(November 3, 2024) StormAudio has rolled out firmware version 4.6r1p2, packed with updates and fresh features for its ISP processors, plus a massive update for Astral 16 owners. This release, now available as a free download through the StormAudio Client Portal, is compatible with the ISP Elite (MK1, MK2, MK3), ISP Core 16, ISP Evo, and ISR Fusion 20.
For installations where center speaker placement is less than ideal, the new "Center Shift" feature lets you shift a phantom image to create a more accurate dialogue placement. Whether a system's center speaker is off-axis or non-existent, Center Shift allows you to adjust how audio is distributed across a room's front speakers, ensuring that dialogue and on-screen action are placed in the middle of the screen. Think of it as putting dialogue back where it belongs—without physically moving a single speaker. This is especially important as large-scale microLED walls have continued to grow in popularity.
Adaptive Loudness is another key improvement. In reality, most owners aren't cranking home theater and media systems to reference levels all the time, and killing volume can lead to an imbalance with bass and treble. StormAudio’s new Adaptive Loudness feature solves this by keeping sound balanced at any listening level. Whether you're watching a late-night movie or just dialing things back for casual listening, Storm says Adaptive Loudness ensures a mix’s intended bass and treble response stays intact by offering three levels of adjustment—Low, Medium, and Full.
Aside from those headliners, version 4.6r1p2 has various other tweaks and fixes. A notable change is the renaming of Sub Enhance to "LFE Enhance." Previously, Sub Enhance adjusted the overall subwoofer level, but this new LFE Enhance feature is specifically focused on boosting the Low-Frequency Effects (LFE) channel without altering the general subwoofer volume. This is a subtle but important distinction for those who want to fine-tune their low-end experience without muddying the overall soundstage or affecting the system’s tonal balance.
Other fixes and updates include:
- XLR IN is now available as an external input generator, adding more flexibility for your system setup.
- Several issues with Dirac Live calibration have been resolved, including instances where profiles wouldn’t apply after a reboot or factory reset.
- Improvements to ARC (Audio Return Channel), including a fix for the loss of the center channel when streaming from certain apps like Apple TV.
- Enhanced HDMI CEC support, particularly for mute commands, making it easier to control volume through your system’s HDMI-connected devices.
Updating your ISP processor is straightforward. You can handle the upgrade through the WebUI or a USB dongle. For those upgrading from older firmware versions, it’s important to follow the step-by-step process outlined on StormAudio’s Client Portal. If you’re running firmware prior to the 4.1r2 revision, make sure to upgrade to 4.1r2 before jumping to the newest version.
For peace of mind, make sure to back up your configuration before proceeding with any update. StormAudio also recommends starting with a specific firmware version depending on your current setup (e.g., 3.5r7 for earlier systems), so check your firmware history before diving in.
For more details and the full upgrade process, head over to the StormAudio Client Portal and get started on your update today.
Related Reading:
- CEDIA 2024: Dive Into the World of StormAudio, Find Out Why Its Implementation of Dirac & ART is so Powerful!
- StormAudio, JL Audio, and madVR Join AV NIRVANA LIVE Today at 5 PM Eastern!
- New StormAudio Update Delivers Bass Shaker Channel, Other Improvements
- StormAudio Barrels Forward, Officially Releasing Its ISR Fusion 20, an HDMI 2.1 Upgrade Board, and More!
