Dirac Research AB Partners with Lear Corporation to Provide Superior Automotive Sound Systems to the OEM Market Using Dirac Live(TM)

UPPSALA, Sweden and KRONACH, Germany, Jan. 18, 2007 -- Dirac Research AB and Lear Corporation announced a licensing and distribution agreement between the two companies to integrate Dirac Live(TM), a loudspeaker equalization technology with Lear's advanced amplifier solution for use by a German premium car manufacturer.

Of growing importance in the vehicle interior experience is the quality of a car's sound system.

Tuning the sound of in-car entertainment systems can be a tedious and complicated task, even for sound engineers skilled in the art, so Lear evaluated Dirac Live(TM), a technology developed and patented by the Swedish company Dirac Research AB, for application in a platform for one of its German car customers.

Lear engineers in its Electrical & Electronics Systems Division have been keenly focused on delivering high-end audio quality into the car through innovative sound systems, and this product segment is one that Lear identifies as an area of growth opportunity based on continued consumer interest for onboard entertainment and multimedia solutions.

The Dirac Live(TM) automated design methodology simplifies the tuning process to a minimal amount of adjustments and settings. Instead of spending excessive amounts of time on traditional tuning, the process of staging, clarity, and tonal balance is obtained almost automatically when using Dirac Live, permitting Lear sound designers to instead focus on tailoring the sound characteristics desired for a particular car model.

The result is a sound system with perfect acoustical integration, bringing to the passengers an unparalleled and previously unthinkable musical experience. As a result, Lear has decided to offer this technology integrated into its Digital Signal Processor equipped amplifiers to its Original Equipment Manufacturing customers.

Nilo Casimiro Ericsson, CEO of Dirac Research AB, says: "We are very pleased to see the clear benefits of integrating Dirac Live(TM) into the highly power- and cost-efficient DSP amplifiers developed by Lear. There is a perfect match between the Dirac Live(TM) digital equalization technology and Lear's dedication to produce the most technically advanced range of car audio systems on the market today, providing top performance for any car loudspeaker configuration."

Armin Prommersberger, Lear's Product Manager for Sound Systems, states: "We especially value the efficient and constructive working partnership with Dirac Research. We believe the possibilities for integrating Dirac Live into vehicle applications are not limited to a premium category of car manufacturers, and we intend to offer this technical solution to a wide variety of vehicle platforms.

With our new "HR-B 2" ("HighResolution-Basic 2") amplifier platform there is also a clear advantage in using it for cost-constrained high volume car models," Prommersberger continued. "We can offer low-cost and low-weight highly efficient systems within customers' cost objectives, but now with a previously unreachable sound quality."

More information can be requested from Nilo Casimiro Ericsson, CEO of Dirac Research AB, telephone +46(0)18-511260, or from Armin Prommersberger, Product Manager Sound Systems at Lear Corporation GmbH, telephone +49(0)9261 500 553.

Dirac Research AB develops, markets, and licenses quality improving products for digital sound reproduction systems. The company is led by a group of internationally renowned researchers from Uppsala University, Sweden. Dirac offers automotive sound developers a complete toolbox for achieving the ultimate sound in any car. In addition, the technology is successfully applicable to any type of sound reproduction system.

Lear Corporation is one of the world's largest suppliers of automotive interior systems and components. Lear provides complete seat systems, electronic products and electrical distribution systems and other interior products. With annual net sales of $17.1 billion in 2005, Lear ranks #127 among the Fortune 500. Lear's world-class products are designed, engineered and manufactured by a diverse team of 115,000 employees at 282 locations in 34 countries. Lear's headquarters are in Southfield, Michigan, and Lear is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol [LEA]. Further information about Lear is available on the Internet at http://www.lear.com/ .

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