Essential Install | AVRs, Amps and Playback
DID YOU KNOW: Superior canal dehiscence affects the inner ear and amplifies all internal sounds. It gets to the point where
the sound of the eyeballs moving in their sockets sounds like ‘sandpaper on wood’
Power To The People!
Daniel J Sait takes a look at just a few of the products installers
should consider when looking for some AV muscle.
An innovative option is now available via the Denon
Heos platform with its very own dedicated AVR. Offering
up to 5.1 channel surround sound with the simple setup
and operation of a soundbar, the maker says this new
bit of kit has it all: simplicity, extraordinary sound and a
versatile appearance. This new product is available from
distributor AWE.
The Denon HEOS AVR definitely does not look like a
conventional AVR, but does contain lots of Denon tech.
The maker says the unit is constructed with versatility and
simplicity in mind, with a specially designed HEOS App
leading the installer through the configuration process to
integrate the HEOS AVR into a whole home music system.
The product combines 5.1 channel surround sound
with HEOS wireless multiroom music streaming,
integrating wireless HEOS speakers as surround channels,
creating a cable-free multichannel system. The AVR will
drive conventional speakers with its built-in Class D
amplification, or will work with a mix of both wired and
wireless speakers.
The four auto-sensing HDMI inputs are compatible
with the latest 4K UltraHD TV, Blu-ray and online video
streaming formats and the unit also has the ability to
learn TV remote commands so users can carry out basic
functionality with an existing remote. Audio Return
channel capability means just one cable is needed
between the TV and the HEOS AVR.
As well as delivering content in surround sound, the
HEOS AVR can stream music from the home computer or
online services such as Napster, Spotify Connect and Tidal.
Additional HEOS speakers can be added to the system
at any time with a few taps on the HEOS App. Users can
play different music in every room, or bring the whole
house together in party mode. Six Quick Select pre-sets
are provided for favourite functions and music can be
streamed directly from phones or tablets via Bluetooth.
Denon has
introduced an
AVR specifically
designed around its
HEOS platform
Denon has also included advanced digital signal
processing, cool-running and 100W per channel for
driving a wide range of speakers.
Distributor CAVD is proud to represent the Datasat
brand in the UK, offering access a family of high
performance AV controllers.
The company is known for its RS20i and LS10 home
cinema surround sound processors, but is also releasing
the new RP 7200 PowerHouse, a beefy amplification
product designed specifically to work in concert with the
rest of the range.
W ayne Hyde, recently appointed technical manager
for the company, explains why the brand is the
company’s first choice: “As an experienced sound
engineer and residential system designer, every time
I’ve heard Datasat at trade shows, on projects and now
in our showroom, I am always gobsmacked at the detail,
bass control and emotional impact of the presentation.
Whether it’s a stereo source or three-dimensional home
cinema speaker arrangement, you can tell that the RS20i
and LS10 are reference level pieces of audio equipment
through and through.”
Creating high performance content control platforms
such as these mean that updates don’t come all that often
and they arrive fairly full loaded, however, Datasat has
announced that as from the end of May, DTS-X decoding
for the RS20i home cinema surround sound processor
will be available with the ‘luxury series’ ‘LS10’ getting
its DTS-X upgrade around two months later. As well as
completing the brand’s 3-D format playback abilities, the
software update also provides DTS Neaural:X which is an
up-mixer that creates a pseudo DTS-X mix to enjoy from
other audio formats. Lastly, DTS-X Dialog Boost adds a
feature to ‘lift out’ hard to follow dialogue when required
from DTS-X soundtracks.
As part of the update, Datasat has also answered
requests for a stereo surround mode that will take
two-channel material and add it to surround left and
right speakers.
Also now shipping is the imposing RP 7200
PowerHouse. This 148Kg beast of a product provides
the ultimate power source for any Datasat installation,
says CAVD. Processors and amplifiers will benefit from
up to 7200W of isolated power, surge protection,
reduced ground loops and interference. The unit also
has a hybrid configuration for increased power output
HEOS Drive
NETWORKED MULTI-ROOM AMPLIFIER:
WHOLE HOME AUDIO IN A SINGLE CHASSIS.
Distributed in the UK by AWE Europe Ltd
TM
[email protected]
+44 (0)1372 729 995
www.awe-europe.com
May 2017 | 55