Dirac Live Bass Management Set to Make Its Official Debut at CEDIA 2019

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(August 22, 2019) Months in the making and highly anticipated, Dirac Live Bass Management is primed to make its official debut at CEDIA 2019 in Denver, Colorado.

Dirac Live Bass Management, the company’s first “modular add-on” to its new Dirac Live correction system, will be available in two versions: Single Sub for $249 and Multi-Sub for $399. Its intention, as the name indicates, is to fine-tune a system’s subwoofer response for a highly controlled and smooth low-end experience. Using a microphone, the system gathers data about one or more subwoofers, determining how bass is distributed throughout a room. Once areas of uneven bass are identified, phase corrections are applied.

According to Dirac, Bass Management is a solution that’s blind to a subwoofer's in-room physical position, which is important because subwoofers can be difficult to place. As the company states: “All of this processing enables the subwoofers to be positioned anywhere in the room – wherever most aesthetically pleasing – without sacrificing performance for design, or vice versa.”

I had an opportunity to experience Dirac Live Bass Management in action at CES 2019, implemented as part of a great sounding multi-sub demo system. Bass, as heard in the room’s primary listening position, was delightfully controlled and punchy. But, the real test was a challenge issued by Dirac’s onsite staff: stand up and walk around the room.

Most any home theater enthusiast knows that great sounding bass at a primary listening position can quickly fall apart, sounding thin or overly bloated, as you move around a room. However, that was not the case in Dirac’s CES demo space. Bass, as heard in the corners and front of the room, sounded just as controlled and pleasing as bass in the middle of the room. It certainly was a head-turning experience, igniting my own intrigue concerning the system.

Quite a few companies have been hinting about the availability of Dirac Live across a variety of upper-end products, and we have confirmed that NAD, Arcam, and StormAudio will launch Bass Management support during (or soon after) CEDIA 2019. NAD says the module will appear on its M10 BluOS streaming amp and its C658 BluOS streaming DAC, while StormAudio has committed to incorporating it across the company’s entire line of processors. Similarly, Arcam is making Bass Management available to most of its AV receiver models.

Dirac is hosting a CEDIA master class session on the importance of room acoustics and bass management software, which includes an inside look at its Dirac Live Bass Management solution. The presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, September 11th from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM in Room 1A. Additionally, attendees can visit Dirac at Booth #3235 on the show floor.
 

JStewart

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Todd, hasn't the soon to be released Monolith processor from Monoprice confirmed this capability also? I thought they had for some reason.

According to Dirac, Bass Management is a solution that’s blind to a subwoofer's in-room physical position, which is important because subwoofers can be difficult to place. As the company states: “All of this processing enables the subwoofers to be positioned anywhere in the room – wherever most aesthetically pleasing – without sacrificing performance for design, or vice versa.”

Umm, that claim seems to defy what we know about subs and nulls and a rather aggressive marketing claim. The folks at Dirac are bleeding edge here too, so no reason to doubt the claim either. I have a copy of the beta for PC and using VST plug-in with JRiver. Maybe I can find the time to drag 'em to worse spot, at least 1 anyway, and see what happens. Overall, been enjoying the results using Dirac Bass Management with 1, 2 or 3 subs.
 

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I know that the new Monolith processor has definitely confirmed Dirac Live. And I've been told that the plan is to include the Bass Module... but I'm not sure if that's been officially "officialized"... if that's even a word. ;-))) (which it's not). But, I think it's 99.9% happening.

The list of manufacturers I reported (above) actually includes JBL Synthesis... so those four manufacturers "Arcam, JBL, NAD, and Storm" are certified as "in" as far as Dirac's company channels are concerned.

Definitely try moving them around the room... as I said, my experience from CES was really eye opening!
 

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There you go! ;-) My hesitation to say 100% yes on the HTP-1 getting the Bass Module comes from that phrase: "we are working with Dirac..."

I know Hobie. He's a really cool guy and is super passionate about the Monolith products they've been cranking out. Monoprice is lucky to have him. And I don't doubt that they will get the module... but leave the door cracked at 99.9% just in case ;-)

On another note, I've seen some photos of new Monolith gear that's going to be announced at CEDIA. All I can say is....... OH YEAH! ;-) I'll have coverage of it!
 

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The Bass Module for $399 takes care of more then one sub but does the Bass Module also include Speaker management or that is a separate Dirac room correction?
 

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That's all handled by Dirac Live.

