MiniDSP Flex HTx

[dmilller]

Nobody said it did, but thanks for pointing that out to the people who haven't read the specs or thread. Again, the connections are there for 12+ channels, and it is a shame that it doesn't support it for 12+ channel decoded Atmos music. I won't be buying one or two of them. Still an interesting product.

How do you get 12 channels out of the spec?

Input/Output DSP structure

8ch IN (USB/HDMI/Analog) or 2ch IN (Toslink/SPDIF) => DSP => 8 channels OUT (Analog)

I'm guessing a TV source will always see a 7.1 system. I'm assuming on the miniDSP side that there is some thought given on how to handle the unused channels.

 

[himey]

How do you get 12 channels out of the spec?

Input/Output DSP structure

8ch IN (USB/HDMI/Analog) or 2ch IN (Toslink/SPDIF) => DSP => 8 channels OUT (Analog)

I'm guessing a TV source will always see a 7.1 system. I'm assuming on the miniDSP side that there is some thought given on how to handle the unused channels.

USB, 12 channel PCM for decoded Atmos MUSIC files. A 7.1.4 speaker configuration. I am now limited to 8 channels, so I am running a 4.0.4 setup for Atmos music using a previous generation MiniDSP, USB DAC.

 

[dweeeeb2]

They are highlighting the benefits of getting a HDFury kit:

HDFury Arcana or VRROOM with Flex HT

miniDSP is a leading manufacturer of Digital Audio Signal Processors for the HomeTheater, Hifi, headphone and Automotive market. Join our large community of Audiophiles, Engineers and DIYers using our innovative products.

www.minidsp.com

 

[dmilller]

USB, 12 channel PCM for decoded Atmos MUSIC files. A 7.1.4 speaker configuration. I am now limited to 8 channels, so I am running a 4.0.4 setup for Atmos music using a previous generation MiniDSP, USB DAC.

Ah, I read too fast. I'm glad it doesn't have 12 channels so I won't be tempted to buy it. But I doubt it will outperform an AVR and it has fewer features.

I also doubt it will support uncompressed audio from all TV sources. As I've written I doubt that my AVR would switch in and out of PCM mode if AppleTV was able to decode everything and stream it at lossless quality. Apple TV even covers potential compatibility issues in the setup for audio.

A counter argument is that miniDSP would have looked at the audio compatibility issue during product development. Perhaps a middle position is that it may take a few software releases to sort out most compatibility.

 

[himey]

miniDSP would have looked at the audio compatibility issue during product development

Hopefully they are simply taking baby steps toward a future model with 12 output channels. I have saved all my Atmos music 7.1.4 decodes, for when I upgrade one day. For now, I am content with the 4.0.4 down-mixes.

 

[MAB]

Ah, I read too fast. I'm glad it doesn't have 12 channels so I won't be tempted to buy it. But I doubt it will outperform an AVR and it has fewer features.

It specifically isn't an AVR:

What is the minidsp Flex HT and what it isn't?

The new Flex HT is an intriguing multichannel USB/HDMI processor that is raising quite few questions from our community members! We thought that we'd try to summarise what the Flex HT is and what it isn't. Let's start by what the Flex HT isn...

support.minidsp.com

They have a great website, with massive information, application notes, help with external software and hardware integration, and very detailed product descriptions. Well beyond what you see from most companies. This would make a great multi-channel active crossover including SOTA multi-sub integration, plus room correction with performance and features not seen in many other products. There are already so many AVRs, but this is not an AVR!.

 

[himey]

this is not an AVR!.

I am not a movie person. Strictly multichannel/immersive music. AVR's, center channels, and subwoofers are great for home theatre movies. I prefer a different direction for music.

 

[Rolandtk]

Is Dirac 3 a step up from the Dirac version (2?) In the Nanoavr DL?

 

[dmilller]

It specifically isn't an AVR:

What is the minidsp Flex HT and what it isn't?

The new Flex HT is an intriguing multichannel USB/HDMI processor that is raising quite few questions from our community members! We thought that we'd try to summarise what the Flex HT is and what it isn't. Let's start by what the Flex HT isn...

support.minidsp.com

They have a great website, with massive information, application notes, help with external software and hardware integration, and very detailed product descriptions. Well beyond what you see from most companies. This would make a great multi-channel active crossover including SOTA multi-sub integration, plus room correction with performance and features not seen in many other products. There are already so many AVRs, but this is not an AVR!.

I have an SHD and a 2x4HD, so I'm familiar with the capabilities. Even mid level AVRs increasingly have a Dirac option and four separate sub channels.

Of the many things the Flex doesn't have compared to an AVR the ADC is a differentiating feature. But I expect the large majority of owners won't ever use an analog source

 

[MAB]

I have an SHD and a 2x4HD, so I'm familiar with the capabilities. Even mid level AVRs increasingly have a Dirac option and four separate sub channels.

