Denon HTiB: 2 Speakers, 5-Channel Sound
By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 7/14/2003
Pine Brook, N.J. -Denon plans September shipments of a home theater system that uses two speakers to recreate a 5.1-channel soundfield. The $999-suggested D-M71DVXP, which consists of a DVD-receiver and sub/sat speaker system, is the world’s first audio/video product to incorporate Dolby Virtual Speaker, which replicates five-speaker sound through a two-speaker system, Dolby Labs said. “The technology gives a significant number of consumers whose lifestyles simply cannot accommodate a 5.1-channel speaker system the ability to enjoy true high-quality surround sound home theater," said Craig Eggers, Dolby's director of consumer technology marketing. The system is "the perfect solution for smaller home listening rooms, apartments, dorm rooms, or anywhere great multichannel home entertainment is desired from a compact system,” he said. Although "the sweet spot for Dolby Virtual Speaker may be more narrow when compared to the claims of competing technologies," Eggers noted, "this is because Dolby Virtual Speaker has been uniquely modeled to reproduce the dynamics of a properly placed 5.1 surround sound speaker system in a virtual listening environment." In addition, "for those listeners sitting outside of the sweet spot, the essence of the stereo signal is maintained." With Dolby's technology, he continued, "dialogue integrity is preserved," and "there is also an absence of what we refer to as listener fatigue." Most virtualizers on the market limit their processing to the direct sound, "overlooking a significant portion of the sonic signature essential for producing a convincing 5.1-channel virtualized surround sound field," Dolby added. "The result is often an enhanced stereo listening environment." In contrast, Dolby Virtual Speaker reproduces the entire sonic signature, and its multiple reflection tails, which can often vary significantly in level and spectral balance from the direct sound," the company continued. The technology also features cross talk cancellation to deliver "a highly realistic and natural sounding 360 degree sonic environment," the company said. The D-M71DVXP features a single-chassis progressive-scan DVD player/receiver that plays DVD-Video, CD, CD-R/RW, VCD and MP3-encoded CDs. It also incorporates Dolby Pro Logic II processing, clock with sleep timer, and Dolby Headphone processing, which delivers surround sound through any connected headphone. The system's satellite amplification of 2x20 watts is complemented by a 100-watt subwoofer. The two-way satellite speakers feature dual 2-inch mid-bass drivers and a half-inch dome tweeter. The DVD-receiver features a metallic silver chassis with aluminum faceplate. The satellite speakers are housed in aluminum with wood-finish end caps and light-gray grille cloths. The subwoofer has a wood finish. A two-channel version without the subwoofer will be available for $699 suggested retail.
