We have reworked Sonarworks technology to the next level bringing you more accuracy and confidence in sound.

The news is out! Here is what is new in Reference 4:

Increased precision
By increasing the measurement points from 24 to 37 on a new measurement grid and a full ground-up rework of the measurement process, you’re now achieving a precision of +/- 0.9dB in your measurements.
In achieving this level of accuracy, we’re able to bring the same consistent sound across all rooms and from rooms to headphones and remove the age-old industry issue of translation issues.  Even in unruly rooms, we are confident in how consistent and significant this precision of our technology is.

Sonarworks SR
Sonarworks SR is a new digital technology to bring the same accurate studio reference across all speakers and headphones.

Meaning you’ll:
– Work on your existing gear with more confidence
– Make better mixing decisions with more accurate sound
– Hear even the smallest detail with ear-opening accuracy
– Spend less time double-checking and chasing the last fixes
– Take your reference sound where your work or inspiration takes you

ASIO Support
Reworking the whole Reference 4 Measure from the ground up means we have finally implemented ASIO driver support. You are able to measure your speaker setup with almost any audio interface available on the market.

We didn’t stop there. Follow the rest of the post to see all changes in Reference 4.1 and UPDATE now following the instructions below.

Upgrade today

Reference 4 users: You can upgrade for free

Reference 3 users:
This is a perfect opportunity for you to upgrade to Reference 4. We’d hate for you to be left behind as we power forward.
Upgrade here today: https://www.sonarworks.com/reference/upgrade-ref3

NB: Upgrading Reference 4 will remove two features:
1. “Simulations”. We are in talks with a number of potential partners. Due to legal reasons, our lawyers have advised us to remove the simulation feature due to a potential infringement with a US patent. 
2. “Optimum phase”. Optimum phase was a compromise between having no latency and phase distortion. Essentially, it still gave you both. For this reason, we have removed the middle setting meaning you can now either work with greater accuracy of sound or zero latency.

Measure – What’s new?

  • Revised instructions. We have revised the instructions about a hardware setup and measuring process.
  • Calibration microphone profile can be downloaded directly from the software. Download the Sonarworks XREF 20 Measurement Microphone calibration profile automatically in the software by entering a mic ID number.
  • View microphone frequency response graph. You can visually explore a measurement microphone frequency response curve for Sonarworks measurement microphone as well as other calibration microphones that come with an individual calibration profile.
  • Revised feature set. We have removed features that were unnecessary and added new ones because of the streamlined measuring process.
  • Voice feedback for the speaker distance measuring phase added. The voice feedback informs you about the state of the measuring process. It is useful if you have a studio where speakers are placed behind a computer screen and you’re not able to see the screen while standing by the speakers during the measuring process.
  • Revise dimensions more easily. Now you can revise the dimensions measured between the listening spot and the speakers more easily — just measure the distance in straight line from your listening spot to each speaker.
  • Revised representation of measuring points in a schematic setup (speakers and a listening area). The schematic representation of your setup allows you to locate the microphone and reminds you to aim between speakers.
  • Explore your speaker frequency response curve. The legend of the graph displays a value of each point in the graph when you hover a mouse cursor on it.
  • More explicit warning and error messages. We’re trying to guide you through the measuring process by providing as much useful information at the right time as possible.

Sonarworks SR removes unwanted coloration and delivers the same accurate studio reference sound on all speakers and headphones

Systemwide and Plugin

  • Sonarworks Studio Reference. It is the most neutral and balanced target. It will ensure that the energy throughout the whole frequency spectrum remains the same.
  • Revised set of features and their labels. We have reorganized the UI for several reasons: 1) removal of the simulations, 2) importance of the features and the order of their use. Also we have renamed some of the features: we’re searching for labels for features that you could recognize or learn in a moment.
  • Switching between headphone and speaker profiles from the main UI of Systemwide. Now also Systemwide (identically to the plugin) enables switching between the profiles from the main UI. The switch on the main UI and the Systemwide’s widget work in sync.
  • Revised onboarding. Now we’re onboarding you contextually: the software displays few tooltips that are relevant for quick-start and getting to hearing the calibrated sound faster.
  • Revised frequency response curve graph. Now you can learn about each frequency response curve from descriptions next to the menu. The graph also gives a visual feedback regarding what’s being changed when you change the settings (e.g., Bass Boost, Limit Controls, etc.)
  • Warning when the calibration is turned off by changing Dry/Wet control settings. You can adjust the Dry/Wet control to adjust the level of correction applied. But when you turn it to 0, the correction is turned off. So you would know it, the software informs you by displaying a warning icon and a tooltip.

There you have it. All this we built for you so you can work more confidently,