The three-dimensional audio format Auro-3D will soon be available on select Denon and Marantz receivers. Denon will enhance the feature set of its AVR-X5200W and AVR-X4100W models, and Marantz will offer an Auro-3D upgrade to its recently introduced SR7009 AV receiver and AV7702 preamp.
Denon’s AVR-X5200W
Expected to be available in December, a firmware upgrade (a fee is charged) will enhance the feature set of its AVR-X5200W and the AVR-X4100W models, to carry the new sound format.
Similar to Dolby Atmos, Auro-3D adds “height channels” to the surround sound experience, to better envelope the audience in a more natural-sounding sound field. Depending on the size of the room, either one or two additional layers (height and top – a.k.a. “Voice of God” channel) with speakers are mounted above the existing surround layer at ear-level to produce Auro-3D’s “vertical stereo field.” The height information, captured in recording or created during the mixing process, is mixed into a standard 5.1 PCM stream that comes with a regular Blu-ray. A Denon AVR containing the Auro-Codec Decoder is capable of decoding the original Auro-3D mix.
“We are proud that our customers will be able to upgrade their AV receivers to incorporate Auro-3D as an additional feature,” said Yoshinori Yamada, global business team leader audio and video at D+M Group. “It demonstrates our constant ambition to offer brand new technologies to existing products, adding value for the proud owner as well.”
“We are delighted to join forces with Denon, bringing Auro-3D within the reach of a broad customer base,” added Wilfried Van Baelen, founder and CEO of Galaxy Studios and Auro Technologies. “Upgrading your Denon receiver and adding the Auro-3D Height speakers will create an unrivalled natural-sounding immersive experience, with high resolution audio in each channel. Thanks to our Auro-Matic algorithm, even regular stereo sources will be upmixed into an incredible surround sound experience making use of the full Auro speaker setup.”
Check out Residential Systems’ CEDIA EXPO 2014 video interview with Wilfried Van Baelen here.
The Denon upgrade service will start in the beginning of December, and can be done by every AVR-X5200W or AVR-X4100W owner at home through the receiver’s built-in online feature upgrade function.
Also expected to be available in December, customers can purchase a firmware upgrade that will for the first time add Auro-3D to the recently introduced Marantz SR7009 AV receiver and AV7702 preamp.
“Our philosophy at Marantz is to offer a sound experience just like the artist intended it to be,” said Don Freeman, vice president global marketing at D+M. “By offering the Auro-3D upgrade to existing proud Marantz owners, we fulfill this promise by adding whole new layers of sound, and further adding value to precious Marantz gear.”
“I am really delighted that Marantz customers will be able to upgrade their AV receivers to incorporate Auro-3D,” said Van Baelen. “Adding the Auro-3D height speakers will create the most natural immersive sound experience for music and film, with high-resolution audio in each channel. But even without adding the height speakers, our Auro-Matic algorithm will upmix stereo sources into an incredibly natural surround sound experience for the home.”
The Marantz upgrade service will start beginning of December, and can easily be done by every SR7009 or AV7702 owner at home through the device’s built-in online feature upgrade function.
