Aug 23, 2018 at 4:42 AM Post #91 of 291
This is the is a link to the video produced from the YARRA 3DX presentation at Comhear's San Diego office on 8/22/2018.

Mark Waldrep (Dr. AIX) was in attendance and made some general comments regarding manufacturing difficulties beginning at minute 3:45.

 
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Aug 24, 2018 at 9:32 AM Post #93 of 291
This is the 2 page YARRA 3DX User Manual that was submitted to the FCC.
https://fccid.io/XN6-Y12121/User-Manual/User-Manual-3974234

Other information submitted to the FCC for the YARRA 3DX can be seen below.
https://fccid.io/XN6-Y12121
This YARRA 3DX User Manual reveals to me two very unpleasant surprises:

1) It seems user must choose one of the 3 EQ modes -
- Movies - Best for enjoying movies. Bass frequencies are enhanced.
- Music - Best for enjoying music. EQ tuned to showcase highs & lows.
- Gaming - Best for enjoying games. EQ tuned to help 3D locate sounds.

So, where is the neutral mode? Who has decided that music lovers want permanently active 'Loudness' function? Why would anybody want to have enhanced bass frequencies while watching movies? Why would 3D effect be important in games more than in music or movies?

2) The table shows the best quality of audio to be with an optical connection/cable. So, why optical and not HDMI? How will optical interface transfer a HD 5.1 PCM? Or does it mean Yarra can't accept decoded (to PCM) DTS HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD? Or decoded SACD and DVD-Audio content?
 
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Aug 24, 2018 at 10:42 AM Post #94 of 291
So, where is the neutral mode? Who has decided that music lovers want permanently active 'Loudness' function? Why would anybody want to have enhanced bass frequencies while watching movies? Why would 3D effect be important in games more than in music or movies?
Good questions. I hope it offers a neutral mode, such as by pressing the same EQ button to toggle it on and off.
2) The table shows the best quality of audio to be with an optical connection/cable. So, why optical and not HDMI? How will optical interface transfer a HD 5.1 PCM? Or does it mean Yarra can't accept decoded (to PCM) DTS HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD? Or decoded SACD and DVD-Audio content?
USB, ARC and Bluetooth were also omitted from that table. Maybe it's just an oversight.
 
Aug 24, 2018 at 11:05 AM Post #95 of 291
The manual states: "Far Field is recommended for listening distances beyond four feet from Yarra 3DX."
Four feet is closer than what was previously mentioned.

Regarding the LEDs, it might be confusing that some indicators look the same, such as Minimum VOL, HDMI Input and 1 Listener. Maybe this will be improved.
 
Aug 24, 2018 at 12:49 PM Post #96 of 291
This YARRA 3DX User Manual reveals to me two very unpleasant surprises:

1) It seems user must choose one of the 3 EQ modes -
- Movies - Best for enjoying movies. Bass frequencies are enhanced.
- Music - Best for enjoying music. EQ tuned to showcase highs & lows.
- Gaming - Best for enjoying games. EQ tuned to help 3D locate sounds.

So, where is the neutral mode? Who has decided that music lovers want permanently active 'Loudness' function? Why would anybody want to have enhanced bass frequencies while watching movies? Why would 3D effect be important in games more than in music or movies?

2) The table shows the best quality of audio to be with an optical connection/cable. So, why optical and not HDMI? How will optical interface transfer a HD 5.1 PCM? Or does it mean Yarra can't accept decoded (to PCM) DTS HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD? Or decoded SACD and DVD-Audio content?


Concerning question 1: In the Backer Video above at 7:53 you can see the three modes you mention on top of the equalizer along with a fourth mode to the left of them that says "neutral" or "normal" if I'm not mistaken. It would be silly indeed not to have a neutral mode so I presume the manual isn't complete yet.
 
Aug 24, 2018 at 5:54 PM Post #97 of 291
Good questions. I hope it offers a neutral mode, such as by pressing the same EQ button to toggle it on and off...
Concerning question 1: In the Backer Video above at 7:53 you can see the three modes you mention on top of the equalizer along with a fourth mode to the left of them that says "neutral" or "normal" if I'm not mistaken. It would be silly indeed not to have a neutral mode so I presume the manual isn't complete yet.
Or user can use graphic 'sliders' to manually bring these enhancements to zero?
 
