StormAudio has become a big name in the high-end AV Processor market in the last few years. Now, it’s set to be distributed by Melbourne-based wholesaler Audio Active.
The French company offers high-performance AV processors, amplifiers and receivers engineered to bring some of the best technologies to the heart of any home theatre. The essence of StormAudio’s offerings revolves around superior audio quality and performance.
Upgradability and continuous improvement are at the heart of StormAudio’s products, driving the brand to create hardware modules that can be upgraded as technologies evolve. StormAudio remains the first manufacturer to support Dirac Active Room Treatment (ART), spatial optimisation that enables all speakers in a surround sound system to cooperate with each other to accomplish what passive acoustic treatments struggle to achieve.
Dirac ART is available on all StormAudio ISP processors and AVRs through the recent 4.5 firmware update, and all products ordered from January 1st, 2023, onward get ART included at no additional fee.
StereoNET was fortunate to be part of the Dirac Live ART trial before its public release, and we concluded that the results are remarkable. When incorporating centre and surround channels along with subwoofers in a home cinema setup, ART creates a distinctly punchy sound with the frequency spectrum under 150 Hz, sounding better than ever before. Objective measurements of ART’s performance revealed a significant improvement in smoothing the low-frequency response and a notable reduction in bass decay.
Bruce ThierbachGeneral Manager of Audio Active Australia, told StereoNET:
StormAudio’s range of products will bring another level of products to partner with our leading audio-visual brand portfolio. Audio Active represents some of the world’s leading brands in the Australian market. The addition of StormAudio will strengthen our foundation as Australia’s leading Audio-Visual distributor for both the specialist retail and customer integration partner in the premium residential cinema theatre segment. We are excited and look forward to partnering with Olivier and the team at StormAudio well into the future.
Olivier ThumerelStormAudio’s CEO, added:
StormAudio is very proud to partner with Audio Active for its distribution in Australia. Audio Active is Australia’s leading distributor of premium audio-visual products and their close connections with integrators, specialist retailers and custom design specialists is a huge advantage. We look forward to working with Audio Active’s team of passionate salespeople and technicians to show to their customers how StormAudio’s products are the best in the market.
StereoNET reviewed the ISP Core 16 AV Processor in 2022 when it achieved the coveted Applause Award, concluding:
While it can be said that detail retrieval is a staple of high-end processors and AVRs, there are precious few that know what to do with that sonic detail. The ISP Core 16 and its ilk stand head and shoulders above them. And as good as it is with detail retrieval, it hasn’t forgotten how to have fun, being capable of huge dynamic swings that fill the room with sound.
We also reviewed the ISP.32 Mk2 / PA 8 Mk2 Cinema Pre-Processor And Amplifier back in 2021, concluding:
Capable of producing a sonic storm, the sound field is wonderfully dynamic and powerful sound – truly cinematic. Yet, it’s not just about brute strength, as this duo has a wonderfully transparent sound that reveals the subtlest of details. As such, this dynamic duo is an absolutely essential audition.
Within its innovative lineup, StormAudio presents two standout products that set it apart: the ISP Evo, which stands as the only fully digital processor on the residential market, and the ISR Fusion 20, the most powerful receiver available with a 16 x 150w at 8 Ohms.
