Smyth Research Realiser A16 User manual

The Realiser A16 firmware may be updated from time to time to fix bugs, make improvements, and add new features. This manual conforms
to firmware revision 2.05 (20 October 2021). Please check regularly at: www.smyth-research.com/downloads for firmware and user manual
updates going forward. Please note there may be significant differences between the operation described here and that for other firmware
versions.
Contents
1Safety 6
2Introduction 8
Realiser A16 operational design 8
2.1.1 The Problem: Listening to multichannel audio over headphones. 8
2.1.2 The Solution: Realiser A16 8
9
2.1.3 Realiser A16 specifications 9
Realiser A16 operational overview 9
2.2.1 Presets 10
2.2.2 Listening Rooms 10
2.2.3 PRIRs 10
Unpacking and parts assembly 11
2.3.1 Unpacking 11
Part Names and Functions 15
2.4.1 Front panel of the Realiser A16-2U 15
2.4.2 Rear panel of the Realiser A16-2U (standard auxiliary 16ch single-ended) 16
2.4.3 Realiser A16 Remote control 18
2.4.4 Head-tracker: Head-top and IR Reference Set-top 19
Quick start 23
3Initial power up 24
Power On Sequence 24
3.1.1 Splash screen 24
3.1.2 Hardware tests 24
Realiser A16 User Manual
Stephen Smyth
User Manual v2.0 for A16 firmware v2.05
10/20/21

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3.1.3 Loading and running Presets 24
3.1.4 Displaying the Speaker Map for User A preset 24
3.1.5 Displaying the Input Level Meters for User A 25
3.1.6 Displaying the Headphone, Tactile and Bass Level Meters for User A 25
3.1.7 Listening to the Internal Audio Test Loop 25
4Menu Navigation 27
The Home Page menu 27
Navigating the menus, selecting options and changing values with the remote control 27
4.2.1 Menu option selection: 27
4.2.2 Selecting values in a menu option: 27
Moving between menu levels using the ENTER and BACK keys 28
4.3.1 The ENTER symbol: 28
4.3.2 Menu continuation symbols: ↓ and ↑ 28
4.3.3 The BACK key: 28
4.3.4 The PA and PB key 28
4.3.5 Changing Presets from the Speaker Map page: 29
4.3.6 Displaying head tracking angles using the HT key: 29
5Settings 31
PRIR Sound Rooms 31
5.1.1 PRIR room 1 loc 32
5.1.2 PRIR room 1 desc 32
5.1.3 PRIR room 1 speaker setup 32
Headphones 33
System 33
5.3.1 Assign solo buttons 33
5.3.2 HT Settings 34
5.3.3 Measurement Settings 35
5.3.4 Audio settings 37
5.3.5 Misc Settings 38
5.3.6 HDMI settings 42
5.3.7 Full factory restore 44
5.3.8 Factory Tests 44
Time 44
Network 44
Users 44
Updates/About 45
5.7.1 Check for updates at power-up 45
5.7.2 Generate log file 45
Restore factory setup 45
6File Management 47
Files menu (PRIR and HPEQ) 47
Memory locations 47
PRIR files menu 47
6.3.1 Location 48
6.3.2 Layout, Subject, Date 48

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6.3.3 Copy to SD card menu and Delete menu 48
6.3.4 Copy from SD to internal file 48
6.3.5 Changing the PRIR filename, subject and layout 49
HPEQ files menu 49
6.4.1 Phones, Subject, Time 49
6.4.2 Content 49
6.4.3 Copy to SD card menu and Delete menu 50
6.4.4 Changing the HPEQ filename, subject and layout 50
7APPs (applications) 51
Subject-Room-Phones 51
Calibrate speakers (CAL) 51
PRIR measurement (SPK) 51
Headphone EQ (HP) 51
Calibrate head tracker 51
Composite (CX) PRIR Builder 51
8Audio Source Selection 52
9Configuring a Preset for SVS headphone or AV mode 53
The Home Page Menu 53
The Preset Menu 53
9.2.1 Select the Preset number 54
9.2.2 Set the SVS Rendering Mode 54
9.2.3 Verify the User 54
9.2.4 Select the Atmos, DTS:X and PCM listening rooms for this preset number 54
9.2.5 Audio Source 54
9.2.6 Toggle the AV mode ON or OFF 55
9.2.7 HPEQ menu 55
9.2.8 PCM Audio management 56
9.2.9 Ref Level management 56
9.2.10 Dolby Legacy decode 56
9.2.11 Dolby Night mode 56
9.2.12 Dolby Surround 56
9.2.13 DTS direct 56
9.2.14 DTS Night mode 57
9.2.15 DTS Dialog gain 57
Load and Activate presets for User A and User B 57
The PA and PB key 58
9.4.1 Input Level Meters 58
9.4.2 Output level Meters 58
9.4.3 Elements of the Speaker Map display for any preset 59
9.4.4 Controls associated with the Speaker Map display 59
10 Building a Listening Room from one or more PRIRs 63
Select the room type: Atmos, DTS:X or PCM 63
Configure the selected listening room 63
10.2.1 Select a room number 63
10.2.2 Unlock a room to change its configuration 63

