May 18th, 2012
Dolby Elevates the Quality of Lossless Audio on Blu-ray
Dolby TrueHD with advanced 96k upsampling integrated into Dolby Media Producer delivers enhanced studio-quality surround sound
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) today announced the ability for studios, authoring houses, and mastering facilities to unlock the full sonic potential of television, movie, and music content, further elevating playback performance of lossless audio on Blu-ray Disc™.
Blu-ray Discs premastered using Dolby® TrueHD with advanced 96k upsampling can now deliver to consumers a full-range high-definition surround sound experience ensuring optimum performance from today’s advanced A/V receivers and Blu-ray Disc players. The new Dolby TrueHD coding solution enables facilities to integrate the benefits of 96 kHz playback quality audio into the final master while simultaneously reducing the incidence of digital artifacts introduced during the content-creation process.
“Lossless audio is a key distinguishing feature of Blu-ray content. All things being equal, you cannot improve on the quality of lossless audio coding; however, you can improve on the quality of the source PCM content prior to lossless encoding, and this is precisely what we have achieved with our advanced 96k upsampling technology,” said Craig Eggers, Director, Content Creation and Playback, Home Theater Ecosystem, Dolby Laboratories. “A significant amount of Hollywood content has been captured in native 48 kHz. Studios and authoring facilities that implement Dolby TrueHD with advanced 96k upsampling can elevate the quality of PCM audio prior to lossless Dolby TrueHD encoding, ensuring that consumers get the very best audio performance possible from their Blu-ray playback systems.”
Besides enabling optimum 96k upsampling, this technology features a unique apodizing filter that “masks” the unwanted digital artifacts known as “preringing,” which is introduced during the content-capture and content-creation process. These digital artifacts can introduce an unnatural edginess or harshness to the audio. Dolby TrueHD with advanced 96k upsampling restores the natural tonality of the soundtrack. The effect can be subtle or dramatic, depending on the quality of the source material. Content mastered with Dolby TrueHD with advanced upsampling is fully playback compatible with all Dolby TrueHD enabled Blu-ray™ players and A/V receivers. Listeners are assured the highest-quality playback experiences possible through their systems.
Respected authoring houses and mixing facilities worldwide have recently upgraded to Dolby TrueHD with advanced 96k upsampling within the Dolby Media Producer Encoder v2 to provide customers with the highest-quality audio experience available on Blu-ray. These facilities include United States-based Deluxe Digital Studios, Giant Interactive, Mi Casa Multimedia, POP Sound, and Technicolor®; and leading Greater China-based companies Best & Original Production Limited, Hualu Publishing & Media Co., Ltd., and Media Asia Films.
“Deluxe Digital Studios recently installed Dolby TrueHD with advanced 96k upsampling after we conducted a blind test, and everyone agreed the upsampled stream was better than the original,” said Roger Fiets, Technical Manager, DVD and Blu-ray Audio, Deluxe Digital Studios. “With the advanced 96k upsampling treatment, the sound was clearer and is especially advantageous for titles that have levels ranging close to 0dBFS, delivering less fatigue for the listener.”
“We were particularly impressed with the excellent results of Dolby’s new Dolby TrueHD with advanced 96k upsampling on one of our most recent projects, the San Francisco Symphony at 100 Blu-ray,” said Luke Fazzary, Director of Operations, Giant Interactive. “We’re very pleased to be able to share the benefits of this technology with our clients and plan to use it on future projects, whether concerts, live-action films, or episodic programming.”
“One of the best features in Dolby TrueHD with advanced 96k upsampling is the apodizing filter, which makes remarkable improvement in the articulation in high-frequency attacks while simultaneously cleaning up midrange mush,” said Brant Biles, President and Chief Engineer, Mi Casa Multimedia. “Upsampling with the apodizing filter on any program information, whether it is music, dialogue, or effects, delicately unveils the sound and adds an extra dimension of depth and clarity. Job well done, Dolby!”
“I am very impressed with Dolby TrueHD advanced 96k upsampling as it definitely makes a difference with some of the transient elements of the audio mix,” said Tim Hoogenakker, Senior Mixer, POP Sound. “For example, when I used the advanced 96k upsampling on a portion of a film that I mixed recently, I noticed the cannon shots had a sharp transient quality that blended well with the loud crack and thump of the cannon fire that provided much more depth at 96k.”
