Hypacoustic
'Hypacoustic is a New Zealand Cinema Audio product. Its parent company, Arvus Group New Zealand was founded by Matthew and Julie Simmons. The Hypacoustic Speaker system began development in 2002, with significant government investment funding via The New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, FRST
The Primary difference between the Hypacoustic Speaker System and traditional cinema speaker systems is that the front Left, Right and Centre channel speakers are designed for placement around the screen rather than being placed behind a perforated vinyl screen. It had been assumed that the sound channels needed to be in physically the same position as the visual events they are co-ordinated with, but research has shown that the human brain will attribute a sound event to a salient visual cue. This has led to the common use of perforated screens in cinema, with the associated problems of reduced reflectivity and moire, which is an increased problem with already pixellated digital projection; and altered sound.. Most home cinema already has speakers around the screen, not behind it.
Traditional surround speakers radiate over 60 - 100 degrees.. However, for accurate surround sound, a 360 degree radiation is required.. Hypacoustic "wing wonder" surrounds are designed to do this.
Hypacoustic allows the use of either solid screens or painted screens, enabling the screen to be pushed forward and so an extra row of seats can be installed.
Solid (non-perforated) screens (painted or Vinyl) are more light efficient than traditional perforated screens. This gives a brighter sharper image which is of benefit to 3D and Digital projection systems. See DCI
Hypacoustic is used in cinemas in New Zealand, Australia, The United Kingdom, Russia and the United States.
Laser Pacific (a fully owned Kodak subsidiary based in Hollywood LA) had their current screening room Hypacoustic audio system installed on 17 January 2008.
Hokitika's Regent Theatre is fitted with a 9 kW hypacoustic system.