Fresh From the Bench: Sonarworks Reference 4 Studio Edition Loudspeaker and Headphone Correction System

Latvia-based Sonarworks is a recording studio software development start-up specializing in acoustic calibration and DAW plug-ins. For years, the company has been working with custom studio installations and developing software solutions, based on research by audio engineer Kaspars Sprogis. Stuart Yaniger reviews this pioneering speaker calibration software for studio monitors and headphones, and also addresses the recent TrueFi solution released for the consumer market. Originally published in audioXpress, July 2018.

audioXpress July 2018 is one of those editions that we are certain our readers will read, revisit, and keep for reference again and again. Start with the Editor's notes about the search for a sound reference standard, read our review of Sonarworks Studio Monitor and Headphone Calibration Solution, Reference 4, and learn more about microphone choices. Next up, we interview the new owners of Creative Sound Solutions, a DIY-oriented company, and we follow up with the AXPONA 2018 show report. Gerhard Haas concludes his series on audio transformers for tube amplifiers, and Andy Lewis continues his fascinating exploration of Back EMF.

The innovative audio software developers from Sonarworks announced that it's Reference 4 software has added 26 new headphone calibration profiles, supporting additional models from AKG, Audio-Technica, Beyerdynamic, Bose, HyperX, Master & Dynamics, Philips, Plantronics, Sennheiser and Sony. The revolutionary monitoring software — which is able to deliver a true reference standard almost anywhere — now includes 150 headphone calibration profiles.

European audio software developer Sonarworks announced the addition of more than ten new headphone models to its consumer headphone calibration software platform, True-Fi. The new headphone profiles, which have been meticulously measured and incorporated as a complimentary software upgrade for existing True-Fi users, include popular models from Audio Technica, beyerdynamuc, Sennheiser, Sony, Plantronics and even the Bose QuietComfort 35 II.

European audio software developer Sonarworks announced its new True-Fi technology that removes unwanted sound coloration from headphones so users can have a sonically balanced listening experience, which the company says is closer to “studio sound performance.” The new True-Fi Headphone app, converts Sonarworks experience in monitor and headphone calibration for studio applications into a personal utility that they believe could maximize headphone investments.

Following the recent joint-venture announcement between Finnish HRTF modeling specialists IDA Audio and Genelec, another company from Finland now joins the effort to provide personal calibration on headphones. Finnish startup Hefio Oy, announced a strategic partnership with Genelec and IDA Audio to develop personal optimization for headphones, contributing with its automatic individualized calibration solution.

Latvia-based Sonarworks is a recording studio software development start-up specializing in acoustic calibration solutions and DAW plug-ins. The company just released its Sonarworks Reference 3 studio calibration software and the Reference 3 high-definition studio headphone calibration software that will allow audio professionals to achieve ultimate accuracy towards the reference of their choice.