MINIDSP 2x4 HD vs Dayton Audio DSP-408

[Trollhammerx]

I've installed 2 MINIDSP 2x4 HDs in my home (dual subs in family room and basement theater). I'm currently wiring dual subs in my office bedroom and went to the minidsp site and I'm shocked at the price increase. When you go to check out they add significant fees for tariff and import plus shipping. Where it claims the device is $225, they add $79 for tariffs and another $30 for shipping! Total is $334 to check out. That's crazy more than I expected.

Looking around, the only basic alternative seems to be the Dayton Audio DSP-408 for $199 (free shipping). It seems like there are reviews stating potential noise issues. I'm used to the MINIDSP software (it's pretty nice), but is the minidsp really worth the premium? Once I get it dialed in, it just sits there hidden.

Any strong recommendations that the MINIDSP is worth $134 more than the Dayton? Do filters from REW import similarly? Anyone with experience or thoughts on this choice.... advice is appreciated.

 

[Joffy1780]

'They add $79 for tarriffs'...... No they don't, Donald Trump does!!

I've installed 2 MINIDSP 2x4 HDs in my home (dual subs in family room and basement theater). I'm currently wiring dual subs in my office bedroom and went to the minidsp site and I'm shocked at the price increase. When you go to check out they add significant fees for tariff and import plus shipping. Where it claims the device is $225, they add $79 for tariffs and another $30 for shipping! Total is $334 to check out. That's crazy more than I expected.

Looking around, the only basic alternative seems to be the Dayton Audio DSP-408 for $199 (free shipping). It seems like there are reviews stating potential noise issues. I'm used to the MINIDSP software (it's pretty nice), but is the minidsp really worth the premium? Once I get it dialed in, it just sits there hidden.

Any strong recommendations that the MINIDSP is worth $134 more than the Dayton? Do filters from REW import similarly? Anyone with experience or thoughts on this choice.... advice is appreciated.

 

[aedagnino]

Trumpnomics explained in one post!

 

[monkeyboy]

Yes, Dayton Audio is out of OH, hence no tariff, that's sort of the point, making domestic items more attractive. If Dayton is not performant, post the measurements here and contact them asking why they can't produce a comparable product....

 

[Flaesh]

A global government could distribute eight-channel audio processors with a full complement of inputs, balanced and unbalanced outputs, and, say, 333,333 FIR taps per channel all over the world. For $333, say. But for now, even AC voltage and outlets vary from country to country.
More to the point. Local prices, all-inclusive, with delivery in a few days:
$316.09 for Dayton Audio DSP-408.
$322.17 for 2x4 HD.
In the summer I bought myself a Flex8 for $824.29((. For my stereo system with three-band, two-way speakers and two subwoofer channels. Not all the reasons for this decision are immaculate, but it's the way it's done. The source is a computer, so the single USB input is suitable. Worse, the outputs are only unbalanced, which limits the free use of different amplifiers.

 

[Everett T]

I'm guessing the Dayton has tariffs also, just included in the price. I can't see them manufacturing this product here.

 

[SuicideSquid]

I've installed 2 MINIDSP 2x4 HDs in my home (dual subs in family room and basement theater). I'm currently wiring dual subs in my office bedroom and went to the minidsp site and I'm shocked at the price increase. When you go to check out they add significant fees for tariff and import plus shipping. Where it claims the device is $225, they add $79 for tariffs and another $30 for shipping! Total is $334 to check out. That's crazy more than I expected.

Looking around, the only basic alternative seems to be the Dayton Audio DSP-408 for $199 (free shipping). It seems like there are reviews stating potential noise issues. I'm used to the MINIDSP software (it's pretty nice), but is the minidsp really worth the premium? Once I get it dialed in, it just sits there hidden.

Any strong recommendations that the MINIDSP is worth $134 more than the Dayton? Do filters from REW import similarly? Anyone with experience or thoughts on this choice.... advice is appreciated.