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10.2.3 Set the Listening Mode 64
Select virtual speakers for a Listening Mode from a PRIR file 64
10.3.1 Select one matching speaker 65
10.3.2 Select all matching speakers 66
10.3.3 Normalise speaker volumes 66
Set Bass Management / Tactile outputs / Stereo mixdown outputs 66
10.4.1 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X listening rooms 66
10.4.2 PCM listening rooms 67
10.4.3 Bass Management for Dolby Atmos or DTS:X listening rooms 67
10.4.4 Bass Management for PCM listening rooms 68
10.4.5 Limit Reverb 68
10.4.6 Tactile (mixdown) 68
10.4.7 Stereo (mixdown) 69
10.4.8 HT Offset 69
10.4.9 Reference Levels (Ref SPL, Ref vol) 69
General notes for Configuring a Listening Room 69
11 Stereo Bypass 70
Steps to listening to stereo audio using a 2ch Stereo Bypass method 71
Automatic Stereo Bypass for DTS headphone:X 72
12 Measuring a new PRIR in a sound room using the synchronous (ALL) method 73
Configure the PRIR Sound room 73
12.1.1 Edit the PRIR room 1 location (loc) 73
12.1.2 Edit the PRIR room 1 description (desc) 73
12.1.3 Configure the PRIR room 1 speaker setup 74
12.1.4 Configure the measurement settings 75
12.1.5 Connect the A16 to the loudspeakers in the sound room 75
12.1.6 Connect the SVS microphones to the A16 76
12.1.7 Insert the SVS microphones in the ear canal 76
Configure and run the loudspeaker calibration routine 76
12.2.1 Set the subject name, room name and headphone name 76
12.2.2 Set the loudspeakers to be calibrated 76
12.2.3 Run the Speaker Calibration routine 77
Configure and run the PRIR Measurement routine 78
12.3.1 Subject and Room names 78
12.3.2 Select the loudspeakers to be measured 78
12.3.3 Configure the look angles for the PRIR measurements 78
12.3.4 Set the sweep type 80
12.3.5 Load and run the PRIR measurement routine 80
12.3.6 Assessing the Impulse Response Quality between looks 81
12.3.7 Saving the PRIR measurement 82
13 Measuring personalised headphone HPEQ filters 83
Overview of HPEQ methods supported by the A16 83
13.1.1 AutoEQ filter measurement using binaural microphones 83
13.1.2 FlatEQ filter generation for IEM-type headphones 83
13.1.3 Manual EQ modification of either the autoEQ or flatEQ filters 83