Of the many things the Flex doesn't have compared to an AVR the ADC is a differentiating feature. But I expect the large majority of owners won't ever use an analog source

Actually, the Flex and SHD and HTx all have analog inputs (HTx has 8!), just not the Flex Eight and the Flex HT. So does many of their older gear. I use the analog inputs on mine.

miniDSP Concept

miniDSP is a leading manufacturer of Digital Audio Signal Processors for the HomeTheater, Hifi, headphone and Automotive market. Join our large community of Audiophiles, Engineers and DIYers using our innovative products.

www.minidsp.com

 

[Andysu]

two JBL cinema subs combination of stormaudio isp32 elite mk3 , peq from 15Hz as the rubbish processor won't have peq that goes down to 5Hz , and no don't care to have mindsp again and most the JBL subs acoustically is doing fine very impressed down fraction below 10Hz
rest of peq was done with behringer FBQ 2496 as storm only has 20 lousy filters barely enough for the LFE.1 would take few hundred
so that is best i can get it , don't care much and since deleted the filters that took me hour or two to do

 

[MAB]

two JBL cinema subs combination of stormaudio isp32 elite mk3 , peq from 15Hz as the rubbish processor won't have peq that goes down to 5Hz , and no don't care to have mindsp again and most the JBL subs acoustically is doing fine very impressed down fraction below 10Hz
rest of peq was done with behringer FBQ 2496 as storm only has 20 lousy filters barely enough for the LFE.1 would take few hundred
so that is best i can get it , don't care much and since deleted the filters that took me hour or two to do


View attachment 326726

Sorry, I can't quite follow what you are saying.
I will say I would like more PEQ filters, you can see from my example above that I used all ten of the manual filters, you probably didn't follow the link though... I can also say graphic-EQ with tons of bands doesn't make sense, but perhaps I misunderstood you there too. I can certainly post lots of info on how primitive graphic-EQ is for solving common problems.
And, you would probably have to show a before and after for me to make sense of what you are saying. It's hard to believe you need hundreds of filters to EQ bass as you say, especially when sub placement is way more powerful and important, especially at low frequencies you are alluding to.

 

[IamJF]

It is not good practice to EQ a speaker IN THE ROOM to +-0,5dB! You just need to move 15cm and all your EQ is off.
You need to identify the behaviour of the speaker and EQ it flat or to the sound you like. THEN do a bunch of room measurements and identify the ones which make sense to EQ.

Here the variation in my reference listening room - a VERY high dampened non environment room. Mic movement is just 10-20cm!

And here averages after EQ:

Or when you use manufacturers scale ...

There is still a reflection from the table and on SBIR frequency - but it doesn't make sense to EQ these, it would make things worse!

So in an active multiway speaker yo would use the 10 peqs to linearise the chassis. With proper filters you get a pretty linear speaker. The use the input EQs to specifically adress the room influences which make sense to EQ. Forget graphic EQ - it's not precise enough, even at 1/12th oct bandwidth.

 

[IamJF]

Btw - how does the multichannel Dirac work with this unit when I use it for a 4way actice setup? I would only need dirac on the 2 used inputs not at the 8 outputs - does that work?

 

[IamJF]

USB, 12 channel PCM for decoded Atmos MUSIC files. A 7.1.4 speaker configuration. I am now limited to 8 channels, so I am running a 4.0.4 setup for Atmos music using a previous generation MiniDSP, USB DAC.

Why not use a 5.1.2 system? Should work for music and film pretty well?

 

[dtaylo1066]

I hope they send one to Amir ASAP! Given Minidsp flex performance, I am salivating over this one's potential, given I have Hypex amps that require balanced inputs. But I also have analog sources, and prefer an all in one box vs. adapters, etc. And I have several speakers I need to build and would like to attempt DSP crossovers.

 

[himey]

Why not use a 5.1.2 system? Should work for music and film pretty well?

I have. I like having four tops. It sounded better than only 2. All my channels go low, so the (.1) channel is redundant. My TV is in the way for a perfectly integrated center channel. I prefer a phantom center channel for music. I don't listen to Atmos when I watch movies, only music.

 

[dmilller]

Btw - how does the multichannel Dirac work with this unit when I use it for a 4way actice setup? I would only need dirac on the 2 used inputs not at the 8 outputs - does that work?

Wouldn't you set the crossovers and then let Dirac run on the eight channels? That's essentially how Dirac works with subs.

 

[sweetchaos]

Would love to see a review.

Upvote for visibility!

 

[MAB]

Btw - how does the multichannel Dirac work with this unit when I use it for a 4way actice setup? I would only need dirac on the 2 used inputs not at the 8 outputs - does that work?

It has eight channels of DIRAC Live, all routed to the eight outputs. See link:

Prerequisites - miniDSP Flex HTx User Manual

docs.minidsp.com

For a 4-way active speaker with stereo inputs you use two of the DIRAC channels.