Dirac, the acoustic calibration expert, recently made an announcement concerning the compatibility of its Dirac Live Bass Control technology with several AV receivers from Denon and Marantz. The goal of this technology is to perfect the Dirac Live calibration system by focusing only on the low frequencies and improving subwoofer performance. What benefits does it have in store, and how can you use it on your receiver?
Dirac calibration on Denon and Marantz
Marantz and Denon‘s latest ranges of AV receivers have introduced a small revolution by allowing the management of up to four subwoofers. The goal is to enable the connection of several subwoofers to guarantee even distribution of low frequencies, even in large home theaters. Since March 2023, these latest-generation AV receivers can benefit from advanced Dirac Live Room Correction calibration by acquiring a Dirac license. This technology refines the response curve with greater precision than the Audyssey system integrated into Denon/Marantz equipment. However, the Dirac Live Bass Control system, dedicated exclusively to low-frequency management, was still missing.
What is Dirac Live Bass Control?
Powered by AI and machine learning, Dirac Live Bass Control is a calibration system that optimizes the interaction between subwoofers and speakers. This technology guarantees exceptional, consistent bass quality, regardless of the position of the listener or the acoustic characteristics of the room. The Dirac software uses precise measurement and positioning data for each subwoofer to determine how bass travels through the room. It then analyzes the areas where sound waves are deficient, and fine-tunes them to ensure even bass distribution throughout the listening area.
Dirac Live Bass Control doesn’t only ensure time-alignment between all the speakers, it also adjusts phase at low frequencies to ensure that the bass is optimized for all listening positions and that the entire audio spectrum is precisely reproduced. This technology allows the subwoofers to be placed anywhere in the room, wherever most aesthetically pleasing or discreet, without sacrificing performance for design.
“The integration of Dirac Live Room Correction into Denon and Marantz units was a significant step forward in both deepening Dirac’s market penetration and elevating product performance for each brand’s large and loyal customer base,” stated Rikard Hellerfelt, Consumer and E-Commerce Vice President at Dirac. “Now, we’re going even further by making high-quality bass accessible to everyone from professional integrators and audiophiles to the broader consumer market. This is an important moment for our teams and the industry as a whole.”
How to use Dirac Live Bass Control on your Denon or Marantz receiver
Dirac Live Bass Control is now officially available on the following Denon and Marantz AV receivers and preamplifiers:
- Denon AVR-X3800H
- Denon AVR-X4800H
- Denon AVR-X6800H
- Denon AVR-A1H
- Marantz Cinema 40
- Marantz Cinema 50
- Marantz AV 10
The integration of Dirac Live Bass Control into Denon and Marantz equipment offers a clear improvement in audio performance, but this comes at a cost. A license is required to use this function.
Pricing of the Dirac Live Bass Control license:
- One subwoofer: $349
- Multiple Subwoofers: $499
- Upgrade from single to multi: $169
These prices apply if you already own the Dirac Live Room Correction software for your Denon and Marantz equipment. If you don’t, the latter is available for the following prices:
- Limited bandwidth (up to 500Hz): $259
- Room correction across the entire bandwidth: $349
- Upgrade from limited to full bandwidth: $99
For those planning to install both Dirac Live Room Correction and Dirac Live Bass Control, Dirac offers bundled packages:
- Simple bundle (room correction + bass control, single subwoofer): $649
- Multi bundle (room correction + bass control, multiple subwoofers): $799
In addition, Dirac is currently offering a 30% discount on the Dirac Live Bass Control license and bundles for Denon and Marantz equipment. Use the promo code 30BCDM23 to take advantage of this offer on the Dirac website.
