Mini DSP questions

[D.rock]

All,

I am just starting to get into REW and will take some measurements this week. I have been reading and reading some more and would like some feedback on the MINI DSP. I know that there are a couple of different kinds. I am not sure which one to get "balanced 2x4" or "unbalanced 2x4".

My set up presently is onk 805 and CS 18.2 with Dayton amp (soon to be dual 18.2's powered by MQ-600 amp):D:D:D

At some point I will upgrade my onk 805 to something with Aud xt32 with sub eq, but until then wanted to get something to eq my room sub wise and I have heard very good things about the Mini DSP...

Interested in opinions.... and suggestions....

D rock

[tesseract]

Keep your eyes on these threads as USB mics start to take hold. This will lend greater user friendliness to Room EQ Wizard and filter suggestions for miniDSP.

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/spl-meters-mics-calibration-sound-cards/63440-new-dayton-audio-umm-6-usb-mic.html#axzz2EQYUlPD5

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/spl-meters-mics-calibration-sound-cards/63808-minidsp-umik-1-microphone.html#post571042

[Gorilla83]

All,

I am just starting to get into REW and will take some measurements this week. I have been reading and reading some more and would like some feedback on the MINI DSP. I know that there are a couple of different kinds. I am not sure which one to get "balanced 2x4" or "unbalanced 2x4".

My set up presently is onk 805 and CS 18.2 with Dayton amp (soon to be dual 18.2's powered by MQ-600 amp):D:D:D

At some point I will upgrade my onk 805 to something with Aud xt32 with sub eq, but until then wanted to get something to eq my room sub wise and I have heard very good things about the Mini DSP...

Interested in opinions.... and suggestions....

D rock

Rock - The balanced version will give you 2V RMS of output potential vs. the 0.9V RMS in the unbalanced model. The lower output might be ok with the dayton amp (Craig could confirm), but most pro amps will need more signal to acheive full rated power. The balanced is a little more work to setup/wire, but it's well worth it. Just my .02.

[D.rock]

Thanks for the input all.... I think I should go for the balanced as it will give me more options with pro amps. I am not sure what the 600 requires... so to be safe I think "balanced" is the way to go...

Also, does anyone have any feedback on how good they are...??

[D.rock]

I presently have the Radio Shack SPL meter but I am considering the mic from Mini DSP... Can I still measure my room with the radio shack meter or should I wait for the Mini DSP mic??

[sbdman]

D.rock,

I think your fine if the RS is working for you - there's always questions about calibration being correct (mktheater - even with a calibrated RS has moved on because of questions). I have a analog RS meter, and, not sure if more money will make any difference, other than confidence.

Looks like you have pretty much the same idea as I. the MQ600 only has balanced (XLR) connectors - monoprice, is your friend as usual. I've been impressed with the direction of the miniDSP company, and was looking forward to hearing more about running duals out of the 600.

I'm in one way shocked gorilla is selling his caps, but, despite some looking for 3-7 Hz extension, in my basic thoughts think he too, is on the right track. Is this blasphemy? I think somehow between super drivers, and capable drivers in affordable quantities with good DSP, the difference will fail a direct comparison.

And if REW can keep up with these usb mics, aka the miniDSP mic, any real gap will become moot. IMHO, YMMV, WICATOSTEW (wish I could afford tons of stuff to experiment with).

Picture of the bigger brother, 600 should look the same;


600 product info here.

[D.rock]

Sbdman,

I believe that there are correction tables for the RS meter. I just didn't know if the usb mic from DSP would be better as it is designed to work with the Mini DSP and REW....??? I think that I :):)"balanced Mini DSP" do a comparison. All of this of course when I have the time. Work is crazy for me...(a good thing these days)... Never the less I am a newbie at this stuff and truly appreciate any and all opinions on this matter... Sbdman.. Thank you

[sbdman]

All useful mics will have calibration files. My point with MK, was that he had his meter tested/checked, and even so, went to more accurate models that didn't need as much correction factor. HTS supplies the RS correction files dependent on model numbers. I'm sure the usb models like the Omni mic and miniDSP model are overall better, and probably will be easier to set up. REW will still give many a setup hurdle and accuracy on the equalizer optimization will not be simple either.

