Dirac
Contents
An interesting point of the M10 is that they have Dirac‘s software. This software can to some extent solve acoustic problems in the listening room. It can also optimise the impulse behaviour of the system in a positive sense.
No replacement
Now we think this kind of advanced, DSP-controlled, active correction system is an excellent development. However, what is very important to realise is that it is not a substitute for good acoustics. A system like Dirac cannot correct reflections. A reflection is a reflection. You can apply a notch filter on that specific frequency, but then the system will also filter out crucial information.
We have put a lot of time and energy into our acoustics lately. This for obvious reasons; we can’t test seriously if we don’t have a good space. When we put Dirac to work, fortunately we already see a very neat curve. So there is not much to correct, except a small lump in the lowlands. And a minimal dip around 100 Hz. Both can already be solved with a little repositioning of the speaker, we estimate. But we’re going to let Dirac do it.
By the way, Dirac’s step-by-step plan is childishly simple. Download the app and follow the steps; the App will find the M10 by itself. Just take your time measuring. Measuring takes about 10 minutes. Ow! And a pair of earplugs would be desirable… …we’re getting a little deaf from the sweeps…
Listen
If we then start listening, we honestly don’t hear much difference between Dirac and not Dirac. Logical: Dirac doesn’t have to do very much in our space. However, we do find it a bit clinical with the filter on. Honestly, we prefer the NAD M10 pure… that gives a little more ‘schwung’, air and space in the sound.
Now the Dirac Fans will go directly with their finger in the air and mention that the curve can be tweaked and that this Dirac license only goes up to 500 Hz… Pulse response corrections… etc… Yeah. All true. The curve is to tweak. And yes: this correction stops at 500 Hz. But, um… in any case, we believe – no matter how good the system is – that you should not correct above 200 / 300 Hz. This is almost always at the expense of transparency, detail and – for want of a better word – musicality. Most of the problems are also almost always in the lowlands. Check our measurement. Above 300 Hz the measurement is almost flat. And he always has been.
Now Dirac may have a positive influence in other cases. There will be plenty of rooms with annoying bass problems. And yes, then Dirac can certainly help. In short: just measure and try. Doesn’t hurt it, doesn’t hurt it, because it can work out.
Let’s move on
Anyway, we’ll continue listening without Dirac. And we like that very much in combination with the Focal Sopra No1. The match comes across as friendly. The M10 keeps a striking grip on these sturdy monitor speakers. We hear absolutely no rumble or compression. And that’s clever, given the load and the size of our space. In short: it is a very capable system!
It is striking that the NAD M10 is tuned differently from the M32. The M32 sounds a bit more distant and – it seems – a bit less energetic than the M10. In any case, the match on our Focals with the M10 is a bit more pleasant. We’re getting a little more into the music. And that for 2000 euros less than the M32. So you see!
King All-in-One?
Is that the all-in-one? In terms of versatility and balance, he is particularly high on the list. No doubt about it. However, the all-in-one market is growing explosively. And the competition is getting tough. Think NAIM, Hegel, Linn…. AVM… We should plan another shootout. That could just be a battle of the Titans!