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Configure the A16 for an automatic HPEQ measurement of normal headphones. 83
13.2.1 Connect the SVS microphones to the A16 83
13.2.2 Set the headphone A output gain 83
13.2.3 Connect headphones to the User A HP jack 83
Configure the HPEQ options 84
13.3.1 Set the Subject name and Headphone name 84
13.3.2 Set the HPEQ measurement options 84
Saving the HPEQ measurement 85
85
Configure the A16 to generate a flat HPEQ filter. 86
13.5.1 Set the Subject name and Phones name 86
13.5.2 Set the HPEQ measurement options 86
Manual HPEQ adjustment using an external loudspeaker as reference. 86
13.6.1 Set the HPEQ measurement options 86
Manual HPEQ adjustment using an equal loudness curve. 88
13.7.1 Set the HPEQ measurement options 88
14 Measuring a PRIR using the Async Method 90
Theory of Operation 90
14.1.1 Async Noise 90
14.1.2 Async Preamble track 91
14.1.3 Async PLL track 91
14.1.4 Async Level calibration 92
14.1.5 Async Sweeps for each look angle 93
ASYNC method configuration 94
14.2.1 Override Preamble IDs 94
14.2.2 Config Look Angles 95
Performing an ASYNC Measurement 96
14.3.1 Improving Async look angles using the Head Tracker 98
15 Building a Composite PRIR file 100
PRIR Photo selection 100
15.1.1 PRIR Speaker selection 100
15.1.2 Denoising PRIR Speakers 102
15.1.3 Left-Right Channel Swap 102
15.1.4 Altering Speaker IDs and/or Azimuth-Elevation Angles 102
15.1.5 Locked PRIRs 103
16 Listening at Reference Level over the headphones 104
Theory of Operation 104
Setting up the Reference Level using a simple comparison 105
Setting up the Reference Level using the Cal SPL Method 106
Calibrating an Atmos or dts:X Room 107
Estimating Reference Level Headroom 108
Reference Levels and External Headphone Amplifiers 108
Steps to calibrate a User A Listening Room reference level 108
Headphone SPL Headroom 109
Using only the Reference Level SPL measurement 109

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Using only the Headroom Estimator 109
Measuring Binaural SPLs for subwoofers 110
Reference Levels for Sound Rooms with more than 16 speakers 110
Tri-Ref Volume 110
17 TCP Command Server 112
DemoPad A16 Control App for IOS 112
Developing your own TCP client application 112
Developing your own DemoPad A16 Control App for IOS 112
18 Appendix A: Listening rooms loudspeaker configurations 113
Dolby Atmos Listening Rooms loudspeaker configurations (16ch) 113
Dolby Atmos Listening Rooms loudspeaker configurations (24ch) 115
DTS:X listening rooms loudspeaker configurations (12ch) 117
PCM listening rooms loudspeaker configurations (16ch) 119
19 Appendix B: Loudspeaker names and labels 120
Loudspeaker names and labels with default azimuth and elevation angles 120
Graphical representation of loudspeakers in the Speaker Map display of the A16 122
Graphical representation of speaker positions: loudspeaker names and ID numbers 123
20 Appendix C: Calibrating the magnetic sensor in the head-top device 124
21 Appendix D: Setting up the head-tracker 126
22 Appendix E: Updating the Realiser A16 firmware 130
23 Appendix F: Updating the A16 Head tracker Firmware 132
24 Appendix G: Head Tracker Thermal Calibration 135
25 Appendix H: Connections 136
26 Appendix I: Bass Management 138
Atmos / DTS:X AV bass management ON (HDMI, Coaxial) (HP DB disabled) 138
Atmos / DTS:X AV bass management OFF (HDMI, Coaxial) (HP DB disabled) 139
Atmos / DTS:X AV bass management ON (HDMI, Coaxial) (HP DB enabled) 140
Atmos / DTS:X AV bass management OFF (HDMI, Coaxial) (HP DB enabled) 141
PCM ‘Direct’ bass management (USB, Line) 142
PCM ‘Virtual’ bass management (USB, Line) 143
PCM bass management ‘OFF’ 144
27 Appendix J: Tactile management (all inputs) 145
28 Appendix K: Manual Headphone EQ 146
Manual headphone EQ using an external loudspeaker as reference 146
Manual headphone EQ using an equal loudness curve 146
29 Appendix M: Diagnostic displays 147
Audio source diagnostics 147
Preset speaker map information 147
29.2.1 Listening mode and multichannel line outputs 147
30 Appendix N: Trademarks 148

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1Safety
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
READ BEFORE OPERATING EQUIPMENT
• Read these instructions.
• Keep these instructions.
• Heed all warnings.
• Follow all instructions.
• Do not use this apparatus near water.
• Clean only with a dry cloth.
• Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that
produce heat.
• Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where
they exit from the apparatus.
• Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
• Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
• Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such
as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has
been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
• Never expose the equipment to rain or a high level of humidity. For this reason do not install it in the immediate vicinity of
swimming pools, showers, damp basement rooms or other areas with unusually high atmospheric humidity.
• Do not use the device outside. To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this/these device/s to rain or
moisture.
• Never place objects containing liquid (e.g. vases or drinking glasses) on the equipment. Liquids in the equipment could cause a
short circuit.

