Multi-zone with shared Subs on consumer AVRs? [Cinema 40/X4800H)

[applevinegar]

hey everyone, first post here, I hope this section is ok for discussion as well as reviews, otherwise please do go ahead and remove the post.

I have a relatively large space with two separate listening zones. One uses a dedicated stereo amp, the other two studio monitors, and I have two subwoofers that are shared between them using a miniDSP Flex, where I have two profiles with completely separate room calibrations and outputs.

Now, I'm looking to upgrade to 4 subs and Dirac ART as well as get ready for having multichannel in the larger zone, and since the miniDSP Tide16 disappointingly has 18Gbps HDMI, I'd like to understand if I can get away with a consumer AVR, and share the subs between two "zones" - this would let me save a bit of money, especially when I'll eventually want to add surround speakers (since I wouldn't have to add a multichannel amp).

Are consumer AVRs (in particular Denon X4800H/Marantz Cinema 40) capable of sharing subwoofer outputs in multi-zone setups?
I believe not, but I thought I'd ask, since it's an uncommon setup.
I'd be happy to get one for the added convenience and savings, rather than have to get a Tide16 with an HDFury on top of it, and eventually have to add a multichannel amp when I'll eventually add surrounds.

Thanks in advance to anyone who might have some insight!

 

[Oddball]

Unusual setup. Never explored 2 zones, as did not have need for them. But you can have 2 separate hardware presets you can have on D&M AVR. Not sure how you can integrate in the rest of your chain, but available if it helps. If done that way, you could have same subs in both stereo and multichannel setup. That is how most actually do it.

Tide 16 has some of 2.1 features available, not sure what you are looking for. They will likely have HDMI board upgrade in the future as well.

We complicate it ourselves, solutions are usually simple.

 

[applevinegar]

Hey thanks for the reply. I know of the 2.1 features but I need 40+Gbps for gaming from a pc at 4K 120/165Hz.
The board does look like it is replaceable and might get an upgrade in the future, but who knows when, so as things stand today it's either Tide16+HDFury (as recommended by miniDSP themselves) or a Denon/Marantz at less than half the total cost (when taking into account the multichannel amp).

What you mention about hardware presets makes perfect sense when you switch from stereo to multichannel, but in that case you're not changing mains.
In my scenario I would need to go from having the mains on the first two pre-outs, to another set of pre-outs that are the configured in the other zone as front speakers. Which can certainly be done, but it's not clear if, when switching to the other zone, you're able to keep using the subwoofer outputs, and if an entirely different room correction profile can be applied.