Orban said the iMix 5.1 Monitor does not require artificial ambience or special encoding to accurately reproduce multichannel audio. It works with any type of headphone, including open backed, closed back, in-ear or ear buds without the need for individual HRTF calibration or special setup.

Using Orban’s DSX Headphone Surround algorithm, it features the latest version ITU-R BS.1770 loudness measurement system for accurate and quick assessment of 5.1 surround audio including program quality, levels and loudness.

No proprietary surround encoding is required. Test tone locations are rendered with precise image integrity, including BLITS tones and SWOOP tests without artificial ambience that masks the program audio.

The iMix 5.1 Monitor is shipping now with standard AES I/O and its HD/SDI input option. Other options to be available shortly include AES-67 input via Dante AoIP, and balanced analog audio I/O as well as a built-in webserver for remote control and logging (balanced analog audio I/O and HD/SDI input cannot be combined).

“The iMix 5.1 addresses the needs of our HDTV and radio broadcast customers for a 5.1 surround headphone monitor that will allow them to monitor and QC their 5.1 broadcasts outside a specially-designed — and expensive — audio control room,” said David Day, Orban’s president.

The iMix 5.1 Monitor is designed for use by broadcasters, production houses, content creators, recording studios, mastering houses and HDTV networks.