miniDSP Flex Eight (with Dirac Live)¶
Product Overview¶
The miniDSP Flex Eight (DL) is a compact stereo-input, 8-channel output high-resolution audio processor featuring Dirac Live®, the world’s premier room correction solution. It has two digital audio inputs (SPDIF and optical), USB audio and high-quality Bluetooth audio with LDAC™ and aptX™ HD codecs.
In addition to Dirac Live, the Flex Eight includes our powerful audio processing functionality on each output channel. With eight outputs available, the flexible input-output routing matrix enables a wide range of audio processing applications ranging from simple stereo playback through subwoofer integration to advanced configurations of active speakers combined with multi-sub control, all enhanced by stereo Dirac Live® room correction in a single compact unit.
Audiophile-grade distortion and noise performance and a front panel OLED display and encoder for easy user control round out this compact, affordable package.
Note
DISCLAIMER/WARNING¶
miniDSP cannot be held responsible for any damage that may result from the improper use or incorrect configuration of this product. Please read this manual carefully to ensure that you fully understand how to operate and use this product, as incorrect use or use beyond the parameters and ways recommended in this manual have the potential to cause damage to your audio system.
Please also note that many of the questions we receive at the technical support department are already answered in this User Manual and in the online application notes on the miniDSP.com website. So please take the time to carefully read this user manual and the online technical documentation. And if an issue arises with your unit, please read through the Troubleshooting section first. Thank you for your understanding!
WARRANTY TERMS¶
miniDSP Ltd warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the invoice date. Our warranty does not cover failure of the product due to incorrect connection or installation, improper or undocumented use, unauthorized servicing, modification or alteration of the unit in any way, or any usage outside of that recommended in this manual. If in doubt, contact miniDSP prior to use.
Typical applications¶
The miniDSP Flex Eight (DL) is ideal for compact active speakers, up to stereo four-way. Any outputs that are not used for the speaker can be used for independent subwoofers.
Figure 1 shows the miniDSP Flex Eight (DL) used as an active crossover with a subwoofer integrated and stereo (two-channel) Dirac Live room correction. With multiple digital inputs including Bluetooth audio streaming, this is a very cost-effective way to build a modern active speaker system.
The Flex Eight doesn't have to be used for active speakers! Figure 2 illustrates a system using regular passive speakers, that takes advantage of the number of available outputs to integrate four subwoofers.
With this many subwoofers, a simple approach to integrate is to just time-align all subwoofers and speakers based on their distance to the listening position. More sophisticated approaches take advantage of the DSP power built into the Flex Eight – see the app note Tuning multiple subwoofers with miniDSP for an introduction.
Dirac Live room correction¶
The miniDSP Flex Eight (with Dirac Live) executes stereo (two-channel) Dirac Live® digital room correction, from Dirac Research. Dirac Live's mixed-phase filtering technology will improve the imaging of your system, minimize the effects of room modes and resonances, and improve dynamics and clarity.
To accomplish this, the Dirac Live software steps you through the procedure for taking measurements around your listening area. It employs a sophisticated analysis algorithm to make the optimal correction across the whole listening area, not just at a single point. You have full control over the target frequency response. Measurements are taken with the miniDSP UMIK-1 or UMIK-2 calibrated acoustic measurement microphone.
In addition to correcting magnitude response, Dirac Live® corrects the system's impulse response, which reflects how the system responds to a sharp transient such as a drumbeat. Reflections, diffraction, resonances, misaligned drivers, and so on, all combine to smear out the transient. Impulse response correction is a critical factor for accurate sound-staging, clarity and bass reproduction.
Specifications¶
The full specifications are available in the datasheet at the following link: