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Yamaha RX-V440 Wins Home Theater Receiver Category at EISA European Home Theater Awards 2003-2004

September 1, 2003 by Leave a Comment

Yamaha‘s Yamaha’s RX-V440 A/V receiver has won the Home Theatre Receiver category of the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA)’s European Home Theatre Awards 2003-2004.

The European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA)’s membership of 50 leading magazines specialize in audio-visual and related products and are based in 20 European countries. Each June, EISA panels examine all audio-visual-related products introduced during the preceding twelve months and choose the best equipment in each category. The EISA Awards are considered to be among the most prestigious consumer electronics accolades, not only in Europe but the whole world.

The RX-V440 AV receiver is a high-performance, high-sound-quality receiver that is completely compatible with the latest 6.1 channel surround features. The EISA European Home Theatre 2003-2004 award was given based on a comprehensive evaluation of the RX-V440’s all-around functionality, easy set-up process, high-quality sound, and high ratio of performance to cost.

Yamaha also took the award in the High-end AV Product category, for its DPX-1000 projector. The DPX-1000 employs the most up-to-date generation of full-digital DLP projector technology, featuring a newly-developed, high-performance optics engine. The EISA award was in recognition of the DPX-1000’s high-precision color fidelity as well as its incorporation of advanced technology that enables an “amazingly” high contrast ratio and film-like picture quality.

The RX-V440 ($299 US) is designed to provide excellent performance and an easy operation design at an affordable price. It features Yamaha’s Digital ToP-ART design concept, high current amplification, a 32-bit Cinema DSP LSI, full surround format compatibility, 24 surround programs with Yamaha’s exclusive Quad-field Cinema DSP, Silent Cinema, On Screen display, and 96kHz/24-bit DACs for all channels.

Key Features of the RX-V440

  • High power 6-channel discrete amplifier configuration (75W x 6) [20-20,000 Hz, FTC]
  • Digital ToP-ART (Total Purity Audio Reproduction Technology)
  • High Current Amplification for high sound quality
  • Compatibility with the latest movie sound formats including Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 and DTS Neo:6
  • Powerful 32-Bit Yamaha LSI (YSS-938) for Cinema DSP processing
  • 24 surround programs (44 variations) with Silent Cinema and Night Listening modes
  • Front panel Video Aux input terminals
  • Speaker A, B, or A+B selection
  • 2 component video input terminals

Yamaha USA Web Site

Filed Under: Tech

New Ultrasone Beatmaster Headphones Safely Deliver High Output Level and Focused Lows for Studio Drummers and Bass Players

August 27, 2003 by Leave a Comment

German headphone maker Ultrasone is offering a new model for professional musicians and recording engineers. The Ultrasone HFI-550 Beatmaster (price TBA) is now available in the North American market (United States, Canada, and Mexico) through EARS Audio Distribution.

The Beatmaster is designed to satisfy the needs of studio engineers and musicians alike through its focused low frequency response, precise and detailed instrument placement, and impressive power handling.

EARS Audio proprietor Linda Albright notes that the Ultrasone HFI-550 will be particularly suitable useful for bass players and drummers laying down tracks in the studio. It specs out with frequency response of 15Hz – 22kHz, impedance of 32 ohms, and it can deliver sound pressure levels up to 100dB.

The HFI-550 Beatmaster is a foldable, closed-back, circum-aural studio headphone featuring Ultrasone’s patented S-Logic(tm) Natural Surround Sound technology. It is available in reduced magnetic field emissions versions, incorporating ULE(tm) Ultra Low Emissions technology.

Ultrasone’s unique S-Logic technology uses decentralized transducer positioning to create a natural three-dimensional sensation, without the use of processing. These headphones produce a broad, stereophonic surround soundfield that is located in front of the listener.

An added benefit of the S-Logic system is that listeners perceive the same volume with sound pressure levels at the eardrum reduced by up to 40 percent. This reduces the risk of hearing damage, while also ensuring hours of fatigue-free listening.