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• Lay all connection cables so that they do not present a trip hazard.
• Check whether the specifications comply with the existing mains supply. Serious damage could occur due to connecting the
system to the wrong power supply. An incorrect mains voltage could damage the equipment or cause an electric shock.
• Never place open flames near the equipment.
• If the equipment causes a blown fuse or a short circuit, disconnect it from the mains and have it checked and repaired.
• Do not open the equipment without authorisation. You could receive an electric shock. Leave all service work to authorised
expert personnel.
• Do not hold the mains cable with wet hands. There must be no water or dust on the contact pins. In both cases you could
receive an electric shock.
• The mains cable must be firmly connected. If it is loose there is a fire hazard.
• Always pull out the mains cable from the mains and/or from the equipment by the plug, never by the cable. The cable could be
damaged and cause an electric shock or fire.
• If the power cable is connected, avoid contact of the unit with other metallic objects.
• Do not insert objects into openings. You could damage the equipment and/or injure yourself.
• Do not use the equipment if the mains plug is damaged.
• When installing the device into a 19" rack, make sure that the mains switch, mains plug and all connection on the rear of the
device are easily accessible.
• When connecting the headphone do not place the headphone on your head until you can establish the volume of the sound
being played.
• When connecting the headphone, ensure that the volume is turned down to minimum. Adjust the volume after putting on the
headphone. Keep the headphone volume at moderate levels. Hearing damage accumulates over a lifetime of listening at even
slightly excessive volumes.
• Connecting and disconnecting cables, choosing menu items, and any adjustments should be done at a low volume setting and
with the headphones off your head, to avoid being exposed to high level sounds that could cause hearing damage.
• With wired headphones you should avoid sharp movements, which could cause the headphone to fall off your head. You could
be seriously injured especially if you are wearing pierced earrings, spectacles etc. The cable could wind around your neck and
cause strangulation.
• Take the headphones off when changing presets, until you are familiar with the presets.

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2Introduction
Realiser A16 operational design
2.1.1 The Problem: Listening to multichannel audio over headphones.
The Realiser A16 has been designed primarily to allow multichannel immersive audio to be heard accurately through stereo headphones.
Today, almost all immersive audio content is monitored over loudspeakers during production, not through headphones, and therefore
loudspeaker reproduction, in an acoustically controlled room, is the preferred method for listening to immersive audio.
Since sound is essentially heard through our two ears, headphone playback is theoretically capable of reproducing the same loudspeaker
listening experience. For headphones to accurately mimic loudspeakers, digital signal processing must be used to create multiple virtual
loudspeakers in a virtual acoustic environment. The individual audio signals are filtered through these virtual loudspeakers and room, and then
summed together to create a binaural signal that is played over regular stereo headphones.
If the virtual loudspeakers filters are personalised to an individual, the final reproduction through headphones is remarkably accurate when
compared directly to the loudspeaker reproduction: the spatial positioning of each source is maintained, stereo imaging between the virtual
speakers is preserved, and the reverberation of the room and the overall timbre of the sound is the same.
One problem with headphone reproduction is that the sound stage rotates with the listeners head causing significant aural confusion and loss
of spatialisation. A solution to this rotation problem is the use of head tracking technology. The head tracker tracks the listeners head
movement, adjusting the virtual speaker processing such that the virtual speakers move in the opposite direction to the listener’s head. This
results in a very stable and natural listening experience causing the headphones to effectively disappear.
2.1.2 The Solution: Realiser A16
The Realiser A16 implements the personalised-head-tracked Smyth Virtual Surround (SVS) technology for headphone rendering. The A16
renders up to 24 virtual speakers in single-user operation or up to 16 virtual speakers for dual-user operation. The A16 also includes a suite of
routines that allow users to create personalised measurements of real loudspeakers using the supplied microphones, which can then be used
to create virtual listening rooms for almost any presentation format. Factory default measurements are also included for out-of-the-box
operation. Headphone equalisation routines are also included to maximise the performance of the listeners headphones.
Internal Dolby Atmos immersive audio bitstream decoding up to 24 channels is supported as standard. DTS:X decoding for up to 12 channels is
available as an upgrade. Decoded audio can either be sent to the SVS processor for rendering over headphones, or it can be sent to the
auxiliary outputs (AV mode). Multi-channel audio can be input directly and rendered to headphones - multi-channel PCM via the auxiliary AES-
EBU (16ch), Dante (16ch), USB (16ch), HDMI (8ch), stereo (2ch) or SPDIF (2ch) interfaces, or multi-channel analogue via the auxiliary single-
ended or balanced interfaces.
Optional auxiliary 16ch balanced 2U version
Optional auxiliary 16ch AES-EBU 2U version

