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GenAudio
AstoundStereo Expander software processes audio files on the user's desktop or laptop computer in real-time. Turn your Mac station into your own home entertainment center. ASE 3.0 enables the listener to hear their music, movies and video games in a new way, being completely immersed in the sound with elevation, intensive depth perception and widening of the stereo image, creating a four dimensional audio experience. Professional recording artists, record labels, video game development houses and major motion picture film studios have already embraced the technology.
What's New
Version 3.0.2:
- Now 10.6 Compatible!
Requirements
- Intel
- Mac OS X 10.6 or later.
- 1 GHz Intel or PPC (G5) processor
- Stereo audio output
AstoundSound Expan... User Discussion (Write a Review)
Overall:
(15)
(15)
| Downloads:3,553 |
| Version Downloads:1,081 |
| Type:Multimedia & Design : Audio |
| License:Demo |
| Date:17 Sep 2010 |
| Platform:Intel |
| Price: $39.95 |
Overall (Version 3.x):  |
| Features: |
Ease of Use: |
| Value: |
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AstoundStereo Expander software processes audio files on the user's desktop or laptop computer in real-time. Turn your Mac station into your own home entertainment center. ASE 3.0 enables the listener to hear their music, movies and video games in a new way, being completely immersed in the sound with elevation, intensive depth perception and widening of the stereo image, creating a four dimensional audio experience. Professional recording artists, record labels, video game development houses and major motion picture film studios have already embraced the technology.
Copyright © 2012 MacUpdate LLC
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+28
Siddhartha reviewed on 04 Nov 2011
Needs update to Lion-the developer says they're "working on it" and it does work in Lion, though the control panel needs to relaunch in 32-bit, and crashes after you make adjustments to it. Sounds like a simple fix, though it's not done yet.
So, back to the software-it enhances all audio through the computer, so music sounds richer, and it adds additional "space" to music. Sounds like you're playing your tunes on high-end equipment.
I've tried all of the available audio enhancers through the years, and this one works quite well, though desperately needs an update.
+30
Longboy reviewed on 03 Mar 2011
I have no pretense of being an audiophile, but I know what I like and it works for me.
My only worry is that GenAudio is not bothering to update this. A relaunch of Sys Prefs is necessary to get it to work. IME, this is the beginning of the end. Take a look at Volume Logic's fate after it was bought, for no obvious reason, by Plantronics.
iMac 7,1 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme
Mac OS X 10.6.6
+30
Good news, if true. Let's hope.
-1
Sent a support request 2 days ago but haven't heard back yet.
I sure hope there is an update soon, especially 64-bit. I sure miss the sound.
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If a prefpane has to be restarted, in order to make a change in the prefs take, then the PP is not really SL- compatible. Let's hope that their beavering away at making ASE compatible with Lion is what has kept them from doing little more than ensuring that ASE doesn't crash and then calling that "compatibility."
+650
Having said that, I could not get it to run on my system under 10.5.8. It would start, work for a fraction of a second and then silence. This seems to be common, since they have the following under support:
"I was playing audio through AstoundSound Expander and now I hear no audio."
Unfortunately their workaround did not work for me. I really wanted to try it since Bongiovi DPS only works in iTunes and HEAR is just awful.
Regarding processing and Snow Leopard Compatibility:
These are two completely different and unrelated issues. There was in fact a significant increase in both memory and processor efficiency in version 3.x of ASE. Version 2.x typically saw 18% or higher CPU usage. Part of the ~5% usage we see today is the virtual audio device that captures all audio on the system and routes it to the ASE process. The other is the ASE process itself, which uses very complex and sophisticated, Pro-audio level, proprietary, 3D localization digital signal processing routines to create the stereo expansion effect.
In regards to music:
The 3 listening modes in ASE are generalized for those categories of audio. There is no intent to provide highly specific settings for all the various types of music available. That would simply not be possible. However, knowing that Movie mode provides a more prominent center channel, this may be more appropriate for listening to a-cappella or solo acoustic guitar. The nine different settings (3 expansion settings for each of the 3 listening modes) of ASE are intended to provide a spectrum of stereo expansiveness. Though we provide some guidance to the listener, via our naming convention, we understand that listening tastes are unique to each individual. Our settings were created so that at least one of the settings should appeal to most listeners.
The AstoundSound Expander (as stated in the User Guide and on our web site) uses special 3-d spatialization/localization DSP algorithms to expand the stereo image of all audio on the system, while not compromising center channel information or low frequency effect. The User Guide says it this way, "The AstoundSound Expander is always running in the background processing audio from all applications. It takes any stereo audio as input and produces a significantly wider stereo image, while preserving center information (e.g. vocals or center staged instruments), in real time. The result is a wider, fuller and richer listening experience."
