Simon Fraser University dials up the acoustics with Renkus-Heinz

Simon Fraser University explores immersive communication with Renkus-Heinz

Located across British Columbia’s three largest cities – Burnaby, Surrey, and Vancouver, Simon Fraser University (SFU) offers diverse programs ranging from Anthropology to Marine Science.

Consistently ranked among Canada's top research institutions, the university has recently taken a step into immersive communication and spatial acoustics processing spaces.

Thanks to a recent grant, SFU established a cutting-edge acoustics lab equipped with 128 Renkus-Heinz C Series loudspeakers to support its research in the field. Senior professor Rodney Vaughan, who spearheaded the project and TiMax senior developer, Tim Bartoo were then able to assemble a team to execute the ambitious vision.

"Rodney came to me over 10 years ago with a bold idea for an acoustic lab where we could push the boundaries of sound research," recalled Bartoo. "He talked about creating spaces where, for instance, you could have a bedroom on a noisy street that feels as quiet as the countryside.”

Vaughan partnered with TiMax, Advanced Audio, DirectOut, Innosonix Technologies, and Renkus-Heinz to ultimately bring his vision to life. Renkus-Heinz's Canadian Distributor, Contact Distribution also played a pivotal role in the project, supplying all technology involved, aside from the microphones.

In addition to the 128 Renkus-Heinz CX41 speakers, 128 Advanced Audio microphones were installed, which were all integrated via a Dante network to allow for seamless communication between components.

Selected for their exceptional spatial functionality and flexibility, the lab is centred around two TiMax spatial processors. These are vital for the range of experiments planned in the lab, such as simulating complex sound fields and testing noise-cancelling concepts.

Fred Gilpin, a prominent acoustic consultant, was brought in early in the process to help design the physical setup of the lab and was also responsible for the precision of the speaker placement.

"Phase response was crucial, as much of the sound being tested is off-axis, and the CX41’s natural, transparent sound made it a great fit," said Gilpin

As the lab neared completion, the team were all eager to put the space to use. "One of the most exciting projects we’re working toward is creating a sound-cancelled room," Vaughan explained. "Imagine a corner of the room where two people can have a conversation, and no one outside that space can hear it, thanks to acoustic isolation. Or a space where you hear nothing, even in a noisy environment. This kind of innovation hasn’t been done before."

Another area of interest for the lab is enhancing room acoustics, particularly in overly reflective environments. By using advanced modelling and soundfield control, researchers hope to develop systems that analyse a room's acoustics and compensate for excessive reverberation, improving intelligibility and sound quality in challenging spaces.

Bartoo is particularly excited about testing TiMax's new reverberation subsystem in the lab. "We’ve incorporated four reverb engines that can create dynamic, localised reverberation in different parts of the room," he said. "With the lab’s configuration, we can simulate anything from a cavernous cathedral to a tight, controlled acoustic space. It’s going to be fascinating to see how well these reverberation patterns replicate reality in such a controlled environment."

With numerous proposed projects on the horizon, the lab has drawn significant interest from the academic and research communities. "We recently completed our first 128-channel recording," said Bartoo. "We walked around the room, talking and clapping, and when we played it back, you could pinpoint exactly where the sounds were coming from. When you closed your eyes, you could visualise who was where in the room. It’s pretty neat."