er|κzvio1in
Active Member
Right now I have this budget setup sourced from the used market over time:
TV as source (movies, series, TV, Spotify and radio paradise) -> PCM signal-> Toslink -> miniDSP nanodigi 2x8, then split:
1: coax -> CA CXA80 -> Triangle Titus EZ bookshelfs wall-mounted (HPF @ 70)
2: coax -> Inakustik DAC, then split:
2a RCA -> pioneer SW12 big sub 12" + 12" passive radiator (LPF @ 100)
2b RCA -> visonik 8" ported sub (LPF @ 100 and HPF @ 30)
The sound is great (to my non golden ears), now that it's all time aligned and EQd. I like tinkering with REW and experimenting with creating filters, listening and trying to diagnose and improve. I'm highly convinced of the superior results of correct application of subwoofers combined with appropriate EQ below the Schroeder frequency. I've also got 4 strategically placed absorber panels to deal with or living room which is basically a concrete bunker and has horrible acoustics.
Main issues:
- No LFE from movies and series because that's not downmixed to the stereo PCM signal
- the CXA80 has way too many options and features that I don't use, it's probably overpowered too, I did notice a significant improvement in sound coming from a vintage Marantz
- only 5 EQs per channel on the miniDSP
- dissimilar subs: so right now I've configured the Pioneer as main sub and the visonik as supporting sub at lower volume to fill nulls/valleys between 30-100 hz using REW's alignment tool and EQ, but no allpass filters at the moment
- no surround
- Toslink output from the LG OLED tv is a bit noisy. They've got a bad reputation, but it's good enough for now
Future expansion:
- the living room will be redecorated and there will be an option to add in wall rear speakers for surround, I am going to make provisions for it at least (route cables), but that will have a lot of consequences for the rest of the chain. There's also an option to add front height speakers, ceiling and side soeakers are not an option in our living room. Part of the redecorating will also involve adding a sizeable slat wall with thick absorption behind it.
- in due time I will get a bigger sub to replace the visonik 8"
- in due time I'll upgrade the bookshelfs, but I'mr pretty happy with them, especially the aesthetics
- there's not really an option to add a center channel, but I don't think I'll really need it.
Main question: how do I get to a surround system that will allow me to apply (manual) time alignment and room correction DSP that is also budget friendly? I've looked at Denon's x3800h and x4800h but they're expensive and I'm afraid they'll sound worse than my current cxa-80 and their DSP is automated instead of manual.
TV as source (movies, series, TV, Spotify and radio paradise) -> PCM signal-> Toslink -> miniDSP nanodigi 2x8, then split:
1: coax -> CA CXA80 -> Triangle Titus EZ bookshelfs wall-mounted (HPF @ 70)
2: coax -> Inakustik DAC, then split:
2a RCA -> pioneer SW12 big sub 12" + 12" passive radiator (LPF @ 100)
2b RCA -> visonik 8" ported sub (LPF @ 100 and HPF @ 30)
The sound is great (to my non golden ears), now that it's all time aligned and EQd. I like tinkering with REW and experimenting with creating filters, listening and trying to diagnose and improve. I'm highly convinced of the superior results of correct application of subwoofers combined with appropriate EQ below the Schroeder frequency. I've also got 4 strategically placed absorber panels to deal with or living room which is basically a concrete bunker and has horrible acoustics.
Main issues:
- No LFE from movies and series because that's not downmixed to the stereo PCM signal
- the CXA80 has way too many options and features that I don't use, it's probably overpowered too, I did notice a significant improvement in sound coming from a vintage Marantz
- only 5 EQs per channel on the miniDSP
- dissimilar subs: so right now I've configured the Pioneer as main sub and the visonik as supporting sub at lower volume to fill nulls/valleys between 30-100 hz using REW's alignment tool and EQ, but no allpass filters at the moment
- no surround
- Toslink output from the LG OLED tv is a bit noisy. They've got a bad reputation, but it's good enough for now
Future expansion:
- the living room will be redecorated and there will be an option to add in wall rear speakers for surround, I am going to make provisions for it at least (route cables), but that will have a lot of consequences for the rest of the chain. There's also an option to add front height speakers, ceiling and side soeakers are not an option in our living room. Part of the redecorating will also involve adding a sizeable slat wall with thick absorption behind it.
- in due time I will get a bigger sub to replace the visonik 8"
- in due time I'll upgrade the bookshelfs, but I'mr pretty happy with them, especially the aesthetics
- there's not really an option to add a center channel, but I don't think I'll really need it.
Main question: how do I get to a surround system that will allow me to apply (manual) time alignment and room correction DSP that is also budget friendly? I've looked at Denon's x3800h and x4800h but they're expensive and I'm afraid they'll sound worse than my current cxa-80 and their DSP is automated instead of manual.