Dutch & Dutch is Flipping the Script

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hey Guys, just received this from Dutch & Dutch. I have a call with them on Tuesday to discuss more details. 
 

This is a really big development. It’s potentially game changing. The possibilities are only limited by one’s imagination. 
 

Third party plugins / apps running on speakers or HiFi components a huge. Don’t get hung up on this first plugin released in the announcement. Think about all your apps. 

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Dutch & Dutch pushes the boundaries of audio system design as the 8c becomes the first ever loudspeaker to run commercial third-party software plugins.

 

Rotterdam, October 13, 2023 – Dutch & Dutch introduced the 8c all-in-one audio system in 2018. From the start we acknowledged the critical role of the listening room in accurate audio reproduction, which is why we equipped the 8c with RoomMatching; the technology stack that blends speaker and listening room into a unified acoustic entity. RoomMatching is what gave the 8c its initial success and to date no other audio system integrates with a listening room as seamlessly and effectively as the 8c. 

 

Today we are setting a new benchmark by making that same 8c the first ever loudspeaker that can be extended with commercial third-party software plugins. For both new and existing 8c customers, this opens up a new realm of possibilities, with software developers all over the world now being able to create and sell software for the 8c ecosystem. The ability to evolve with industry trends and front-run new ones, is a major, exciting step towards making the 8c a true “End Game” speaker.

 

The first plugin that will be made available is the BACCH plugin. BACCH technology solves the challenge of acoustic crosstalk that occurs between sound from two speakers. Stereo source material contains immersive spatial cues, which are normally masked by acoustic crosstalk. BACCH unmasked these cues, which results in an unprecedented, immersive listening experience from only two loudspeakers. The fact that 8c’s are cardioid (and therefore highly directional) makes them perfectly suited for BACCH application.

 

This innovation is made possible by the 8c’s software platform, Ascend. It is an integrative combination of embedded, web, cloud and mobile software which offers digital synchronization between speakers, direct streaming, DSP control, room correction, secure updates and now third party plugins as well as a range of other features. During the coming period Dutch & Dutch will be researching the possibility of making Ascend available to other speaker manufacturers. Should your company be interested in this, please contact us!

 

Also, if you are a software developer who would like to release an audio plugin to the 8c ecosystem, please contact us to discuss the possibilities! 

 

To each of our customers: we hope you enjoy the new BACCH plugin and that you look to the future with excitement! Another plugin is already under active development, with several others in the pipeline. The regular firmware updates will also continue to be pushed out up to four times per year just like before. Dutch & Dutch is committed to the 8c and to delivering an ever-improving, exceptional audio experience to you. There will be no 8c MkII; you already own the MkII.

 

 

[firedog]

The BACCH plugin itself is a dramatic development. This idea sounds very good, unless the software implementation is buggy. 

[fas42]

My experience of the 8C speaker at the recent audio show was that it produced the most accurate sound of any of the systems I heard, on the day. Which says that the fundamental engineering was done well enough, to allow room to "play with things" - without severely undermining the intrinsic integrity of the chain. Those who want to do that, to whatever degree pleases them, are in good hands - meaning the "BACCH experience" should work well ... I just looked at the promo page for that processing, https://www.bacch.com/bacchsoundslike, and I must say, I'm scratching my head - it's a weird combo of what accurate reproduction delivers, and playing surround sound games. Not for me ... things like "on the right side, but a foot or two from your ear", .

[Archimago]

Cool. Ambiophonics/uBACCH right out of the box; I assume it's just a simple setting for speaker angle and away we go.

 

Should sound impressive!

[STC]

TaCT was doing that 20 years ago but the same people who refused to review or endorse XTC now advocates them. BACCH certainly good at marketing. I heard Jambox replaced AmbiophonicsDSP with BACCH. Good to see more and more people are embracing XTC, irrespective whatever name they are called. Love to see D&D, Weiss and others finally taking this approach.

[mensink]

Thanks for sharing, Chris. We're very excited about this. People are already purchasing the BACCH for Dutch & Dutch 8c plugin and many more have requested the free trial. People appear to really like what BACCH does to the sound. 

 

The first interested parties for plugin development have also already reached out to us. 

 

Very best, 

 

Martijn Mensink

[Chorus]

Last month on Saturday Sept. 30th The Off Islanders Audio Society met with Gabriel Jones, US Distributor

for D&D presented the new Bacch software used in the D&D 8c speakers. All attendees had their "heads"

electronically measured and then were given an opportunity to hear the software in action albeit thru

my stereo system. 

The immediate effect I heard was a widening of the soundstage. When I say widening I mean out to 180 degrees.

I was dumbfounded. If a person owns a pair of D&D 8cs for $1,600 they can add the software.

As the 8c includes 3 amps, a DAC, A streamer and room correction. I could essentially eliminate three boxes and two speakers

in exchange for the two 8c's. I would love to make the move. New it will cost about $16k.

Many thanks to Gabriel for taking the time to present a great new product!