Bye bye muddy bass

AVAA logo

Welcome to the world of AVAA technology, the way to actively absorb room modes and get clear bass.

Bob Katz with PSI Audio AVAA C20

There’s nothing else on the planet that comes close to the performance of this patented technology!

The products

AVAA C214

Ultra Low Latency Digital

AVAA C20

100% analog, THE original

AVAA C20 and C214 use active technology to fight room modes

01. Introduced in 2016

Since its release in 2016, the AVAA C20 has proven its efficiency in many types of applications: home studios, recording studios, audiophiles… In 2023, we are once again revolutionizing the world of acoustics with our digital bass trap, the AVAA C214.

02. More effective than passive absorption

Active absorption is about 25 to 45 times more effective than passive absorption of the same size.

03. Easy to setup

Whether analog or digital, the set-up is the same and very simple: the AVAA is placed where the pressure is highest.

#avaatechnology

#avaatechnology

Comparisons of characteristics
AVAA C20 and AVAA C214

Product AVAA C20 AVAA C214
Frequency range 15 – 150 Hz  15 – 160 Hz
Efficiency 25x its size 45x its size
Active surface 0.2m2 0.13m2
Surface efficiency 5m2 5.85m2
Technology Analog Digital
Housing MDF Robust aluminium

The power of active technology

If you want to fight room modes, passive absorption is what first comes to mind.

But if you don’t have meters of space to spare in your room, passive systems will not be effective.

Active bass traps is the solution with the following benefits:


– very compact

– works on a wide broadband (15 – 150Hz)

– doesn’t dampen higher frequencies

– extremely effective

– can easily be moved from room to room

– robust long-lasting product

What do the AVAAs do?

The AVAAs actively absorb standing modes in a room, specifically those between 15 and 150 Hz. Unlike passive absorbers, the AVAAs achieve this with greater efficiency and in a much smaller form factor. With each AVAA in operation, the effect is equivalent to a much larger hole in the wall – typically ranging between 10 and 25 times larger than the AVAA’s actual size of 0.2 m2, depending on the frequency and environment.

By lowering the acoustic impedance of the air in front of it, the AVAA effectively sucks in low frequencies over an area of about 1 to 1.5 meters. As a result, the optimal position for an AVAA is in the most rigid corners of the room, where pressure is highest and where room modes are most present.

It’s important to note that while the AVAA improves room acoustics, it has little impact on the inevitable first reflections of sound. Therefore, proper positioning of loudspeakers and listening equipment is crucial for achieving the best possible sound quality.

Why should I use AVAA technology?

THE PAIN

• Room modes are the most significant acoustic issue in virtually all enclosed spaces.
• These low-frequency phenomena typically range between 15 and 150 Hz and resonate for much longer than other frequencies, leading to uneven sound pressure levels throughout the room’s volume.
• In addition to their disruptive impact on sound balance, room modes also create a masking effect on higher frequencies, resulting in an unbalanced and muddled sonic environment.

THE AVAAs

• AVAA is a one-of-a-kind patent-protected product that functions as a broadband active absorber.
• AVAA’s unique design enables it to effectively absorb room modes spanning the 15 to 150 Hz frequency range, making it a powerful solution for improving sound quality.
• AVAA is highly efficient, significantly reducing the resonance time of low frequencies and resulting in cleaner, more balanced sound.
• Despite its powerful capabilities, AVAA is remarkably small, delivering comparable performance to passive bass traps that are 50 times larger in size.
• AVAA is incredibly easy to use – with no calibration or setup required – users simply need to find the best location in their room to position the device.
• AVAA is also highly mobile, making it easy to move between rooms as needed to achieve optimal sound quality.

THE GAIN

• Using two AVAA C20 units can significantly reduce the resonance time of room modes in any environment, dramatically improving sound quality.
• AVAA does not impact the sound output from speakers, but rather works to improve overall room acoustics.
• With AVAA, bass will become tighter and clearer, eliminating the low frequency veil and fog that can obscure higher frequency sounds.
• AVAA also improves localization of low frequencies, providing greater accuracy and clarity in the sound stage.
• Improved room acoustics through the use of AVAA can enable faster, more confident mixing and mastering decisions.
• With AVAA, you’ll be able to enjoy your audio content more fully, focusing on the source material rather than the imperfections of your acoustic environment.
• Finally, the AVAA is a mobile, durable solution that’s built to last a lifetime, making it a smart investment for audiophiles, producers, and studios alike.

AVAAs in practice

Without AVAAs

In a 20m2 recording studio equipped with 2 big loudspeakers, the sweetspot was quite precise from 200Hz upward but had a low end problem, especially at 32 Hz, due to the dimensions of the room.

With AVAAs

With the addition of only 2 AVAAs, the problems were solved:

– Better balance from the lowest note until the highest one.

– 300ms reduction of the 32 Hz reflections.

– better stereo imaging in the low end.

Equivalent absorbing area

The AVAA boasts an equivalent absorbing area of one unit, varying with frequency. Its surface measures 0.2m2, making it 25 times more effective than a perfect absorber of the same size. In comparison, it has an equivalent absorption area of 5m2.

More effective than passive absorption

The AVAA can be more effective than a perfect absorber of its own dimension by imposing a very low impedance around it.

Comparison

When we compare the AVAA C20 to passive materials of any type, we can see the highest efficiency. Room mode at 39Hz.
AVAA optimally positioned
Helmholtz resonator optimally positioned
— Empty measurement room
— Plate swinger optimally positioned
— Porous absorber optimally positioned

So many types of applications

Once you have solid walls, modal behavior becomes unavoidable, but the AVAA technology is incredibly effective in mitigating it.

For professional audio

– Recording, mixing and mastering studio.
– OB Van.
– Home studio.
– Post production suite.

For entertainment

– High fidelity listening.
– Home cinema.
– Small club.
– Bar.

In industry

– Boiler room.
– Machine room.
– Industrial facility.

Why we created the AVAA technology.

The birth of the AVAA technology idea occurred in the late 90s as we tested PSI Audio monitors in recording and mixing studios. We discovered significant variations in their performance from room to room. While some studios had proper acoustic treatment, many lacked absorption, leading to issues with room modes and imprecise low-end sound.

In 2012, we seized the opportunity to launch the AVAA project with the support of two Swiss universities who backed the project for three years. We knew our goal, but the challenge was figuring out how to achieve it. With the help of the best engineers in electronics and electro acoustics, we succeeded in creating this amazing active bass trap.

Initially, we only intended to use our product to showcase our studio monitors. However, it quickly gained a positive reputation and interest skyrocketed.

K-Studio Control Room

History of the AVAA technology

1995
First partnership with academic partners

2012
Start of the development of the AVAA technology with 2 academic partners

2015
1st AVAA prototype which was stable

AVAA prototype

2016
Launch of the AVAA C20

PSI Audio AVAA C20

2020
Start of a new digital development

AVAA digital development

2023
Launch of the AVAA C214

PSI Audio AVAA C214