(January 18, 2023) On the heals of a strong showing in Las Vegas, Nevada last week, StormAudio has announced the impending launch of firmware revision 4.4r0. Currently slated to drop "soon after ISE," the company's latest complimentary update includes a new step-by-step system configurator called StormEasy Wizard. According to StormAudio, the wizard can "reconfigure the use of your 32ch processor with a simple Preset selection and create various listening experiences and speaker usages." This is a welcomed addition to a GUI environment that's already relatively user-friendly. Additionally, firmware 4.4r0 includes a new low-latency mode that allows for the integration of gaming, karaoke, and live music experiences.
StormAudio was notably present at CES 2023, playing key roles in launching Dirac Research's Active Room Treatment (ART) room correction technology and showcasing new technology from Auro-3D. Later this month, the company is scheduled to show at ISE 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. On display at a shared booth with AV EMEA, the company will feature its new ISP Evo and ISR Fusion products. The ISP Evo (shipping Q1, 2023) is a fully digital sound processor designed on Storm's proprietary modular platform. It maintains the company's reputation for modularity and flexibility with multiple hardware and software options available for any type of digital installation. That includes AES/EBU interfaces with 20 or 32 channels of digital outputs, 16 channels of digital DCI-compatible inputs, and audio over IP AES67/Dante networked interfaces for up to 32-channel inputs and outputs. The ISR Fusion 20 Integrated Receiver (shipping Q2, 2023) integrates Storm's award-winning processor platform for up to 20 channels of decoding and post-processing, It offers thee latest Dirac Live technologies, and adds 16 channels of high-quality onboard amplification delivering 150W per channel (8 ohm). Bridgeable, it can provide up to 3 x 500W (8 ohm) to demanding speakers.
The company is also participating in live ISE demo sessions with Alcons Audio (ISP Evo), Devialet 2L645 (ISP Elite AoIP with Dirac ART), L-Acoustics (ISP MK3), and an off-site Perlisten dealer demo featuring the same 5.3 setup featured at CES 2023 with Dirac Active Room Treatment.
And, in case you missed it, StormAudio is the exclusive launch platform for Dirac's new ART technology. No other platform will use the tech until Q4 this year. All StormAudio units will be compatible with this new feature through a firmware upgrade planned for Spring 2023. Units bought after January 1st, 2023 have Dirac ART included out of the box, and units bought beforehand will require a $299 license to be purchased from Dirac’s website.
