MiniDSP Flex HTx

[anthonymoody]

I do my HDMI switching upstream with the hdfury VRROOM. It does require another remote...

Interesting I'll look into that. So long as my Harmony can control it I think I can get it past the WAF hurdle. Have to see, thanks.

The routing and matrix mixer can indeed be used as analog input selector. But each selection will take up one preset configuration. Since there are only 4 presets, I don't know if that is the best use for them.

Ok this broke my brain a little. But I get what you're saying here, thanks.

 

[Mort]

Beta is out with input PEQ and volume offsets

"For those of you who enabled the Beta release support under Settings, we've just pushed a new Beta build to the servers.
Here are release notes also posted on the servers (and shown under your configuration)

Flex HT/HTx
- XMOS FW: v1.77, SHARC DSP FW v1.14
- Addition of Input PEQ (10bands)
- Addition of Volume Offsets
- Note that moving forward, all configuration will support input PEQ. Existing configuration will be "migrated" to the new DSP structure.

Flex, Flex-DL, 2x4-HD, DDRC-24:
- SHARC DSP FW v2.0
- Improvement on boot up sequence

Flex-8
- SHARC DSP FW v2.1
- Maximum output delay reduced fr
om 80ms to 60ms"

 

[peng]

Beta is out with input PEQ and volume offsets

"For those of you who enabled the Beta release support under Settings, we've just pushed a new Beta build to the servers.
Here are release notes also posted on the servers (and shown under your configuration)

Flex HT/HTx
- XMOS FW: v1.77, SHARC DSP FW v1.14
- Addition of Input PEQ (10bands)
- Addition of Volume Offsets
- Note that moving forward, all configuration will support input PEQ. Existing configuration will be "migrated" to the new DSP structure.

Flex, Flex-DL, 2x4-HD, DDRC-24:
- SHARC DSP FW v2.0
- Improvement on boot up sequence

Flex-8
- SHARC DSP FW v2.1
- Maximum output delay reduced fr
om 80ms to 60ms"

Thanks, I read about the input PEQ on the beta but if it also already include the volume offsets (that was supposed to be coming) then I think I am going to use the Beta.

 

[Mort]

Thanks, I read about the input PEQ on the beta but if it also already include the volume offsets (that was supposed to be coming) then I think I am going to use the Beta.

Same. The volume offsets are more important to me. Very helpful

 

[danstahl]

I just loaded the beta firmware..I'm seeing the input PEQs but still not sure where the input volume offsets are...

 

[Fredygump]

I just loaded the beta firmware..I'm seeing the input PEQs but still not sure where the input volume offsets are...

Have you visited the MiniDSP forum? You can add that suggestion to this thread: https://www.minidsp.com/community/threads/flex-htx-input-peq.22760/

I think you can use the gain on the Channel Router tab to adjust input gain. It isn't as convenient, but I think it would achieve the same outcome.

It would be more "professional" and even organized if they had an input gain in the same tab as the new input PEQ. I don't love their UI, because I would rather have an interface that looks more like a mixing console, with sliders for gain... But for people who have never used pro audio equipment, the Minidsp UI may be more intuitive?

I'm just happy that they are listening to their customers and continuing to develop the product. It seems like a rare things these days!

 

[danstahl]

Have you visited the MiniDSP forum? You can add that suggestion to this thread: https://www.minidsp.com/community/threads/flex-htx-input-peq.22760/

I think you can use the gain on the Channel Router tab to adjust input gain. It isn't as convenient, but I think it would achieve the same outcome.

It would be more "professional" and even organized if they had an input gain in the same tab as the new input PEQ. I don't love their UI, because I would rather have an interface that looks more like a mixing console, with sliders for gain... But for people who have never used pro audio equipment, the Minidsp UI may be more intuitive?

I'm just happy that they are listening to their customers and continuing to develop the product. It seems like a rare things these days!

I haven't yet, was hoping I was just missing something obvious.

The channel router tab has always had gain adjustments, iirc.

 

[Fredygump]

The channel router tab has always had gain adjustments, iirc.

Yes, those are your input gains, and they have always been there.

 

[peng]

I haven't yet, was hoping I was just missing something obvious.

The channel router tab has always had gain adjustments, iirc.

It's there, in the updated miniDSP Device Console - miniDSP Flex HT User Manual:

Audio source configuration¶​

Click on the CUSTOMIZE SELECTION button to open the Audio Source Configuration window:

 

[Fredygump]

@danstahl, I misunderstood! I was focused on the input PEQ, considering each channel as a separate input. Too many different kinds of "inputs", I guess...

 

[terryforsythe]

I just downloaded the beta firmware.

