MiniDSP Flex HTx

[Dougey_Jones]

Yes


It performs the same workflow than classic dirac stereo + speaker type selection and extra sweeps for each channels.
You configure once your speaker types, proceed to the sweeps (number of position up to you depending the scenario) then your revie and optionally modify proposed target curve. You end up by loading resulting filters into presets and you're done.
Very similar process than audissey on AVR.

I’ve had Dirac on an AVR (RZ50) and just wanted to know if it’s the same routine as that. I currently use Audyssey XT32 on my x3700h and like the Audyssey app a lot. You kind of have to use it on an iPad with stylus to really be able to mess with target curves.

 

[vicenzo_del_paris]

I’ve had Dirac on an AVR (RZ50) and just wanted to know if it’s the same routine as that. I currently use Audyssey XT32 on my x3700h and like the Audyssey app a lot. You kind of have to use it on an iPad with stylus to really be able to mess with target curves.

Never tried Dirac on AVR. Always only with minidsp devices (and laptop for calibration)

 

[Dougey_Jones]

Never tried Dirac on AVR. Always only with minidsp devices (and laptop for calibration)

Even with AVR’s you still use the computer version of Dirac Live 3 if you want to use a UMIK.

 

[vicenzo_del_paris]

Even with AVR’s you still use the computer version of Dirac Live 3 if you want to use a UMIK.

So, It is exactly the same.

 

[Fredygump]

Just posting to say I figured out how to get decoded multi-channel audio output from a 4k Blu-Ray movie played on my M1 Mac Mini.

Many of you might know this already, but it took me awhile to figure it out even after doing a bunch of searches. I wanted to play directly from the disc and to get multichannel decoding at the same time. This doesn't seem to be possible.

I had to rip the blu-ray to the .mkv format (MakeMKV app), and then play the *.mkv file in VLC. And I also had to use USB audio output and use Audio Midi Setup to configure channels. By default center and LFE channels on the Mac are opposite from the HTx channel naming scheme.

I tried Laewo Player. It is widely recommended based on my searches, and it is able to play 4k Blu-Ray direct from the disc. But it did not decode multi-channel. The app says it is compatible with surround formats, so likely I would need a processor to decode audio?

(I understand that a processor is necessary for Atmos decoding, since it is an object based system that decodes and distributes audio based on speaker configuration...)

I'm curious if someone knows a way to get multi-channel decoding when playing a 4k Blu-ray direct from the disc, on an M1 Mac Mini or similar.

 

[Dougey_Jones]

I think more people should consider using a PC + KODI. It does an exceptional job of decoding everything to LPCM, including 6ch AAC which literally nothing else seems to know how to properly assign the channels for. Between my PC + KODI and XBOX X I could feasibly switch to an HTx, the only hurdle I foresee is what do I do about basic AVR functions like easily changing sub or center channel volume?

I wish MiniDSP would go the extra mile and make the HTx a real contender. I’d pay $2000-2,500 for it if that’s what it takes for them to make a real HTP. I’d be fine with them punting on HDMI switching and making you use a TV with eARC as long as they don’t charge for that feature.

 

[Fredygump]

I think more people should consider using a PC + KODI. It does an exceptional job of decoding everything to LPCM, including 6ch AAC which literally nothing else seems to know how to properly assign the channels for. Between my PC + KODI and XBOX X I could feasibly switch to an HTx, the only hurdle I foresee is what do I do about basic AVR functions like easily changing sub or center channel volume?

I wish MiniDSP would go the extra mile and make the HTx a real contender. I’d pay $2000-2,500 for it if that’s what it takes for them to make a real HTP. I’d be fine with them punting on HDMI switching and making you use a TV with eARC as long as they don’t charge for that feature.

MiniDSP are the DSP specialist company. That is why.

Emotiva is an example of why it is not a good idea for a small company to build a full feature processor! For like 15 years they have been trying to get it right. I'll probably buy the new one if it turns out that they got it right this time. But as of today they are continuing the pattern of being behind schedule on the processor, like they were on the previous ones. I'm rooting for them, but it is clearly not an easy product for a small company to produce!

 

[masterhw]

Emotiva is an example of why it is not a good idea for a small company to build a full feature processor!