“As a pioneer on the premastering of Blu-ray Disc in Greater China, Best & Original constantly seeks for innovative technologies that help us better maintain the artistic intent of the content and bring the home theater viewing experience to a higher level,” said Michael Lau, Production Director, Best & Original Production Limited. “Dolby TrueHD with advanced 96k upsampling definitely is one of the best from this perspective, and we are delighted to be the one of the first production houses in the region to use this solution with the latest Chinese blockbuster Blu-ray release, The Flowers of War.”
“As one of the top studios in the region, Media Asia’s mission is to offer the best possible entertainment experience for people in the cinema and at home. The capability of Dolby TrueHD with advanced 96k upsampling delivers superior audio that fulfills our needs,” said Ricky Tse, General Manager, Sales & Distribution, Media Asia Films. “We are planning to use Dolby TrueHD with advanced 96k upsampling in the Blu-ray version of a series of movies set to be released in this calendar year.”
Dolby plays a critical role in ensuring that the artistic intent of the audio mix is maintained through the entertainment ecosystem, from the soundstage into the home theater. Dolby TrueHD delivers powerful sound that is bit-for-bit identical to the original studio master, unlocking the full entertainment value of Blu-ray Disc and other HD media. The advanced 96k upsampling raises the bar for playback of movies, television, and concert films mastered for Blu-ray Disc. Beyond the Greater China release of The Flowers of War, Blu-ray Disc titles including the Joe Satriani concert film, Satchurated: Live in Montreal, and San Francisco Symphony at 100 have been premastered using Dolby TrueHD with advanced 96k upsampling.
To learn more about the use of Dolby TrueHD with advanced 96k upsampling used in the San Francisco Symphony at 100 Blu-ray Disc release, visit https://vimeo.com/42325868.
Hear director and producer François Lamoureux and drummer Jeff Campitelli give insight into the making of the Joe Satriani concert film Satchurated: Live in Montreal now available in Dolby TrueHD with advanced 96k upsampling, http://vimeo.com/42316824.
Studio staff and others interested in learning more about Dolby TrueHD with advanced 96k upsampling can read the following PDF white papers: Dolby TrueHD Encoder with Advanced 96k Upsampling and Elevating the Performance of Lossless Audio in the Home Theater: Dolby TrueHD with Advanced 96k Upsampling.
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May 18th, 2012
Unique locations and costumed actors contribute to a completely immersive cinematic experience new to Toronto
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May 16th, 2012
Ever since the advent of the first radios and TVs, home entertainment has been a relatively high-tech enterprise, but in the past few years, there has been a revolution in the quality of sights and sounds available.
This arena continues to be an experimental space for new and improved technologies that enhance viewing and listening experiences.
Home Theatrics
These days, going to the theater can sometimes mean staying home, where advanced home theater systems come complete with large-screen TVs, professional-quality sound systems, and seating that can rival or top that of “real” theaters.
Part of what makes these home theater systems particularly competitive is their focus on high-tech sound systems, according to Jeff Cowan, vice president of training and customer insight for
D&M Holdings.
“As TV sets have gotten thinner and thinner, there is less space for speakers, so sound quality in the sets themselves has inevitably been compromised,” Cowan told TechNewsWorld.
“This, along with the proliferation of audio and video content with great audio potential, has created consumer demand for surround-sound systems capable of delivering all the power and impact of Blu-ray movies and other sources, as well as the new generation of video games,” he said. “People are looking for an impactful, surround-sound experience from a system that is both simple to set up and easy to use.”
D&M Holdings includes various brands, including Denon and Boston Acoustics, giving it a range of technologies and products from which to draw.
“While most HTiB systems simply use a normal A/V receiver and pair it with the kinds of loudspeakers that allow them to offer the system at a low price point, we’re able to combine a true Denon-quality receiver with powerful, high-quality BA loudspeakers — and ensure that all five channels are electrically and acoustically tuned and matched for optimum performance,” said Cowan.
Digital Radio
Another technology  changing the nature of home entertainment is digital radio signals and the equipment that capture them.
