ARCAM GETS IMAX ENHANCED
Arcam has announced that its current range of AV Receivers including the AVR390, AVR550 and AVR850, along with its AV860 AV Processor has received the IMAX Enhanced certification.
Available now via a firmware update, the three models see Arcam joining the only other AV Receiver manufacturers to partner with IMAX so far, Denon and Marantz.
IMAX Enhanced is about standards. For an AV component to bear the IMAX Enhanced stamp, it must meet IMAX’s performance criteria, or its 'standard', for both audio and video.
Sony has already announced that all of their OLED TV’s will be getting the IMAX Enhanced treatment, along with many of their 4K projectors. Given that there’s no date set for Sony’s displays to receive IMAX Enhanced Certification in Australia, we’re assuming that much like IMAX receivers, Sony’s TV’s and perhaps some projectors will receive a firmware update to make them IMAX Enhanced compatible.
IMAX Enhanced 'sound mode' is a variant of the DTS:X codec. The IMAX/DTS:X sound mode will be triggered automatically when IMAX Enhanced content is detected. Naturally, being an object based format, IMAX recommends a 7.2.4 speaker configuration (2 front speakers, 1 centre speaker, 2 rear speakers, 2 rear back speakers, 2 subwoofers and 4 overhead speakers), with a minimum, recommended speaker layout of 5.1.4.
An IMAX Enhanced home theatre system is specified as being capable of reproducing the full audio bandwidth of 20 Hz- 20kHz, though at the time of writing there are not yet any IMAX Enhanced speakers on the market.
IMAX will be releasing select titles from their catalogue of documentaries, in addition to working with its content partners (currently Sony and Paramount Pictures) to develop a range of IMAX Enhanced movies.
To qualify for the IMAX Enhanced logo, the highest-end TVs, projectors, sound bars, and A/V receivers must meet stringent performance standards established by IMAX, DTS and Hollywood’s leading colourists to create a consistent and higher bar for image and sound performance on these premium devices.
The Harman owned Arcam brand's range of IMAX Enhanced AV Receivers and Processor are available now - AVR390 ($3,995 RRP), AVR550 ($5,995 RRP), AVR850 ($9,495 RRP), AV860 ($8,995 RRP).
For more information visit Arcam | IMAX.
Related: What is IMAX Enhanced?
Further Reading: Home Cinema Discussion Forums
Marc Rushton
StereoNET’s Founder and Publisher was born in England and raised on British Hi-Fi before moving to Australia. He developed an early love of music and playing bass guitar before discovering the studio and the other side of the mixing desk. After a few years writing for audio magazines, Marc saw the future in digital publishing and founded the first version of StereoNET, known at the time as Planet Audio, in 1999.
Posted in:Home Theatre
Tags: imax enhanced arcam advance audio
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