Greg Margolis, whose Dallas-based HomeTronics operation has evolvedinto a successful installer of home theater and media room systems,adopted the SymNet Audio Matrix by Symetrix for recent home theaterinstalls. Margolis outfitted showrooms at his Dallas and Las Vegaslocations with SymNet, a modular, networkable, DSP-based audioprocessing, routing and mixing system that can be configured for anunlimited range of applications.
SymNet utilizes an 8×8 I/O modular architecture that is configuredwith the SymNet Designer software package. The 40-bit floating-pointprocessing includes crossover, EQ, gates, delays, compressors, AGClevelers and voice processors, with multichannel routingcapabilities.
According to Margolis, HomeTronics has seen a steady increase inhigh-end family room system installs, many featuring 3-chip DLPrear-projection systems and high-end audio systems based on CaliforniaAudio Technology speakers and ADA (Audio Design Associates)amplification.
Margolis, who has already specified the system into several upcominghigh-end home theater venues, installed SymNet on the advice of JohnsonKnowles, resident guru at the Russ Berger Design Group acoustical andarchitectural design and consultation firm, also in Dallas. “It wasreally a recommendation based on all the work and experience thatthey’ve had with all types of DSPs,” observes Margolis.
Knowles reports that, in addition to HomeTronics and Creative HomeTheater, California Audio Technologies is also using SymNet in many ofits installed systems at his recommendation. “It’s being used forloudspeaker processing: crossover, equalization and timing delays,” heexplains.
His reason for recommending SymNet is “mostly the sonics. It’ssonically cleaner than some of the alternatives out there that are morecommonly found in commercial use, where the ultimate clarity is notreally necessary.” SymNet stands out, says Knowles, thanks to itslineage: “The same folks that developed the Lucid mastering electronicswere in on it, so it has that pedigree.”
For more information on professional audio signal processors fromSymetrix and Lucid, please refer to the Websites, www.symetrixaudio.com and www.lucidaudio.com,respectively. Visit their booth at the NSCA tradeshow: #1424.
