Some of you may know that Harman has a clever room EQ that currently only exists in the JBL Synthesis DSP stack (SDEC-4500) and JBL BassQ (manages four subs). We use this in our showroom to drive a 20-speaker system (soon to be expanded to 40). I have to say, the performance is superb. The dynamics and clarity is mind boggling. Here is a picture of them in our rack:
You may have also heard that the above technology is finding itself in a new Lexicon processor. The information about the device is confidential since it is not yet released. But while chasing an answer to a question, I got permission to release these two tidbits of information:
1. The device will have sub equalization for up to four devices. This will perform the Harman Sound Field Management (SFM) where the algorithm first attempts to equalize both frequency response and levels of all the subs at the listening position(s). Once there, then the general room EQ system optimizes all of them globally. In other words, the system makes the cluster of four subs the same as a single sub but with far better response.
2. The resolution of the system will be higher than even SDEC-4500 (which operates at 24-bit/96 KHz). They won't let me say more than this . Suffice it to say it is exciting to see so much horsepower become available in a conventional home theater processor package. Its functionality sums all the boxes I have in the above picture.
The device is not yet shipping. While I hear optimistic reports from the factory, I tend to be conservative on such things. So for now, if you need a processor today go and buy something else. But if like me, you can wait, this is really one to watch.
You may have also heard that the above technology is finding itself in a new Lexicon processor. The information about the device is confidential since it is not yet released. But while chasing an answer to a question, I got permission to release these two tidbits of information:
1. The device will have sub equalization for up to four devices. This will perform the Harman Sound Field Management (SFM) where the algorithm first attempts to equalize both frequency response and levels of all the subs at the listening position(s). Once there, then the general room EQ system optimizes all of them globally. In other words, the system makes the cluster of four subs the same as a single sub but with far better response.
2. The resolution of the system will be higher than even SDEC-4500 (which operates at 24-bit/96 KHz). They won't let me say more than this . Suffice it to say it is exciting to see so much horsepower become available in a conventional home theater processor package. Its functionality sums all the boxes I have in the above picture.
The device is not yet shipping. While I hear optimistic reports from the factory, I tend to be conservative on such things. So for now, if you need a processor today go and buy something else. But if like me, you can wait, this is really one to watch.