I use a Dayton Audio DSP-408 in my system as an active crossover from my front mains and centre channel. It's easy to set up and works great. I only have two issues:
1. If I leave the USB cable connected to my PC there's an audible hum from the USB connection. This isn't a big deal, you only need the USB connected when you're changing settings, so when I'm done setting up I just unplug the USB cable and it's months or years before I need to plug it in again.

2. The noise floor is high; however, from my normal listening position it is never audible over the general background noise of my home. Your mileage may vary if you've got a very quiet/soundproof listening space or are sitting very close to your speakers, but I think in most environments as long as you're more than a couple feet away from the speakers, it won't be a problem. For subs it'll be a complete non-issue.

 

[SuicideSquid]

Yes, Dayton Audio is out of OH, hence no tariff, that's sort of the point, making domestic items more attractive. If Dayton is not performant, post the measurements here and contact them asking why they can't produce a comparable product....

Dayton imports most of the material they use to build their products (or imports the finished products and put their name on it). Their prices will be impacted by tariffs as well, there's just a bit more of a lag in seeing the impact on the purchaser, between the implementation of the tariffs on inputs and tariffs on consumer goods.

 

[Mark185]

@Trollhammerx Does not look like you got an answer. I have the Dayton DSP 408 and several other DSP units including a mini DSP C-DSP 8 x 12. I do not have the MINIDSP 2X4 HD. The Dayton software is not as good as the mini DSP software and it does not have direct import capability with REW. It is a very basic unit that was a good value when it was in the $150 price range. Current price of $199 is not nearly as good a value but the mini DSP products have all gone way up in price since Liberation Day. Dayton DSP 408 also has issues with analog input clipping at about 1.6 volts and analog output clipping at about 2.6 volts. it has been a while since I measured that but my numbers are not too far off - maybe 1/10 volt either way. Point being the analog circuits on the Dayton unit are not the best. It was a great device to learn on but in the current market, I think it makes more sense to get a used mobile audio DSP from Arc Audio or Audiotek Fischer and a low noise 12 volt linear power supply. Arc and Audiotek Fischer make some very high end processors with good noise and distortion specs and outstanding software that is able to import REW parameters. Mini DSP software is also pretty good but the mobile audio companies' software is better. You should be able to find used Arc Audio DSP units with 8 output channels for less than $500 used on Ebay. They will outperform the Dayton and mini DSP 2X4 HD and the tuning software is light years better. Arc is also an American company with really good tech support. You can call them and speak to the engineers that designed them. No other company is like that.

 

[Trollhammerx]

@Trollhammerx Does not look like you got an answer. I have the Dayton DSP 408 and several other DSP units including a mini DSP C-DSP 8 x 12. I do not have the MINIDSP 2X4 HD. The Dayton software is not as good as the mini DSP software and it does not have direct import capability with REW. It is a very basic unit that was a good value when it was in the $150 price range. Current price of $199 is not nearly as good a value but the mini DSP products have all gone way up in price since Liberation Day. Dayton DSP 408 also has issues with analog input clipping at about 1.6 volts and analog output clipping at about 2.6 volts. it has been a while since I measured that but my numbers are not too far off - maybe 1/10 volt either way. Point being the analog circuits on the Dayton unit are not the best. It was a great device to learn on but in the current market, I think it makes more sense to get a used mobile audio DSP from Arc Audio or Audiotek Fischer and a low noise 12 volt linear power supply. Arc and Audiotek Fischer make some very high end processors with good noise and distortion specs and outstanding software that is able to import REW parameters. Mini DSP software is also pretty good but the mobile audio companies' software is better. You should be able to find used Arc Audio DSP units with 8 output channels for less than $500 used on Ebay. They will outperform the Dayton and mini DSP 2X4 HD and the tuning software is light years better. Arc is also an American company with really good tech support. You can call them and speak to the engineers that designed them. No other company is like that.

Thank you. It turned out I had an old unused Minidsp 2X4 (non-HD) that had even worse software than the HD. But just for some basic integration needs, I think it performs just fine for now. I absolutely hate it when I am about to purchase something and then suddenly the price skyrockets with shipping, tarrifs, and taxes. It definitely discourages the purchase, but now I'm glad I saved the money and was able to recycle and older piece of tech that I had lying around.