The intent behind Dirac Live was for Dirac to have a platform that is (1) more user friendly when it comes to interface and (2) able to accept these extra add-on modules. So, you have to have Dirac Live as your foundation... then you add Bass Management on top of it. Otherwise, your processor will default to whatever proprietary bass management system it natively carries.

This is actually a brilliant move on Dirac's part. From a usability perspective, it's a win for everyone, because it's way more accessible to people of all skill levels. But from a business perspective, they've created a product that can continue to generate revenue for years to come. Bass Management is their first module release. According to Dirac, they have more planned (what those are remains to be seen).
 
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The Bass Module for $399 takes care of more then one sub but does the Bass Module also include Speaker management or that is a separate Dirac room correction?
That's all handled by Dirac Live.

While I'm sure you'll need Dirac Live (for me it was $400 for PC 2 channel version and $99 to use it with NAD T758V3 up to 7.1.4), which works with your speakers and sub and however you handle bass management now, what @Asere has been wondering is if it will be $400 just to ADD the multisub/bass mgt module or $400 all in?
I guess we'll have to wait and see.
 

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You mean to upgrade to Dirac Live AND get the Bass Module?
 

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You mean to upgrade to Dirac Live AND get the Bass Module?
Yes. $400 for both or buy Dirac Live + $400. I started thinking about it when I remembered Dirac Live, the bulk of the program, was $99 for the T758V3. $400 then seemed high by comparison for adding the bass management / multi-sub functionality. Either way I'm in.
 

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I guess in simple terms I currently have a Denon receiver with XT32. In order to get Dirac Live I would need give up the XT32 and get a receiver that has Dirac integrated, yes?
Also if I get one that has Dirac live, currently there are no receivers that come with Dirac Bass Management correct?
 

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Ah. I see. Let me ask and I'll report back!
 

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I guess in simple terms I currently have a Denon receiver with XT32. In order to get Dirac Live I would need give up the XT32 and get a receiver that has Dirac integrated, yes?
Also if I get one that has Dirac live, currently there are no receivers that come with Dirac Bass Management correct?

That's right. Dirac won't work on the Denon. You'd have to buy a receiver that either ships with, can be upgraded to, or promises to support Dirac Live. Which gear that includes is entirely up to each manufacturer. My understanding is that not all older Dirac capable gear will get Dirac Live support.
 

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That's right. Dirac won't work on the Denon. You'd have to buy a receiver that either ships with, can be upgraded to, or promises to support Dirac Live. Which gear that includes is entirely up to each manufacturer. My understanding is that not all older Dirac capable gear will get Dirac Live support.
Thanks. I know you mentioned Dirac with Bass management will soon be available on some streaming amps such as NAD but do you know if there will be any receivers that ships with Dirac Bass mgmt.?
 

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So far, I've only heard mention of receivers shipping with Dirac Live. But, this all in the early goings and wouldn't surprise me – at all – if companies reserve Live + Bass for their top flagship model.
 

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Thanks. I know you mentioned Dirac with Bass management will soon be available on some streaming amps such as NAD but do you know if there will be any receivers that ships with Dirac Bass mgmt.?

None will actually ship with the Bass Management or Multi-Sub Modules. It will be an add on purchased from Dirac. What to look for are products that are capable of running them.

Products that are Dirac capable currently ship with a Free version of Dirac Live that will handle frequencies up to 500Hz.
The full frequency version of Dirac Live 2.0 is a $99 upgrade purchased directly from Dirac. At the moment Dirac 2.0 works with certain Arcam and NAD products only.
The new bass management and/or multi-sub modules only work with Dirac version 2.0.

There used to be a trial version of Dirac that you could download and run from a PC but it was pulled sometime around when Dirac 2.0 came out. Dirac 2.0 for PC is currently in Beta. Perhaps when the beta is over a free trial will be available again and you can check out what Dirac does vs XT32 to help you decide if its a move you'd like to make.
 

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So - the version of Dirac Live used with the Emotiva XMC-1 will not benefit from this module?

Thanks
 

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The Bass Module is only usable with Dirac Live. Whether or not older Dirac cable gear is upgraded (via firmware) to become Dirac Live capable is purely up to the manufacturer.
 

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Dirac Bass Management is being released as "Dirac Live Bass Control" as it adds bass control to bass management... inter-speaker support to enable room correction beyond the capability of individual speakers.
Here a guide with technical details: http://diracdocs.com/Bass Control in Live.pdf

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