On the AudioRequest web site, there is a link to a review done by Sound & Vision magazine, which has some test results linked at the end of the article.
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/Sou...In_the_Lab.pdf
I may be reading the results incorrectly, so please correct me if I'm wrong, but it would appear that the frequency response they measured was an unimpressive 20-7800 Hz (-3db) during MP3 playback, even at 320kbps.
During CD playback it was the more expected top range of 20kHz (what's with the 32.5Hz bottom end?), so it would seem that the difference in top end capability is in the MP3 format.
I'm not aware of the technical specs behind the MP3 format, but 7.8kHz seems like a low top end for playback on a home audio system. What is the reason for this low reading, bad testing, limitations of the MP3 format, or a limitation of the AR unit?
If it's a limitation of the unit, does that only affect MP3's encoded by the unit, or would this affect MP3's encoded on a PC using a program like MusicMatch Jukebox?
The AudioRequest seems like a great unit from the reviews that I've read and the screen shots I've seen on the web site. It's a little expensive, so adding it to my system is probably a ways off, but it's got me intrigued. The ability of a unit to do what it does, especially if it can be upgraded in the future, is a great concept! The reported frequency response, though, has me questioning whether it would a wise purchase. (I'd love to hear that it's a glitch in the test data!)
------------------
..
Scott Jentsch
Publisher - The BigScreen Cinema Guide
http://www.bigscreen.com
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/Sou...In_the_Lab.pdf
I may be reading the results incorrectly, so please correct me if I'm wrong, but it would appear that the frequency response they measured was an unimpressive 20-7800 Hz (-3db) during MP3 playback, even at 320kbps.
During CD playback it was the more expected top range of 20kHz (what's with the 32.5Hz bottom end?), so it would seem that the difference in top end capability is in the MP3 format.
I'm not aware of the technical specs behind the MP3 format, but 7.8kHz seems like a low top end for playback on a home audio system. What is the reason for this low reading, bad testing, limitations of the MP3 format, or a limitation of the AR unit?
If it's a limitation of the unit, does that only affect MP3's encoded by the unit, or would this affect MP3's encoded on a PC using a program like MusicMatch Jukebox?
The AudioRequest seems like a great unit from the reviews that I've read and the screen shots I've seen on the web site. It's a little expensive, so adding it to my system is probably a ways off, but it's got me intrigued. The ability of a unit to do what it does, especially if it can be upgraded in the future, is a great concept! The reported frequency response, though, has me questioning whether it would a wise purchase. (I'd love to hear that it's a glitch in the test data!)
------------------
..
Scott Jentsch
Publisher - The BigScreen Cinema Guide
http://www.bigscreen.com