AudioControl AVR-7 & AVR-9 Dolby Atmos Receivers Preview

With all the hype over new receivers coming out this fall with Dolby ATMOS, 4K and HDMI 2.0a audio companies everywhere are looking for a way for their products to stand out at CEDIA.  AudioControl may have found their niche with their new Concert AVR-7 and AVR-9 receivers. Today they announced the release of these two new 7.1.4 models all with the features you would expect out of the most popular brands PLUS they have added a room calibration system rarely seen on their contemporaries.

AVR-9 Rear Inputs

The new AVR-7 and AVR-9 come with Dolby ATMOS, 4K and HDMI 2.0a.  And should have the ability to scale to any resolution standard or high definition source where required. The AVR-9’s boasts a 7 x 200 watts per channel to create a platform for 3-D sound in home theater systems.

AVR - 7 Front Panel

The Concert AVR-7 also benefits from the same audio and video platform as the Concert AVR-9, powering its seven-channel amplifier at 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms. Both the AVR-7 and AVR-9 feature pre-amp outputs in case you want more power for your front channels or if you want to add height channels for a full fledged 7.1.4 immersive surround configuration. AudioControl says that the new Concert AVR’s can drive the Dolby ATMOS channels using the high-power amplification contained inside the receivers, but also recommends matching these receivers with an AudioControl high-power 2-channel Bijou 600 or Rialto 600 amplifier to boost power as needed.

But the stand out feature of AudioControl’s new Concert receivers is the addition of  ‘DIRAC LIVE for AudioControl’s room correction on to all of its home theater products.  A feature rarely seen on higher priced and better known receivers.  From past experiences we’ve seen that DIRAC LIVE provides one of the most effective and flexible room calibration systems available today.

For custom installers, the Concert AVR receivers  feature Ethernet connectivity and RS232, and are compatible with leading control systems like Control4, Crestron, RTI and Savant, and as mentioned above, are supported by one of the best in room correction systems available through DIRAC LIVE.

Upon first look, we noticed these new AudioControl AV receivers share many common features (Class G amplifiers, DIRAC room correction) and layout of the new Atmos receivers announced by Arcam.  We can't help but wonder if they use the same basic architecture and simply build upon it for each particular brands needs.  We will have to explore this further in the coming months.

AudioControl will begin shipping in Q4, 2015 direct from AudioControl’s design, engineering and manufacturing facilities located in Seattle, USA and come with a 5-year warranty.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.