About BassXT and ABX
What is BassXT and ABX?
Audyssey BassXT enables low frequency drivers to produce deeper bass by intelligently monitoring incoming audio signals and extending driver performance to its maximum safe limits at all volume levels. With a BassXT-enabled system, small woofers sound big, and big woofers sound bigger. Audyssey ABX is specifically created for very small drivers such as those found in televisions. It combines adaptive equalization, principles of human perception and monitors the content to provide an extension to the frequency response.
Deeper bass
Small subwoofers are desirable because of their small footprint, but this also makes it difficult to reproduce very low bass sounds. Traditionally, the only way to extend the bass response to lower frequencies would be to invest in a subwoofer with a bigger driver in a bigger enclosure. BassXT enables smaller drivers and enclosures to reproduce very low bass sounds by dynamically monitoring the low frequency signals and constantly pushing the speaker to its maximum capability. ABX applies the same principles along with psychoacoustic algorithms to small drivers in televisions and other audio systems.
Before a speaker system comes to market, Audyssey works closely with the manufacturer to create a precise model for the driver and the enclosure of the subwoofer or full-range speaker. Based on this model, BassXT and ABX are able to accurately monitor the level and frequency content of the signal. The content is continuously monitored so that both soft and loud passages extend the driver to near maximum excursion. This enables the system to produce lower frequencies than would be possible with a traditional system of the same size.
Low frequency playback example of the same small subwoofer at three volume levels
At each volume level, BassXT expands the low frequency performance by delivering much deeper bass
Optimized to work with other Audyssey technologies
Many of the bass methods available today simply provide a bass boost, but do not offer any perceivable extension of the response to lower frequencies. Furthermore, they are not customized for your exact driver, but are generic for any speaker system. BassXT and ABX are specifically calibrated to enhance the bass response of your individual system.
Audyssey BassXT and ABX are designed to work in conjunction with our loudness compensation technology, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, and our core room equalization technology, Audyssey MultEQ. MultEQ first determines the proper equalization curve for your system. Dynamic EQ then determines the proper loudness compensation based on the sound pressure level information MultEQ provides. BassXT and ABX then utilize the real-time loudness compensation data from Dynamic EQ to extend the maximum capability of your system's low end.
Can BassXT push my system too far and damage it?
BassXT and ABX are designed to avoid that exact problem while extending bass performance to its safe limits. Because Audyssey engineers are able to analyze specific driver models from manufacturers, they fully characterize the capabilities and limits of each driver. BassXT and ABX will never push your system beyond what it can do, but will make sure your drivers are doing all they can to deliver the deepest possible bass response.
