L-Acoustics’ HYRISS (Hyperreal Immersive Sound Space), a groundbreaking audio solution redefining how we experience spaces through sound, is said to represent a paradigm shift in sound design, “elevating the role of audio to match the importance of visual aesthetics in creating genuinely immersive, emotionally resonant environments”. The solution integrates discreet in-wall speakers, high-power amplification, and advanced spatial audio processing, to deliver “concert-level” sound quality while maintaining aesthetic elegance – for a more immersive experience.
But what exactly is it, and does it live up to its billing? Installation was lucky enough to sit in on an exclusive demo of the system in late 2024, and the team was not disappointed.
HYRISS leverages three core L-Acoustics technologies: L-ISA, Ambiance and Anima. L-ISA precisely positions instruments in space, mimicking live concert settings. Ambiance uses state-of-the-art sensing microphones and the L-ISA Processor II to transform room acoustics. And Anima utilises advanced algorithms and machine learning to localise, spatialise, separate, and immerse audio content beyond its original design, transforming ordinary sound and music into extraordinary experiences.
The system is intended to elevate the ambiance of living spaces by making sound an integral part of the environment. It combines the above hardware, plus software, and services to create “adaptable, high-quality sound environments” suitable for a wide range of applications, from luxurious residences and yachts to high-end hospitality and corporate settings. It’s arguably the ultimate ‘resimercial’ audio solution.
The solution is designed to enable complete control of the sonic environment, from creating serene atmospheres for relaxation to transforming spaces into dynamic entertainment venues. It also eliminates the need for dedicated media rooms by transforming a single space into a concert hall, sports stadium, or cinema.
HYRISS supports a wide range of audio formats, from mono to expansive Dolby Atmos soundscapes and beyond. A high-resolution, three-dimensional network of loudspeakers can enhance voice for corporate presentations, immerse listeners in music through selected speakers in chosen areas of a space, and dynamically adapt a space’s acoustics for various activities, such as a pseudo nightclub.
So, where to begin with our review? The Installation team has honestly never had the pleasure of a better audio demonstration. Sitting on a comfortable sofa within a huge demo space, we were first shown how the clever use of AI can replicate environments within the space, even when no music is being played. We thought we could hear background noise from the adjacent office; only – once switched off – this turned out to be AI-generated ambient noise. The room itself was henceforth deathly quiet.
The L-Acoustics team then demonstrated how a cinema setup can produce the ultimate in music concert and movie sound, with Dolby Atmos-generated spatial audio. No complaints here: it sounded amazing. But perhaps nothing we haven’t heard before.
But it was when we were asked to take to our feet and stand in a specific space that things got really exciting, with an AI-enhanced live performance of Bon Iver’s ‘Holocene’ emanating from the hidden speakers ahead of us, utilising the ambience of the venue it was originally recorded in. The results were staggering: with eyes closed, it genuinely sounded as if the the band was standing just a few feet in front of us, providing a very personal performance. The AI can replicate any concert hall, so it would be possible to listen to Oasis live at Wembley Stadium, without buying a ticket!
Finally, we were asked to select a streamed dance track – any one we cared to choose – and the room became a nightclub, with audio blasting out of every loudspeaker, providing a fully immersive dance arena.
Overall, this was, hands down, the best audio demo the team has ever experienced. It’s a game-changer, for both commercial and residential AV applications.
