AsciLab speakers are about to launch

[AsciLab]

Hi all,

Here's an update on the controller I mentioned earlier. Following the macOS version, we're now also developing a Windows version with the same features.
It isn't ready for release yet, but it has come a long way, so I'd like to show where it stands and hear your thoughts before we finalise it. Screenshots attached.

Working in our internal build now

Multi-speaker management

• Connect several FusionAmp-based speakers at once, switch between them one by one, and give each a nickname. Identify flashes the LED so you can see which physical speaker you're controlling.
• Groups: link amps (e.g. a stereo pair) so volume, mute, input and optionally preset move together. Volume moves by the same step on every member, so an intentional level offset between them is kept.

Everyday control

• Volume, mute, input and preset, with a Max Level Limit that caps everything the app can raise (volume, preset offsets, preset switching, volume on start).
• A compact quick-access controller in the menu bar (system tray on Windows).
• Phone control: scan a one-time QR code on the same Wi-Fi to control volume, mute, input and preset from a phone browser, with no app to install. It runs over plain HTTP, so it's meant for trusted home or studio networks only. The level limit and all other settings stay in the app.

Device settings

• Per-preset volume offsets and inputs, digital channel select (L / R / L+R), auto power-off with signal detection, wake on line, volume on start, and shutdown mode.
• Device info: firmware, FIR tap counts, amp temperatures.

EQ, crossover and delay (previously on our "waiting" list)

• 9-band console EQ per preset, with REW biquad filter import (Hypex model only) and a warning before writing if the combined boost exceeds +6 dB.
• Crossover: Butterworth 1st–8th and Linkwitz-Riley 2nd–8th order, built as cascades of first- and second-order sections.
• Added delay per preset in 0.1 ms steps. All channels move together, so the internal alignment is kept.

What's next

• It isn't settled yet whether every function above will make it into the public version. We're still bug-testing, and anything that isn't stable may be left out. We're also working out which advanced functions (EQ, crossover, FIR switching) users get, and how, so the factory voicing can't be lost by accident.
• Since the app can upload dedicated preset packages, a factory reset will always be possible with a file we provide if needed.
• Many of the descriptions still read like developer notes. Awkward or unclear wording will be cleaned up.

If there's something you've missed in HFD, or anything you'd want (or not want) in a user-facing controller, please let us know here. Thanks!

 

[Salt]

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Hi all,

Here's an update on the controller I mentioned earlier. Following the macOS version, we're now also developing a Windows version with the same features.
It isn't ready for release yet, but it has come a long way, so I'd like to show where it stands and hear your thoughts before we finalise it. Screenshots attached.

Working in our internal build now

Multi-speaker management

• Connect several FusionAmp-based speakers at once, switch between them one by one, and give each a nickname. Identify flashes the LED so you can see which physical speaker you're controlling.
• Groups: link amps (e.g. a stereo pair) so volume, mute, input and optionally preset move together. Volume moves by the same step on every member, so an intentional level offset between them is kept.

Everyday control

• Volume, mute, input and preset, with a Max Level Limit that caps everything the app can raise (volume, preset offsets, preset switching, volume on start).
• A compact quick-access controller in the menu bar (system tray on Windows).
• Phone control: scan a one-time QR code on the same Wi-Fi to control volume, mute, input and preset from a phone browser, with no app to install. It runs over plain HTTP, so it's meant for trusted home or studio networks only. The level limit and all other settings stay in the app.

Device settings

• Per-preset volume offsets and inputs, digital channel select (L / R / L+R), auto power-off with signal detection, wake on line, volume on start, and shutdown mode.
• Device info: firmware, FIR tap counts, amp temperatures.

EQ, crossover and delay (previously on our "waiting" list)

• 9-band console EQ per preset, with REW biquad filter import (Hypex model only) and a warning before writing if the combined boost exceeds +6 dB.
• Crossover: Butterworth 1st–8th and Linkwitz-Riley 2nd–8th order, built as cascades of first- and second-order sections.
• Added delay per preset in 0.1 ms steps. All channels move together, so the internal alignment is kept.

What's next

• It isn't settled yet whether every function above will make it into the public version. We're still bug-testing, and anything that isn't stable may be left out. We're also working out which advanced functions (EQ, crossover, FIR switching) users get, and how, so the factory voicing can't be lost by accident.
• Since the app can upload dedicated preset packages, a factory reset will always be possible with a file we provide if needed.
• Many of the descriptions still read like developer notes. Awkward or unclear wording will be cleaned up.