Ultrasone also employs patented ULE™ (Ultra Low Emission) technology to protect users from low frequency EMF emissions. All Ultrasone headphones are available in versions that offer two levels of shielding against EMF radiation, in accordance with international and German standards. Ultrasone LE Low Emissions versions offer a reduction of up to 60 percent while ULE Ultra Low Emissions models reduce EMF radiation by as much as 98 percent.

Based near Munich, Germany, Ultrasone AG has been manufacturing headphones for the professional audio market for over 12 years, during which time the company has developed and applied for more than 60 patents for its innovative technology. The company’s unique, patented S-Logic™ technology creates natural surround sound without the use of additional electronic devices. Ultrasone headphones additionally represent a safer listening experience, not only by generating a 40 percent lower SPL for the same perceived loudness but also by offering reduced EMF radiation through the use of patented ULE(tm) (Ultra Low Emissions) technology.

EARS Audio Distribution Web Site

Filed Under: Gadgets

TerraTec Delivers Aureon 5.1 Surround Audio USB Interface for PCs and Laptops

August 26, 2003 by Leave a Comment

Creative Labs has had the market for 5.1 surround audio add-ons for Windows computers to itself for a while now, with its Audigy 2 series of cards and interfaces. No longer: rival developer TerraTec has come up with a competing product that will be especially appealing to laptop users.

TerraTec‘s new Aureon 5.1 USB audio interface will be available early in September. According to TerraTec, the Aureon 5.1 USB doesn’t require complicated installation or configuration – no special drivers or separate power supply: just plug the compact device into a USB port on your PC, and you’re ready to go with multichannel audio.

The Aureon supports “genuine” surround sound over 5.1 channels (with 6 analog outputs and 2 inputs). It has gold-plated connections, digital inputs/outputs, as well as a microphone input and headphones output. This little sound machine also offers everything else you expect from a good audio card. For pure listening pleasure, particularly for your DVD software, current standards such as Dolby Digital, AC3, DTS and Dolby Pro-Logic II are supported (but not built in).

TerraTec bundles the Aureon 5.1 USB with a couple of useful software packages. Remix your MP3 and audio CD collection like a professional DJ with Native Instruments Traktor DJ, and convert your PC into a genuine home theater with InterVideo WinDVD.

Key Features

  • 6 analog outputs (cinch)
  • 2 analog inputs (cinch)
  • Combination microphone / optical digital input
  • Combination headphone / optical digital output
  • 16 bit/48 kHz signal processing of the analog and digital inputs and outputs
  • USB 1.1 port Plug&Play support without driver installation

TerraTec Web Site

Filed Under: Pro Audio

Dolby Labs Offers Free Downloadable Guide to 5.1 Surround Music Production Techniques

August 15, 2003 by Leave a Comment

Three years after the launch of the new multichannel music delivery formats, many artists, engineers, and producers are still looking for fundamental information on how to best mix and manage music in the multichannel environment.

To assist the professional music production community with the transition to surround, Dolby Laboratories has authored a primer detailing best practices for this rapidly-developing market.

Dolby 5.1-Channel Music Production Guidelines is available immediately as a free PDF download from the Dolby Laboratories Web site. Dolby says its guide is the first such document to clearly present a technical blueprint for creating music in 5.1 channels.

The free publication covers a range of topics such as:

  • proper equipment and speaker placement
  • calibration for proper monitoring
  • metadata planning and implementation
  • program interchange guidelines
  • explanation of new terminology associated with 5.1-channel production

Of particular interest to mix engineers approaching surround mixdown for the first time, the Dolby publication also provides accurate information that dispels myths concerning both center-channel and LFE-channel usage.

Mix and mastering data sheet templates for 5.1-channel projects are also included.

