Playback Learns About Audyssey DSX, Part 2
Accordingly, DSX is specifically designed to work with existing 5.1-channel material (it does not work with stereo inputs), while leaving the door open for future 7.2-to-11.2-channel mastering techniques.
DSX uses DSP technology to create expansion channels that augment the usual 5.1-channels found in most surround soundtracks (and multichannel music recordings). The additional expansion channels serve two purposes: first, they fill in perceived gaps to the left and right sides of the surround soundstage, and second, they convey height information that helps make the soundstage feel more like a 3D hemisphere of sound rather than a relatively flat circle of sound that presents lateral sound information only.
How Will DSX Appear On the Market?
The roll-out of Audyssey DSX will occur in three stages.
Stage 1: 7.1-channel versions of DSX
Audyssey’s new DSX feature will first appear in two new Denon AVRs that were announced this week: the AVR-4310CI and AVR-3310CI. The concept is that, in these 7.1 channel AVRs, what would normally be Surround channels can instead be assigned as Audyssey DSX Wide or DSX Height channels, depending on the owner’s preference. Later on, DSX features will follow in other Audyssey manufacturer’s AVRs and A/V controllers
Stage 2: 9.2-channel versions of DSX
Later on, expect to see 9.2-channel AVRs and AV controllers that will be capable of driving both DSX Wide and Height channels simultaneously.
Stage 3: 10.2 or even 11.2-channel versions of DSX
Even further down the road, expect to see ten or eleven-channel AVRs that can support DSX Wide and Height channels, plus either one or two Center Back Surround channels (but again, remember that DSX research shows the greatest sonic benefits come from adding the two new sets of front channels.
In part 3 of this blog series, I’ll discuss the sound of Audyssey DSX, questions that the DSX experience raised for me, and other new technology developments from Audyssey. Stay tuned for more.
Comments
Yeah, have to agree with 'pamaparker'. It seems like a re-badging of some Yamaha technology. though it may have some differences it does seem to be very similar in the effect it is trying to achieve. When i think back to the yamahas i had that employed the front presence speakers it did create a granduer listening experience and was quite customisable as well. i see now the flagship yamaha Z11 is bringing this back in along with rear presence speaker too. I very much liked and enjoyed using the idea yamaha had implemented, as long as you tamed it somewhat. it could sound quite spectacular and still manage to be coherent.
You guys don't know what you are talking about. Yamaha DSP modes used the speakers for adding silly reverb effects. This is different from what I read on the Audyssey site. It's not reverb, It expands the soundstage.