No disrespect to Emotiva (I'm sure its very challenging) but their entire lineup measures a good 15 dB SINAD worse than miniDSP's does. I'd rather see someone with demonstrated clean design chops tackle multichannel decoding than someone with the reverse skillset.
miniDSP's explanation for why it is difficult for them is plenty believable:

It's unfortunately not as trivial as it sounds from a licensing nor. A lot of these solutions are baked into custom OEM build/binaries. i.e. made by the 10k pcs MOQ with zero flexibility and ability to tune. Knowing we're doing a lot of DSP on these, all our code/solutions wouldn't work...

It seems like they would need greater access to the decoding pipeline to be able to use their existing (and proven excellent) designs. I hope they're able to find the right vendor. Though it is oft emphasized that miniDSP is a small/niche player, I don't see why they couldn't be bigger if they managed to pull this off. One of AudioScienceReview's strengths is drawing attention to these kinds of products (strong performance from a non-mainstream brand).

 

[Fredygump]

It seems like they would need greater access to the decoding pipeline to be able to use their existing (and proven excellent) designs.

This brings us back to Dolby's control over their IP (intellectual property).

Awhile back I was asking why HT processors have mediocre measurements, even in the $10k+ price bracket. As I recall, nobody had a clear explanation for why, except likely it is an indirect result of a lack of freedom in designing the products. Some noted there was a processor that used known high quality DAC chips, but it wasn't considered to be very good.

 

[Dougey_Jones]

This brings us back to Dolby's control over their IP (intellectual property).

Awhile back I was asking why HT processors have mediocre measurements, even in the $10k+ price bracket. As I recall, nobody had a clear explanation for why, except likely it is an indirect result of a lack of freedom in designing the products. Some noted there was a processor that used known high quality DAC chips, but it wasn't considered to be very good.

Nah, this just isnt true.

Yes, Dolby exercises strict control over their IP, but they also allow for BluRay players and TV’s and sound bars and like I said above, commodity products to decode Atmos. The break point seems to be what happens in the chain after the surround format is decoded into LPCM.

Megabuck HTP’s have been slow to catch up in the SINAD race because their customer base generally has more money than sense and quite literally buys whatever their custom installer sells them.

At this point it probably makes more sense for someone to do a custom build of KODI that fits on a MiniPC and operates “headless” and just does decode. But it would need an HDMI input as well as the output. I keep forgetting that there ARE people who use BluRay players and other traditional sources and don’t just use a 15tb NAS like me.

Guess I’m stuck with my x3700h for a while.

 

[Littletycoon]

Just out of curiosity, since I’m still considering an HTx as HTP, and the only sources that I currently use for Home Theater are a windows 11 PC with KODI (does decode everything including Atmos/DTS:X) and a Xbox One X (which I can choose LPCM as output).

Would I just plug both of the sources into my LG MiniLED 86” and then connect the HTx to the eARC output of the TV?

Does anybody know if the Dirac Live setup for the HTx is still intuitive to use for setting up and calibrating a home theater setup like an AVR would be, or does it require additional steps to assign channels where you need them?

Kodi does not decode atmos/dts-x, it does not go beyond 7 channel lpcm.

 

[Dougey_Jones]

Kodi does not decode atmos/dts-x, it does not go beyond 7 channel lpcm.

Yes it does decode Atmos/DTS-x, the object based channels just get “folded” into the 7.1 LPCM lossless stream. I literally use this feature every day. The HTx only has 8ch, so, 7.1 LPCM is what we’re discussing here anyway.

Does anybody care about object based audio? I sure don’t.

 

[RichB]

Yes it does decode Atmos/DTS-x, the object based channels just get “folded” into the 7.1 LPCM lossless stream. I literally use this feature every day. The HTx only has 8ch, so, 7.1 LPCM is what we’re discussing here anyway.

Does anybody care about object based audio? I sure don’t.

The Flex HTx with Dolby/DTX decoding would be a killer product.
That said, once you do that you add a bunch of other feature requests.
For me, these include:

- Dolby up-mixing for 1.0 and 2.0 content. The new up-mixer is outstanding.
- Power on Volume
- Max Volume
- On the fly trims

- Rich

 

[Littletycoon]

Yes it does decode Atmos/DTS-x, the object based channels just get “folded” into the 7.1 LPCM lossless stream. I literally use this feature every day. The HTx only has 8ch, so, 7.1 LPCM is what we’re discussing here anyway.

Does anybody care about object based audio? I sure don’t.

