When Denon and Marantz announced their new A/V receivers and preamp/processor last fall, one of the features that stood out was the option to add DIRAC Live room correction software via an update expected in March, 2023. Well March, 2023 is here and the company is making good on their promise with the announced availability of the DIRAC Live update as well as the actual pricing. Denon’s parent company Masimo made the announcement earlier this week.
If you own one of the eligible receivers (or the pre/pro), the company says you can now download and activate the DIRAC Live update. The “Limited bandwidth” version costs $259 and the “Full bandwidth” version will set you back $349. You can purchase your desired version in the DIRAC online store and this will get you the necessary license key to unlock the product. You’ll also need a microphone as the Audyssey mic included in the box with these products is not compatible with DIRAC Live. The company recommends either the UMIK-1 ($79) or UMIK-2 ($195) microphones from a company called Mini DSP.
Eligible Denon and Marantz products:
- Denon AVR-A1H ($6,499), AVC-A1H receiver (Amazon)
- Denon AVR-X4800H ($2,499), AVC-X4800H receiver (Amazon)
- Denon AVR-X3800H ($1,699), AVC-X3800H receiver (Amazon)
- Marantz AV 10 preamp/processor ($7,000) (Crutchfield)
- Marantz CINEMA 40 receiver ($3,500) (Amazon)
- Marantz CINEMA 50 receiver ($2,500) (Amazon)
Dirac Live is a professional-grade room correction software package that helps consumers get the best performance out of their speaker system. The Denon and Marantz receivers already include Audyssey calibration software on board, but DIRAC offers unique features such as a mixed-phase controller that allows speakers to be corrected in the time domain. With Dirac Live, Denon and Marantz customers will now have a choice between the free calibration package (Audyssey) and the Dirac Live upgrade.
It’s worth noting that this update does not include Dirac Bass Control, the company’s offering for calibrating multiple subwoofers. A Masimo rep told us that the company plans to offer Dirac Bass Control in products in 2024. According to the rep, the models noted above will be eligible for the Dirac Bass Control update when it becomes available, as well as future models.
We have one of Denon’s AVR-X3800H receivers in for review and we’ll be sure to test out the DIRAC Live feature to see how it behaves in the real world. Stay tuned.
For now, you can check out the Dirac Live FAQ on Denon’s parent company’s web site:
Dirac Live Update for Denon and Marantz – FAQ
Related:
Dirac Live Unveiled for Denon and Marantz Receivers
Mark
March 19, 2023 at 3:47 pm
“A Massimo rep told us that the company plans to offer Dirac Bass Control in products in 2024.”
Is that only going in new products for 2024 or does that mean current products that already support Dirac will be upgraded in 2024
Ian White
March 19, 2023 at 8:03 pm
Mark,
We will reach out to them.
Best,
Ian White
Chris Boylan
March 20, 2023 at 1:51 am
We followed up with the PR rep who told us that the plan is for Dirac Bass Control to be added to the *current* eligible models as well as future models. So the eligible models listed in the article should also be eligible for a Dirac Bass Control update in 2024. I will update the article accordingly.
F
March 19, 2023 at 6:25 pm
No support for Cinema 60? Any plans for that?
Thanks
Ian White
March 19, 2023 at 8:04 pm
F,
It would be very odd that the Cinema 60 does not support Dirac. We will reach out to Marantz and get back to you.
Best,
Ian White
Chris Boylan
March 19, 2023 at 8:23 pm
Cinema 60 was never going to be eligible for DIRAC Live – wasn’t part of the original announcement, and that plan has not changed. It’s a 7-channel receiver comparable to the Denon AVR-X2800H, which is also not eligible for the DIRAC Live upgrade. The Dirac Live update is only available in the 9-channel+ receivers in Denon and Marantz current line-up and the Marantz pre/pro. AVR-X3800H and above (for Denon) and Cinema 50 and above (for Marantz).
Robert Silva
March 19, 2023 at 8:22 pm
Dirac Live is supported on Cinema 40 and Cinema 50 – Keep in mind that in the Marantz Models numbers for their 2023 Cinema receivers, the AV 10 is the flagship, and the Cinema 40 is next, followed by the Cinema 50. The Cinema 60 is the “entry-level” model and they have never indicated that it would qualify for a Dirac Live update. Should it become available that information will be added to this article. As far as, Dirac Live Bass, details on qualifying models and release dates are still forthcoming.
Robert Silva
March 19, 2023 at 8:27 pm
Just an added note – the price for the Cinema 40 is $3,500 and the price for the Cinema 50 is $2,500 – will mention this to Chris for correction.
Michael Farrell
March 19, 2023 at 10:45 pm
Really glad I bought an Onkyo that came with it for free.
Dirac Live is a game changer.
Michael Marshall
March 20, 2023 at 2:30 pm
There’s already a bug in this implementation. Denon will max out at a 20ms delay, just like the Onkyo’s, so guess what every single speaker has: yep, 20ms. Give me a break. Unbelievable.
Ian White
March 20, 2023 at 3:08 pm
Michael,
We appreciate getting this kind of feedback. Which Denon AVR?
Best,
Ian White