“Much like the transition to HDTV, the broadcast system for radio is moving into the digital era,” Jeff Jury, chief operating officer with
iBiquity Digital, told TechNewsWorld. “This allows for a wider range of new consumer services and channels.”
Digital technology has revamped what it means to listen to the radio, Jury said.
“HD Radio technology offers new services in digital sound quality that you cannot get in analog. The consumer gets new channels where none existed before, song title and artist, images, the ability to store information through a bookmark function, traffic and other similar services and iTunes Tagging — the ability to tag a song in select radios with iPhone/iPod connections and purchase the song when the device is connected to the iTunes store,” he noted.
“Consumers now have a much wider range of content to choose from than in an analog world,” Jury said.
To take advantage of these signals, consumers need HD radio-enabled receivers, which are becoming the norm in both homes and cars. The technology is making its way into mobile devices, as well.
“As the technology moves into smartphones, you will see more opportunities with interactivity and new features tying together the over-the-air broadcast content with IP-delivered content,” said Jury. “This will create a richer radio experience for consumers. And you will see a continual expansion of radio stations in North and South America and Asia broadcasting with HD radio technology.”
Accessible Entertainment
Home entertainment technologies have also been evolving for the hearing-impaired. When her father suffered hearing loss, Michele Ahlman, president of
ClearSounds Communications, began to see the need for such technologies.
“My dad was a tank commander in the Army and lost his hearing through noise exposure,” Ahlman told TechNewsWorld. “His experience with hearing loss, coupled with my mom’s desire to make a difference and have a positive impact, inspired the launch of our company.”
One of the company’s bestsellers is the ClearTV Infrared System, which uses infrared technology to enhance TV and audio listening experiences for the hearing-impaired.
“The sound quality is amazing, really bringing the listening experience to life,” said Ahlman.
Another popular product, the Quattro Connect360 System, uses Bluetooth technology to connect consumers to TVs, audio systems, phones, mobile devices and laptops by turning hearing aids or cochlear implants into headsets and thus delivering customized sound to the listener.
For those who don’t wear a hearing aid, the system comes with a patented headset that delivers enhanced sound while protecting the listener’s hearing.
“These products are popular because they keep people connected to their family, friends, community — to their lives,” said Ahlman.
“It’s not just about the connection; it’s about the quality of the listening experience,” she emphasized. “Our products reduce the stress and frustration those with hearing loss have when they strain to hear clearly. They bring sounds to life for those without hearing loss. They motivate and inspire people to connect and enjoy life.”
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May 16th, 2012
Music-only surround formats have failed again and again; is Onkyo's new high-resolution download scheme doomed from the start?
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May 14th, 2012
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB – News) announced today that e-onkyo music,
the high-quality music distribution service managed by Onkyo
Entertainment Technology Corporation, a subsidiary of Onkyo Corporation,
will be the first online music distribution service to feature Dolby®
TrueHD 5.1-channel surround sound. Expected to launch on May 30, 2012,
in Japan and in fall 2012 elsewhere in the world, this service will
enable users to download music from 100 album titles (about 1,000
tracks) in Dolby TrueHD 5.1-channel surround sound. The new Onkyo®
A/V receivers (AVR) TX-NR818 and TX-NR717 will support the service.
The e-onkyo music service began in August 2005, with DRM-free music
(music without digital copyright protection technology) and DSD format
music distribution added in 2010, and featured a high-quality
distribution of music by the rock group Queen in 2011. Now, with
lossless Dolby TrueHD 5.1-channel surround sound, the music service will
provide consumers with high-quality audio at reduced download times and
file sizes.
Shinsuke Yamashita, President and Representative Director, Onkyo
Entertainment Technology Corporation, explained: “We are very happy that
e-onkyo music will start distribution with Dolby TrueHD lossless audio,
thanks to the cooperation of Dolby. The evolution of network audio and
PC audio means that users can enjoy high-resolution sound with data
volumes greater than those that are possible on a CD. And we are aiming
to achieve even further growth in our music distribution business.
Through the collaboration between our two companies, we intend to
increase our breadth of content and improve the user’s listening
experience, in a way that only high-quality surround sound distribution
can.”