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Optional auxiliary 16ch DANTE 2U version
2.1.3 Realiser A16 specifications
SVS loudspeaker virtualisation with integrated headtracking (16ch 32bit floating-point processing@48kHz sampling rate, processing latency
32ms, maximum reverb length 750ms). All source signals above a sampling rate of 48kHz are down sampled to 48kHz.
Virtualisation sources:
1. HDMI inputs (1-4): Dolby Atmos, DD+, DD, DTS*, DTS-X*, 8ch LPCM (24bit@48/96/192kHz)
2. SPDIF input (coaxial or optical): Dolby Digital, DTS*, 2ch LPCM (24bit@48/96/192kHz)
3. USB 2.0 input: 16ch LPCM (24bit@96kHz)**
4. Auxiliary Input/Output options (only one can be installed):
a) 16ch single-ended line-level (2Vrms, -115dB DR)
b) 16ch balanced line-level (+18dBu, -115dB DR)
c) 16ch digital AES-EBU (24bit @96kHz)
d) 16ch digital Dante (24bit @96kHz)
5. Stereo line inputs: 2ch (2Vrms, -105dB DR)
*Where the user has purchased the DTS-X decoding upgrade.
**The USB interface only functions with Mac OS 10.12 or older The USB interface only functions on Windows PCs in conjunction with the
supplied ASIO driver.
Realiser A16 operational overview
⚫The A16 runs on Presets –each preset contains three different Listening Rooms.
⚫Listening Rooms are designed for specific audio decoding formats, and for specific loudspeaker arrangements within these
formats. Listening rooms contain a maximum of 24 virtual loudspeakers.
⚫PRIRs contain the binaural room impulse measurement data from real loudspeaker sources that is used to generate virtual
loudspeakers. PRIRs can contain measurements of up to 64 virtual loudspeakers.

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2.2.1 Presets
User presets contain three types of virtual listening rooms, Atmos, dts:X and PCM. Atmos rooms are intended to be used when a Dolby
bitstream is being decoded, or when PCM audio is being up mixed by Dolby Surround. Dts:X rooms are intended to be used when a DTS
bitstream is being decoded, or when PCM audio is being up mixed by Neural:X. PCM rooms are intended to be used when PCM is being
received. The A16 processor can either switch dynamically between the different rooms as the input audio type changes, or the rooms can be
selected manually by the user.
2.2.2 Listening Rooms
A virtual listening room can contain up to 24 virtual loudspeakers arranged in a wide range of speaker layouts. The virtual loudspeakers that
make up the virtual listening room are derived from personalised room impulse response (PRIR) files held in the A16 PRIR directories. During
Atmos and dts:X*bitstream decoding, the speaker layout specified by the listening room sets the rendered listening mode in the object
orientated decoder. Similarly, when PCM is being up mixed by either Dolby Surround or DTS Neural:X*, the speaker layout of the virtual
listening room sets the up-mixed audio format.
*Where the user has purchased the DTS-X decoding upgrade.
2.2.3 PRIRs
PRIRs contain room impulse response measurement data of loudspeakers within a sound room captured either by an individual or using a
dummy head. PRIRs typically comprise several speaker positions, for example left front, centre, right front, etc. To accommodate head-tracking
each PRIR speaker position typically consists of binaural measurements for multiple head orientations (described herein as ‘look angles’). A
single PRIR can contain up to 64 ‘virtual’ loudspeakers and up to 23 look angles for each.