The ASE processes 2-channel stereo information. If your system is using a subwoofer, the cross-over circuitry in the sub will appropriately route the LFE to the sub and all higher frequencies to the main speakers. The ASE process is independent of this, as it only supplies the localized (stereo expanded) audio signal to the output device (internal speakers, line-out, headphone-out, etc).
Thanks for you comments, we're here to help and educate!
Kelly
knutsonk@genaudioinc.com
Can you submit a ticket through our support page so that we can help you get this working properly? We are 10.6 compatible and our testing on previous version have passed 100%.
Regards,
Kelly
http://www.astoundsound.net/support.php
+650
I was interested in the software given today's sale, but the sale ends in 4 hours so I'll pass this time.
If you find it useful I can record a small video showing the problem and will send it to you along with any relevant information. I was consistently able to reproduce the issue. Just let me know. I'll check back Macupdate when I return tonight.
+1
+29
Offline reviewed on 17 Sep 2010
With the system idle, it is using 5.20% of my CPU.
Regarding CPU time, on the boot after installing it, I see it's second highest user of the launchd processes:
CleanApp Daemon is #1, followed by AstoundStereo, followed by WindowServer and everything else I run on my MacBook Pro.
It would appear that process efficiency is unrelated to Snow Leopard compatibility.
It works. The sound gets louder as I increase the 'power' on the pre-amp. It's unclear as to how the sound is modified between the 3 choices: movies, music and games.
But let's stay with music: I would expect acoustic guitar to have a different profile from an electric bass. I'd expect a piano to have a different configuration from an a-capella group.
If such exists, it's hidden. This is hard stuff to get right and there's a trade-off between being easy to use and trying to accurately reproduce the sound, given your hardware (how does it know if I have a sub-woofer and if it is handling the lows properly without booming? The documentation doesn't say, nor does it refer to such.
I'm unsure what this product does. That's not a good place to be.
+1
+29
Offline reviewed on 22 Jul 2010
I'm very disappointed with this product that was promising when first introduced.
+1
+3
We are OS X 10.6 Compatible and would for you to try us out again. I'd love to send you a free license. Thanks!
GenAudio Support
+1
+25
I sure am glad I paid for this.
+1
+8
Littletree76 reviewed on 13 Apr 2010
Worst still many of these software solutions are not compatible with latest versions of Mac OS X (10.6.3 running in 64-bit mode) and developers have no will to provide prompt support (how many months have passed ?). So I give up on software plugin and go for hardware enhancer such as units built by BBE or Behringer.
So unless you don't want to spend too much on audio enhancement for basic audio setup (not using external DAC/amplifier), these software solutions are not for you.
+1
+33
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"Dear Customer,
GenAudio is pleased to announce that your AstoundSound Expander is now Snow Leopard Compatible for all versions including OS-X 10.6.3 (as well as future versions of Snow Leopard).
To update your Expander, simply open up your Expander preference pane and click on the "About" tab. Then click "check for updates." This will automatically launch the update process.
In the event that you have temporarily uninstalled your Expander software, simply go to www.astoundsound.net and download a new copy of the software. This will not require the update process as you will be downloading the most current copy of the software. In the event that you are required to re-register your Expander software and have misplaced your software activation code, simply contact tech support and we would be happy to assist you.
As a heads up, we will be launching Expander V.3.0 in the next several weeks. This will be a FREE update and will have new and improved features. The easiest way to ensure that you are running the most current version of Expander is to utilize the update checker. To enable this feature, simply click on the "About" tab, then check off the "Automatically Check for Updates" box.
Once again, thank you for your patience! We appreciate your business and your support.
Best regards,
Tech Support
support@genaudioinc.com"
I have installed the updated version of ASE and it works as advertised with SL 10.6.3. It took awhile, but ASE again looks good.
You can email me directly at kelly.knutson@kallen360.com and I will send you a free key.
Regards,
Kelly
+3
+11
Clapper42 reviewed on 11 Feb 2010
The product also didn't work with Snow Leopard when it first came out, and the developers thought it was fine to go about two months before releasing a compatibility update, so now I guess they are trying for a four month gap (or who knows, perhaps longer?)
When the product was working, it did create a noticeable if fairly mediocre surround sound effect. However, I understand that without an advanced surround sound speaker system there is only so much that software alone can do--although $40 is a bit high for what it does. Nonetheless, if you run an older version of OSX (at least 10.51 but not 10.62) or own a PC, I suppose this may be a product for you to try out. But, don't expect good customer support.
+14
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+25