Michael Bergeron, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Support,
Dolby Laboratories, commented: “Consumer appreciation of the
highest-quality audio playback experiences is increasing. Onkyo’s
e-music service with Dolby TrueHD gives the listener access to 100
percent studio master–quality audio, delivering unparalleled detail and
immersion, and reproducing every nuance of the recording or concert
event. We congratulate Onkyo on their leadership in bringing these
exciting experiences to the consumer through their download music
service.”
e-onkyo music’s Dolby TrueHD 5.1-Channel Surround Sound Distribution
(Provisional)
|
Service begins:
|
|
May 30, 2012, 13:00 Japan standard time (JST)
|
|
Available titles*:
|
|
100 album titles, approx. 1,000 tracks
|
|
Distribution format:
|
|
24-bit/96 kHz, 24-bit/192 kHz 5.1-channel Dolby TrueHD
|
|
Price (provisional):
|
|
Albums: Starting at 3,000 yen (incl. tax) , singles: Starting at 400
yen (incl. tax)
|
|
Service URL:
|
|
|
* Distribution titles are subject to change without prior notice.
About e-onkyo music
The e-onkyo site launched in August 2005 with the aim of enabling users
to enjoy lossless “original audio,” not available from compression-type
music distribution sites. With 24-bit/96 kHz distribution, the site
enabled users to listen to Japanese jazz and fusion performers such as
Chie Ayado and Katsumi Watanabe; foreign jazz musicians such as Charlie
Haden and others; and top-flight classical musicians from Japan and
overseas, such as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Valery Abisalovich Gergiev, and
Yutaka Sado. e-onkyo music has grown into a high-quality music
distribution site with one of the largest catalogs of music in Japan. In
July 2010, the site began DRM-free distribution of high-quality data and
also began Japan’s first download sales of 24-bit/192 kHz
ultrahigh-quality audio. Then, in December of that year, DSD format
high-quality data distribution was started; and e-onkyo is developing
the highest-quality music distribution in any required format. As of
April 2012, the site has already distributed some 60,000 tracks. Of
those, about 15,000 tracks have been delivered at 24-bit/96 kHz or
higher. For details about the e-onkyo music service, visit http://music.e-onkyo.com/.
About Dolby TrueHD
Dolby’s latest audio codec, Dolby TrueHD is an HD audio technology that
can reproduce the original source-master sound exactly and without
compromise. This audio format can deliver the highest-resolution digital
signals of master soundtracks produced in-studio, with 100 percent
bit-for-bit accuracy while saving data capacity compared to the source
PCM. This means that users can enjoy in their homes the same audio
quality that music and movie creators experience in the studio.
About Dolby Laboratories
Dolby Laboratories (NYSE:DLB – News) is the global leader in technologies that
are essential elements in the best entertainment experiences. Founded in
1965 and best known for high-quality audio and surround sound, Dolby
creates innovations that enrich entertainment at the movies, at home, or
on the go. For more information about Dolby Laboratories or Dolby
technologies, please visit www.dolby.com.
Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby
Laboratories, Inc. Onkyo is a registered trademark of Onkyo Kabushiki
Kaishi Corporation. S12/25671 DLB-G
Posted in Information | No Comments »
May 14th, 2012
Q I have a Yamaha RX-V1900 receiver that replaced a Sony unit that lacked HDMI. My problem is that I don’t seem to be hearing surround sound. I used the supplied setup microphone and have been getting poor results. I’ve been over the manual three times. What am I doing wrong?
A You have a fine receiver and will be able to get excellent results once everything is set properly.
The first thing to remember is that not all TV broadcasts are in surround sound. If you get surround sound occasionally, it could be that many of the programs you are watching are in stereo, not surround.
Since you changed to HDMI from another kind of digital connection, the first thing to do is to check the settings of your components. Make sure your cable/satellite box and DVD/Blu-ray player have HDMI audio set to transmit in surround, not stereo. This would be Dolby/PCM (not just PCM) on satellite and cable boxes. With Blu-ray players, it can differ depending on the player’s capabilities, but selecting bitstream will always yield a surround-sound signal.
Many receivers have automated setup programs now. At the lower end of the pricing scale, the only two systems I have found to work consistently well are Pioneer’s MCACC and Anthem’s ARC. With every other system, I have preferred the results I get tuning the surround sound myself.
