(June 24, 2025) StormAudio has quietly upped the ante in its immersive processor lineup with the announcement of the Core 16+, a refined version of the popular Core 16 platform that pushes performance and flexibility just a bit further. True to form, the French-based company continues to refine its stable of product offerings, this time providing greater access to high-channel-count systems without forcing buyers into the upper echelon product offerings.
At the heart of the update is a channel bump: Core 16+ expands the platform’s decoding and processing capabilities to 18 discrete channels, enabling 9.4.5 or 11.1.6 layouts out of the box. That’s two more channels than the standard Core 16, and enough for advanced multichannel setups, multi-sub configurations, or active crossovers, depending on the needs of your theater design. And it all runs on the same high-performance DSP engine Storm uses in its flagship Elite MK3.
This isn’t just about extra channels, though. Core 16+ includes a full suite of post-processing and calibration tools as standard—no license upgrades required. Dirac Live Room Correction, Bass Control, and Active Room Treatment are all onboard, with up to 20 bands of PEQ per channel. Bass routing is flexible too, supporting up to six zones in Expert mode. And the built-in StormXT ambiance expander allows a system to take advantage of all speakers deployed in a theater room. For example, owners with a high channel count, such as 13.1.10 tailored to satisfy Dolby Atmos content, will get a wider number of speakers used when playing Auro-3D content, natively limited to a 7.1.4 channel rendering
From a connectivity perspective, the Core 16+ retains the same hardware spec as the Core 16: seven HDMI 2.1 inputs and two HDMI 2.1 outputs (ARC/eARC supported), all rated for 40Gbps bandwidth. That means full compatibility with 4K/120 and 8K/60 content, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG. The HDMI matrix functionality, previously an optional feature, is now standard, enabling more flexible multi-room and dual-zone setups.
The rear panel includes 16 balanced XLR outputs and dual optical outputs for stereo downmixing. On the input side, you’ll find four analog RCA connections, three coaxial S/PDIF, and three optical Toslink inputs. As expected, Core 16+ is also Roon Ready and supports control through a range of automation systems, including Control4, Crestron, Savant, and RTI, as well as the StormRemote app (iOS and Android).
Visually, the Core 16+ maintains the sleek minimalist front face of its predecessor but now sports an upgraded 5-inch full-color display. That screen isn’t just for show – it delivers useful real-time data like HDMI status and VU metering, helping installers and tinkerers alike get an at-a-glance read on system behavior.
Importantly, while the Core 16+ isn’t modular like Storm’s Elite series, it is future-ready. The HDMI board is upgradeable, which should help extend the platform’s relevance as video standards evolve. And as with all StormAudio gear, it’s backed by the company’s web-based UI and Speaker Configurator, which makes setup less intimidating than the tech specs might suggest.
So, who’s this for? Think integrators and enthusiasts who want Elite-level performance and Dirac’s full correction suite, but don’t need 24+ channels or digital audio networking. It’s a processor that delivers the bulk of StormAudio’s flagship experience at a lower price point, while tacking on two more channels for good measure.
For more information, visit www.stormaudio.com.
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