If there's something you've missed in HFD, or anything you'd want (or not want) in a user-facing controller, please let us know here. Thanks!

My only and long lasting wish is that the settings of the plate amp's DSP could be read out and preserved as external backup, and that not only for Ascilab users (sigh).

 

[IngMishael]

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Hi all,

Here's an update on the controller I mentioned earlier. Following the macOS version, we're now also developing a Windows version with the same features.
It isn't ready for release yet, but it has come a long way, so I'd like to show where it stands and hear your thoughts before we finalise it. Screenshots attached.

Working in our internal build now

Multi-speaker management

• Connect several FusionAmp-based speakers at once, switch between them one by one, and give each a nickname. Identify flashes the LED so you can see which physical speaker you're controlling.
• Groups: link amps (e.g. a stereo pair) so volume, mute, input and optionally preset move together. Volume moves by the same step on every member, so an intentional level offset between them is kept.

Everyday control

• Volume, mute, input and preset, with a Max Level Limit that caps everything the app can raise (volume, preset offsets, preset switching, volume on start).
• A compact quick-access controller in the menu bar (system tray on Windows).
• Phone control: scan a one-time QR code on the same Wi-Fi to control volume, mute, input and preset from a phone browser, with no app to install. It runs over plain HTTP, so it's meant for trusted home or studio networks only. The level limit and all other settings stay in the app.

Device settings

• Per-preset volume offsets and inputs, digital channel select (L / R / L+R), auto power-off with signal detection, wake on line, volume on start, and shutdown mode.
• Device info: firmware, FIR tap counts, amp temperatures.

EQ, crossover and delay (previously on our "waiting" list)

• 9-band console EQ per preset, with REW biquad filter import (Hypex model only) and a warning before writing if the combined boost exceeds +6 dB.
• Crossover: Butterworth 1st–8th and Linkwitz-Riley 2nd–8th order, built as cascades of first- and second-order sections.
• Added delay per preset in 0.1 ms steps. All channels move together, so the internal alignment is kept.

What's next

• It isn't settled yet whether every function above will make it into the public version. We're still bug-testing, and anything that isn't stable may be left out. We're also working out which advanced functions (EQ, crossover, FIR switching) users get, and how, so the factory voicing can't be lost by accident.
• Since the app can upload dedicated preset packages, a factory reset will always be possible with a file we provide if needed.
• Many of the descriptions still read like developer notes. Awkward or unclear wording will be cleaned up.

If there's something you've missed in HFD, or anything you'd want (or not want) in a user-facing controller, please let us know here. Thanks!

impressive as always

 

[Coltr@ne]

Will he sleep through the night?

 

[AudioJester]

Very cool.

With volume control via the phone app - presume all speakers need to be connected to the computer via usb?

 

[AsciLab]

Very cool.

With volume control via the phone app - presume all speakers need to be connected to the computer via usb?

Yes. All the speaker should be connected to the PC. And the phone should be in the same WIFI with PC.

 

[AsciLab]

Will he sleep through the night?

Recently I barely slept.

My only and long lasting wish is that the settings of the plate amp's DSP could be read out and preserved as external backup, and that not only for Ascilab users (sigh).

AFAIK, there is no way to read again the uploaded filter in the amp. I couldn’t find yet.

 

[AudioJester]

Yes. All the speaker should be connected to the PC. And the phone should be in the same WIFI with PC.

Hmm, maybe I no longer need a preamp/volume control.

 

[paalj]

Yes. All the speaker should be connected to the PC. And the phone should be in the same WIFI with PC.

A small microprocessor with wifi and usb like ESP32 can connect your speakers to your home network. Have a look into the possibility of a dongle....

 

[somebodyelse]

A small microprocessor with wifi and usb like ESP32 can connect your speakers to your home network. Have a look into the possibility of a dongle....

Something like these?
https://github.com/Turbopsych/UsbAmpControl
https://github.com/FatToni/hypex-volume-control - for older Hypex amps - I've not looked to see if the protocol is the same.

They're using a reverse engineered understanding of the Hypex HID protocol. It would be nice to have an official version to work from.

 

[Matt_Holland]

Is it a problem that really needs solving when my assumption is that most users will be using a pre-amp with EQ to control volume (remotely or over IP) and just need the speakers to be a dumb device once initially configured.

 

[paalj]

That's fine, but the Hypex plates are designed to be smart and work like a preamp with remote, display, eq etc. Some would prefer to use this function and drop the extra up/down conversion and save the cost of a preamp.