To do this, enter the audio menus, set the proper configuration for your speakers and activate the test tones. If you have a sound pressure level meter, adjust each channel to 75 dB. If you don’t have a meter, set each speaker so it seems to have the same loudness when you switch the test tone from speaker to speaker. Once you have done this you can bump the center channel up a tad if you have trouble hearing dialogue, and turn up the surround speakers a bit if you prefer stronger surround effects.
When everything is set properly, the receiver will choose the proper surround format on its own. Your Yamaha has additional Cinema DSP modes that might be adding to your confusion. Leave those turned off.
Celebrating 10: July 4 will mark the 10th anniversary of the Sound Advice column. To celebrate and to thank readers, I’m giving away a home-theater sound system — a Definitive Technology ProCinema 400 speaker system and a Marantz NR1402 receiver. Both products produce fantastic results together. Visit my website (www. soundadviceblog.com) to enter.
Clarification: I recently wrote that Eneloop rechargeable batteries require a specific charger. They can be used with any charger, but the warranty applies only if you use a Sanyo or GE/Sanyo charger.
Get other audio-video recommendations and read past columns at www.soundadvice blog.com. Send questions to donlindich@gmail.com.
Posted in Information | No Comments »
May 12th, 2012
Are you looking to add surround sound to your entertainment center. Do you want to add speakers to other rooms in your home or apartment. Then this is the video for you! In this video I add 2 additional speakers to an existing stereo I had in my apartment that is around 15 years old. I use the stereo to play music as well as sound from my TV. I placed the two additional speakers in my kitchen, but you can place them anywhere. It ‘sa great way to add surround sound to one of your stereos today! Thanks for watching and feel free to comment below!
Posted in Videos | No Comments »
May 12th, 2012
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB – News) announced today that e-onkyo music,
the high-quality music distribution service managed by Onkyo
Entertainment Technology Corporation, a subsidiary of Onkyo Corporation,
will be the first online music distribution service to feature Dolby®
TrueHD 5.1-channel surround sound. Expected to launch on May 30, 2012,
in Japan and in fall 2012 elsewhere in the world, this service will
enable users to download music from 100 album titles (about 1,000
tracks) in Dolby TrueHD 5.1-channel surround sound. The new Onkyo®
A/V receivers (AVR) TX-NR818 and TX-NR717 will support the service.
The e-onkyo music service began in August 2005, with DRM-free music
(music without digital copyright protection technology) and DSD format
music distribution added in 2010, and featured a high-quality
distribution of music by the rock group Queen in 2011. Now, with
lossless Dolby TrueHD 5.1-channel surround sound, the music service will
provide consumers with high-quality audio at reduced download times and
file sizes.
Shinsuke Yamashita, President and Representative Director, Onkyo
Entertainment Technology Corporation, explained: “We are very happy that
e-onkyo music will start distribution with Dolby TrueHD lossless audio,
thanks to the cooperation of Dolby. The evolution of network audio and
PC audio means that users can enjoy high-resolution sound with data
volumes greater than those that are possible on a CD. And we are aiming
to achieve even further growth in our music distribution business.
Through the collaboration between our two companies, we intend to
increase our breadth of content and improve the user’s listening
experience, in a way that only high-quality surround sound distribution
can.”
Michael Bergeron, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Support,
Dolby Laboratories, commented: “Consumer appreciation of the
highest-quality audio playback experiences is increasing. Onkyo’s
e-music service with Dolby TrueHD gives the listener access to 100
percent studio master–quality audio, delivering unparalleled detail and
immersion, and reproducing every nuance of the recording or concert
event. We congratulate Onkyo on their leadership in bringing these
exciting experiences to the consumer through their download music
service.”
e-onkyo music’s Dolby TrueHD 5.1-Channel Surround Sound Distribution
(Provisional)
|
Service begins:
|
|
May 30, 2012, 13:00 Japan standard time (JST)
|
|
Available titles*:
|
|
100 album titles, approx. 1,000 tracks
|
|
Distribution format:
|
|
24-bit/96 kHz, 24-bit/192 kHz 5.1-channel Dolby TrueHD
|
|
Price (provisional):
|
|
Albums: Starting at 3,000 yen (incl. tax) , singles: Starting at 400
yen (incl. tax)
|
|
Service URL:
|
|
|
* Distribution titles are subject to change without prior notice.
