Trinnov Audio welcomes multiple improvements and new features to its acclaimed Trinnov Optimiser technology through the release of its latest processor software update, version 4.3.1.
The update will be available during the third week in April to all Altitude16 and Altitude32 units, regardless of age and at no cost.
Introducing improvements to several areas of the platform, the update strengthens calibration by improving rejection of ambient noise, as well as improving delay alignment of subwoofers through Bass Management. The update will also enhance the Excursion Curve function and enable separate curves for each speaker and provide users with a set of optional predefined target curves. It adds an option to reduce Pre-Ringing of FIR filters and improves the calibration of Active Crossovers.
Adaptive Pre-emphasis for calibrations
One of the issues facing accurate audio calibrations is combating the signal-to-noise ratio (technically the crest factor) inside a room. This is particularly true regarding low-frequency measurements where often inaudible noise, such as an HVAC unit or outside traffic, can corrupt the calibration.
To correct this potential problem and achieve more robust and reliable measurements, the update adds a new feature called Adaptive Pre-emphasis. By measuring the room’s noise floor and making rapid computational adjustments, Adaptive Pre-emphasis rejects the background noise measured during the calibration.
Excursion Curve enhancements
The Altitude’s Excursion Curve feature determines the maximum amount of boost and cut the Optimiser is permitted to apply when correcting the amplitude response to match a target curve.
In addition to Adaptive Pre-emphasis, the new firmware offers an Adaptive limiter Excursion Curve, which is based on the Adaptive Pre-emphasis computations. The Adaptive Limiter provides an extra level of protection against excessive correction where ambient noise is mistaken for an actual signal.
Calibrators will also be pleased to know that the Excursion Curve is no longer applied on a global basis to all speakers and is now available on a per-speaker basis, enabling finer system tuning when needed.
Predefined Target Curves
There has only ever been one predefined target curve in Altitude processors, a flat response curve, which may be suitable for a studio or near-field environment but is not ideal for a home theatre. This meant that alternative target curves would have to be created by the calibrator or imported from a previous curve. The release of 4.3.1 introduces five optional predefined target curves which are: Flat – for those that wish to customise from scratch; Light – light bass increase and subtle high-frequency attenuation; Moderate – moderate bass increase and moderate high-frequency attenuation; Musical – a target curve balanced towards listening to music; and Strong – strong bass increase and heavier high-frequency attenuation.
Reduced Pre-Ringing
A somewhat controversial topic in the audio calibration world is pre-ringing when FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filters are used for correction. Whether pre-ringing is an audible phenomenon or not, it is an issue some wish to address. Since Trinnov’s core expertise and focus is on advanced signal processing applied to digital acoustics, 4.3.1 offers an advanced setting that enables pre-ringing reduction. This enables advanced calibrators to use the Optimiser’s FIR length and reference settings to fine tune filter resolution and phase correction without audible artifacts.
Enhanced Subwoofer Alignment
The 4.3.1 software update also brings improved Bass Management Delay Alignment, one of the more significant refinements from the firmware. The company has significantly improved the way the bass management time aligns each subwoofer, taking into account the exact characteristics of the selected bass management filters. This setting uses a computational algorithm that takes just a few moments to calculate.
Improves Active Xover Calibration
The update also improves Active Xover Calibration by disabling low pass filters during measurement. By doing so, impulse peak detection is easier and more accurate, especially for low-frequency drivers with a low crossover frequency.
Bug fixes
The release includes one bug fix, correcting a small bug found in the Phase Target Curve. This function is only for extremely advanced users in exceptional circumstances and is now corrected.
Download
Before downloading and implementing version 4.3.1 firmware, Trinnov recommends that users download the release notes to help ensure users do not override and lose their existing settings or calibrations.
Instructions on downloading the latest firmware onto an existing Trinnov Altitude16 or Altitude32 can be found here.