 

[bloodbuzzaudio]

@AsciLab
Could you please give us an update about the dimensions of the F5CTR? Especially the height? I have to make some quite urgend decisions. So, that i can later fit one of your center speakers into my setup. The 3 way should be 32cm in height. The 2 way... ? Sorry but i am in a hurry.

I also would like to know dimensions of the smaller 2-way center

 

[Lars Risbo]

For even wider horizontal dispersion than this or the Revel F328Be you'll need either a dome tweeter without wave-guide (hence you trade off the controlled directivity) or something like a ribbon or AMT tweeter, with its bad vertical dispersion. You cannot have it all.

the waveguides main function is to limit the tweeter dispersion to match the woofer/midrange. The integral coherer also found on S6B widens the dispersion above 10kHz. A ribbon or AMT are planar radiators and would need to be extremely narrow to compete here (poor sensitivity )

 

[AsciLab]

AsciLab Remote app is almost done.

Updated
- 10 languages with manual(auto translated, so now it might be a bit unnatural).
- Noise generator (after 5.82v firmware only, can be updated by HFD)
- LED off function couldn’t be applied. There is no code for that function in the amp.
- Fold/Unfold feature is added to keep simple interface.

If there is anyone to try this beta version app before release, please feel free to contact us. It must be helpful to get the real user review.

Thank you all.

[email protected]

 

[TheKoC]

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AsciLab Remote app is almost done.

Updated
- 10 languages with manual(auto translated, so now it might be a bit unnatural).
- Noise generator (after 5.82v firmware only, can be updated by HFD)
- LED off function couldn’t be applied. There is no code for that function in the amp.
- Fold/Unfold feature is added to keep simple interface.

If there is anyone to try this beta version app before release, please feel free to contact us. It must be helpful to get the real user review.

Thank you all.

[email protected]

Hi @AsciLab, I have given the beta version a quick test, everything works well so far, english version I saw no mistakes, german some phrases seem a bit unnatural, but everything is understandable. Seems quite release-ready!
Would you like detailed feedback/questions in this thread or per mail?

 

[AsciLab]

Hi @AsciLab, I have given the beta version a quick test, everything works well so far, english version I saw no mistakes, german some phrases seem a bit unnatural, but everything is understandable. Seems quite release-ready!
Would you like detailed feedback/questions in this thread or per mail?

Thank you for testing and share your thought and experience! Would you share the detailed feedback and Question to our email? Thanks.

 

[AudioJester]

Set up Ascilab remote software.
Very easy, simply works. Phone link also works straight away. Many thanks Ascilab!

Used a usb hub with 4 supplied usb cables for C8C/BX8C setup, so only need 1 usb input on my computer.
Means each BX8C now has a power cable, AES in cable, AES out cable, analogue in cable, analogue out cable and a usb cable! I could probably ditch the analogue cables at some point.

I set up a master group with all 4 speakers to control volume etc.
Set up another group with BX8C to switch between 3 presets.

The volume control via computer or phone is a bit clunky with a slight lag. You get used to it.

For me to ditch my pre I think I would need a physical wifi remote with power/mute/volume up and down, not sure iam at ease using a web browser on phone.

 

[AsciLab]

Set up Ascilab remote software.
Very easy, simply works. Phone link also works straight away. Many thanks Ascilab!

Used a usb hub with 4 supplied usb cables for C8C/BX8C setup, so only need 1 usb input on my computer.
Means each BX8C now has a power cable, AES in cable, AES out cable, analogue in cable, analogue out cable and a usb cable! I could probably ditch the analogue cables at some point.

I set up a master group with all 4 speakers to control volume etc.
Set up another group with BX8C to switch between 3 presets.

The volume control via computer or phone is a bit clunky with a slight lag. You get used to it.

For me to ditch my pre I think I would need a physical wifi remote with power/mute/volume up and down, not sure iam at ease using a web browser on phone.

Thank you for sharing your experience. That will be really helpful to develop the next version.

We are also looking for producing a Hub that allow real wireless control and combine all the speakers without PC, still needs to connected by USB cable though.

Anyway lot of things are going on including the new models.
I’ll post soon one by one.

 

[Purité Audio]

All downloaded and working perfectly as above, initially I tried to download using my Ipad, it could easily be my technical incompetence but just didn’t download ( just endlessly ‘waiting’ ) on laptop no problem.
Paired with phone instantly, thanks to Jinsung for his patience with me.
Keith