About e-onkyo music
The e-onkyo site launched in August 2005 with the aim of enabling users
to enjoy lossless “original audio,” not available from compression-type
music distribution sites. With 24-bit/96 kHz distribution, the site
enabled users to listen to Japanese jazz and fusion performers such as
Chie Ayado and Katsumi Watanabe; foreign jazz musicians such as Charlie
Haden and others; and top-flight classical musicians from Japan and
overseas, such as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Valery Abisalovich Gergiev, and
Yutaka Sado. e-onkyo music has grown into a high-quality music
distribution site with one of the largest catalogs of music in Japan. In
July 2010, the site began DRM-free distribution of high-quality data and
also began Japan’s first download sales of 24-bit/192 kHz
ultrahigh-quality audio. Then, in December of that year, DSD format
high-quality data distribution was started; and e-onkyo is developing
the highest-quality music distribution in any required format. As of
April 2012, the site has already distributed some 60,000 tracks. Of
those, about 15,000 tracks have been delivered at 24-bit/96 kHz or
higher. For details about the e-onkyo music service, visit http://music.e-onkyo.com/.
About Dolby TrueHD
Dolby’s latest audio codec, Dolby TrueHD is an HD audio technology that
can reproduce the original source-master sound exactly and without
compromise. This audio format can deliver the highest-resolution digital
signals of master soundtracks produced in-studio, with 100 percent
bit-for-bit accuracy while saving data capacity compared to the source
PCM. This means that users can enjoy in their homes the same audio
quality that music and movie creators experience in the studio.
About Dolby Laboratories
Dolby Laboratories (NYSE:DLB – News) is the global leader in technologies that
are essential elements in the best entertainment experiences. Founded in
1965 and best known for high-quality audio and surround sound, Dolby
creates innovations that enrich entertainment at the movies, at home, or
on the go. For more information about Dolby Laboratories or Dolby
technologies, please visit www.dolby.com.
Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby
Laboratories, Inc. Onkyo is a registered trademark of Onkyo Kabushiki
Kaishi Corporation. S12/25671 DLB-G
Posted in Information | No Comments »
May 12th, 2012
Q I have a Yamaha RX-V1900 receiver that replaced a Sony unit that lacked HDMI. My problem is that I don’t seem to be hearing surround sound. I used the supplied setup microphone and have been getting poor results. I’ve been over the manual three times. What am I doing wrong?
A You have a fine receiver and will be able to get excellent results once everything is set properly.
The first thing to remember is that not all TV broadcasts are in surround sound. If you get surround sound occasionally, it could be that many of the programs you are watching are in stereo, not surround.
Since you changed to HDMI from another kind of digital connection, the first thing to do is to check the settings of your components. Make sure your cable/satellite box and DVD/Blu-ray player have HDMI audio set to transmit in surround, not stereo. This would be Dolby/PCM (not just PCM) on satellite and cable boxes. With Blu-ray players, it can differ depending on the player’s capabilities, but selecting bitstream will always yield a surround-sound signal.
Many receivers have automated setup programs now. At the lower end of the pricing scale, the only two systems I have found to work consistently well are Pioneer’s MCACC and Anthem’s ARC. With every other system, I have preferred the results I get tuning the surround sound myself.
To do this, enter the audio menus, set the proper configuration for your speakers and activate the test tones. If you have a sound pressure level meter, adjust each channel to 75 dB. If you don’t have a meter, set each speaker so it seems to have the same loudness when you switch the test tone from speaker to speaker. Once you have done this you can bump the center channel up a tad if you have trouble hearing dialogue, and turn up the surround speakers a bit if you prefer stronger surround effects.
When everything is set properly, the receiver will choose the proper surround format on its own. Your Yamaha has additional Cinema DSP modes that might be adding to your confusion. Leave those turned off.
Celebrating 10: July 4 will mark the 10th anniversary of the Sound Advice column. To celebrate and to thank readers, I’m giving away a home-theater sound system — a Definitive Technology ProCinema 400 speaker system and a Marantz NR1402 receiver. Both products produce fantastic results together. Visit my website (www. soundadviceblog.com) to enter.
