News

HARMAN’s Lexicon® Introduces Its New Flagship 12.4-Channel MP-20 Preamplifier/Surround Processor At CEDIA 2011

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – At CEDIA 2011, HARMAN’s Lexicon announces the introduction of its new flagship MP-20 Preamplifier/Surround Processor, an ultrahigh-end home cinema component designed to deliver the ultimate in performance and flexibility in home theater systems and custom installations. The 12.4-channel MP-20 offers five height  speaker outputs and four independent subwoofer outputs in addition to the standard 7-channel speaker configuration, and provides a wealth of advanced features including 12 x 2 matrix video capability with eight HDMI™ 1.4 inputs, exclusive HARMAN QuantumLogic™ Surround processing, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD® Master decoding, THX® Ultra2 Plus™ post-processing (pending certification), and a full-featured second zone digital output with HDMI, all operated via an intuitive large screen front panel user interface.

The MP-20 incorporates Harman’s newly developed, exclusive QuantumLogic Surround (QLS) technology, which transforms any mono, stereo or multichannel audio source into a remarkably realistic 7.1-channel listening experience. Designed for home listening and recording studio use, QLS uses proprietary algorithms, spatial filter bank technology and psychoacoustic modelling to extract signal streams, impulse responses, voices, instruments and embedded reverberant spatial information from the original recording and recombines them into a variable multichannel soundfield.  The MP-20 also includes QuantumLogic Surround 3D which adds 5 height channels for true three-dimensional audio and an even more realistic experience.

The Lexicon MP-20 offers unsurpassed video quality and switching options with its 12 x 2 video matrix including 2 composite, 2 component and 8 HDMI inputs. Using the latest-generation Sigma Designs VXP GF9452 video processor in a dual-channel configuration with independent signal paths, the MP-20 includes transcoding and 1080p scaling plus support for 3D video pass-through on all inputs and outputs. A full-featured second zone HDMI output with on-screen display provides maximum flexibility for custom installations.

The preamplifier/surround processor is engineered for no-compromise audio performance in every respect. Four primary Analog Devices 21469 SHARC DSP’s and two additional SHARC’s provide full 192kHz/24-bit audio support plus proprietary QuantumLogic Surround 3D, THX Ultra2 Plus post-processing and decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio. An array of analog and digital inputs are complemented by 16-channel XLR balanced main outputs and digital and analog second zone audio outputs. Automatic speaker calibration and room equalization is included via an optional 2- or 4-microphone calibration kit. Onboard proprietary Harman Soundfield Management (SFM) processing provides four independent sub outputs to minimize seat-to-seat variation in the bass response over a wide area allowing for a completely optimized 12.4-channel speaker configuration.

Although capable of accommodating the most ambitious home theater systems and custom installations, the Lexicon MP-20 offers ease of setup and use, thanks to its large front panel user interface and straightforward on-screen menu system. Twelve buttons surround the front-panel screen and their functions change based on the information and controls displayed on the screen. This arrangement allows for comprehensive set-up and control, yet simple and intuitive daily operation with a minimum amount of front panel buttons. On-screen menus provide user feedback and complete control of both the main and second zone functions.

The MP-20 provides a host of control and custom integration features including Ethernet control, 12V triggers, IR inputs and compatibility with major third-party control systems. As has always been the case with Lexicon processors, the MP-20 is designed for the future and in this case includes Audio Video Bridging (AVB) over Ethernet connectivity and a modular design with an expansion port that provides for easy sub-system upgrades as technology continues to advance.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 20 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 12,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $3.8 billion for the twelve months ending June 30, 2011. The Company’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NYSE:HAR.