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Unpacking and parts assembly
2.3.1 Unpacking
The Realiser A16 package contains the items below.
Main processor components:
1. Realiser A16 processor (either the 2U 19” rack-mountable version or the HS version)
2. Power Supply (input 100-240V AC, 50/60 Hz, output 12V DC @ 3A) *
3. IR remote control
Set-top head-tracking components:
4. Set-top IR reference unit (for head-tracking)
5. Set-top cable (3.5mm plug to 3.5mm plug, 4-pole)
6. Set-top extension cable (3.5mm socket to 3.5mm plug, 4-pole)
Head-top head-tracking components:
7. Head-top head-tracker
8. Clip for mounting the head-top to headphones
9. Rubber bands (for connecting head-top clip to headphones - 3 sizes)
10. Head-top cable (2.5mm plug to 2.5mm plug, 4-pole)
11. Head-top extension cable (2.5mm socket to 2.5mm plug, 4-pole)
12. Cable clips (to attach the head-top cable to the headphone cable)
Measurement microphone components:
13. Lanyard (orange neck strap)
14. Clip for lanyard (for supporting in-ear microphones during PRIR measurements)
15. In-ear microphones (one pair)
16. Foam earplugs (for microphones - 3 sizes)
17. Grounding wrist strap (for earthing body during PRIR measurements)
18. Headband for mounting a Head-top device during PRIR measurements
For the Realiser A16 2U processor there is an optional accessory.
* The power supply is designed for any mains voltage and frequency and is provided with a mains cord appropriate for the market to which the
Realiser is shipped.
Optional accessories:
19. 2U 19” rack-mount ears
2.3.1.1 Unpacking: Main processor components
Realiser A16 2U version

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Universal power supply (100-240V, 50/60Hz)
Remote control (IR)
2.3.1.2 Unpacking: Set-top head-tracking components
Set-top IR reference for head-tracking
Set-top cable (3.5mm plug to 3.5mm plug, 4-pole)
Set-top extension cable (3.5mm socket to 3.5mm plug, 4-pole)
Realiser A16 HS version

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2.3.1.3 Unpacking: In-ear measurement microphone components
Lanyard (for supporting microphones during measurements)
Microphone cable support clip (connects to the lanyard and provides strain relief to the microphones when inserted in the ear canals)
In-ear SVS measurement microphones (one pair)
Ear foam (seals the SVS microphones when inserted in the ear canal –4 pairs in 3 sizes)

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Grounding wrist-strap (used during SVS microphone use to protect against static discharge damage)
Head tracker Head-band
2.3.1.4 Unpacking: Head-top head-tracking components
Head-top head-tracking device
Clip for mounting the head-top device (connects to the headphone head-band)
Rubber bands (3 sizes) (connects the clip to a headphone head-band)

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VOL
GAIN
L M H
HP
HT
VOL
GAIN
L M H
HP
HT
GAME
MICS
L
R
uSD
SMYTH Realiser A16
A
B
Head-top cable (2.5mm plug (RA) to 2.5mm plug, 4-pole
Head-top extension cable (2.5mm socket to 2.5mm plug, 4 pole)
Cable clips to connect the head-top cable to the headphone cable (3 sizes for circular headphone cables, 2 sizes for flat headphone cables)
2.3.1.5 Unpacking: Optional accessories
19” rack-mount ears (for the 2U version of the Realiser A16)
Part Names and Functions
2.4.1 Front panel of the Realiser A16-2U

