miniDSP Flex Eight audio processor

The Flex Eight is the latest member of the miniDSP Flex family of advanced audio processors. We’ve taken advantage of our flexible hardware architecture to cram a full eight channels of DSP and a world-class analog output stage into the compact enclosure.

With multiple digital inputs and eight unbalanced analog output channels, the miniDSP Flex Eight can implement active speakers up to stereo four-way. Flexible 2x8 signal routing supports many other configurations such as two-way, three-way and multiple subwoofers. As always, a full suite of miniDSP’s tried and proven audio processing functionality is included: FIR filters and parametric EQ on the input channels, and parametric EQ, crossovers, advanced biquad programming and delay on each output channel. 

The Flex Eight has USB audio, S/PDIF (RCA and optical) and Bluetooth (LDAC/aptX) stereo digital inputs. An OLED front panel display and volume control/encoder knob provides easy control. Last but not least, it is easily software-upgradable with Stereo Dirac Live® for full range correction (20~20kHz), the world’s premiere room correction system.

The miniDSP Flex Eight is the perfect solution for a modern compact integrated active speaker/subwoofer system. You just need to let your creativity do the rest!

Hardware Features

• Processor: 32-bit floating-point 400MHz Analog Devices SHARC DSP
• Multi-Core USB Audio processor (XMOS)
• Bluetooth streaming: LDAC™/aptX™ HD/aptX™/AAC/SBC
• Optional upgrade to Dirac Live® 3.x Digital Room Correction, Stereo Full Range Room Correction (20~20kHz)
• Audiophile performance with very low noise floor and distortion (SNR @128dB(A), THD+N @ -111dB (0.0003%)
• Inputs: Stereo digital (USB Audio/SPDIF/Optical/Bluetooth)
• Outputs: Unbalanced (RCA)
• White/Black OLED front panel controller with IR control
• Control and configuration by miniDSP Device Console (DC)

Product Downloads

• Product Brief - Flex Eight
• Flex Eight - User Manual
• Flex Eight Dirac Live - User Manual

What's in the box?

• Digital Audio Processor - Flex Eight
• IR remote v2
• 12V univeral power supply (UK/EU/US/AU plugs)
• USB cable  

Optional Items

• UMIK-1 or UMIK-2 Measurement microphone
• Dirac Live v3.x Upgrade for Stereo Full range correction (20~20kHz) / Must be selected in the shopping cart as an option. 
• Microphone tripod

NOTE: The UMIK-1/2 are measurement microphones approved by Dirac Research. Knowing the major effect a wrong calibration/measurement would have on the final results of Dirac Live tuning, we strongly recommend that you select a UMIK-1/2 microphone together with your platform for a plug&play experience leading to best results. Any issues related to 3rd party microphones such as ASIO/USB audio driver incompatibility/Latency problems or incorrect calibration process will not be under our support structure by our support team. 

Audio Precision APX555 measurements

 Here are few measurements of the Flex Eight (Digital IN, Unbalanced RCA out) for THD+N/SINAD/Dynamic Range & THD+N

miniDSP Device Console (DC)

Flex Eight leverages miniDSP Device Console (DC), our newest real time control interface. Stay tuned to our product page and manual for more details! 

Understanding LDAC™ Wireless audio

LDAC™ is Sony's High Quality wireless audio streaming and we at miniDSP thought it would be great to showcase its benefits. By nature, Bluetooth audio streaming is very convenient but it's not without its limitations and until recently has not been an audiophile experience. LDAC is a new CODEC enabling 3 x the data to improve your enjoyment. You can read more on the Sony LDAC™ page Sony LDAC™ page.

These pretty graphs are great but how about some measurements? We took some measurements with our Audio Precision APx555 to compare AAC Bluetooth with LDAC. Shown below are our measured results with a 24-bit 96 kHz source file with the following audio chain: LDAC/AAC in - > Flex - > Digital out to APX555. The lower distortion and noise of LDAC is clearly evident, with the SINAD metric being over 50 dB better! This translates in better audio performance for your wireless audio streaming. Not convinced by this graph? Have a listening trial and share with us your feedback!

Specifications