CES 2019: Dirac to Unveil an All-New Bass Management Solution

CES 2019: Dirac to Unveil an All-New Bass Management Solution​

(Dirac)
(December 19, 2018) The boom is about to get a lot tighter! The sound experts at Sweden’s Dirac have emerged from their labs with a new solution to tame the immense power of subterranean bass. Fresh on the heels of releasing its highly anticipated Dirac Live 2.0 re-fresh, Dirac has announced plans to arrive at CES 2019 with an all-new multi-subwoofer bass management system. Tagged as 2.0’s first “module add-on,” the Dirac Live Bass Management Module features proprietary technology designed to analyze and correct a system’s low-end sound for smoother and more accurate playback.

"Seven years ago, we introduced the world to Dirac Live, which marked a breakthrough in digital room correction and has since become the industry’s reference solution,” said Dirac’s General Manager of High Performance Audio, Niklas Thorin. “Dirac Live set the bar high and helped establish our reputation as the leading pioneer of sound optimization solutions. Our all-new Dirac Live Bass Management Module lives up to the legacy of Dirac Live and proves to the market that wherever we innovate, we lead.”

Those are rather bold words, but Dirac’s reputation and loyal following certainly seems to back them up. According to Dirac, the Bass Management Module taps “mathematical models and processing algorithms” to deliver sound optimization for systems using single and multi-subwoofer deployments. And because the module allows audio fans to run predictive analyses complete with visual representations, the amount of time needed to properly integrate a sub into a system and a room will be streamlined.

Dirac has opted to release three different tiers of the The Bass Management Module, meant to accommodate a variety of budgets. The company outlines these tiers as:

• Tier 1: Management of any number of subwoofers, analyzing each one to create a single-optimized sub channel that drives each subwoofer. It also enables precise control of frequency cutoffs for all speakers.
• Tier 2: Advanced setup for a single subwoofer, while also providing control over parameters and applying frequency filters to all speakers based on measurements.
• Tier 3: A free module for all current Dirac Live customers and OEMs, permitting standard bass management with the added benefit of predictive results.

The Dirac Live Bass Management solution is the first of many Dirac Live add-ons planned for release “on a yearly basis.” It’s currently scheduled to launch sometime during Q2 2019.

 

[bkeeler10]

It will be interesting to see how they implement Tier 3 for multiple subs. I assume it will require hardware that has a dedicated independent output for each physical sub. Perhaps a company like miniDSP could build a product like the 2x4 that has a single input and 4 or more outputs, which runs this module. Of course, if there is bass management to do, that's a little more complicated with a unit like that. Interesting...

 

[JStewart]

I hope it doesn't take as long between announcement and release as 2.0. Whether in the end it's as good as expected or not, anticipating and waiting almost a year to find out is not easy. Reading the glowing teasers that will surely come after CES will make it harder still.

 

[Todd Anderson]

You're right @JStewart... we could be talking 6 months!

It will be interesting to see how they implement Tier 3 for multiple subs. I assume it will require hardware that has a dedicated independent output for each physical sub. Perhaps a company like miniDSP could build a product like the 2x4 that has a single input and 4 or more outputs, which runs this module. Of course, if there is bass management to do, that's a little more complicated with a unit like that. Interesting...

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding, but I believe Tier 3 only delivers single sub optimization.

 

[bkeeler10]

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding, but I believe Tier 3 only delivers single sub optimization.

Oops, meant Tier 1.

 

[richardsim7]

I don't see why MiniDSP would need to build anything new, could easily utilize the already existing 2x4 (or 2x4HD)

 

[bkeeler10]

Yes, of course. But for an automated process, seems like the unit would have to communicate with DLCT, requiring some firmware/a plugin at least. It is not obvious that the 2x4HD could be made to do that, but perhaps it can.

 

[richardsim7]

I'm sure a plugin could be made, I don't see why not - Dirac also mentioned spare Atmos pre-outs may be utilized for additonal subwoofers

but we won't know how it will all work, until closer to launch, it would seem

 

[Todd Anderson]

Just to add: pricing on the two non-free tiers has not been released yet.