Sep 6, 2018 at 5:00 AM Post #98 of 291
mlkri said:
Hi, Duke and Mark, the YARRA 3DX User Manual (published on the web) reveals to me two very very unpleasant surprises:
1) It seems user must choose one of the 3 EQ modes -
- Movies - Best for enjoying movies. Bass frequencies are enhanced.
- Music - Best for enjoying music. EQ tuned to showcase highs & lows.
- Gaming - Best for enjoying games. EQ tuned to help 3D locate sounds.
So, where is the neutral mode? Who has decided that music lovers want permanently active 'Loudness' function? Why would anybody want to have enhanced bass frequencies while watching movies? Why would 3D effect be important in games more than in music or movies?
2) The table shows the best quality of audio to be with an optical connection/cable. So, why optical and not HDMI? How will optical interface transfer a HD 5.1 PCM? Or does it mean Yarra can't accept decoded (to PCM) DTS HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD? Or decoded SACD and DVD-Audio content?
Also, the manual states: "Far Field is recommended for listening distances beyond four feet from Yarra 3DX." Four feet is closer than what was previously mentioned.
Duke Jarboe said:
You can set the EQ to whatever you like. You can use HDMI or HDMI ARC. As for your personal questions on preferences, you're free to choose whatever you like.
mlkri said:
Duke,
I am not satisfied with your answer.
1) User manual mentions only 3 EQ settings and I don't like any of them.
I like neutral (no EQ). There is no such a setting in the user manual!
2) I know I can use HDMI. But user manual says Optical is the best audio option. And I want the best. But, I know Optical can not transfer HD 5.1 PCM. So, how can I listen to decoded (to PCM) DTS HD Master Audio, DolbyTrueHD, SACD and DVD-Audio??? I certainly didn't buy Yarra for basic DTS and Dolby Digital!!!
3) You ignored my objection about Far field objection.
Duke Jarboe said:
I'm sorry you're not satisfied. I don't understand how to explain the EQ settings to you any further than: You can set them to whatever you like, including neutral. The user manual is an evolving document that will be changed to say HDMI ARC is best. So you're arguing a semantic point there and again, I don't know what to tell you other than: Use HDMI ARC if that is what you think is best for your setup. As far as Far Field, ultimately, it will be a subjective experience that we have found to be best for beyond roughly 4 feet. You can switch it between Near and Far as you so desire, depending on whichever you think sounds best for your setup.
mlkri said:
Duke,
you constantly avoid my central question, which is -
- CAN YARRA ACCEPT HIGH DEFINITION 5.1 PCM COMING VIA HDMI FROM AN EXTERNAL DECODER, ORIGINATING FROM BLU-RAY, SACD AND DVD-AUDIO DISCS ???
Your mentioning HDMI ARC (television sound!) as potentially the best audio option suggests the answer to my central question is NO, and that would certainly be something new to us, backers. A deal breaker to me for sure!
Duke Jarboe said:
I asked the engineers. This is what they said:
Officially, we support stereo PCM and Dolby Digital.
That being said, we have used multichannel 5.1 PCM on an Xbox and it seems to work fine. We don't think we can promise that though. We haven't done extensive testing on high sample rate PCM either, so we're not sure if it will work or not. We can possibly (possibly..no promises...) address this in a firmware update.
Mark Waldrep (Dr.Aix) said:
...
The box was always going to be capable of binauralizing Dolby Digital and APT HD. I was also told that it would support HD for stereo. I don't think I ever said that it would accept high-resolution PCM encoded surround audio and binauralize it for the beamforming speakers.

I still recommend the box and believe it is a very innovative sound bar.
 
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Sep 6, 2018 at 10:20 AM Post #99 of 291
Duke Jarboe said:
That being said, we have used multichannel 5.1 PCM on an Xbox and it seems to work fine.
That's good news at least.
Mark Waldrep (Dr.Aix) said:
I was also told that it would support HD for stereo. I don't think I ever said that it would accept high-resolution PCM encoded surround audio and binauralize it for the beamforming speakers.
I think this is correct. Mark said it would accept PCM as HR 2.0 and non-HR 5.1/7.1, but not as HR 5.1/7.1.

In other words...

It can accept:
2.0 PCM at 48 kHz/16-bit
2.0 PCM at 96 kHz/24-bit (high-resolution)
5.1 PCM at 48 kHz/16-bit
7.1 PCM at 48 kHz/16-bit

It cannot accept:
5.1 PCM at 96 kHz/24-bit (high-resolution)
7.1 PCM at 96 kHz/24-bit (high-resolution)
 
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Sep 18, 2018 at 4:11 PM Post #100 of 291
Mark Waldrep posted an unofficial update on his site today.
http://www.realhd-audio.com/?p=6279

Mark Waldrep (Dr.Aix) said:
Those of you who backed the YARRA 3DX 3D audio sound bar and have been patiently waiting for delivery have only a little while longer to wait. How do I know? There is going to be an AIX Records sampler DVD included with each unit and I was told that I had to have 3000 copies at the Chinese factory by the 20th of this month. The manufacturing has begun and shipment to the US should happen before the end of the month. The local distribution partner will then be shipping the finished goods to anxious backers. Some backers have been patient and others have been posting rants on the KS page. I don’t blame anyone for their concerns. If I was still involved with the company, I would have regularly posted updates, responded to emails, and otherwise maintained the community. That hasn’t happened. I do see all of the emails and the comments but do not respond because it is no longer my responsibility. I apologize for the lack of communication. The company is doing their best…but could obviously do better. I remain confident that everyone will be happy once they get their YARRA 3DX.
 
Oct 17, 2018 at 10:47 PM Post #102 of 291
It is starting to look like this project could be in some major trouble:( I've been reading their kickstarter comments and people are starting to get worried. Mark Waldrep has said there are some major issues going on and he is planning on writing a blog post about the company in a few days. I'm not sure what he knows and what his information is based on so I guess we will have to just wait and see.
However, at the rate people are leaving the company it looks a little worrying. I'm leaning towards bad news but would love to be mistaken.
 
Oct 18, 2018 at 3:16 AM Post #103 of 291
I'm also waiting to hear whatever definitive information Waldrep will eventually find out about this alleged crisis. Strangely, I received the address verification inquiry pasted below from Comhear/Yarra3DX only last month, and that got me all excited about the prospect of getting my two Yarras soon, because I assumed, from previous experience, that these address verifications only go out when the items are truly being readied for shipment... This is why I find some of the speculations about alleged production problems rather confusing. I assumed production runs had already been done... At any rate, I have sent a related inquiry to the lady who sent me this address verification. I just hope she is in a .position to respond with information that is more reliable.

Yarra 3DX Address.png
 
Oct 18, 2018 at 2:53 PM Post #104 of 291
which forum or blog is the most active on the Yarra status and / or Waldrep?
 

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