Trying to figure out a way to replace the very old and half busted passive crossovers of my beloved speakers (ESS AMT 1a, late 70s).

There are no local solutions for my problem. No trustworthy repair shops, no parts, no way.
Am turning, completely blind, to the active crossover alternative. MAYBE, a huge one, i can buy an active crossover locally. Options are limited.
Then, trying to educate myself on this new to me territory, i found the MiniDSP that can perform as an Active Crossover, i understand.

Don’t expect nothing fancy at this point, just to get my speakers up and running more or less balanced.

Any MiniDSP users that can shine a light on the subject?
Trying to avoid buying a used unit as i understand you must register right after purchase and will be allowed to download a SINGLE plugin for your intended purpose.

Thanks.

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Never used one, but looking at the manual for the 2x4 HD, it seems you download the software that allows you to set it up using a computer. Once it’s setup, you don’t need the computer again until you want to change the setup. It seems to me you can change it as many times as you want.

So what is your actual problem with your crossover?
I know you have eluded to this before, just curious.
I haven't used the MiniDSP but as I understand it you need a calibrated mike, Room EQ software (free) and primarily works in the lower frequency range.
I could be wrong in my analysis but this is my understanding.

My xovers are in very poor shape but currently working. The sound produced by both speakers is not even close to one another.

It’s impossible to get parts locally so some sort of third option is required. I know less than nothing about active crossovers.

What i understand from the MiniDSP Manual is that once you buy it you must register it and redeem a code that will let you ONCE download a SINGLE plugin (better know what you plan to do with it in advance).

Being an Active Xover is one of the many features of the device. If i managa to get one, i better know which plugin to download and eventually how to set it up to work as a stereo xover.

This one time download opportunity is puzzling and pretty reduces the proclaimed versatility of the device to nill. I just want an active xover to replace my likely unrepairable passive ones.

Been reading ESS speakers threads for years and they all agree the xovers are very particular and their measurements hardly ever show similar values.

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I am not sure any licensing is needed unless you are integrating with a Dirac enabled system.

My understanding as I mentioned above is you use a mic to measure response, record the curve, make adjustments by location/placement of the sub and/or x-over point adjustment or the other actual frequency adjustments including timing/phase or otherwise.

The minidsp is mainly a low frequency tool and not a whole spectrum active crossover, I believe.

You could also just get the mic like the UMIK models and download the free REV software to see what you response actually is.
Then how you make the changes to fix/correct any room issues will then have to be determines.
It may be something else than the crossover.
Perhaps just an equalizer, maybe something else, don't know.
Good Luck.

You need a mic to do room calibrations and such. You don’t need a mic to replicate your passive crossovers. You use the software to set the high pass slope and frequency for the MiniDSP’s outputs connected to the amp connected to the tweeters and the low pass slope and frequency for the MiniDSP’s outputs connected to the amp connected to the woofers. Link to Crossover section of manual

Of course, you’ll need two 2-channel amps. You’ll be biamping your speakers and using the minidsp 2x4 as your crossover. You’ll disconnect the speaker’s drivers from their passive crossovers and connect them directly to speaker wire jacks; four pairs, one pair for each tweeter and on pair for each woofer.

I don’t see where the manual says you can only configure it once: MiniDSP 2x4 Manual. The plugin is for the software that lets you set it up. You have to grab the correct plugin for the model you buy. If you select the right plugin, you can use the software to configure the model you bought as many times as you want. That’s the way I read it.

Again, I’ve never used one. This digital signal processing is amazing. I used analog active crossovers years ago with car audio, but the DSP stuff is on another level.

^^^^^^^ Trapper, what you said is EXACTLY what i want to do. Nothing else, nothing more. Just replace my passives.

I do have the additional power amps.

What i mean, and might not be clear enough, is that they only let you download, once, a SINGLE plugin from the list of available ones.
You don’t get free access to their library as a registered customer but to pick oneout of many plugins.

Each plugin is versatile and can do many things. But you get to pick one, once. Unless i misunderstood.

PS: This is extracted from the Manual

2.1 DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL THE PLUGIN When your order ships, your ordered plugin (or plugins) will be available from the User Downloads section of the miniDSP website. This link is visible from the dropdown menu at the top right of the website page. You will need to be logged into the site with the account you created when purchasing:
The bitter comment about being unable to download other olugins i might gave oicked from the thread where i learned about the MiniDSP and started searching info to see if ut would suit me, That thread was about Active Crossovers, DBX and other brands. Large professional devices.



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Go to this link: Link. There’s a drop down list of available plugins. The plugins are device specific. If you have a MiniDSP 2x4 HD, the manual says:

“Select the Plugin Group miniDSP 2x4 HD1 from the dropdown menu and enter your coupon's code. Click the Validate button.”

It’s only one that works with that device and the only one owners of the device need. The other ones are for different devices they sell and won’t work for the device you are looking at. It’s like a printer driver. You get the driver for the printer you have.

The plugin is so the software knows what particular device you have and how to work with it. In other words, the plugin won’t change the features and capabilities of the device, rather it lets the software know what the device’s features and capabilities are.

That’s the way I’m reading it, but I could be wrong.

Well, you clarified a lot for me already.

I dl the manual for the MiniDSP 2x4 and the stripped version (caseless) named MiniDSP Kit.
The manual says there are 8 plugins, depending on intended use. Each plugin has different and multiple uses.

Anyhow, the damned thingy is not even available diwn here. Another dead end. Even searched neigboring countries.
There is ONE, second hand at the local flavor of eBay but it has been modded. The plugin is not mentioned by the seller but if it has been modded it is also very likely already registered. Too many red flags for my taste.

will keep looking. We agree, you and I , that it has (among other features), the one i need. It could be a solution for my problem.

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