Minidsp Flex Review (Audio DSP)

[PaulF2020]

Why not run the Wiim Digital output through the Flex for Dirac and subs? Yes there's some redundancy there, but you maintain multiple subs and have Driac.

It is possible yes, but it is quite a waste. Also there will be 3 devices which can control volume and it will be extremely confusing for home users.

PS. Really why KEF can't just add PEQ into their speakers, it would solve a lot of problems...

 

[brombo]

Here is my remote control system

It uses a Dell Media Center (no longer made but available on Ebay) IR Transceiver controlled by my homemade htpc. The htpc is controlled with an MX3 Air Mouse which then control the Transceiver which controls the MiniDSP Flex 8 (I am using the usb audio input) with an IR blaster. So with one remote control I am controlling the Flex 8's on/off(standby), mute, and volume up/down via IR. The box on top of the Flex 8 (IR controlled) generates a trigger signal to control my amplifiers. Additionally I use another IR blaster connected to the Dell Transceiver to turn the TV on and off. The htpc is configured with a hacked blu-ray drive and MakeMKV so I can play CD's, DVD's, Blu-Ray, and 4K Blu-Ray disks. I use Kodi and VLC to play music an videos.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

Really why KEF can't just add PEQ into their speakers, it would solve a lot of problems...

So very true!

 

[ziggurcat]

ONE, it has only 1 sub out.

You could theoretically connect both subs.

 

[PaulF2020]

You could theoretically connect both subs.

Connect - yes, align - no.

 

[testp]

@PaulF2020

...using one Wiim Ultra for solving two subs doesn't work if you want to add peq in wiim, because wiim dsp affects digital and analog outs (unless something has changed lately with firmware).

but because your speakers/subs are basically digitaly controlled, you could use wiim ultra's digital to > kef speakers, analog's to > subs.

eq and timing has to be controlled on each end separetly.



[EDIT] Actually two Wiims doesn't work: Wiim ultra i believe, still doesn't support sending audio signal out simultaneously from its outputs, deamn...

another similar solution is using 2 wiim's: i got this idea, when i was thinking about adding a second sub to my 2.1 system with Wiim.

basically by making the first wiim as passive (as long as it sends out both digital/analog 2ch at the same time: Ultra does),

you can use the second Wiim to do ex. your speakers: peq + speakers high-pass + timing alignment with the subs. <- but sub lowpass has to be done in the subs. - sub low-pass could be done in first Wiim, but might add uncessesary delay...


-flimsy, but should work. i've measured the timings, at least for me, sub is always behind, so in my case, if first Wiim toslink is sent to the second Wiim, i can use that for the speakers, do time alignment + peq + high-pass as well for the speakers. and then first wiim analog outs goes to both subs, and do low-pass and initial volume inside subs.

 

[PaulF2020]

@PaulF2020

...using one Wiim Ultra for solving two subs doesn't work if you want to add peq in wiim, because wiim dsp affects digital and analog outs (unless something has changed lately with firmware).

but because your speakers/subs are basically digitaly controlled, you could use wiim ultra's digital to > kef speakers, analog's to > subs.

eq and timing has to be controlled on each end separetly.



[EDIT] Actually two Wiims doesn't work: Wiim ultra i believe, still doesn't support sending audio signal out simultaneously from its outputs, deamn...

another similar solution is using 2 wiim's: i got this idea, when i was thinking about adding a second sub to my 2.1 system with Wiim.

basically by making the first wiim as passive (as long as it sends out both digital/analog 2ch at the same time: Ultra does),

you can use the second Wiim to do ex. your speakers: peq + speakers high-pass + timing alignment with the subs. <- but sub lowpass has to be done in the subs. - sub low-pass could be done in first Wiim, but might add uncessesary delay...


-flimsy, but should work. i've measured the timings, at least for me, sub is always behind, so in my case, if first Wiim toslink is sent to the second Wiim, i can use that for the speakers, do time alignment + peq + high-pass as well for the speakers. and then first wiim analog outs goes to both subs, and do low-pass and initial volume inside subs.

Not sure what you're trying to say.

Before Minidsp Flex I was using Wiim like that:
Wiim => toslink => LS50 W2
Wiim=> sub out => y-splitter - 2 subs

It works, but there is no way to slign subs

Currently I'm using wiin only as a streamer feeded to flex.

 

[deercreekaudio]

So i got myself flex (digital version) to use with kef ls50 Wireless2.

Mainly got it for 2 sub out with Dirac Live. I also have wiim ultra, which works great and has room correction, but doesn't have a sub out.

So my ipressions of the unit is good, I like the simple design and monochrome screen, but some things are just driving me nuts:
1. There is no auto standby, so device is contantly sending white noise to speakers which can't go to standby either.
2. No input auto sense and to change input on the device I need to click multiple times, because first selection is for presets not for inputs. Removes solves it, but it is IR and doesn't work from every angle
3. Display turns off after some time and there is no way to keep it on permanently when device is on, kinda crap...

I think about selling it and using Wiim for mains and getting a 2x4 HD just for subs.

A couple of things to take into consideration here:

The signal to noise ratio of the miniDSP Flex digital is greater than 120 dB. Far below the threshold of human hearing. Please check very carefully to discover how this noise is getting introduced into your system as this is not normal operation.

You could also put your KEF speakers into auto standby mode. However the first thing you need to do is clean up this noise problem, as that could be preventing the LS50 auto standby mode.

 

[PaulF2020]

A couple of things to take into consideration here:

The signal to noise ratio of the miniDSP Flex digital is greater than 120 dB. Far below the threshold of human hearing. Please check very carefully to discover how this noise is getting introduced into your system as this is not normal operation.

You could also put your KEF speakers into auto standby mode. However the first thing you need to do is clean up this noise problem, as that could be preventing the LS50 auto standby mode.