 

[Gerry Iaria]

CES 2019: Dirac to Unveil an All-New Bass Management Solution​

(Dirac)
(December 19, 2018) The boom is about to get a lot tighter! The sound experts at Sweden’s Dirac have emerged from their labs with a new solution to tame the immense power of subterranean bass. Fresh on the heels of releasing its highly anticipated Dirac Live 2.0 re-fresh, Dirac has announced plans to arrive at CES 2019 with an all-new multi-subwoofer bass management system. Tagged as 2.0’s first “module add-on,” the Dirac Live Bass Management Module features proprietary technology designed to analyze and correct a system’s low-end sound for smoother and more accurate playback.

"Seven years ago, we introduced the world to Dirac Live, which marked a breakthrough in digital room correction and has since become the industry’s reference solution,” said Dirac’s General Manager of High Performance Audio, Niklas Thorin. “Dirac Live set the bar high and helped establish our reputation as the leading pioneer of sound optimization solutions. Our all-new Dirac Live Bass Management Module lives up to the legacy of Dirac Live and proves to the market that wherever we innovate, we lead.”

Those are rather bold words, but Dirac’s reputation and loyal following certainly seems to back them up. According to Dirac, the Bass Management Module taps “mathematical models and processing algorithms” to deliver sound optimization for systems using single and multi-subwoofer deployments. And because the module allows audio fans to run predictive analyses complete with visual representations, the amount of time needed to properly integrate a sub into a system and a room will be streamlined.

Dirac has opted to release three different tiers of the The Bass Management Module, meant to accommodate a variety of budgets. The company outlines these tiers as:

• Tier 1: Management of any number of subwoofers, analyzing each one to create a single-optimized sub channel that drives each subwoofer. It also enables precise control of frequency cutoffs for all speakers.
• Tier 2: Advanced setup for a single subwoofer, while also providing control over parameters and applying frequency filters to all speakers based on measurements.
• Tier 3: A free module for all current Dirac Live customers and OEMs, permitting standard bass management with the added benefit of predictive results.

The Dirac Live Bass Management solution is the first of many Dirac Live add-ons planned for release “on a yearly basis.” It’s currently scheduled to launch sometime during Q2 2019.

I am curious to see how it will be implemented, unless there's some extra hardware connected to the amp, but then, if you go for tier 3, the free one, it's going to cost Dirac a small fortune

 

[JStewart]

but we won't know how it will all work, until closer to launch, it would seem

Hopefully we get some insight coming out of CES in 12 more days, too.

Quoting from Dirac's press release "The solution helps save time by offering the world’s first predictive results analysis, letting users see a visual representation of the predicted bass performance without having to run repeated audible tests."

Ok, I really love Dirac but I have to take exception to "the world's first". Multi-Sub Optimizer (MSO) does this very well.

 

[andyc56]

Quoting from Dirac's press release "The solution helps save time by offering the world’s first predictive results analysis, letting users see a visual representation of the predicted bass performance without having to run repeated audible tests."

Ok, I really love Dirac but I have to take exception to "the world's first". Multi-Sub Optimizer (MSO) does this very well.

And before that was Harman's SFM. Before SFM was the JBL BassQ. And the grandfather of the BassQ was the Master's thesis of Bruno Korst-Fagundes (PDF) from1995.

The story of room correction vendors and bass optimization is very much like the old joke about the drunk looking for his car keys. Now they're the first to look on the other side of the street where the keys were actually lost!

 

[Todd Anderson]

Hey folks - I'm going to get a private demo of Dirac's bass solution in a few days.

Anyone have any questions? If so, I'll try to dig up an answer for you.

 

[JStewart]

Thanks Todd!

Really interested to know if additional hardware is needed or could be used if avr has 1 sub pre-out.

Also really curious if they set delays and levels for each then eq the summed mono, or eq each separately, or if the goal is to get a similar response across listening area as MSO does and then apply Dirac filters.

With Dirac 2.0 they were trying to phase match the speaker pairs. Will they use a similar approach for subs and mains around the chosen crossover?

