Dirac's Innovate Headphones Advancement Launches Today

(October 1, 2020) Sweden's Dirac is in the news again, officially launching the availability of a bold new wireless headphones DSP initiative. Before today, enthusiasts could only apply digital sound optimization using an external device or a playback system. Dirac is changing that, becoming the first solution that's directly integrated onto a wireless headphone's chipset.

The company's ability to integrate and operate its solution natively is revolutionary for wireless headphones manufacturers. Dirac says it allows them to accurately fine-tune sound, while efficiently delivering consistency across various models. As for enthusiasts, they benefit from easy access to Dirac's spatial audio magic.

Spacial audio, enabled by Dirac's patent Dynamic HRTF technology, creates an immersive stereo experience from standard stereo content. It provides listeners with sound "similar to what is achievable with a home theater system" without the need for content encoded specifically for immersive playback. Further sound optimization enhancements are applied to magnitude response and impulse response, digitally correcting performance for balanced sound with fine-tuned bass output.

"While TWS earphones miniaturize, and the size of the speaker drivers are further reduced, consumers continue to expect great sound quality from these increasingly small devices," said Peter Cedmer, Director of Product Management, Headphones, Dirac. "Our solution empowers wireless headphones to stand out in a fiercely competitive market by delivering superior sound quality from smaller form factors than ever before. The speaker optimization feature can even be offered alone, without the spatial audio feature, to OEMs that focus solely on maximizing headphone sound quality."

As AV NIRVANA reported in previous months, both Klipsch and RHA have committed to incorporating Dirac's latest headphone optimization tool into wireless headphone models, and other companies will likely follow suit. Dirac says its technology works with chipsets from vendors such as Mediatek, BES, and Qualcomm, and Dirac experts will help industry partners achieve desired playback characteristics.

For more information about Dirac, visit www.dirac.com.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

It will be interesting to see what manufacturers will jump on board with them. I'm pretty picky about my headphones... no telling how many pair I tested before I purchased.

 

[Todd Anderson]

If it drives sales, I'd imagine it will be a lot. They are big name in Asia as it pertains to cell phone sales. So that's one market that will likely respond quickly.

 

[Lars T]

It is not correct that ”Before today, enthusiasts could only apply digital sound optimization using an external device or a playback system.”.
Nuraphones has been on the market for about 18 months now. They measure your hearing directly, without user interaction, through otoacoustic (spelling) measurements.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

What I'd like to see is someone take an approach like Smyth Research did with the Realizer A16. I don't care about the surround sound aspects of it... but would love to see a simply setup for two-channel listening that works in the same manner.

 

[Todd Anderson]

It is not correct that ”Before today, enthusiasts could only apply digital sound optimization using an external device or a playback system.”.
Nuraphones has been on the market for about 18 months now. They measure your hearing directly, without user interaction, through otoacoustic (spelling) measurements.

Looks like Nuraphone does perform measurements, but the analysis and optimization is done on an app.... unless they sell something different what’s on their site. Perhaps I’m overlooking a fine detail?

Dirac lives on the DSP chip in the headphones

 

[bjc]

I live with my Sony WH-1000XM3 on all the time and mostly for watching TV in the bedroom (Sony A8F). I can't live without them especially after using basic Phillips wireless HP's for years on the TV. The only thing missing is surround sound technology other than that the bass is great for Netflix and quietness that makes the world disappear!