CERTIFIED SYSTEM DETAILS
    The THX Certified Car Audio system in the BMW Z4 is designed to deliver a
music experience as the artist intended. So whether the focus is on classical
music or pop, both the driver and passenger in a BMW Z4 will enjoy their
favorite music # with a standard of intensity and brilliance traditionally
offered by the most sophisticated home entertainment systems.

    The highlights of BMW Z4's THX Certified Premium Sound System:
    # 10 speakers
    # Digital ten-channel audio amplifier and digital sound processor
    # 7-Band Graphic Equalizer
    # BMW Carver technology for high sound pressure with small speaker
       diameter (sound pressure/output level of more than 120 db with a volume
       of only 10 litres per loudspeaker)
    # Two sub-woofers with an output of 100 Watts located behind the seats
    # Two woofers each developing 40 Watts at the front of the car
    # Six midrange loudspeakers and tweeters, fitted in the doors and behind
       the seats, each driven by a 25 Watts terminal
    # Total power output of 430 Watts

    BMW's sound systems are configured and coordinated individually for each
model within the BMW range. This ensures that each system meets all the
demands made of each vehicle's varying size and body contours.
    "THX Certified Car Audio systems are best in class because they are
designed to present music exactly like it was produced in the recording studio
or concert hall," said Laurie Fincham, Chief Scientist at THX Ltd. "By teaming
with BMW to offer a THX Certified System in the Z4, we are combining the
strengths of two world's premium brands to deliver an exceptional car audio
experience."

    ABOUT THX LTD.
    THX Ltd. is dedicated to developing new ways to make the creation,
delivery and presentation of entertainment content more efficient, more
powerful and more enjoyable. Today, the world's premier commercial cinemas,
post-production studios, car audio systems and home entertainment products
incorporate THX technologies and have achieved the coveted THX Certified
status. For more information, visit http://www.thx.com.

    THX and the THX logo are trademarks of THX Ltd., which may be registered
in some jurisdictions. All rights reserved.


     THX MEDIA CONTACTS:

     Jon Chun
     Director of Marketing
     THX Ltd.
     415-492-3929
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     Graham McKenna
     PR Manager
     Pacifico Inc. (for THX)
     408-293-8600x335
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