By Gerard Brouwer, Product Manager at Procella Audio

Immersive audio has redefined how audiences experience sound in cinemas, home theaters, and studios alike. From the early days of THX to the cutting-edge advancements in Dolby Atmos and Barco Auro, this evolution has reshaped how sound interacts with the listener. At the heart of this journey, Procella Audio has played a vital role, pioneering technologies that ensure every listener feels immersed in a truly exceptional auditory experience.

The Early Days of Immersive Audio: The Birth of THX

In the 1980s, THX was introduced as a certification standard to ensure that cinemas could reproduce film soundtracks as intended by the creators. Developed by George Lucas’s team during the production of Return of the Jedi, THX revolutionized audio by focusing on uniformity, clarity, and fidelity across the entire audience. For Procella, this marked a pivotal moment, our co-founders, Anders Uggelberg and Gerben Van Duyl, were among the first in Europe to graduate from THX training in 1990. This foundation in precision and fidelity became the cornerstone of Procella’s philosophy.

THX demonstrated that audio could be just as immersive as the visuals on screen, setting the stage for the innovations that followed. But as technology advanced, the demand for a fully three-dimensional sound experience grew.

The Rise of Dolby Atmos and Barco Auro

In 2012, Dolby Atmos introduced the next major leap in audio: object-based sound. Unlike traditional channel-based systems like 5.1 or 7.1, Atmos allowed sound designers to place audio objects anywhere within a 3D space, creating an immersive dome of sound. This innovation wasn’t just a technical marvel; it fundamentally transformed how audiences engaged with films, games, and even music.

Similarly, Barco Auro (later known as Auro 3D) pioneered immersive sound by adding a height layer to traditional surround sound. Barco’s format focused on creating a natural, “cocoon-like” listening experience, ideal for replicating realistic environments. This three-layer system (surround, height, and top layers) became a key player in the early days of immersive audio.

While these advancements thrilled audiences worldwide, they also presented unique challenges for speaker manufacturers. Reproducing these complex soundscapes required unparalleled precision and uniformity, qualities that Procella Audio has excelled at delivering.

Procella’s Role in the Evolution of Immersive Audio

Procella Audio was founded to address the industry’s growing need for high-performance loudspeakers that could faithfully reproduce cinematic soundtracks. From our earliest models, our speakers were designed with immersive audio in mind, offering features that set them apart:

1. Uniform Coverage Across the Room: Procella’s constant directivity waveguides ensure that every seat experiences the same high-quality sound, regardless of location. This is especially critical for immersive formats like Dolby Atmos, where sound must seamlessly travel around the room.

2. Wide Dynamic Range: Procella’s ability to deliver THX reference sound pressure levels with minimal distortion ensures that even the quietest whispers and loudest explosions are reproduced with clarity and impact.

3. Scalable Solutions: Immersive audio is not confined to commercial cinemas. Procella offers scalable solutions for home theaters, recording studios, and smaller venues, ensuring that immersive sound is accessible to every listener, regardless of room size.

4. Massive Subwoofer Output: Immersive audio relies heavily on low-frequency effects, and Procella’s dual 15”, 18”, and 21-inch subwoofers deliver thunderous bass that anchors the auditory experience.

5. Innovative Speaker Placement: With the rise of non-perforated LED screens, Procella has developed above-screen and alternative speaker placements to maintain immersive audio without compromising on sound quality.

The Role of Trinnov and Procella in Pushing the Boundaries

Trinnov Audio, known for its innovative waveguiding and advanced room calibration technologies, has been a significant player in the immersive audio landscape. Procella speakers integrate seamlessly with Trinnov processors, offering unparalleled synergy in creating 3D soundscapes. Together, they allow installers and designers to optimize speaker placement and ensure precise audio reproduction, no matter the room’s acoustics or layout.

Procella’s pioneering work in immersive audio has positioned it as a leader in the industry. From large commercial cinemas to boutique home theaters, our systems deliver an experience that allows listeners to feel like they’re part of the story, whether it’s the gentle rustling of leaves overhead or a spacecraft zooming past in a high-octane action sequence.

The Future of Immersive Audio with Procella

As immersive audio technology continues to evolve, Procella remains at the forefront of innovation. Our commitment to designing solutions that meet the demands of modern formats ensures that every listener can experience sound as the creators intended. Whether it’s a commercial cinema with 1,200 seats or a cozy home theater, Procella delivers audio that captivates, excites, and immerses.

Immersive audio is more than a trend, it’s the future of how we engage with entertainment. With its heritage rooted in THX and its sights set firmly on the future, Procella Audio is proud to lead the charge in shaping this future.

Gerard Brouwer is the Product Manager at Procella Audio, where he oversees product innovation and ensures that Procella continues to set the standard for audio excellence in cinema and home entertainment.

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