Porsche and Burmester have a new secret weapon for their car hi-fi systems, and it sounds like sci-fi

Driver and symmetrical sound options on a Porsche Taycan's display — (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)

Ever heard of gallium nitride (GaN)? It sounds like a material from a galaxy far, far away or a dietary supplement used by Wolverine, but it’s actually a type of semiconductor material and an alternative to conventional silicon.

Going for it is the fact that it allows for higher switching frequencies and it can handle power and heat more efficiently. It can also be packaged much smaller too.

The material is already used in some home hi-fi electronics, but the Burmester and Porsche application is claimed to be the first use of the tech in an in-car environment.

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Working together with the University of Stuttgart, Porsche has adapted GaN tech for use in the Burmester 3D High-End Surround Sound System.

Here, it uses a chip based on the material to take care of the voltage conversion needed for the 400W subwoofer amplifier.

Diagram of a Porsche car showing the positioning of a Burmester car audio system — (Image credit: Porsche/Burmester)

Because less energy is required and less heat is generated, you don’t need as much cooling, which means you can use smaller heat sinks – Porsche claims it can make them 20 per cent lighter and also make passive components smaller, thus reducing the size and weight of your amplifier.

One of the biggest challenges for car audio engineers is always the system packaging and being able to make the most of the available space in the car, and this seems to be a convenient way of adding extra versatility without sacrificing performance.

Because less aluminium is used, less heat is generated during the manufacturing process, which has the knock-on effect of reducing CO₂ emissions during amplifier production, so it’s good news from an eco perspective, too.

There's no word on which cars will be the first to feature the tech, but Porsche has confirmed that gallium nitride for Burmester High-End Sound will enter series production and make its debut "in a future Porsche vehicle in 2027".

MORE:

Read our Burmester 3D High-End Surround Sound System (2026 Porsche Macan Electric) review

And our Burmester High-End Surround Sound System (2020 Porsche 911) review

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Andy is Deputy Editor of What Hi-Fi? and a consumer electronics journalist with nearly 20 years of experience writing news, reviews and features. Over the years he's also contributed to a number of other outlets, including The Sunday Times, the BBC, Stuff, and BA High Life Magazine. Premium wireless earbuds are his passion but he's also keen on car tech and in-car audio systems and can often be found cruising the countryside testing the latest set-ups. In his spare time Andy is a keen golfer and gamer.