YARRA 3DX Has Arrived…Finally!
Backers of the YARRA 3DX Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns have begun to receive their production units. As a key member of the effort to bring this product to several thousand backers, I was especially pleased to see my own two boxes sitting at my doorstep this past week. Finally! Thanks to the efforts of several key backers bringing unprecedented pressure on Comhear and its executives, the YARRA 3DX sound bars have been delivered. It was a challenge to get them to do the right thing but it seems to have paid off. At least they’ve been manufactured and delivered. It’s yet to be determined whether they meet my — and backer’s — expectations.
I’ve read a few of the initial reviews and look forward to unboxing my own units, setting up the app, and checking out the included AIX Records demo DVD. There have been some good reports and others have written to me to express their disappointment. As I haven’t yet had a chance to setup one of the final production units, I’m going to reserve judgement. I can say that the prototype YARRA 3DX unit that I used for demos and had in my office for months worked very well. But I have to admit, I’ve never been able to get the app to run so there is much more to know.
A Wedding in the Family
I apologize for not responding to questions posted on the Head-Fi.org YARRA 3DX thread or other queries made directly, but my oldest son was married this past weekend and things have been a little crazy around here. Christopher and his lovely bride Florence celebrated their union on Saturday evening with lots of family and friends. Thanks to everyone who made this joyous occasion possible! Christopher is our first to find his special someone…it was a great time and we’re very happy for him. And we’re thrilled to have a new extension to our family. Chris is a VERY talented artist, musician, and writer — and is looking for his next employment opportunity in the Los Angeles entertainment industry (PM me if you might need or want an inspired young man in your organization).
iTrax and Downloads
Several readers — especially international customers — have asked about downloading AIX Records albums as high-res files — the iTrax method. The site has been down for many months and my developer has stopped responding. Current plans include adding the ability to download high-resolution files to the new AIX Records website (https://www.aixrecords.dreamhosters.com/). I’m looking for a company or programmer that can add some CSS, code, and functionality to the product pages to allow files to be selected and added to the cart. If you or someone you know can be of help, please feel free to contact me.
In the meantime, I can send you any album or tracks using WeSendIt and Paypal. Just let me know which album/track you’re interested in and I’ll get them to you. You can write to me at mwaldrep@aixrecords.com.
AIX Records Offer with Music and Audio Book
The most recent discount for AIX Records albums ended in July. If you missed out and are looking to get a favorite AIX disc, I’m offering a FREE AIX Records album with the purchase of a physical copy of the book for readers of this blog. Simply click on the PRICING tab at the website (http://musicandaudioguide.com) and select the book and disc or book alone. Then send me a note letting me know which album you’re interested in and I will ship the book and selected disc to you without additional charge. AND I’ll also include the latest AIX Records Blu-ray sampler too…the total value of this offer is equal to the value of the book!
Looking for a Manufacturing Partner/Expert
In 1982, I was a student of art at CSUN. In addition to working in the Music Department and attending grad school at UCLA, I took classes in the art department — specifically the wood shop. I thoroughly enjoyed working with wood and was recognized by the faculty as a student with real talent. In fact, my footlong recreation in wood of a Swiss army knife won a big prize in the LA Centennial art competition. I also designed and crafted a few beautiful coffee tables featuring large hand cut dovetails — and sold them. I wish I had kept one!
One assignment had the class creating a puzzle or other hand held piece fashioned from wood. I was inspired and remember the eureka moment I came up with a “hidden maze” puzzle — and I spent the entire semester figuring out how to produce it. I built a special jig to use under a milling machine and managed to complete about 10 puzzles. I’ve believed that my puzzle design was unique, compelling, and worth pursuing. I’ve searched and never seen anything like it. However as so often happens, life got in the way. As my time has become more available, I’ve seriously been investigating doing a Kickstarter campaign, attending the toy shows, and making the “Z-MAZE” available to puzzle aficionados around the world.
But I need help in figuring out how to protect the design and make them. The particular design makes it very challenging to mill them but a “live lathe” under CNC control with a right angle bit would seem to do the trick. I would also be interested in molding them for a less expensive plastic or acrylic version. I can’t proceed unless I talk to an expert and get a handle on costs, tooling, etc.
Because this group has been such a great resource in the past, I thought I would reach out once again. If you or someone you know might be able to help, please let me know. This looks to be a fun retirement project.
That’s all for now…til next time.
Firstly, I wish your son and daughter in law a rock-solid marriage and many children.
I look forward to hearing from you after testing your Yarra 3DX units.
Hi Mark,
I, too, received my Yarra 3DX in early August. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I have yet to unbox it and set it up. I’ve been busy and had some health issues this summer, including a DVT that I’m currently taking medicine for.
But I do expect to have it set up at least temporarily to make sure it works before I install it in my audio room when I have it finished to my satisfaction.
Just wanted to say thanks for keeping on this issue over the time we weren’t sure we’d ever get them. I haven’t spent time reading what other backers have said. I hope their responses are generally positive.
Hi Mark, I’m also looking forward to your feedback re. the production Yarra. The firmware has been evolving based on feedback from the users. If you have time you may want to look at some of the threads related to user experiences, like the one on the AVSForum.
Cheers,
Michael
Thanks, I will try to catch up now that the units are out and people have been able to put them through their paces. I haven’t unboxed mine yet but will do so soon.
Here’s the link to the AVSForum thread, fyi:
https://www.avsforum.com/forum/195-soundbars/2920020-yarra-3dx-soundbar.html
Hi Mark,
Just following up to see if you will be able to provide your feedback regarding the Yarra. I’m sure lots of backers would appreciate hearing what you think about the production units running on the latest firmware.
Best regards,
Michael
Michael, I’m sorry I haven’t followed up on this. In fact, the two units that I purchased are still sitting in their boxes under my table. I have a prototype model that I use under my computer monitor. The last I heard about the Comhear company was out of business. The management and board didn’t know what they had, didn’t know how to sell it, and didn’t understand the complexities of the device. Sad really. Maybe I’ll crack on out…but more likely sell the in the box units I have.
One year past since YARRA 3DX Kickstarter backers received their devices. Recently, you’ve posted “Will Apple’s AirPods Pro Start a 3D Audio Revolution?“ at https://hometheaterreview.com/apple-airpods-pro-3d-spatial-audio-revolution/
where you mentioned YARRA DX in a paragraph.
“A few years ago, I worked with a close friend on a crowdsourcing campaign for a sound bar that was capable of delivering spatial audio without the requirement to use headphones. It was called YARRA 3DX. The San Diego-based company raised over $1,100,000 for this amazing beamforming sound bar. I was largely responsible for the campaign. I came up with the name, built the website, created the logo, wrote the copy, and produced a YouTube animation called “How 3D Audio Works.” While I don’t endorse the product anymore for non-technical reasons, the video is pretty good at explaining how we hear in 3D.”
It’s a pity that no one from the developing team explained to Kickstarter backers what went wrong, so YARRA 3DX was not a success story not only for non-technical reasons.
George, the CEO of Comhear — the company behind YARRA 3DX — was incompetent. He knew nothing about technology or sound and was placed in his role because of his relationship with an investor and board member. If the original CEO and technical people had been allowed to continue running the company, YARRA 3DX and related technologies would be successful products. These individuals moved on to another company that has developed alternative but related technologies and it is doing very well. Management can destroy an otherwise great idea. The board or Comhear finally had enough and removed the CEO and others at Comhear but sadly not soon enough.