Dirac Live audio technology is becoming the go-to standard in home audio room correction; however, not all versions of Dirac are equal.

Let’s look at the various Dirac options on the marketplace today:

Dirac Live “Ready”

This means that your AVR is capable of using Dirac Live room correction. However it will require an activation fee (through Dirac) to use it.

Dirac Live “Limited Bandwidth”

This means that Dirac Live will correct limited frequency range (20Hz-500Hz) response. To get room correction for a full bandwidth range (20Hz-20kHz), you’ll need to pay an additional activation fee (through Dirac).

Dirac Live “Full Bandwidth”

This means that Dirac Live will correct the full bandwidth range (20Hz-20kHz). This option is included in all Onkyo multi-channel Dirac Live-equipped AVRs, for no extra charge.

Let’s talk about bandwidth for a minute.

When you hear “bandwidth”, think bass and treble. Bass is the thump that a T-REX foot stomp makes, or the pounding chest vibration you feel when a drummer kicks the bass drum. Treble is when an F-16 fighter plane swooshes by, or when a drummer smashes a cymbal.

An easy way to visually show bandwidth is by looking at a piano's notes.

So when we think about the Limited Bandwidth license, this means that room correction is happening on only the low sounds in your movies and music. With the Full Bandwidth license, room correction is happening on the entire audio spectrum pictured on the piano above. So with Onkyo’s built-in Dirac Live full bandwidth license, you’ll hear dinosaurs stomping, hearts pounding, fighter jets zooming and the insane crash of the cymbals…all in crystal clarity despite your room.

And the best part about Onkyo AVRs’s Dirac capabilities? It’s built-in with no need to upgrade. That’s a tremendous value.

Next up, we’ll talk about Dirac Live Bass Control. Until then, rock on!