It's the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine)

[Boomzilla]

For those who haven't yet read Mr. Robinson's review:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHcjvdGbaa0&t=1175s

Is this the future of hi-fi?

Boomzilla

[garbulky]

Hmmm... I don't think this is meant for hi-fi applications.

[ttocs]

That type of "system" is probably aimed at those who enjoy MP3 for the shear number of tracks that can be stuffed into a device.

Now that I'm done with the overstatement, I know some sound bar systems can sound ok, I have heard som, but definitely not for music. In-wall and in-ceiling speakers can be fabulous sounding. I've never heard a sound bar that I thought would be good for music.

[Boomzilla]

Both of you, garbulky & ttocs are missing the point. This is a first-generation technology implementation of a potentially new 3-d sound paradigm. The Sony implementation may not "be meant for hi-fi applications" YET, but consider the concept implemented with "cost less of an object" quality components. Mr. Robinson says that the four physical speakers can mimic up to 12. He also says that the location of the four physical speakers is no longer critical. Yes, a healthy dose of skepticism is justified, but if this works, it's the proof of concept for virtual sound fields.

This is also not about sound bar systems or storage of MP3 music files. This is not the "Sony Walkman of virtual space." The issue at hand is "can virtual space be synthesized with a minimum of four physical sources?" Ambisonics seems to agree that yes, it can be. But Ambisonic sound required specific speaker locations, spacing, and an Ambisonically encoded source. The Sony system claims to have virtualized all these parameters.

Based on Mr. Robinson's comments, I can't wait to hear it! Would I sell off my current system to purchase one? I'd have to hear it first.

[rbk123]

Very cool review; just some random thoughts:
1. sounds like Dirac on steroids, or the next evolutionary step of room correction software
2. He specifically stated several times how amazing it was for just listening to music and the types of high end systems it easily competes against
3. Can't wait for it to be like Dirac where it will work for any speaker setup and gets added to any receiver/processor. I look forward to the day of no longer dealing with Emo's terrible HDMI programming
4. Pretty cool review; went into a lot of detail but not hype/schtick
5. Pretty sure Andrew is Wil Wheaton's long lost brother

[Boomzilla]

Sept 27, 2021 8:39:44 GMT -5 rbk123 said:

Very cool review; just some random thoughts:
1. sounds like Dirac on steroids, or the next evolutionary step of room correction software
2. He specifically stated several times how amazing it was for just listening to music and the types of high end systems it easily competes against
3. Can't wait for it to be like Dirac where it will work for any speaker setup and gets added to any receiver/processor. I look forward to the day of no longer dealing with Emo's terrible HDMI programming
4. Pretty cool review; went into a lot of detail but not hype/schtick
5. Pretty sure Andrew is Wil Wheaton's long lost brother

Because this system recreates virtual sound locations in 3D, I'm pretty sure that a vertical-firing speaker is going to be a requirement of any setup. This precludes using your existing stereo speakers, probably. And since the imaging of the system is predicated on having essentially "point source" origins for the "aural hologram," just adding an additional upward-firing speaker to your existing speakers probably won't work either. In other words, the computer for the processing isn't likely to work with just any set of speakers. The processor needs to know:

The frequency response of the four (identical) sound sources
The frequency response of the subwoofer (if used)
The (identical) sensitivity of all four speakers.

From those base assumptions, the processor can determine:

The size of the room
The location of the speakers
and, maybe the location of the listener(s)

Now will the system require measurements from the listening position? I don't recall Andrew saying. If so, how wide and deep a "sweet spot" can the system create? All this is TBD.

Boom

[rbk123]

I mostly agree in that without the vertical firing it will work, based on reflections, just not ideal. The other issues you suggest are purely programming so can be solved by allowing the user to input parameters, or the parameters exist, the user just inputs the speaker models. Room size and speaker locations would't matter since they don't currently matter with the A-9.

[Boomzilla]

I think you're wildly optimistic, rbk123. Without the vertical component, I don't think it will work at all. I further disagree that it can be made to work with other speakers. Why? Other speakers will have different phase relationships, different frequency responses, different wave launches, and different room interactions. Imagine trying to run a system like this using four Magnepan panels? The only reason the system functions is that it is a SYSTEM. You can't replace parts of it and then expect it to work as designed. Not an option.

[405x5]

Just another thread title that is over sensationalizing an audio format. It may be a great way to simplify that which is being blown way out of proportion and make it simpler for many end users but certainly nothing cataclysmic to be sure.

[rbk123]

Sept 27, 2021 9:59:48 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

Imagine trying to run a system like this using four Magnepan panels? The only reason the system functions is that it is a SYSTEM. You can't replace parts of it and then expect it to work as designed. Not an option.

Still all just a matter of programming - you would just need the Magnepan modeling. Plus, like Dirac, if it uses a mic, it probably doesn't even need speaker modeling, or needs it less, because it could send key samples to test/receive the type of stuff you mention.

Btw, I would have been a lot more skeptical had it been reviewed by someone other than Andrew. He's listened to more single and HT setups than probably all of us together and then some. He simply knows, so for him to be blown away, I don't take that lightly.

[DYohn]

Bose-II

[geebo]

Sept 27, 2021 11:53:25 GMT -5 DYohn said:

Bose-II

[Deleted]

Sept 27, 2021 11:53:25 GMT -5 DYohn said:

Bose-II

[Boomzilla]

Sept 27, 2021 10:50:37 GMT -5 405x5 said:

Just another thread title that is over sensationalizing an audio format. It may be a great way to simplify that which is being blown way out of proportion and make it simpler for many and users but certainly nothing cataclysmic to be sure.

Maybe... Time will tell.

[martindktm]

Sony tried in the past many new format... And most where not popular and doesn't exist today time will tell...

[pedrocols]

Haven't said this in a while; Two Channel Rules!!!™
lol....

[bobcel]

Very interesting concept. I'm going to demo this once I find a place to do so! Hard pressed to sell off my stuff but we'll see, would be nice to simplify things if its as good as Andrew's comments were. I do trust his impressions.

[garbulky]

I've said this before, but promise and execution are two different things. Tech that sounds just fine in department store entry level stuff may find insurmountable odds when trying to scale up in sound quality to meet hi-fi standards.

[rbk123]

Did Andrew and his wife compare it to department store entry level tech? I must have missed that as I heard him compare it to some of the best gear he's ever listened to.

[garbulky]

Sept 29, 2021 20:01:10 GMT -5 rbk123 said:

Did Andrew and his wife compare it to department store entry level tech? I must have missed that as I heard him compare it to some of the best gear he's ever listened to.

I did notice that. They were really taken with it. And his wife is usually not one to praise unnecessarily.