MiniDSP - need impression

EndersShadow
EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
edited May 2012 in Electronics
Looking at getting into REW and keep seeing folks using it in conjunction with a MiniDSP. Looking to see why, how well its working, and how easy it is to use.
"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
Post edited by EndersShadow on
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  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited May 2012
    Simple to get started. In addition to the MiniDSP board, you'll need measurement mic, mic pre amp, cords and a mic stand. Initial measurements with REW are pretty intuitive, the forum at hometheatershack.com is extremely helpful as well. I use a nothing-fancy laptop to run the SW for both.

    I run an active setup with the MiniDSP 2x4 after the pre, splitting the signal between full range monitors and a bass bin for each channel. With my set up, REW and the MiniDSP, I can measure the frequency response, send the data to the MiniDSP, and it'll create custom biquad filters for between the high and low frequency sections to flatten the frequency response graph. Haven't gotten that one figured out quite yet, but I havent put much effort into it yet.

    All in all I'm very happy with it, especially considering the outlay money-wise.


    I think Tracey started a thread in the bass management forum about his experiences as well.
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited May 2012
    ^so your not using this in conjunction with any type of auto calibration such as Audyssey correct?
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited May 2012
    No, just taking the REW graphs and adjusting XO points/slopes/phase etc manually and re-testing. Using the waterfall graphs were expecially helpful in determining speaker placement to help tune bass response.

    When I figure out the REW/MiniDSP interface a bit better, the biquad filters will be akin to auto calibration in an HT set up.
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited May 2012
    strider wrote: »
    No, just taking the REW graphs and adjusting XO points/slopes/phase etc manually and re-testing. Using the waterfall graphs were expecially helpful in determining speaker placement to help tune bass response.

    When I figure out the REW/MiniDSP interface a bit better, the biquad filters will be akin to auto calibration in an HT set up.

    Gotcha. I am planning on using REW to help a bit with placement of my mains (if they aren't placed right already) and to locate the sub in 1 of 2 spots.

    The AVR I am looking at has Audyssey XT in it, and I cannot afford the XT32 model (Onkyo 818 or 3009, 5009) so I was curious what the MiniDSP would be used to do....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited May 2012
    Hmmm, not intimately familiar with Audyssey, but from my understanding of it I would think that REW and Audyssey would be redundant.

    Thinking some more about it, I don't think you'd MiniDSP at all to measure with REW...
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
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  • ambiophonics
    ambiophonics Posts: 726
    edited May 2012
    I use miniDSP and miniAMBIO in my 2.1 setup and love it. I used a room measurement mic to help flatten out lower frequency response and sweeps to determine an appropriate x-over point between my mains and sub. All in all it's been simple to use and sounds great.
    2 Channel - Polk SDA-2BTL, Carver TFM-35, Peachtree iDAC, Qobuz streamed via Episode Lynk using bubble UPnP server
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited May 2012
    From reading the DIY boards, most seem to love it, some hate them. There has been a few bad units out there too, so it's best to run distortion sweeps before and after installing the unit.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited May 2012
    Have you checked all the resources on MiniDSP site?.http://www.minidsp.com/applications/auto-eq-with-rew http://www.hifizine.com/2010/09/subwoofer-equalization-and-integration-with-the-minidsp-2x4/

    I'm an enthusiastic 2x4 user but have yet to try the REW integration since it's currently serving duty as the midrange - tweeter crossover plus hi pass delay in 3 way.(A standard analog opamp based filter is used on the woofer.)

    I have access to an Audio Precision portable One analyzer so I did some noise and distortion measurements,both were quite respectable. I had expected the noise figures to be worse since the output of the DAC is only filtered by a single pole passive low pass filter.THD was <.02 as long as input drive voltage was kept below 2volts.(rev.B version).IMO adding a proper analog ouput buffer /low pass filter would make this an even better unit but as it is a very fun and powerful audio tool/toy.
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