Dirac ART is now running on beta FW for Denon Xx800H AVRs!

[Dj7675]

I do agree with your diagnostics - also my experience is that 40-100 Hz is critical, as there is much more content there, and ear starts to be more sensitive to mostly timing/decay/phase related problems. And sorting issues there was important foundation for all of the other adjustments.

But 80-120Hz is already the area where we enter the realm of spatial cues, 2nd harmonics of some bass notes and here I think, that room and each speaker needs to perform by itself [does not mean not using EQ, it is still needed] - means there should be already acoustic treatments addressing this frequency range, woofers must be able to hit reference levels without compression and distortion, if we are trying to build high performance system.

I think decay should be normalized at +- desired decay times from 80Hz upwards, most of the resonances should be addressed by passive absorption, rather than relaying on digital filters. It just sounds better, even if measured FR looks the same.

In my old space (dedicated theater) I had very large corner bass traps. After some research, I went from 2 subs to 4 in corners and took them all out. My room measured and sounded better with 4 subs vs 2 and bass traps. Then when ART came out during beta and results and it sounded and performed even better. I am now in a different home without a dedicated space in a normal living room with no “room treatments” and things sound very good. I only have 2 front subs right now and my surround speakers are really limited to 80hz support. I need support under 80hz to get even better results. I will probably ad a small sub or 2 in the rear of the room for that. I don’t find any issues at all with spatial ques and using surrounds as support speakers in a range that they are able to provide cancellation support. I am surprised and disappointed that more brands haven’t implemented ART at this point, but hopefully that changes soon.

 

[Frank207be]

In my old space (dedicated theater) I had very large corner bass traps. After some research, I went from 2 subs to 4 in corners and took them all out. My room measured and sounded better with 4 subs vs 2 and bass traps. Then when ART came out during beta and results and it sounded and performed even better. I am now in a different home without a dedicated space in a normal living room with no “room treatments” and things sound very good. I only have 2 front subs right now and my surround speakers are really limited to 80hz support. I need support under 80hz to get even better results. I will probably ad a small sub or 2 in the rear of the room for that. I don’t find any issues at all with spatial ques and using surrounds as support speakers in a range that they are able to provide cancellation support. I am surprised and disappointed that more brands haven’t implemented ART at this point, but hopefully that changes soon.

Could this be a sign that other brands than StormAudio are finally allowed to implement ART? https://www.avnirvana.com/threads/s...decoder-hardware-a-dac-change-and-more.14628/

StormAudio says it plans to release a significant software update in early Q2 2025. Key features include improved equalization functionality for more precise audio calibration, ...

 

[Dj7675]

Could this be a sign that other brands than StormAudio are finally allowed to implement ART? https://www.avnirvana.com/threads/s...decoder-hardware-a-dac-change-and-more.14628/

My understanding Storm’s exclusivity ended q4 2023. There has been nothing keeping them from implementing it on Dirac’s end. Other brands just haven’t for their own reasons I am guessing.

 

[Frank207be]

My understanding Storm’s exclusivity ended q4 2023. There has been nothing keeping them from implementing it on Dirac’s end. Other brands just haven’t for their own reasons I am guessing.

My understanding was that Dirac went back to the drawing board and that everyone needed to wait until they completely redesigned the software.

 

[Dj7675]

My understanding was that Dirac went back to the drawing board and that everyone needed to wait until they completely redesigned the software.

Source? Hadn’t heard that, not that it isn’t true. I find the software a bit cumbersome and more time consuming to use but it also gives you extremely good control over all the parameters but certainly could be improved like anything.

 

[Frank207be]

Source? Hadn’t heard that, not that it isn’t true. I find the software a bit cumbersome and more time consuming to use but it also gives you extremely good control over all the parameters but certainly could be improved like anything.

Post #494 and 496 in this topic (page 25)

 

[dlaloum]

My understanding Storm’s exclusivity ended q4 2023. There has been nothing keeping them from implementing it on Dirac’s end. Other brands just haven’t for their own reasons I am guessing.

The releases on other platforms requires involvement from BOTH the manufacturer and Dirac...