I used VituixCAD to model changes to my crossovers/PEQ of my 3-way speakers by adding biquads to the L and R input channels for phase correction at the crossover frequencies. Phase correction seems to work better on the input channels than on the individual output channels, but I did add a biquad to each woofer output channel to get the woofer phase slope better aligned with the midrange's.

I entered everything into my Flex HTx, but I will take some measurments for any fine tuning that may be needed, and re-run Dirac. I'll do it next week when my better half is away from the house - she complains when I run frequency sweeps.

I don't know if I'll hear a difference, we'll see. With my KEF LS60s I do hear a subtle difference with phase correction turned on. That, plus the ability to now add PEQ on the input channels of the HTx, spurred me to give it a try in my other system.

I do understand that Dirac Live adds some phase correction, but I am only using it to handle the subwoofer/woofer crossover and correct the bass frequency range.

 

[Fredygump]

I just downloaded the beta firmware.

I used VituixCAD to model changes to my crossovers/PEQ of my 3-way speakers by adding biquads to the L and R input channels for phase correction at the crossover frequencies. Phase correction seems to work better on the input channels than on the individual output channels, but I did add a biquad to each woofer output channel to get the woofer phase slope better aligned with the midrange's.

I entered everything into my Flex HTx, but I will take some measurments for any fine tuning that may be needed, and re-run Dirac. I'll do it next week when my better half is away from the house - she complains when I run frequency sweeps.

I don't know if I'll hear a difference, we'll see. With my KEF LS60s I do hear a subtle difference with phase correction turned on. That, plus the ability to now add PEQ on the input channels of the HTx, spurred me to give it a try in my other system.

I do understand that Dirac Live adds some phase correction, but I am only using it to handle the subwoofer/woofer crossover and correct the bass frequency range.

Are the new input PEQ's available with Dirac...at the same time? The generalized expectation of other people requesting this update was that it would be an either/ or scenario.

 

[terryforsythe]

Are the new input PEQ's available with Dirac...at the same time? The generalized expectation of other people requesting this update was that it would be an either/ or scenario.

Apparently, according to the updated Flex HTx User Manual: https://docs.minidsp.com/product-manuals/flex-htx/signal-flow/index.html

Under "Signal flow":

Under that it states:

"4. If Dirac Live is activated, each of the eight channels is processed by multichannel Dirac Live and then input PEQ. If Dirac Live is not activated, the signal is processed by the input PEQ. (Note that Dirac Live is an optional upgrade.)"

I have not yet tried it. I'll report back if I have any issues.

 

[dweeeeb2]

I’ve been trying it out as tone control. Very useful. ATM eq smooth speakers natural curve then use the input PEQ for tone at lower volumes and at high volumes.

 

[Sharok]

Has anybody tried downmixing 7.1 to 5.1 using minidsp Flex HTx? Does it work like a receiver/audio processor does?

I asked minidsp about it and I was told that the unit has the capability to do this using the "Mixer", but it has not been tested by the company.

 

[Mort]

Has anybody tried downmixing 7.1 to 5.1 using minidsp Flex HTx? Does it work like a receiver/audio processor does?

I asked minidsp about it and I was told that the unit has the capability to do this using the "Mixer", but it has not been tested by the company.

Sure yes. It works easily and well. I'm not sure what they mean by 'tested'. This is a long-established feature of the software.

 

[danstahl]

Has anybody tried downmixing 7.1 to 5.1 using minidsp Flex HTx? Does it work like a receiver/audio processor does?

I asked minidsp about it and I was told that the unit has the capability to do this using the "Mixer", but it has not been tested by the company.

I believe it just maps the back channels to the side channels (at least, thats how I have it set up). Not sure if AVRs typically do anything more sophisticated.

 

[Sharok]

Many thanks for letting me know that HTx can actually down-mix 7.1 to 5.1 just like a receiver does. Below is the Minidsp response to my question:

Hi Sharok,

Sure, you could indeed mix the extra surround back into the surround thanks to the matrix mixer but not sure of the effect of doing this.. Never tested it.

Hoping this info helps and feel free to contact us if you have further questions.

Best Regards
miniDSP DevTeam

Now I’m confident that it works and I can plan for my purchase.

BTW,
Where do you buy the cables?
Can you order the cables in custom lengths?

 

[terryforsythe]

Where do you buy the cables?

Amazon

EDIT: Now that I remember, for with my Flex HTx I bought balanced TRS to XLR cables from miniDSP when I ordered my Flex HTx. They are an option you can add to the order using the drop down menu when you place your order. $80 for eight 1m TRS to XLR cables.

Can you order the cables in custom lengths?

For RCA and XLR cables, Amazon usually has a variety of lengths from which to choose. For speaker cables I usually buy a roll and cut the lengths I need.

 

[Sharok]

For my subwoofer I’ll need one around 2 meters.

I also need them all in TRS/XLR. Their cables are very affordable and not exotic.

Thanks again.