Bryston SP4 Surround Sound Processor

Master Quality Performance and Lifelike Audio Rendition

Bryston's SP4 is a new surround sound processor for cutting edge home theaters. Setting the highest standard for audio quality, the SP4 is a true 15.1-channel discrete unit that is compatible with object-based surround formats. Developed in partnership with Immersive Audio Technologies, this new processor will be at the helm of high quality home theaters built for home theater enthusiasts. For those who demand master quality performance and lifelike audio rendition, the SP4 delivers an immersive experience.

Decades of music and audio for film have been recorded, mixed and mastered in world class studios outfitted with Bryston audio systems. There is no better way to experience music and movie soundtracks than with equipment from the same brand with which it was originally produced. The scale, power and presence of modern motion picture soundtracks simply cannot be fully appreciated with lesser hardware.

Even with today's variety, many surround processors still give you a fixed channel count and layout. The SP4 gives you 16-channel decoding that can be routed as you wish to 16 discrete balanced analog outputs. Any unused channels in the main theater can be routed to separate zones. You can even route inputs to multiple outputs within the same theater. Setup and use are dead simple. The entire processor can be configured from the listening position with any web enabled device such as a tablet or laptop. Configure your inputs, outputs, channel EQ, and even Dirac Live setup all from the sweet spot.

Bryston isn't just for audiophiles. Music and movie professionals rely on Bryston to make their masterpieces. Hear at home what the artist intended with a Bryston SP4 theater.

Bryston's new SP4 theater processor is engineered to accommodate not only today's immersive surround formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but also is both firmware and hardware upgradeable to accommodate new features in the future. Connect to a wide variety of Bryston professional amplifiers for a cinema experience at home that dramatically exceeds your local cineplex.

A Wide Range of Inputs and Outputs

The SP4 supports a wide range of inputs and outputs to satisfy music, movie, and even game lovers. The seven-input, two-output HDMI matrix accepts 4K / HDR sources and is HDMI 2.0 / HDCP 2.2 compliant. Up to 16 discrete channels of audio can be concurrently processed. The six S/PDIF digital inputs can accept legacy Dolby Digital and DTS as well as raw PCM audio from sources such as DVD players.

Surround music enthusiasts and audiophiles can configure the eight analog inputs as either a 7.1 input (for analog out of a DVD-A or SACD player) or four pairs of stereo analog inputs. The SP4 features 16 balanced XLR outputs, each of which is fully assignable, plus two more left/ right downmix channels. If you have an extra-large theater and need more channels, install the optional 16-channel card that lets you run a second concurrent theater up to 16 channels.

Audio Optimization

Calibrating your theater is simple and effective. You can use Dirac Live to automatically optimize time and frequency domain performance. Or, you can individually equalize each channel by hand. A unique feature is that separate equalization profiles can be stored for different uses. Want all channels to have augmented bass for home theater use but run the front left and right main channels full range for two-channel music? Store each as a separate profile and select them from the easy remote app on your smart device.

Ultimate Control

Your Bryston home theater fits right in with your whole home integration system. Bryston provides remote control modules for major control systems like Crestron, Control 4, Savan,t and RTI. Learning how to use your new theater is a breeze. Access basic functions like volume, source, presets, and profiles for all zones from your control system while keeping critical settings hidden behind a password protected page to prevent accidental changes and unnecessary service calls.

Overview

• 4K and HDR compatible
• Discrete 15.1 channel decoding
• Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Auro-3D
• Fully assignable channel configuration
• Balanced XLR Analog Output
• Fully configurable channel matrix
• Space for future expansion
• Ultra-low noise and distortion
• Easy-to-use software
• Includes rack mount ears (3U)

• Digital Inputs: 3x HDMI 2.0/HDCP 2.2, 4x HDMI 1.4/HDCP 2.2, 3x Optical (TOSLINK), 3x SPDIF (RCA)
• Analog Inputs: 8x RCA Single Ended (7.1 or 4x 2.0 Stereo)
• Analog Outputs: 16x Balanced (XLR)
• Digital Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.0/HDCP 2.2, 1x HDMI 1.4/HDCP 1.4
• Control: Crestron, Control 4, Savant, RTI, iOS App, WebUI, IR, 4x DC Triggers
• Other: Ethernet (100Mbps), 2x USB 2.0

• Dimensions: 17" wide (+ rack ears 3U), 6.3" high, 15.25" deep
• Weight: 28.8 lbs.

"The SP4 was great at revealing subtle sonic changes, such as differences in music tracks when they may have been recorded on different days or in different studios. The SP4 reveals subtle differences like these without hitting you in the face with them."

"The sound quality of the SP4 processor is so good, there's no reason to spend more only to get better sound quality. If you need something one of those more expensive processors does, so be it. But if the SP4 does everything you need for your system, there's nothing out there that sounds any better, at least not in my experience so far."

"Combined with top-flight amplification like Bryston's 9BSST² five-channel amplifier or the Hegel C-55 amplifier reviewed while the SP4 review was in progress, the quality and detail in the sound are so amazing that I wish the SP4 was here long enough to listen to all 4,000+ albums in my music collection and hundreds of movies. The ability of the SP4 to bring out subtle detail as long as the amplifier and loudspeakers are up to the challenge is impressive."

- Doug Blackburn, Wide Screen Review, February 2019