It cannot, there is tons of info to find on this. It is impossible that you "use this feature". With Dolby reference player it seems to be possible to decode truehd atmos. Nothing is to be 'folded' as atmos is metadata already incorporated in the base stream.

If kodi (or any other non Dolby software) could decode atmos, Dolby would have a serious problem with it's business model. Furthermore if open source project like kodi could do this it would be a piece of cake for companies like minidsp to also incorporate it in their products.

 

[Dougey_Jones]

It cannot, there is tons of info to find on this. It is impossible that you "use this feature". With Dolby reference player it seems to be possible to decode truehd atmos. Nothing is to be 'folded' as atmos is metadata already incorporated in the base stream.

If kodi (or any other non Dolby software) could decode atmos, Dolby would have a serious problem with it's business model. Furthermore if open source project like kodi could do this it would be a piece of cake for companies like minidsp to also incorporate it in their products.

Have you even bothered to look into this or are you just spouting off? Maybe do a little research first.

KODI absolutely does break Atmos down into its constituent parts (TruHD + Metadata) and can and does pass the multichannel bitstream on my PC every damn day.

For everything to work properly you need to have the PC connected to the AVR/TV with at least HDMI 2.0a and in my case I need to have my Denon AVR selected as the audio device in KODI specifically using WASAPI and not Directsound. If I were to use Directsound it passes a busted down AC3 remux instead of LPCM.

 

[Andysu]

Yes it does decode Atmos/DTS-x, the object based channels just get “folded” into the 7.1 LPCM lossless stream. I literally use this feature every day. The HTx only has 8ch, so, 7.1 LPCM is what we’re discussing here anyway.

Does anybody care about object based audio? I sure don’t.

i sure as not care about dolby labs or mixers director bs intend anymore , 15 years of dolby labs lies about a fake flawed atmos that doesn't even support a true floor below surround and all the rubbish i see in atmos junk discs movies the sound continuity mixing is dreadful , i've dumped atmos , dolby dumpmos rather go back to laserdiscs that have theatrical mixes Dolby stereo 4.2.4 or AC-3 or dvd , i have had enough of dolby junkmos , if dolby labs get real with way of putting discrete below surround so can be easily upgraded without buying new avr avp or player , otherwise its a flawed piece of junk

 

[Mort]

I upgraded from the Arcane 2 to the HD Fury VRROOM, which adds HDMI switching back to my system so I can add my computer and game console. It has an optional remote control and can be configured via web browser. So far it works flawlessly, but at $550 it's expensive when new. Used on eBay is $400. There are other cheaper units that do this on Amazon and AliExpress.

Unfortunately, I still get pops and clicks when Apple TV 4k switches formats. I was hoping it would take care of that.

 

[Andysu]

I upgraded from the Arcane 2 to the HD Fury VRROOM, which adds HDMI switching back to my system so I can add my computer and game console. It has an optional remote control and can be configured via web browser. So far it works flawlessly, but at $550 it's expensive when new. Used on eBay is $400. There are other cheaper units that do this on Amazon and AliExpress.

Unfortunately, I still get pops and clicks when Apple TV 4k switches formats. I was hoping it would take care of that.

that ain't good i was looking at 60% buying this now i know it makes click noises , so i wonder about mini dsp 2x4 seen some cheaper prices , had one no years ago for few days got pissed with it threw it in the cat litter tray , and then sold it cheaper and sold in few days , now i want to lol buy it again lol , just cos it can go down to infersonic , but you know i don't really care , i have cat to feed , besides my JBL subs can do 8.5Hz which is okay fine , so what also does the stormaudio isp 32 go to 1Hhz ? or is it REW that seems to stop at 2Hz on the graph not that it bothers me for some rubbish atmos movies or few dvd that go below 20Hz as digital is 5Hz to 20Khz

 

[Mort]

so i wonder about mini dsp 2x4

There's no issue with minidsp DAC/DSPs in general. This pops and clicks issue is only with the HT Flex, earc input when using an HD Fury eARC extractor. Supposedly this extractor works without clicks and pops but misses some other video features of the HD Fury.

 

[Andysu]

There's no issue with minidsp DAC/DSPs in general. This pops and clicks issue is only with the HT Flex, earc input when using an HD Fury eARC extractor. Supposedly this extractor works without clicks and pops but misses some other video features of the HD Fury.

do a video of it show it off what it is doing for you and some movie demo as well