New Technologies vs Delay of new Parasound Processors

[Chris D]

So I just learned about the new Dolby Pro Logic IIz technology. Started a separate thread on it over in our Home Theater section. (you guys DO know there's an entire forum associated with our little club, right?)

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=33065

So we knew this was going to happen--when Parasound chose to delay the release of the new receiver and processors, we knew that technology and the market was going to keep moving on. The question is going to be if Parasound is going to keep incorporating the new technologies into the new models before their final release. If so, how much will be packed in, and how will it affect the cost and release timing? If not, how "dated" are they going to be when released? Won't be cutting edge anymore, even if they're not "obsolete".

Me, my take on stuff like this is that YES, I do want the new stuff incorporated. DPLIIz is striking me as useful, but not a deal breaker. However, if I'm going to buy a very high-end pre/pro, I really want it to be cutting-edge, with ALL the latest toys and capabilities, many of which turn out to be very useful. (some are still crap) I'm willing to pony up some extra cost and wait a bit for it.

Flame on.

[Chris D]

Maybe there's more to the DPLIIz than I've been thinking. I still want to demo it for myself, though, to see how effective it is in actual operation.

I just got this press release today. Very interesting to me, that a speaker company has put enough stock in Dolby Pro Logix IIz that they have developed speakers that they say are dedicated to this "height technology"!

http://www.gspr.com/atlantic/1400z.html

(not that it means a lot, but this is the same PR company that does press releases for Parasound)

Atlantic Technology Surround Speaker Ideal for New Height Channel Applications



Atlantic Technology 1400 SR-z dipole/bipole surround speakers are ideal for height channel applications.
Click any photo for high resolution JPEG image file.



NORWOOD, MA (4/21/09) – Atlantic Technology has introduced a new dipole/bipole selectable surround speaker designed specifically with height-speaker channel applications in mind. The new Atlantic Technology 1400 SR-z's compact size and shallow profile allow it to be mounted high on the wall above the system's front speakers, making it ideal for use in home theater systems employing the new Dolby ProLogic IIz sound format, which calls for a pair of 'surround' channels to provide sound effects and ambience over the listener's head.

Dolby Pro Logic IIz adds a new dimension of sonic information to movies, games, and music through the addition of a pair of 'height channel' speakers mounted above the front LR speakers. These new channels process the non-directional sonic information already present in audio content, generating a more spacious and enveloping surround soundfield than was previously possible from any stereo or multichannel source material.

"We're really enthusiastic about Dolby ProLogic IIz," comments Atlantic Technology President Peter Tribeman, "which finally brings home theater sound into the third dimension. And like the left and right surround channels, these new height speakers are at their most effective when generating the highly diffuse and non-localized soundfield that multi-directional surrounds are so adept at The 1400 SR-z speakers deliver that, and in a package that is easy to mount, compact, and low-profile to miminize their visual impact while maximizing their sonic impact."

The 1400 SR-z is part of the Atlantic Technology System 1400 family of products, but its 'voicing' and timbre are also very well-matched to any of the company's many other theater systems. This means it can be used with any Atlantic system without encountering soundfield discontinuity effects that can corrupt the three-dimensional soundfield. In addition to height-channel applications, the speaker is quite adept in either the side or rear surround channel positions, and is selectable to either dipole or bipole operation to optimize the surround experience depending on install position and the theater space.

The Atlantic Technology 1400 SR-z uses a pair full-range polymer-treated cone drivers to deliver an enveloping and convincing surround soundfield. The 3-1/2-inch drivers used for these speakers use Atlantic’s High Frequency Assistive Radiator (HFAR) technology, which greatly expands the range of the drivers while still allowing for a remarkably small enclosure and seamless ‘crossoverless’ sound.

The Atlantic Technology 1400 SR-z is finished in attractive satin black finish. It will be available in the second half of May, and has a suggested retail price of $425/pr.

From its inception, Atlantic Technology’s mission has been to produce home entertainment products that exemplify the very best in both performance and value. The company specializes in complete high-performance multi-channel speaker systems, state-of-the-art home theater electronics components, and products for custom audio/video installation.

Atlantic Technology speaker systems are designed and engineered as integrated multi-channel ensembles, and hand assembled at the company's Norwood, MA facility. These systems are tailored and tuned to provide a seamless and startlingly realistic soundstage for multi-channel music and home theater.

For more information on Atlantic Technology and its many fine products for home theater and custom audio/video installation, visit www.atlantictechnology.com or call 781-762-6300.

[Chris D]

Hmmmm.... no interest in this kind of thing? Overall interest in the new processors/receivers seems to be rather thin, as of late, demonstrated by participation here as well. I'm wondering what to chalk it up to, if it's the economy, or the delay of the new receivers/processors, or fears of a product no longer being cutting edge when it is released, or costs, or... ? Perhaps a mix of some of all of the above?

Those that still have an interest in the future receivers/processors, I'm wondering what everybody wants, if they'd rather have the new stuff that continues to be released (Dolby Volume, DPLIIz, etc) or not.

[Kal Rubinson]

I heard the demo of DPLIIz at CES and was puzzled. It was used only on a game demo which, to me, is so artificial in sound perspective to begin with that any assessment of the value of the enhancement was impossible. My interest is primarily in real (meaning non-synthesized) music and, so far, I cannot conjure why this would be useful, pending a real(!) demonstration, that is.

Kal

[Chris D]

I have very similar thoughts, Kal. Will be curious as to what we see at CEDIA this year.

[blownrx7]

My take on the new sound mode(s) is that it is for a VERY small segment that MIGHT even care, MIGHT take advantage and MIGHT like it.
Nobody really wants to clutter up their room with more speakers IF they don't really have to.
As it is, many (not all, of course) are hard-pressed to go beyond a PS3 and an AV receiver for their electronics. So for those people, adding another speaker is not at all attractive.
To many, it may sound like just another marketing hype item to bump up sales for the "new" model year (Nah, that never happens!;-)

Now for the people that make movies, it will probably be looked at as yet another task that will drive up their production costs for a very small segment. They will probably save their investment dollars for something that appeals to a much larger audience.

BTW, I run a processsor, amps, two subs, 7.2 channels so if anyone should be excited about it, I should be one of them...

Just my opinion and not worth the time it took to write it...

[Peter Nielsen]

Yeah... It looks like IIz is only a *mix* of existing channels, not new channels with new info or any advanced decoding. A simple mix that can be achieved with any advanced processor like TacT that lets you mix channels... :roll:

Peter

[Charlieu]

I don't think Parasound has to worry about it's prepros becoming obsolete before they are released. I believe that we have reached the point where the primary audio formats out today will be the ones that matter for at least the next few years. Things like IIz, room correction and streaming will see advances, but these will be important to a relatively small group of consumers. Most will be happy to pop in the BD and hear it the way it was intended to sound.

If Display Port takes off though....