Sorry I'm not talking about it being audible, what I'm saying, unless minidsp is in standby mode, it is constantly sending signal on its outputs which prevents Kefs from going into standby mode.

 

[testp]

Not sure what you're trying to say.

Before Minidsp Flex I was using Wiim like that:
Wiim => toslink => LS50 W2
Wiim=> sub out => y-splitter - 2 subs

It works, but there is no way to slign subs

Currently I'm using wiin only as a streamer feeded to flex.

okey, i thought you wanted stereo subs.

 

[PaulF2020]

okey, i thought you wanted stereo subs.

Goal is to have 2.2 system but with both subs aligned. Stereo or mono doesn't matter, i think under 100hz it will be mostly mono anyway.

 

[mglobe]

Here is my remote control systemView attachment 554108
It uses a Dell Media Center (no longer made but available on Ebay) IR Transceiver controlled by my homemade htpc. The htpc is controlled with an MX3 Air Mouse which then control the Transceiver which controls the MiniDSP Flex 8 (I am using the usb audio input) with an IR blaster. So with one remote control I am controlling the Flex 8's on/off(standby), mute, and volume up/down via IR. The box on top of the Flex 8 (IR controlled) generates a trigger signal to control my amplifiers. Additionally I use another IR blaster connected to the Dell Transceiver to turn the TV on and off. The htpc is configured with a hacked blu-ray drive and MakeMKV so I can play CD's, DVD's, Blu-Ray, and 4K Blu-Ray disks. I use Kodi and VLC to play music a videos.

Not sure about some of these devices, but with the help of ClaudeAI, MiniDSP-rs, and other API’s, you can do quite a bit of these remote features with a Xencelabs Quick Keys. I control Roon, at Trinnov NOVA, and a Sony BDP that way. the MiniDSP-rs API is excellent I used to use it with my Flex.

 

[PaulF2020]

Not sure about some of these devices, but with the help of ClaudeAI, MiniDSP-rs, and other API’s, you can do quite a bit of these remote features with a Xencelabs Quick Keys. I control Roon, at Trinnov NOVA, and a Sony BDP that way. the MiniDSP-rs API is excellent I used to use it with my Flex.

Problem is Flex doesn't have ethernet or wifi for control, you have to occupy USB port (which can be useful as input too) and you have to have another PC just for purpose of controlling stuff.

It is kinda crazy that all this madness with multiple boxes could be solved in my case by either KEF having PEQs or Wiim having another sub out.

 

[mglobe]

Problem is Flex doesn't have ethernet or wifi for control, you have to occupy USB port (which can be useful as input too) and you have to have another PC just for purpose of controlling stuff.

It is kinda crazy that all this madness with multiple boxes could be solved in my case by either KEF having PEQs or Wiim having another sub out.

The Flex can handle usb audio and input from MiniDSP-rs (and also device console) simultaneously. Wrt needing to have another computer, if you are feeding audio via usb from a computer, as long as it supports the Quick Keys you should be able to make it work. I’ve done it in the past with my Mac Mini, and a Windows machine should be fine also. Quick Keys comes with its own BT dongle that gives a pretty rock solid BT connection.

 

[ziggurcat]

Problem is Flex doesn't have ethernet or wifi for control,

That's possible, but it's a supplementary device:

WI-DG

The WI-DG is a Wifi/Ethernet to USB bridge that is pre-configured for Plug&Play discovery and control over IP networks. Thanks to this pocket size router, you can retrofit your favorite miniDSP processor to be remotely controlled from our Android/IoS app or plugin interface.

www.minidsp.com

 

[PaulF2020]

That's possible, but it's a supplementary device:

WI-DG

The WI-DG is a Wifi/Ethernet to USB bridge that is pre-configured for Plug&Play discovery and control over IP networks. Thanks to this pocket size router, you can retrofit your favorite miniDSP processor to be remotely controlled from our Android/IoS app or plugin interface.

www.minidsp.com

another box... cmon... Also it means you're loosing one input....

I was doing a research today and thinking I can probably achieve the same with less boxes by just getting 2x Dayton Audio DSP-LF

So it will look like this Kef = >sub output on each speaker=>Dayton Audio DSP-LF>sub

Update oh sh, Dayton Audio DSP-LF is discontinued...

 

[ziggurcat]

another box... cmon... Also it means you're loosing one input....

I was doing a research today and thinking I can probably achieve the same with less boxes by just getting 2x Dayton Audio DSP-LF

So it will look like this Kef = >sub output on each speaker=>Dayton Audio DSP-LF>sub

Update oh sh, Dayton Audio DSP-LF is discontinued...

Oh, I never said it was a great option, only that it is *technically* possible.

Have you considered the miniDSP Flex SHD/SHD Studio? It at least has an ethernet connection built in, and (IIRC) it is a network streamer, so you wouldn't necessarily need the WiiM Ultra.

Though there is absolutely nothing wrong with going with a 2x4HD to resolve your subs.

 

[PaulF2020]

Oh, I never said it was a great option, only that it is *technically* possible.

Have you considered the miniDSP Flex SHD/SHD Studio? It at least has an ethernet connection built in, and (IIRC) it is a network streamer, so you wouldn't necessarily need the WiiM Ultra.

Though there is absolutely nothing wrong with going with a 2x4HD to resolve your subs.

Yes, I have considered SHD, but their streamer implementation is just awful.

 

[Mort]

Yes, I have considered SHD, but their streamer implementation is just awful.

Unfortunately true. Better to hang a Wiim mini off the back.

 

[Cote Dazur]

Can ART be added to Minidsp flex?
The goal would be to place it between a preamp and an amplifier to get digital room correction in a 2.0 system with a analog sources.