Diract announced it was delaying broader release pending software updates/changes (nothing more specific about what changes!)

In terms of what the manufacturers have to do, Dirac stated a couple of years back, that if the processor supports DLBC it should be good for ART (in terms of capacity/capabilities) - but presumably the firmeware needs to be appropriately updated to support the optional upgrade...

 

[Oddball]

In addition, ART needs to overcome its limit where it drops EQ below 20hz. That is apparently in the works as well. Per Audioholics:

Editorial Note: Don't be too concerned about that 18Hz null. That's from a known bug caused by Dirac ART because it high-passes all non-infrasonic subs and speakers at 20Hz. The high pass filter cannot be defeated. The null is not present with the native or summed response of the subs. Dirac is working on a fix to address it which Gene plans on testing in his system which utilizes fullrange RBH Sound SVTRS Active system with powered subs and LFE routing.

Focal 1000 Utopia IWLCR & IWSUB Speaker System Review

Focal's 1000 Utopia and Astral 16 deliver reference grade performance from an in-wall speaker. Check out our exclusive, in-depth, Focal 1000 Series Theater installation and a sneak peek at Dirac ART.

www.audioholics.com

 

[AnonymousAudio]

Im new to this thread and just now trying to catchup to everything.

I read that ART was being Beta tested in 2023. Then released in 2024, however their were some issues wether it was the tech itself or liscensing i dunno. And now is slated to possibly be released in 2025 as early as april.

Now pls correct me on anything I got wrong and help catch me up to the latest with a recap. Thank you

 

[napfkuchen]

Now pls correct me on anything I got wrong and help catch me up to the latest with a recap. Thank you

It was released for Stormaudio/Focal, only beta for Denon/Maranatz.

 

[GXAlan]

One user here has a beta version of ART running on the Monolith HTP-1 @TimoJ

Dirac ART comes from Dirac Unison from the car audio team. The Volvo XC90 has it.

I have never seen an official statement from Denon/Marantz or Dirac about the reasons why ART is only present on StormAudio products. The exclusivity period is over.

Lots of uncertainty for sure.

 

[-pekr-]

One user here has a beta version of ART running on the Monolith HTP-1 @TimoJ

Dirac ART comes from Dirac Unison from the car audio team. The Volvo XC90 has it.

I have never seen an official statement from Denon/Marantz or Dirac about the reasons why ART is only present on StormAudio products. The exclusivity period is over.

Lots of uncertainty for sure.

Have you read quite recent CES news, about the Dirac + Denon based car audio solution? I can find it both unexpected and nice, as it means, that the companies are closely cooperating. If it means ART is coming for D&M AVRs, I just don't know, but hope for.

First Dirac-Enabled Denon Automotive Sound System Debuts at CES 2025 - Dirac

World's first Dirac-Enabled Denon Automotive Sound System Debuts at CES 2025 – Showcasing new levels of spatialization in car audio.

www.dirac.com

 

[AnonymousAudio]

Have you read quite recent CES news, about the Dirac + Denon based car audio solution? I can find it both unexpected and nice, as it means, that the companies are closely cooperating. If it means ART is coming for D&M AVRs, I just don't know, but hope for.

First Dirac-Enabled Denon Automotive Sound System Debuts at CES 2025 - Dirac

World's first Dirac-Enabled Denon Automotive Sound System Debuts at CES 2025 – Showcasing new levels of spatialization in car audio.

www.dirac.com

That would be a good surprise this April 2025...i'm waiting to see if any of the new Denon or Marantz Receivers will be Dirac ART Ready.

It most likely would be a seperate add-on that you would need to purchase from Dirac to get their license. As this is how their currently doing it for the Stormaudio products.

 

[mikematrix]

It has always been said that you will have to pay to have it. However the total price has decreased significantly at the beginning we were talking about $1100 and now $900 (thanks to the reduction of the bass control).

 

[tjcinnamon]

I do agree with your diagnostics - also my experience is that 40-100 Hz is critical, as there is much more content there, and ear starts to be more sensitive to mostly timing/decay/phase related problems. And sorting issues there was important foundation for all of the other adjustments.

