By Jared Walth on Friday, 29 September 2023
Category: Immersive Audio –Park City, UT

What Do the New RP22 Standards Mean for Immersive Audio?

Setting New Benchmarks for Audio Performance

You might have yet to hear of the RP22 standards, and no one would expect that you have. Indeed, RP22 is a groundbreaking new initiative and collaboration in the consumer technology and integration industry that promises to elevate standards for audio performance. As a technology integrator, we’re very excited to have specific, measurable benchmarks for what it means to create an immersive audio experience in your Park City home. And for you, whether you enjoy games, movies, Netflix, or all of the above, it sets clearer expectations for the type of performance—and level of immersion—you can experience in your home theater, media, or living space. Please keep reading to learn more!

SEE ALSO: Surround Sound: What's the Best Speaker Setup for You?

What Are CEDIA and CTA?

First off, let's talk about the organizations behind this important initiative. CEDIA stands for Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association, the leading industry group for technology integrators. CTA is the Consumer Technology Association, the hugely influential industry association best known for organizing CES, the world’s largest trade show that happens every January in Las Vegas and comprises all the top names in consumer electronics and technology, including Sony, Samsung, LG, and many more. 

The RP22 Standard: A Game-Changer

So, what exactly is the RP22 standard? It's a collaborative effort between CEDIA and CTA to establish a set of guidelines that define performance criteria for home audio systems. For us at Show & Tell AV, this is a monumental step forward. It provides us with concrete metrics and standards, allowing us to deliver an audio experience that's nothing short of exceptional. 

There isn't enough room here to cover all the technical aspects of this, but to give you an idea, the standards create objective performance measures for dialog clarity, sound movement, tonal balance, sound immersion and envelopment, bass impact, audience coverage, and more. This will help integrators like Show and Tell AV set expectations for performance based on your space, budget, seating arrangements, and many other considerations.

Why Should RP22 Matter to You?

Now, you might be wondering, "Why should I care?" The RP22 standard is all about ensuring that your home audio system delivers a truly immersive experience. It outlines 21 different performance parameters that can be tested and verified, offering a level of quality assurance that was previously missing from the industry.

The RP22 standard categorizes system performance into four distinct levels:

Level 1: Conveys basic artistic intent. This is your entry point.

Level 2: Offers a higher level of performance that more accurately represents the artist's intent.

Level 3: Meets or exceeds commercial cinema standards. Yes, we're talking movie-theater quality.

Level 4: The ultimate in performance, exceeding every parameter set forth.

These levels serve as a guide for consumers like you, helping you understand what you're getting from your audio system. For technology integrators like us, it's a blueprint for designing systems that meet these rigorous standards.

So, are you ready to take your home theater experience in Park City to the next level? With the RP22 standard, the future of immersive audio is brighter—and clearer—than ever. Reach out to us at Show & Tell AV to discover how we can make this new standard a reality in your home.