Clarification: I recently wrote that Eneloop rechargeable batteries require a specific charger. They can be used with any charger, but the warranty applies only if you use a Sanyo or GE/Sanyo charger.
Get other audio-video recommendations and read past columns at www.soundadvice blog.com. Send questions to donlindich@gmail.com.
Posted in Information | No Comments »
May 10th, 2012
Home speaker systems can be a complicated matter. Even with wireless speakers, surround sound setups usually involve bulky hardware spread across your living room. Harmon Kardon believes it has the answer, though, with the SB 16: a $599.99 soundbar system pairing a meaty subwoofer with a relatively discrete single speaker unit. Read on for the SlashGear review.
Hardware
Soundbars are often pushed as ideal for compact living rooms, but the SB 16 manages to still be imposing despite only consisting of two pieces. The bar itself is 92 x 89 x 11 cm and weighs 3.6kg, while the subwoofer is a hefty 48 x 38 x 38 and 15kg. It requires a little consideration for placement, though the wireless link between the two components makes it easier.
Harman Kardon SB 16 Unboxing and hands-on
Build quality is excellent, and takes some of the sting out of the $600 tag. The Soundbar is creak- and flex-free, and the design is minimalist in its sturdy black simplicity: you don’t get a display or a splash of buttons, only power, volume up/down and source switcher.
All of the inputs are on the back of the soundbar: an analog stereo, a digital optical and a digital coaxial. Unlike some systems, there’s no HDMI input or throughput. Both parts require their own power input.
Remote Control
Harmon Kardon takes the arguably unusual route of not bundling a remote with the SB 16; the integrated buttons are the only controls you get. Instead, the plan is to use your TV remote for controlling power, volume, mute and source. That requires some programming first.
In essence, it’s a matter of holding down the power and source buttons on the soundbar until it enters programming mode, choosing the button you want to set up, and then pressing the relevant key on your TV remote until it’s learned. We found it took a couple of tries – sometimes the SB 16 would time-out of learning mode, and we needed to start again from the beginning – but after we persisted it all responded as expected.
Performance
Convenience and design are for nothing if the sound quality underwhelms, but luckily that’s not the case. There are some basic setup controls on the soundbar – a three-step Trim switch for input sensitivity, along with a choice of “Wall” or “Table” EQ presets depending on where you’re putting it – along with Volume, Crossover and a Phase Switch on the sub. Crossover can be adjusted from 50-150 Hz, while Phase has two options, “0″ or “180.” We had no problems with the sub getting a wireless signal all the way across our living room.f
With two 3-inch midrange speakers and a 3/4-inch dome tweeter per channel in the soundbar – driven by a 2 x 25W amp – and a 100W amp in the sub, we were expecting loud sound from the SB 16. What surprised us was the precision of the audio; there was no muddiness in more frantic scenes, and even when film soundtracks mixed high-octane backing audio with dialog, we could comfortably make out the speech.
It’s all too easy for speaker systems to try to mask low-quality mids and trebles with an extra heaping of bass, and while there’s no shortage of power from the subwoofer, the SB 16′s upper registers aren’t shy. There’s a width to the soundstage that belies even the meter-wide soundbar, too, and even the “3D Surround” mode, though of course nothing like true surround, adds a highly listenable element to films.
Music performance, meanwhile, stands up to most genres. The Harmon Kardon does best with acoustic and classical tracks, its treble and midrange clarity adding up to great guitars, piping vocals and crisp pianos. More aggressive rock and RnB lost some of its punch at higher volume, but keep the audio more around the mid-point and it’s still highly listenable.
Wrap-Up
$600 is a lot to pay for a speakerbar system. To understand the SB 16, you first have to reconsider your ideas on value: this isn’t a space-saver, or a cheap way to bypass integrated TV speakers, but a straightforward and practical upgrade to better sound quality.
Performance for movies and TV is stronger than for music, though the SB 16 does a good job holding its end up there too. A separates system might deliver more authentic surround sound or better music performance, though at the price of more complex setup and a potential wiring mess. For a balance of audio and ease the SB 16 does a lot for the money.
Posted in Information | No Comments »
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