Until now, if you wanted the mind-bending experience of Dolby Atmos in your car, you basically had to buy a brand-new luxury EV. Pioneer just changed the game at CES 2026 with the SPHERA, the world’s first aftermarket receiver that brings immersive spatial audio to the car you already own.
The SPHERA features a massive 10.1-inch floating touchscreen that fits into a standard single-DIN slot, meaning it’ll work in almost anything from a classic cruiser to a late-model truck. While most Atmos systems require a dozen or more speakers, Pioneer uses it’s own autotuning technology and a calibration mic to map your car’s interior. When calibrated, i tricks your brain into hearing a full surround-sound stage using the speakers you already have.
It’s a full-spec head unit with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the Atmos playback via Apple Music or Amazon Music is the real headline here. It’s the easiest way to make your daily commute feel like a front-row seat at a concert. The SPHERA drops this spring for $1,300.
