Harman Updates Clari-Fi Software With Detection for Speech, Advanced Codecs, Stereo Upmixing

Harman has enhanced its Clari-Fi software to improve the quality of compressed digital audio by restoring warmth, clarity and ambience of the original music that’s lost during compression, the company said. The recent enhancements address lower quality audio streams including audio limited to frequencies down to 8 kHz, said Harman Wednesday. Clari-Fi also now offers speech detection and detection of advanced codecs including HE-ACC, “smoother sounding high frequencies” and the ability to up-mix mono sources to stereo, said the company. Comparing Clari-Fi with competing technologies, Harman said, “Clari-Fi does not blindly add equalization, bass boost, or other effects that alter the original artist’s intended listening experience.” Instead, the predictive software “intelligently and accurately recreates the lost information providing a high-quality music listening experience.” Products incorporating Clari-Fi include: Huawei’s Mozart M2, the first Clari-Fi-enabled tablet; the Sharp Aquos and TCL Idol 3 smartphones; the LeTV Max4-70 smart TV; and Harman-owned home audio products from Mark Levinson and JBL. Automotive brands offering Clari-Fi in select models: Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Lincoln and Maserati, Harman said.