With the demand for immersive audio showing no signs of slowing down, lots of companies are turning their attention to solutions for monitoring spatial audio on headphones. The SR1 is the latest product from immersive specialists Areal, and delivers an all-in-one headphone monitoring system that employs an interesting new multi-driver design.
Designed for post-production, mixing and broadcast work, the SR1 is a professional multi-driver headphone that combines a quad-driver architecture in each earcup with the company’s Acoustic Image Mapping (AIM) technology. Surround information is physically distributed across dedicated drivers for front, rear and height channels, an approach which promises to preserve spatial separation in a controlled and consistent way. Unlike systems that rely on binaural emulation or personalised Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF) files, SR1 presents a repeatable spatial image that stays consistent across different users.
All of the necessary processing for the SR1 is handled by an eight-output companion controller unit that features a rotary level control and switches for instant toggling between stereo, 5.1 and 7.1.4 formats. The unit also acts as a high-specification headphone amplifier and boasts an onboard 24-bit D-A converter. Connection to a host Mac or PC is carried out via USB-C, and the controller will appear as a class-compliant multi-channel audio interface.
There’s already a system on its way to SOS, with a full review lined up for a forthcoming issue. Stay tuned!
“By streamlining workflows and maximising portability we want to free audio professionals to monitor, reference and create spatial content wherever they choose to work. With the SR1 and your laptop, your setup becomes self-contained. When you return to the studio, your mix is already structured and ready for refinement. This is also a fantastic tool for anyone seeking to develop their immersive mixing skills without the luxury of 24/7 studio access.” - Pieter Doms, Co-Founder, Areal
Pricing & Availability
The SR1 is available now, priced at €1299.
