Supplied by M-Audio

7.1 audio couldn’t be easier. M-Audio’s Sonica Theater simply plugs into an
available USB port on a laptop or PC then it’s a matter of connecting it to
powered speakers or a home Theater amplifier. The Sonica Theater is portable,
small and convenient with big theater sound. Just who is the Sonica Theater
ideally suited for and is it worth the $100 USD sticker price?

It was only recently that audio for computers got its long overdue attention.
Manufacturer’s were slow to jump on the high quality audio bandwagon because they
thought “who would use a PC for listening to music or watching DVD movies?”
The consumers…that’s who and we did so by the truckload but the problem was
that there were all these laptops and desktops without high quality audio processors.
The consumer, having already invested their hard earned dollar, would be reluctant
to think of their purchase as already obsolete. They wouldn’t want to rush out
to drop another wad of cash. M-Audio introduced the solution and it was especially
appealing to laptop users.

24-bit/96 kHz….why?

Let’s face it. We are a society of “bigger is better”. We like big
vehicles, big buildings and big tv’s. If someone is going to make a device smaller
then it better have BIG memory and BIG specifications. The typical audio CD
provides the frame of reference. CD audio was marketed as the next best thing.
It provided digital clarity, portability and the promise of better sounding
audio. CD audio is encoded at 16-bit/44.1 kHz. 16-bit means that each sample,
or information that represents a slice of the audio timeline, is 65,536 binary
digits. It can safely be assumed that more binary digits will be better since
it will be a truer representation of the source.

The sample is measured in kilohertz per second (kHz). The more times that the
source signal is “looked at” per second means a truer representation
of the original sound. Sample rate and bit length work hand in hand. The important
fact to keep in mind is that a higher sample rate and bit length will NOT mean
better sound. It will only mean a more accurate representation of the original
sound. A 24-bit/96kHz device will not make a poor quality MP3 sound better
versus a 16-bit/44.1 kHz device. The former will only be a truer representation
of the poor quality MP3.

Another way of looking at it is like a picture. Two dots do not make a picture.
Twenty dots may start to form an image. Two hundred dots will make a recognizable
face. Two thousand dots will seem like a picture with a limited color palette.
Two million dots will be a photograph.

Eventually the difference in the amount dots will be unnoticeable. This is
the same argument that floats around the audio community. Some audio engineers
and technicians state that a high bit rate and sample rate right in the session
matters the most. The better the signal to mix with means more control over
the end product but once at the end product of traditional 16-bit/44.1 kHz CD…it
doesn’t matter anymore.

This may bring up the question of “why buy a 24-bit/96 kHz audio device?”
Today’s CDs can only hold 74 minutes of music because that is the maximum amount
of information that can fit using 16-bit/44.1 kHz compression. DVD-Audio is
on the market but nowhere near mainstream. DVD-Audio discs can hold gigabytes
of information and thus easily accommodate the extra storage needed by 24-bit/96
kHz audio tracks.

The answer is quite simple; future proofing. The future is not entirely predictable.
Around the corner could be a breakthrough that revolutionizes the way we listen
to audio. But right now the industry is looking to 24-bit/96 kHz audio as the
next easily achievable platform. It is easily achievable not because of technology
but because of manufacturing processes. Manufacturing plants do not need to
be entirely retooled in order to accommodate this move. There will come a time
where enough of the consumer market will have 24-bit/96 kHz capable DVD players,
personal listening devices, etc. that manufacturing audio discs and movies in
these higher formats will become profitable for manufacturers.

After all. Look at the way we went and replaced vinyl?

M-Audio’s Sonica Theater

Technical Features

• USB-to-8 channel analog line out (on 4 stereo 1/8″ mini jacks)
• USB-to-S/PDIF RCA coaxial out
• Stereo 1/8″ analog line in
• S/PDIF transmits linear PCM, AC3 or DTS
• Input/output formats:
• sampling frequencies (Hz): 11025, 22050, 32000, 44100, 48000, 88200, 96000
• 24-bit linear PCM
• 16-bit Linear PCM
• 16-bit AC-3 over S/PDIF (not available in Mac OS 9)
• Note: Due to USB 1.1 bandwidth constraints, not all sampling frequencies
  can be used in every output setting. This depends on the number of active
  audio channels.

Audio Performance Specifications

• Dynamic range: 101 dB (typical, -60 dB input, A-weighted)
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 101 dB (typical, A-wieghted)
• THD: 0.00345% (typical)

The Sonica Theater provides a bit of insurance against the future of obsolescence
by providing 24-bit/96 kHz audio capability in a pocket-sized device. The Sonica
Theater is about 4 inches x 3 inches by 1 inch. It easily packs into a laptop
case.

The Sonica Theater comes with installation CD, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, M-Audio’s
sampling of 10 artists and an application CD with various M-Audio demo software
applications.

Also included is the manual and 6 foot USB cable.

The Sonica Theater has a digital link (recommended for those who’s preference
is audio and DVD movie sound) and analog connections for surround center L/R,
center/subwoofer, surround L/R and front L/R & headphones. Connecting the
Sonica Theater to an external amplifier via the analog connections will provide
for better quality in gaming sound. Game sound does not use the Dolby Digital
encoding/decoding format and the conversion process may result in a loss of
sound quality.

The Sonica Theater also has an analog line-in port.

Under the hood look at the PCB.

M-Audio uses four chips to drive the Sonica Theater. Philips
Semiconductor 74HC/HCTO3 are high-speed Si-gate CMOS devices.

The Asahi Kasei AK4103A
is a digital audio transmitter (DIT) which supports a data rate up to 192 kHz
sample rate.

The Asahi Kasei AK4529
provides the high performance 8-channel audio CODEC.