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Tactile OutStereo In
HDMI OUT
SPDIF IN
USB 2.0
16-ch
Audio
DC 3A
9-15V
1 - 2 5 - 6 9 - 10 13 - 14
3 - 4 7 - 8 11 - 12 15 - 16
1 - 2 5 - 6 9 - 10 13 - 14
3 - 4 7 - 8 11 - 12 15 - 16
16 ch Line Input 16 ch Line Output
HP-BHP-A
HDMI IN HDMI IN HDMI IN HDMI IN
13 24
Remote
HT Slave
Set-Top
Ethernet
100BASE-T
SPDIF OUT-A SPDIF OUT-B
Front panel of the Realiser A16-2U
The Realiser A16-2U front panel has the following elements (from right to left):
LCD display –a 480 x 320 pixel full colour LCD panel
micro SD card slot and activity light –for external storage of PRIR and HPEQ files, and for firmware upgrades. The activity light is in the left-
hand corner of the uSD slot opening.
USB OTG port –digital headphone output (not currently operational)
MIC jacks (L and R) –for in-ear binaural measurement microphones (2 x 3.5mm 4-pole sockets)
GAME port –for a stereo headphone output signal and mono microphone input signal (3.5mm 4-pole socket)
IR receiver window –for receiving remote control commands
Ambient light detector window –detects the intensity of ambient light in the room to reduce or increase the brightness of the LCD display
Indicator LED –indicates power up (steady green), standby (steady red), IR command receive (single green blink) and firmware update mode
(continuous blinking green)
VOL knob for User B headphone output –a digital gain control for the headphone B output. This knob also operates as a momentary push
switch.
GAIN switch for User B headphone output –can be set to L(ow) for IEMS, M(id) for normal headphones or H(igh) for less sensitive
headphones.
HP headphone socket for User B –for a 1/4” stereo headphone plug
HT head-tracker input for User B –connects to the head-top device from User B (2.5mm 4-pole socket)
HT head-tracker input for User A –connects to the head-top device from User A (2.5mm 4-pole socket)
HP headphone socket for User A –for a 1/4” stereo headphone plug
GAIN switch for User A headphone output –can be set to L(ow) for IEMS, M(id) for normal headphones or H(igh) for less sensitive
headphones.
VOL knob for User A headphone output –a digital gain control for the headphone A output. This knob also operates as a momentary push
switch.
NOTE: The Realiser A16-HS front panel has the same elements listed above, in a vertical and horizontal orientation.
2.4.2 Rear panel of the Realiser A16-2U (standard auxiliary 16ch single-ended)
Rear panel of the Realiser A16-2U
The Realiser A16-2U rear panel has the following ports (from right to left):
Line outputs - Sixteen channels of line-level outputs on 8 x 3.5mm stereo sockets. These should be connected to loudspeaker amplifiers for
PRIR measurements or in the AV presentation mode (max output level 1.2Vrms)
HP-B –alternative headphone output for User B on 2 x RCA sockets (identical signal to front panel 1/4” headphone output socket)
HP-A –alternative headphone output for User A on 2 x RCA sockets (identical signal to front panel 1/4” headphone output socket)
Line inputs - Sixteen channels of line-level inputs on 8 x 3.5mm stereo sockets. All of these inputs can be used as sources to create virtual
loudspeakers (max input level 1.2Vrms).
Power jack - 9-15V DC, 3A external power supply unit
HDMI inputs - 4 x HDMI 2.0 inputs for digital audio inputs (8-ch LPCM and bitstream)
HDMI output - 1 x HDMI 2.0 output for video pass-thru

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USB 2.0 - 16-ch digital audio input, 2-ch digital audio return (24-bit 96kHz max)
SPDIF outputs - optical and coaxial SPDIF outputs for User A and User B stereo headphone signals (variable level)
SPDIF input - optical and coaxial SPDIF input for 2-ch LPCM and bitstream audio signals
Ethernet - 100BASE-T ethernet port for remote control of the A16 via a web-browser interface (not currently available)
Set-top - connects to the set-top device (4-port 3.5mm socket)
HT Slave - connects to the HT Slave port of another A16 allowing one head-tracker to control two A16 units (3.5mm 4 pole socket) (not
currently available)
Remote –connects to the Remote port of another A16 allowing one remote control to control two A16 units (3.5mm 4 pole socket)
Earth –for use with the wrist grounding strap (supplied) during PRIR measurements to reduce body induced hum
Tactile Out –line-level low-frequency output signals for connection to seat-shakers or stereo subwoofers (2 x RCA sockets)
Stereo In –analogue line-level stereo audio inputs (2 x RCA sockets)
NOTE: The standard Realiser A16-HS rear panel has the same elements listed above, in a vertical and horizontal orientation.

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2.4.3 Realiser A16 Remote control
Realiser remote control showing the function of the buttons.
Power ON/OFF
CAL / SPK / HP
(only used for PRIR and
HPEQ measurements)
Solo/mute individual
speakers (re-configurable)
Engage ALL speakers
(switch OFF SOLO mode /
toggle MUTE mode ON/OFF)
VOL control User A
(headphone and line outputs)
Engage SVS Headphone mode
(SVS headphone icon key)
MUTE User A output
ADJUST menu parameters UP
Menu NAVIGATION keys
Menu ENTER / COMMAND key
Preset A display (Speaker map)
Alpha-numeric keyboard
VOL control User B
(headphone and line outputs
Engage AV loudspeaker mode or Stereo
Mixdown mode (Speaker icon key)
MUTE User B output
TEST mode ON/OFF
CANCEL key
Toggle HT angle display
ON / OFF
Preset B display (Speaker map)
MENU key (returns to previous
menu from Speaker map display)
Menu BACK key
(saves parameters and returns
to previous menu page)
Save LCD display as a
bitmap file to SD card
ADJUST menu parameters DOWN

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2.4.4 Head-tracker: Head-top and IR Reference Set-top
2.4.4.1 Head-Top
The Head-Tracker Head-Top connected to a pair of headphones.