thomann t.racks DSP 4x4 Mini Review

[Tzibi]

Why you would need different EQs for old recordings? I am not sure i follow but you can store up to 10 presets if that's helpful.

In any case, I followed the traditional way of setting this up. I spent 2-3 hours in the process of measuring the frequency response of each speaker and tweeking the parametric eq so that i could have a flat frequency response. I haven't tried to do any sort of import of REW files so I'm not sure if that works.

 

[rvsixer]

I guess when Thomann lowered the price from what I paid, they removed the software download link also lol:

the t.racks DSP 4x4 Mini

Compact 4-Channel DSP Inputs: 4x 6.3 mm jack balanced, Outputs: 4x 6.3 mm jack balanced, Programmable via USB, Power supply via external 12 V DC power adapter (positive polarity inside), Weight: 0.6 kg, Dimensions: 160 x 150 x 40 mm, incl. power...

web.archive.org

I'll let them know....

 

[CedarX]

It seems they have a variant including 4x50W (into 8ohm) class D power amps: the t.racks DSP 4x4 Mini Amp.

From their presentation:

• Perfect for small installations and in combination with ceiling speakers
• Inputs: 4x 6.3 mm jack balanced
• Power: 4x 50 W @ 8 Ohm / 4x 60 W @ 4 Ohm (no bridge mode)
• Loudspeaker connection: binding posts
• Class D amps
• Programming via USB
• Signal to noise ratio: < 95 dB
• Distortion factor: < 0,5%
• Gain: 28 dB
• Built-in power supply: 230 V~ / 50 Hz
• Weight: 1.6 kg
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 240 x 160 x 43 mm

Ok, it may be 230V only... but I love their honest spec :

 

[mdsimon2]

Not terrible for $100, measures slightly worse than a miniDSP 2x4HD using the analog input. Although I think the digital inputs on the 2x4HD make it a bit more useful than the extra two analog input channels of the Thomann but of course the 2x4HD is double the price.

Somewhat surprised at the positive comments given the middling measurements but with proper gain staging this will work well for a lot of folks.

Michael

 

[BDE]

Well I guess it will be possible to add digital inputs via a DIY upgrade, as the DSP board is separate from the others. However it is already OK as it is and the rest is fro our experts.


There is also the OMNITRONIC SMARD-24RCA, with AKM 5358 & AKM 4388ET
-> https://www.steinigke.de/en/mpn10356301-omnitronic-smard-24rca-digital-dsp-controller.html

 

[brandall10]

Thomann is on the biggest (if not the biggest) European retailers that specialises in musical instruments, pro-audio and studio equipment. So I'm guessing this is an OEM product underneath or otherwise one that is built to spec. They also have their own amplifiers and other stuff.

Their brand Harley Benton is popular and somewhat polarizing as they're selling near replicas of much more expensive instruments from well-known manufacturers at about 10-20% cost... the kicker is the quality mark is way up there. Which is to say they're adept at providing insanely good value.

 

[rvsixer]

Not terrible for $100, measures slightly worse than a miniDSP 2x4HD using the analog input. Although I think the digital inputs on the 2x4HD make it a bit more useful than the extra two analog input channels of the Thomann but of course the 2x4HD is double the price.

Somewhat surprised at the positive comments given the middling measurements but with proper gain staging this will work well for a lot of folks.

Michael

True but use cases differ.
miniDSP no longer offered a balanced analog solution in this price class. Hence the effort to to seek out an alternative good enough for my own use case (integrating multi subs; and its 4x4 not 2x4 to boot, something that has been continually lacking in the miniDSP lineup).

 

[mdsimon2]

True but use cases differ.
miniDSP no longer offered a balanced analog solution in this price class. Hence the effort to to seek out an alternative good enough for my own use case (integrating multi subs; and its 4x4 not 2x4 to boot, something that has been continually lacking in the miniDSP lineup).

Curious about your 2+ channel source, AVR?

