The Atmosphere Tuning Module (ATM)
The ATM module increases the number of Scenes available to the Atmosphere. The Red ATM used in this review not only adds 4 more Scenes, but each Scene has Advanced Settings allowing one to easily fine tune the sound of one’s system. On the bottom of cylindrical ATM, is a QR code that is scanned into the Atmosphere iPad program to unlock the Scenes of the RED ATM. The ATM is also a high power HFT (High Frequency Transducer) with vents and an inverted cone in the top of the unit. The ATM is typically placed in the recessed area on the top of Atmosphere with the Atmosphere center between one’s loudspeakers and behind the front baffle. Because my two channel system is used for music and movies, I had to position the Atmosphere off center with respect to my loudspeakers and positioned the Red ATM on the top of my equipment rack but centered between my AZ Crescendos. As you will later see, this configuration of the Atmosphere and ATM module integrated well with my system.
All four Scenes provided by the Red ATM have the ability to adjust the amplitude of the RF Environment. Selection of the “Mid-Day” setting provides the greatest effect whereas the “Late PM” setting results in the smallest amplitude. The theory behind the “Amplitude” setting is related to ambient RF field present during the day versus night with the daytime being more prevalent and complex. Over time, selection and optimization of the various Scenes and Advanced settings became almost second nature.
The Red ATM provides four additional Scenes: In My Listening Room, Expansive, Amplified, and Ethereal.
In My Listening Room
According to the SR website, the “In My Listening Room” Scene places performers in your room with settings optimized for close mic'd string instruments like guitar or when you wish to hear music with enhanced clarity and focus. Refer to the SR website for additional information related to the various Advanced Settings and their associated effects on the soundstage and imaging.
Since ColdPlay, Pickin’ on ColdPlay a bluegrass tribute (CMH Records) is a recording with close mic'd guitars, the “In My Listening Room” scene was selected to showcase how the Atmosphere could improve the presentation of this recording. Listening to various cuts on through my Laufer Teknik MP64, I came to appreciate just how much I preferred my system treated by the Atmosphere. The various guitars in this recording had greater transparency with their position within the soundstage more clearly defined with the “Sharp” and “Studio” advanced settings selected. Sans the Atmosphere, the pitch control, image focus and naturalness suffered as well as my involvement in the music. In comparison to all other ATM Scenes, I found this Scene to more closely match the main characteristics of my listening room.
Expansive
According to the SR website, the “Expansive” Scene presents larger acoustic recordings with an accurate sense of scale, natural layering, and sound field envelopment. Refer to the SR website for additional information related to the various Advanced Settings and their associated effects on the soundstage and imaging and how the various Scenes are said to compare to each other.
The “Expansive” Scene had the widest application based on my music tastes. I used Patricia Barber "Modern Cool" (Premonition Records) to evaluate the “Expansive” Scene. As compared to the “Holographic” Scene reviewed above, the tonal balance was unchanged when the Atmosphere was used. Patricia Barber’s vocals had greater dimension, the low end pitch definition was tighter, and the space between instruments expended well into my listening room on this recording. The cymbals where heard well past my back wall with the “Far” and “Layered” advanced settings selected. The goose bump factor on this recording dived when the Atmosphere was turned off.
Amplified
When comparing the various ATM Scenes, I found the energy of amplified music with sharp leading edges and extreme dynamics common in some Rock ‘n’ roll, pop, and modern amplified jazz recordings, is best served by the “Amplified” Scene. I listened to track 14, The Maker, from Dave Mathews and Tim Reynolds, "Live at Radio City" (RCA) starts with two electric guitars played by Dave Mathews and Tim Reynolds with the “Amplified” Scene selected. The Advanced setting defined as “Crunchie” clearly added bite to the sound on both guitars that displayed sharper leading edges with each pluck. With the Atmosphere de-engergized, the dynamics and low frequency pitch definition of the recording receded. Based on my music preferences, this Scene was least preferred as compared to all other Scenes.
Ethereal
Given the “Ethereal” Scene was designed to present the maximum scale possible for electronica, orchestral, and new age recordings (per the SR website), I chose Roger Waters, "Amused to Death" (Columbia) to evaluate the effect of the “Ethereal” Scene in the default mode. It was easy to hear the difference with and without the Atmosphere present in my system. The room boundaries seemed to disappear while portraying a surround sound (you are there) effect with this Scene. The space between Roger Waters and the growling tiger on the first cut nearly doubled in my listening room. The edge and smear on vocals and instruments was reduced significantly. On the third cut, with the Advanced Setting, “Air” the lightning storm was fully present in the room (back to front wall) with crickets heard in the background and the organ played midway through this cut went from being present along the right side wall to an instrument occupying three dimension space. Without the Atmosphere present in my system, the soundfield collapsed to an area behind my loudspeakers and a slight edge to the vocals returned.
Conclusion
It’s rare to find a tweak that is not in the signal path to have such a profound effect on music reproduction. Once you hear the Atmosphere and how it can affect the music and the listener, you’ll be hard pressed to take it out of your system. Adding the ATM adds improves upon the original intent by adding Advanced Settings which further elevates the overall performance. The combination of the Atmosphere and ATM delivers on its promised performance and showed itself as an essential upgrade to my reference system. Now with the Atmosphere and ATM in my system to stay, critical music listening is possible day or night. Highly recommended.