But 80-120Hz is already the area where we enter the realm of spatial cues, 2nd harmonics of some bass notes and here I think, that room and each speaker needs to perform by itself [does not mean not using EQ, it is still needed] - means there should be already acoustic treatments addressing this frequency range, woofers must be able to hit reference levels without compression and distortion, if we are trying to build high performance system.

I think decay should be normalized at +- desired decay times from 80Hz upwards, most of the resonances should be addressed by passive absorption, rather than relaying on digital filters. It just sounds better, even if measured FR looks the same.

I don’t think it’s fair to say passive treatment sounds better than ART when the product is not even out yet.

Agreed. It’s nearly impossible for passive treatment to correct below 80Hz without Helmholtz resonators. Those require very specific placement in the room and can end up in very weird spots. Like literally middle of the room.

Otherwise, we’re stuck with multiple feet thick absorbers that are still broadband and might address the frequency that needs taming but to the detriment of other frequencies that were okay.

This is a much more surgical approach.

This is all about decay and not about frequency response

 

[davidc]

I fail to see why people buying an AVR with preamp capabilities should be lumped together with ignorant people. So, yeah, your AV-10 is fine but my 3800H is not, notwithstanding any external amplification I might choose to add? I strongly disagree.

I can assure you that there are many, many people that don't know their 1800, 3800, 4800 and up for that matter. This is evidence on the most popular FB Denon and Marantz AVR groups.

 

[davidc]

For sure, the members here and at a few others like AVSforum where the more serious people hang, about 50% might be able to get it right.. I'm not sure how much the JoeSixpack needs or even wants more sophisticated applications like ART? I wonder what the world wide sales numbers have been for even the $200 Audyssey X ?
IMHO what the market does really need is more sophisticated, fully automated AI app's similar to regular Audyssey. A app that only needs to tell you to put the mic in position A and click, position B and click, etc. When finished maybe offer a few "room curve" options like Music, Movies, Sports that you can switch between. I'd really like to see a very high quality DRC system that would get JoeSixpack 85-90% of whats available from the very best "high learning curve" programs. This is 2025 and DRC should approach offering the type of results we get from the rest of our gear. A good 2ch integrated or 11.2 ch AVR can offer very near SOTA performance into some quality speakers. Time to have much of the same in a plug-n-play DRC included.

Please, everybody calls me Six-Pack.

 

[davidc]

It has always been said that you will have to pay to have it. However the total price has decreased significantly at the beginning we were talking about $1100 and now $900 (thanks to the reduction of the bass control).

And even a few hundred less than that for those of us who have large floorstanding bass capable speakers without a sub.

 

[davidc]

Time to think Sony. Lots of people very happy with it and does not offer options to blow the speakers or many other options for that matter. Not that I would entertain, but available out in the wild.

What I would want is dynamic EQ control so that you can tame down the low end in soundtracks that are enthusiastically dynamic. In the home environment I don’t really need a 20dB peak at 20 or 40hz to remind me that something is really loud.

While I understand the desire of the artist to provide true to life experience, it is really working at the expense of 99% of the soundtrack that will be surpassed if all set for the peak. Or otherwise the peak will just come way louder than comfortable.

Audy’s current solution not only misses that mark but also introduces many other random issues. I want a simple screen to limit SPL by frequency so the starship landing in my room does not make me deaf or break fixtures in the room, while I am able to get solid bass from the base soundtrack.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the current lineup of D&M allow you to vary the LFE level, and essentially turn it off?

 

[tjcinnamon]

I can't say much, but I've talked to a Denon/MASIMO insider who told me that the recent Dirac beta v3.6.7 was released to add support for a new Denon beta/development FW which now runs Dirac ART. It's very likely that ART support will be available before Christmas this year. When you buy an ART license, you will be "forced" to buy DLBC license as well, otherwise, ART will not work. This info was from the same guy who leaked the info about the Dirac-Denon-Onkyo collaboration back in 2021 (was also posted here).

Any recent updates?