Michael

 

[mightycicadalord]

Their brand Harley Benton is popular and somewhat polarizing as they're selling near replicas of much more expensive instruments from well-known manufacturers at about 10-20% cost...

The time for this to be polarizing was a long time ago.

 

[Nango]

Their brand Harley Benton is popular and somewhat polarizing as they're selling near replicas of much more expensive instruments from well-known manufacturers at about 10-20% cost... the kicker is the quality mark is way up there. Which is to say they're adept at providing insanely good value.

Harley Benton's mfr then probably is again the same chinese factory producing also Fender, Ibanez and Jackson the rest of the week.

 

[JRS]

You can measure and compute PEQ filters with REW software (free and very good) and set the filters into DSP. The same for time aligning. If Dirac does some more magic I don't know but peq and timig is probably enogh for very good room correction results.

To say nothing of the ability to clean up the FR of say< 500/pr speakers, most of which have significant FR errors. Take those cheapo speakers, add an inexpensive SW and you could have a very capable and inexpensive system. Many moons did that with some inexpensive JBL bookshelf speakers and was thrilled with the 1000 USD outcome. Be even less these days.

 

[rvsixer]

Curious about your 2+ channel source, AVR?

Hopefully not straying too far off topic, however tied to hardware under discussion...LEFT/RIGHT/SUB input to DSP. L/R/SUB output mix to right/left subs colocated near respective left/right mains, SUB output only to remaining two subs. Google flanking/multisub/schroeder/transition/pi/parham if curious.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

A good deal for folks in Europe, but the shipping cost is steep for those of us in that other longitudinal hemisphere. For us, catching the Dayton Audio DSP-408 when it's on sale at Parts Express -- I got mine for $139.98 USD with free shipping a few weeks ago -- probably makes more sense unless balanced I/O is a priority.

 

[amirm]

Ok, it may be 230V only... but I love their honest spec :

It is universal voltage. Just the plug is European. You can buy a 12 volt adapter cheaply anyway.

 

[rvsixer]

A good deal for folks in Europe, but the shipping cost is steep for those of us in that other longitudinal hemisphere. For us, catching the Dayton Audio DSP-408 when it's on sale at Parts Express -- I got mine for $139.98 USD with free shipping a few weeks ago -- probably makes more sense unless balanced I/O is a priority.

Thomann unit was $131 shipped to left coast US. Probably less now with the $4 price reduction since.

PE unit was on my radar for months but wanted balanced IO. Please send yours in foir ASR scrutiny!

 

[Bruce Morgen]

Thomann unit was $131 shipped to left coast US. Probably less now with the $4 price reduction since.

PE unit was on my radar for months but wanted balanced IO. Please send yours in foir ASR scrutiny!

I can't bring myself to part with it -- it does a fabulous job EQing the four Behringer B2030P passive monitors I use for surround/ambience speakers in my 6.1 near field system to (a semblance of) Amir's recommended settings from this old thread: Behringer B2030P Studio Monitor Review

 

[theREALdotnet]

You can measure and compute PEQ filters with REW software (free and very good) and set the filters into DSP. The same for time aligning.

Yes, and you could time-align the subwoofer(s) with the main speakers (from simply looking at the group deplay graph in REW and dialling in the required delays on this device) before even thinking of room EQ.

 

[restorer-john]

A figure for overall system latency with all filters engaged could be a useful addition for such DSP products. As we know, it can vary immensely from product to product.

If video is involved, excess DSP delay can be a deal breaker.

 

[Ciavatta]

A figure for overall system latency with all filters engaged could be a useful addition for such DSP products. As we know, it can vary immensely from product to product.

If video is involved, excess DSP delay can be a deal breaker.

Looking for the same exact thing.
I've to decide between this Thomann box or one of the miniDSPs, and latency is the most important deciding factor, having to correct/align a pair of studio monitors mainly used for live playing playback.

For the same reason I had to rule out Dirac and FIR stuff due to the added latency of the more time/calculations intense filtering involved

 

[mightycicadalord]

Sonarworks have 0 latency mode.