[tesseract]

Setup hurdles will be cleared with the new miniDSP mic. Calibration is done, no phantom power or sound card calibration needed.

Maybe I missed something, why would EQ optimization be complicated by REW, sbdman?

[dguarnaccia]

Keep your eyes on these threads as USB mics start to take hold. This will lend greater user friendliness to Room EQ Wizard and filter suggestions for miniDSP.

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/spl-meters-mics-calibration-sound-cards/63440-new-dayton-audio-umm-6-usb-mic.html#axzz2EQYUlPD5

http://www.hometheatershack.com/foru...tml#post571042

That is super interesting, but one thing I'm noticing is that all the USB mic's seem to have a really limited FR. Both of those Mic's only measure down to 15-18hz. I've been really thinking about getting the Omnimic kit since my XTZ mic went south (anotehr USB mic that could only measure down to 16hz). The Omnimic does seem to go down to 5hz acourding to the specs.

So the question is, is there something about these new mics or USB connectors that precludes them from measuring low freq's?

[sbdman]

Setup hurdles will be cleared with the new miniDSP mic. Calibration is done, no phantom power or sound card calibration needed.

Maybe I missed something, why would EQ optimization be complicated by REW, sbdman?

Depending on threshold set, and where you set the desired curve and level (including xover, and maybe a house curve), the built in optimization can produce too many filters. I'm not sure how it would also handle a system like miniDSP, or the DCX that can provide a L-T, so can't comment on that, but I think MKtheater went manual with his to cut out extra filters when adding the shelf filter to come up with the flat response he got for his 4 CS-18.2s? [He can check my recall on that - it is also on record at AVS.] I know it's a bit more than click the optimize button, and load what it gives you. Obviously, you need to set all the parameters like maximum boost/cut and keep the average to around unity. The first time I did it, I had way too many filters, and too much boost at a couple drop outs, and the result was not good at all. This was with the DSP-1124 which only has parametric filters, and nothing fancy. I made it try to do more than it should and be flatter than the room would allow. If I could put the sub in other places (can hear the wife's exclamations now), I'd have less for a need of an equalizer.

Obviously, I'm not an expert with REW, and quickly decided what I liked and what was flat was not that important to me. But I do think the miniDSP & usb mic and a more capable amp would make things a lot easier. The idea of a pre-loaded miniDSP to boost the ultra low end and cut maybe 50 Hz up sounds like a great starting point. Then just let Audyssey take over from there.

[tesseract]

That is super interesting, but one thing I'm noticing is that all the USB mic's seem to have a really limited FR. Both of those Mic's only measure down to 15-18hz. I've been really thinking about getting the Omnimic kit since my XTZ mic went south (anotehr USB mic that could only measure down to 16hz). The Omnimic does seem to go down to 5hz acourding to the specs.

The Dayton mic looks like it needs improvement according to the owner of Cross-Spectrum Labs.

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/spl-meters-mics-calibration-sound-cards/63440-new-dayton-audio-umm-6-usb-mic-2.html#post570294

The miniDSP mic shown here is down less than 1 dB @ 5 Hz.

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/spl-meters-mics-calibration-sound-cards/63808-minidsp-umik-1-microphone.html#post570791

So the question is, is there something about these new mics or USB connectors that precludes them from measuring low freq's?

I don't see anything, but am far from an expert on the matter.

[Gorilla83]

For what it's worth I really like the user interface with the minidsp. I use the balanced 2x4 version and it more than ample output for a pro amp. The only pain is the initial wiring since the unit uses Phoenix connectors instead of rca or Xlr which would be nice. If I had to do it again I would buy the kit and use my own enclosure - which I may do in the future anyway.

[D.rock]

Gorilla,

I looked at the Mini DSP website and saw the kit and box versions. I think it looks ok(box version), I am not sure about the cables I need to hook it up to the mq 600.... The box will sit on its own shelf in a tinted glass cabinet that is very dark so I guess the kit would be fine as well, just not as protected. I can get the proper cables from PE?

[sbdman]

I'm wondering if something like this would work - About $7 from http://www.projectorscreenstore.com/...6IN-43971.html;