# miniDSP Flex **URL:** \ **Category:** DACs and Digital\ **Tags:** eq, dsp, minidsp\ **Created:** [December 4, 2021, 9:00pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/minidsp-flex/15753 "2021-12-04T21:00:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![deafenears](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/deafenears/32/11409_2.png) [@deafenears](https://forum.headphones.com/u/deafenears)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2021, 9:00pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/minidsp-flex/15753/1 "2021-12-04T21:00:56Z")
The Flex are a new series of devices announced by miniDSP - a company that produces Digital Audio Signal Processors for the home theater, Hi-Fi systems, and headphone setups. ![Mws7IeUB20](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/d/7/d78db889e4ae711b2c192ae9823318ef4a799566.png) [https://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/flex](https://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/flex) Some may have already heard of some of their existing products - [UMIK-1](https://www.minidsp.com/products/acoustic-measurement/umik-1), [2x4HD](https://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/minidsp-2x4-hd), [SHD](https://www.minidsp.com/products/streaming-hd-series/shd), [EARS](https://www.minidsp.com/products/acoustic-measurement/ears-headphone-jig), etc. I have owned and used their 2x4HD in my home theather system mostly for level and phase matching of subs. The new [Flex](https://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/flex) seems to be a slim down version of the [Streaming HD / SHD series](https://www.minidsp.com/products/streaming-hd-series/shd), without the built-in streaming features & in a compact enclosure, and comes in 3 versions: - Unbalanced RCA - I believe this is an upgraded 2x4HD with 2 analog RCA inputs. - Balanced TRS (6.35mm aka. 1/4") - Digital - I think this replaces their discontinued nanoDIGI with multiple digital outputs. ![o3Nunhad8P](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/e/b/eb466ce082117296775d36e5fdb01c3aa420932e.png) It appears to use the same plugins as the 2x4HD providing an interface for configuring routing of your inputs to the available outputs as well as parametric EQ. Within the UI, you can save profiles of various configs and load/reload between the saved/configured profiles. There’s also the option of adding a DIRAC license for automated room correction. ![P3iWLhoAQO](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/3/5/35a922c8093660da819f3a8f8996cb93f26153ad.png) ![HZeQAB2DlU](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/a/2/a2866cd9d4358cfc9e03ee32c2b6f527426705ec.png) ![Zl30XzfyCK](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/f/f/ff2bffdb57deafe1ba050a7654de7eecbf80dd68.png) **Specifications** (slimmed down, see [https://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/flex](https://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/flex) for full) | | Unbalanced RCA | Balanced TRS | Digital | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | DSP Engine | Analog Devices Floating point DSP SHARC ADSP21489 @ 400MHZ | | | | I/O Configuration | 2 channels in / 4 channels out | | | | Digital Inputs | 1 x SPDIF on RCA connector 1 x OPTICAL on Toslink connector 1 x USB 1 x Bluetooth with support for: LDAC™/aptX™HD/aptX™/AAC/SBC | | | | Digital Outputs | 4 x Output channels | 4 x Output channels | 4 x Output channels SPDIF & TOSLINK (duplicated) | | Analog Inputs | 2 x Unbalanced RCA | 2 x Balanced TRS | 2 x Unbalanced RCA | | Analog Outputs | 4 x Unbalanced RCA | 4 x Balanced TRS | N/A | | Filtering Technology | FIR + IIR / Optional Dirac Live® 3.x | | | | Dimensions | 150x180x41 mm | | | | Power Supply | Included external switching PSU 12V/1.6A (US/UK/EU/AU plugs) | | | | Power Consumption | 9.0 W (idle) 2.5 W (standby) | 10.3 W (idle) 3.1 W (standby) | 7.5 W (idle) 2.5 W (standby) | | Pricing\* | USD475 | USD550 | NYD | \* At the time of writing * * * Example uses as per the diagram taken from the manual: ![VM9MLX9BYw](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/1/a/1ab5d6f6e309337945b843c7eeef697004f9e00c.png) For me personally, I’m interested in the Digital version so I could insert it into my headphone chain. That way, I can reuse my existing set up and have separate EQ presets/profiles for the headphones in my collection. It’s an alternative to EQing using Roon, for those without a Roon core. ASR has a couple of measurements for the SHD and 2x4HD for those interested. > **** > > [Minidsp SHD Review Updated (DSP, DAC & Streamer) | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum](https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/minidsp-shd-review-updated-dsp-dac-streamer.18681/) > [Review and Measurements and miniDSP 2x4 HD DSP and DAC | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum](https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-and-minidsp-2x4-hd-dsp-and-dac.2674/) ---
**Author:** ![AudioTool](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/audiotool/32/14289_2.png) [@AudioTool](https://forum.headphones.com/u/AudioTool)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2021, 10:09pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/minidsp-flex/15753/2 "2021-12-04T22:09:08Z")
Where did you get the info on the digital output version? I can’t find it on the miniDSP site. Looks like a replacement/upgrade to the 2x4 HD to me. Very cool. ---
**Author:** ![deafenears](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/deafenears/32/11409_2.png) [@deafenears](https://forum.headphones.com/u/deafenears)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2021, 10:28pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/minidsp-flex/15753/3 "2021-12-04T22:28:44Z")
From the manual: > **[miniDSP%20Flex%20User%20Manual.pdf](https://www.minidsp.com/images/documents/miniDSP%20Flex%20User%20Manual.pdf)** > > 4.71 MB It’s also mentioned all over the place, e.g. " \* Flexible Output versions: Unbalanced (RCA), Balanced (TRS), **Digital (Future)**" as well as in the “Specifications” tab. Also the product brief too: > **[Product%20Brief-Flex.pdf](https://minidsp.com/images/documents/Product%20Brief-Flex.pdf)** > > 820.95 KB ---
**Author:** ![BenMurray](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/benmurray/32/22340_2.png) [@BenMurray](https://forum.headphones.com/u/BenMurray)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2021, 7:45am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/minidsp-flex/15753/4 "2021-12-06T07:45:09Z")
This sounds really cool. I love the option of being able to use EQ with your existing headphone chain via the digital out to your DAC. ---
**Author:** ![deafenears](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/deafenears/32/11409_2.png) [@deafenears](https://forum.headphones.com/u/deafenears)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 10:57am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/minidsp-flex/15753/5 "2022-01-28T10:57:06Z")
Quick measurements and a tear down: > **[MiniDSP Flex | Maverick Audio Forum](https://www.maverickaudioforum.com/forum/active-speaker-dsp-processors/minidsp-flex)** > > Finally a decent looking DSP processor for 2 way active speakers released by MiniDSP. I’ll be testing one out next month. I‘ll let you guys know what I think. Specs are light years better than their previous offerings. > ... Sadly, 4th channel showing much higher distortion than the other 3. Hopefully bad/faulty unit. ---
**Author:** ![alexander\_de\_maet](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/alexander_de_maet/32/50627_2.png) [@alexander\_de\_maet](https://forum.headphones.com/u/alexander_de_maet)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2023, 2:07pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/minidsp-flex/15753/6 "2023-06-21T14:07:51Z")
My unit is working fine! I love it, and I tried to max the bass inside the PEQ interface and it really works (I mean the HD600 received so much bass). I am also using the minidsp flex digital as AD converter, so I can digitally connect my turntable to the Meier Audio Cordia Soul so I can benefit from the FF-architecture. And I am also planning to EQ my flourstanding speakers with the minidsp flex!