Have a great time there and thanks for all you do on the forum.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Thanks @JStewart! And thanks to you for being such a big part of the community (not to mention, a paid Supporter! )

 

[Gerry Iaria]

Yes, was going to ask the same thing, whether external hardware is needed, hope not, another box to find space for, and also different crossover for speakers,
Keep up the hard work, and have a great time there
Gerry

 

[bkeeler10]

I'd be interested in knowing, if multiple outputs are required (which I assume will be the case), whether two different Dirac-bearing devices will be able to be controlled simultaneously by DLCT to achieve the process. For example, a NAD T758 v3 running Dirac, with a miniDSP 2x4HD managing the subwoofers.

Maybe they wouldn't actually have to run simultaneously though - maybe you do the subwoofer alignment part and then do the rest. Hmm.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

It will be interesting to see how they implement Tier 3 for multiple subs. I assume it will require hardware that has a dedicated independent output for each physical sub.

Well, thankfully, a good use for the unused outputs in my 8 channel DACs.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Thanks Todd!

Really interested to know if additional hardware is needed or could be used if avr has 1 sub pre-out.

Also really curious if they set delays and levels for each then eq the summed mono, or eq each separately, or if the goal is to get a similar response across listening area as MSO does and then apply Dirac filters.

With Dirac 2.0 they were trying to phase match the speaker pairs. Will they use a similar approach for subs and mains around the chosen crossover?

Have a great time there and thanks for all you do on the forum.

Short answers:

Can’t use external equipment.
Dirac filters (which have a lot to dye with phase) are applied in three layers, channel based building to global with all channels active (I believe I’m describing that correctly).

 

[Todd Anderson]

I'd be interested in knowing, if multiple outputs are required (which I assume will be the case), whether two different Dirac-bearing devices will be able to be controlled simultaneously by DLCT to achieve the process. For example, a NAD T758 v3 running Dirac, with a miniDSP 2x4HD managing the subwoofers.

Maybe they wouldn't actually have to run simultaneously though - maybe you do the subwoofer alignment part and then do the rest. Hmm.

Multiple outputs are needed. You can split off a single output, but the system will only recognize that as one sub. So not entirely ideal.

No, it can’t control two devices. You could try the 2x4 first... but they didn’t feel that would end up working well.

 

[JStewart]

Thanks Todd! That info ends a lot of speculation.
Did you get a demo? Did they compare it to the current version of Dirac without? What was your impression?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Tier 1 is free. Dirac takes measurements, shows them to the user. Any correction is applied by the user manually.

Tier 2 and 3 are single and multi-sub, respectively. Projected to cost $99 and $249 (although that’s not set in stone). User has input control over the slope and crossover point... Dirac takes care of the rest. From a technical perspective, a lot of the logic behind the technology is a bit heady for me (not afraid to admit that ;-). The gist is that Bass Management sets gain, delay, etc, and then applies multiple layers of “all pass filters.”

In terms of availability. Projected Q2. Availability on older equipment is purely up to manufacturers and they’ll likely handle it on a case by case basis.


As for the demo - I left SUPER impressed. The correction package made bass (system using 4 subs and two channels) tight, defined and plopped it right in the middle of the sound stage (when seated in the MLP). When the correction was off, bass appeared flatter and lower in the soundstage. The folks from Dirac then told me to go to the corner of the room. With the system on, bass was smooth and even... EXTREMELY well integrated (not bloated). With the system off, bass literally disappeared to practically inaudible.

Wow. Certainly got the wheels turning in my head.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Thanks Todd! That info ends a lot of speculation.
Did you get a demo? Did they compare it to the current version of Dirac without? What was your impression?

Definitely! I wish I could give you a super technical run down of the structure behind the system. Needless to say, it’s complex.

 

[JStewart]

Definitely! I wish I could give you a super technical run down of the structure behind the system. Needless to say, it’s complex.

If you did it would go over my head anyway!

As for the demo - I left SUPER impressed. The correction package made bass (system using 4 subs and two channels) tight, defined and plopped it right in the middle of the sound stage (when seated in the MLP). When the correction was off, bass appeared flatter and lower in the soundstage. The folks from Dirac then told me to go to the corner of the room. With the system on, bass was smooth and even... EXTREMELY well integrated (not bloated). With the system off, bass literally disappeared to practically inaudible.

Wow. Certainly got the wheels turning in my head.

Let the wait for Q2 begin.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Yup. It’s legit. Not much more to say than that.