2ch 24bit ADC

• 64x Oversampling
• Sampling Rate up to 96kHz
• Linear Phase Digital Anti-Alias Filter
• Single-Ended Input
• S/(N+D): 92dB
• Dynamic Range, S/N: 102dB
• Digital HPF for offset cancellation
• I/F format: MSB justified, I2S or TDM
• Overflow flag

8ch 24bit DAC

• 128x Oversampling
• Sampling Rate up to 96kHz
• 24bit 8 times Digital Filter
• Single-Ended Outputs
• On-chip Switched-Capacitor Filter
• S/(N+D): 90dB
• Dynamic Range, S/N: 106dB
• I/F format: MSB justified, LSB justified (20bit,24bit), I2S or TDM
• Individual channel digital volume with 256 levels and 0.5dB step
• Soft mute
• De-emphasis for 32kHz, 44.1kHz and 48kHz
• Zero Detect Function

The AK4529 specifications show that 24-bit/96 kHz is supported on all channels
up to 7.1 sound. 192 kHz devices usually only support that high a sample rate
on two channels only. M-Audio’s specifications for dynamic range state 101 dB
which is acceptable difference from specs considering the AK4529 measured by
itself has a dynamic range of 102 dB (2 channel mode). Remember that big numbers
don’t always mean bigger sound.

Texas Instruments handles the USB interface with the TUSB3200A,
USB Streaming Controller chip. This device is only USB 1.1 compatible. An interesting
side note is that the PDF for this chip was 92 pages long while the others were
only 10 or so pages. It seems that a USB Streaming Controller chip has a lot
more going on.

Installation & Software

M-Audio recommends that the latest drivers be downloaded from the M-Audio
site and installed. The Sonica Theater device must be disconnected prior
to running the installation executable.

Only one Microsoft message will pop up. Choose CONTINUE ANYWAY.

Digital Audio and DMA transfer mode can be left checked.

During the reboot phase the hardware can be plugged in. Windows XP will detect
and complete the hardware installation process. The only annoying step is that
Windows XP spends a minute detecting the hardware on every reboot if the hardware
device has been physically disconnected.

Software interface

The software installs a taskbar icon that allows access to the software interface
either by double clicking or right-clicking and choosing OPEN M-AUDIO SONICA
THEATER CONTROL PANEL.

The first tab, SPEAKER SETUP, allows a great deal of control over the speakers
that may be hooked up to the Sonica Theater device. Clicking on each set of
speakers will allow individual control over speaker size, crossover, volume
level and distance from the listener. At the top of the interface are 5 programmable
QUICK SWITCH SETTINGS that are stock. These can be changed but delete one before
adding a new custom user setting from the CURRENT SET drop down menu. The quickswitch
settings can be programmed for the favorite configurations of the Sonica Theater;
be it a setting for DVD movies, games or music.

The output mixer is another interface for adjusting individual speaker volume.
This can also be done in the previous speaker setup tab.

M-Audio includes SRS Circle Surround Technology which simulates surround sound
over two speakers. There are several adjustments to enhance the listening experience
to individual user tastes. This cannot be engaged on the fly. The audio source
file will have to be restarted but SRS changes can be made during playback.

The Sonica Theater device can also be used as a 2-channel recording device
digitizing in 16-bit or 24-bit mode at various sample rates.

Important hints

Read a few pages of the Sonica Theater manual to get a good understanding of
the SPEAKER SETUP tab settings. The Sonica Theater is better suited for laptop
users. Desktop users will better appreciate the extensive value of M-Audio’s
Revolution 7.1. Read our
review of the Revolution 71. and an extensive audio guide for PCs

Conclusion

The Sonica Theater delivers very high quality audio. Is it the best? PCI based
audio solutions have the edge in that department but for laptop users the Sonica
Theater leads the pack. Listening tests are somewhat subjective a conclusion
as everyone’s ear is a bit different. DVD or CD audio was clean and full free
from obvious distortion or audio impairments.

The Sonica Theater can be used on a MAC or PC with a USB connection. The computer
audiophile will appreciate the ability to fine tune the Sonica Theater to suit
specific setups from headphones to 8 speaker systems. It is small enough to
be easily carried in a laptop bag and can connect to any amplifier or powered
speakers equipped with a digital audio cable or RCA connection interface.

The line in port will allow for two channel recording in 16-bit or 24-bit at
a variety of sample rates and this may look impressive but recording on a PC
via the Sonica Theater or similar devices does not replace professional recording
studio equipment. Keep this in mind for recording expectations.

The Sonica Theater isn’t without its quirks. The device has to be redetected
by Windows the next time it is used. It’s automatic but for those who are impatient
with that automatic process and the 30-second delay…it can be annoying. This
device doesn’t decode multi-channel audio. That is the job of the software DVD
player (included) and lesser processors may have issues with playback. That
has nothing to do with the Sonica Theater device…it’s time to upgrade the
processor.

The Sonica Theater’s 101 dB dynamic range bests most laptop audio which is
typically around 90 dB. Look to your own Laptop. Is there only an output for
headphones and L/R speakers? Is there a digital audio port? The Sonica Theater
is a 7.1 solution for taking Mac or PC audio to the next level. The Sonica Theater
may also be practical is for impressive sounding business presentations. A person
can walk into any office that has a PC with an available USB port and in minutes
have the Sonica Theater installed and operational and ready to be connected
to powered speakers or an external multi-channel amplifier.

The bottom line is that the Sonica Theater isn’t really for desktop users unless
there isn’t room in the PC for Sonica Theater’s big brother; the PCI based Revolution
7.1. The Sonica Theater is truly meant for laptop users but what an easy and
affordable way to get high quality sound and the ultimate surround experience.