“This document gives a well-rounded technical overview for those producing music for 5.1-channel delivery to consumers,” comments John Kellogg, General Manager for Multichannel Music, Dolby Laboratories.

“Dolby will update it regularly as new and better techniques for creating surround music mixes evolve.”

Dolby Labs Web Site

Filed Under: Production

MartinLogan Announces Grotto, Compact, High-Resolution Subwoofer

August 5, 2003 by Leave a Comment

MartinLogan Announces Grotto, Compact, High-Resolution Subwoofer

High-end loudspeaker maker MartinLogan®, known for pricey, high-performance hybrid electrostatic speakers, has introduced the Grotto™, a reference-standard, powered, servo-control subwoofer system.

The new Grotto builds on the success of MartinLogan’s Descent and Depth subwoofers, delivering dramatic bass detail and attack using a proprietary low-mass, high-excursion, high-resolution driver, advanced servo monitoring and control, a precision crossover and an intuitive 25Hz level control.

The Grotto model is available immediately at a suggested retail price of $995 (US).

High-Resolution Driver Provides Powerful Bass

The heart of the Grotto subwoofer is a proprietary MartinLogan, 10-inch, high-resolution driver – identical to those used in the more expensive Descent subwoofer. The combination of Grotto’s extreme low mass aluminum cone and the tremendous field strength generated by the magnet motor structure results in huge excursions and massive cubic displacement capability.

Advanced Servo Monitoring Provides Control and Low-Distortion

Grotto’s advanced servo monitoring and control system, combined with state-of-the-art driver and cabinet technologies, dramatically reduce intermodulated and harmonic distortions found in most subwoofers. By constantly monitoring and correcting for any deviation from the original audio signal, MartinLogan’s control system yields literally a 3- to 10-fold distortion reduction. This results in highly resolved, tight fisted and dynamic bass.

Seamless System Integration in Any Setting

Grotto is suitable for use in all stereo- and multi-channel applications, and it is designed to excel in all installation configurations: in corners, inside cabinets, underneath or behind furniture.

Intuitive control functions allow the Grotto to be easily tuned for any installation. MartinLogan designed the Grotto with a robust input/output architecture that easily integrates in both stereo- and multi-channel audiophile systems. Additionally, RCA output allows multiple Grottos to operate in a serial configuration.

Extreme care has been focused on the group delay (phase) characteristics for each of Grotto’s 6 discrete crossover settings (ranging from 30-80Hz) to deliver precise contouring in both the amplitude and time domain. The result? Seamless and cohesive integration with any system.

The handy and intuitive 25Hz level control allows easy correction of bass problems common to most rooms. It also permits increased deep bass if you desire a subsonic sense of energy at the lowest frequencies.

MartinLogan Web Site

Also see: MartinLogan Mosaic Floor Standing Loudspeaker

Key Features and Benefits

  • High-Excursion Aluminum Driver: massive cubic displacement
  • Advanced Servo Control: dramatically reduces distortion
  • 25 Hz Level Control: tames your rooms Most problematic frequency
  • Low Distortion, Ultra-Fast Amplifier: provides precision and power in a small package

Specifications
System Frequency Response: 22-150 Hz ± 3 dB. Anechoic through the LFE effects input.
Low Pass Filter Frequencies: 30, 35, 45, 55, 65, 80Hz
High Pass Filter Frequency: 70Hz
Phase: 0°, 90°, 180°
25Hz Level Control: ±12dB
Components: 10″ (25.4cm) high excursion, aluminum element woofer with extend throw drive assembly
Amplifier: 250 watts (350 watts peak)
Inputs: RCA Line Level; RCA LFE; Speaker Level
Outputs: RCA for Multiple Subwoofer Connection
Weight: 40 lbs. each (18.2 kg)
Size: 15″ W × 12.9″ D × 15.38″ H (38.1 cm W × 32.8 cm D × 39 cm H)

Filed Under: HiFi, Home Theater
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