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I got a MiniDSP back in February, since I wanted to try building an OB speaker (the thread is somewhere else, I haven't worked at all on it... yet).
Anyway, since the DSP was collecting dust, I thought it'd be nice if I could start learning how to use it. So, I changed my main speakers and placed a pair of mini-monitors (using the Dayton Neo 4" woofer and a Monitor Audio 1" C-CAM gold anodized tweeter) and a pretty big Tempest 15" sealed sub (remember those? Mine is still going strong after all these years!).
I approached the MiniDSP with curiosity. I did know it was a 2 way x-over with filter capabilities. So I wasn't exactly sure as to what to expect.
The bottom line is - I'm sold. Although going back to passives is a given, the stuff I'll keep will definitely be active, or at least an active-passive hybrid.
Going to the MiniDSP is like breaking free of many things I hated about passive crossover design. I'll try to talk about these issues related to my experience.
1) EQ'ing the input. I *loved* this option. I've always wondered about power response shapes. By EQ'ing the input, I can at least give myself an idea about how power response, on axis frequency response and "house" curves sound, and more importantly, sound in my room. I can tweak them in an instant, by activating different EQ profiles. I can zero in on whatever frequency is bothering me and then double check the results with an MLS. Now, instead of tweaking components or bringing my old EQ from my attic I can make changes on the fly and learn immediately. Amazing.
2) Filters. Oh man. I know why I hated subs now - their onboard filters suck. I set up an 80Hz L-R 2nd order on my speakers and sub - nice, but what about 70? Done. 60? Done. 120? Done, done, done. Quick, easy, painless. No more guess work. No more fiddling with a "subwoofer frequency" pot, which is pretty similar to being a blind guy piloting an airplane with a guy yelling you "higher! no, lower! higher!". Once again, I can't imagine integrating a sub without a MiniDSP now. Which brings me to...
3) Adjustable delays. So... how useful can a phase switch be? Turns out, not much. I just measured the distance between the sub and my mains, entered it into the delay field, and my RTA showed a perfectly summed signal. I inverted polarity and got a slight null. Simple, fast, and useful.
4) Channel EQ. Once I got my sub set up, I noticed room modes around 50 Hz or so, and a loss of power at 20 Hz. So dialed in some peak EQ at -6 dB and boost on the extreme lower end. I was rewarded with the flattest bass I've measured in my room. I saved my configuration, unplugged my laptop and enjoyed the music.
All this from a simple, small, unassuming black box.
I'm getting a second one (If) when I finally build my OB speakers, I want a separate filter for the woofer, subwoofer and mids / highs, so I'll need two. And they'll probably be the best $250 I've ever spent on a crossover. FAR better than any passive elements I could get for that price, that's for sure!
Anyway, since the DSP was collecting dust, I thought it'd be nice if I could start learning how to use it. So, I changed my main speakers and placed a pair of mini-monitors (using the Dayton Neo 4" woofer and a Monitor Audio 1" C-CAM gold anodized tweeter) and a pretty big Tempest 15" sealed sub (remember those? Mine is still going strong after all these years!).
I approached the MiniDSP with curiosity. I did know it was a 2 way x-over with filter capabilities. So I wasn't exactly sure as to what to expect.
The bottom line is - I'm sold. Although going back to passives is a given, the stuff I'll keep will definitely be active, or at least an active-passive hybrid.
Going to the MiniDSP is like breaking free of many things I hated about passive crossover design. I'll try to talk about these issues related to my experience.
1) EQ'ing the input. I *loved* this option. I've always wondered about power response shapes. By EQ'ing the input, I can at least give myself an idea about how power response, on axis frequency response and "house" curves sound, and more importantly, sound in my room. I can tweak them in an instant, by activating different EQ profiles. I can zero in on whatever frequency is bothering me and then double check the results with an MLS. Now, instead of tweaking components or bringing my old EQ from my attic I can make changes on the fly and learn immediately. Amazing.
2) Filters. Oh man. I know why I hated subs now - their onboard filters suck. I set up an 80Hz L-R 2nd order on my speakers and sub - nice, but what about 70? Done. 60? Done. 120? Done, done, done. Quick, easy, painless. No more guess work. No more fiddling with a "subwoofer frequency" pot, which is pretty similar to being a blind guy piloting an airplane with a guy yelling you "higher! no, lower! higher!". Once again, I can't imagine integrating a sub without a MiniDSP now. Which brings me to...
3) Adjustable delays. So... how useful can a phase switch be? Turns out, not much. I just measured the distance between the sub and my mains, entered it into the delay field, and my RTA showed a perfectly summed signal. I inverted polarity and got a slight null. Simple, fast, and useful.
4) Channel EQ. Once I got my sub set up, I noticed room modes around 50 Hz or so, and a loss of power at 20 Hz. So dialed in some peak EQ at -6 dB and boost on the extreme lower end. I was rewarded with the flattest bass I've measured in my room. I saved my configuration, unplugged my laptop and enjoyed the music.
All this from a simple, small, unassuming black box.
I'm getting a second one (If) when I finally build my OB speakers, I want a separate filter for the woofer, subwoofer and mids / highs, so I'll need two. And they'll probably be the best $250 I've ever spent on a crossover. FAR better than any passive elements I could get for that price, that's for sure!
Although I'm pretty simple, I just use the EQ in WinAmp or Windows Media player. But it makes it a very quick task to narrow in on a problem frequency, or see how changes in BSC would sound.
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