Headphones "sub" and DSP

I plan on building 2-way headphones, and want to cross the bass unit around 100hz with 24db or higher slope.

the easiest way to do so is using DSP but from what i understand DSP adds some delay, so my question is if that delay is even relevant to headphones case.
If it is, I would love to have recommendation for a variable active crossover.

cheers.
 
It depends on the DSP how much delay you get. A few milliseconds is typical and that is no problem for most uses. Musicians might prefer less delay.

A MiniDSP 2x4 will do what you want and is cheap and easy to use. A Sure Electronics AA-AP23122 will also work, offers more features but is more difficult to use. It requires a programmer and cabling to work.
 
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It depends on the DSP how much delay you get. A few milliseconds is typical and that is no problem for most uses. Musicians might prefer less delay.

A MiniDSP 2x4 will do what you want and is cheap and easy to use. A Sure Electronics AA-AP23122 will also work, offers more features but is more difficult to use. It requires a programmer and cabling to work.

I read that minidsp got hiss problems with high sensitivity drivers, also the quality bar is set somewhat high for this project so im trying to avoid compromises without killing my wallet.
Thinking of getting hypex FA122 to save me the trouble of getting another amp on the way (the high fr unit will be crossed with passive crossover)
your thoughts on the matter?
 
I read that minidsp got hiss problems with high sensitivity drivers..
Most Minidsp problems with noise are directly related to the power supply used, if the output is not pure DC, the PSU noise may show up in the in/out.
If the amp gain is too high, the full S/N ratio of the DSP won't be utilized (without blowing out your ears), which accounts for another load of "hiss" complaints.
Then there are amplifiers with noisy outputs even with the input stage turned down..
 
Thinking of getting hypex FA122 to save me the trouble of getting another amp on the way (the high fr unit will be crossed with passive crossover)
your thoughts on the matter?

Wait? You're powering a headphone with a 125W Class D amplifier? Sounds like a bit of overkill if you ask me..

Why do the rest passive? If you split the signal before the DSP, you will suffer from the aforementioned delay issues. You're sub will be delayed by several ms compared to the rest. That's probably not a good idea. I'd put everything though the DSP, so that delay on all channels will be the same.
 
Most Minidsp problems with noise are directly related to the power supply used, if the output is not pure DC, the PSU noise may show up in the in/out.
If the amp gain is too high, the full S/N ratio of the DSP won't be utilized (without blowing out your ears), which accounts for another load of "hiss" complaints.
Then there are amplifiers with noisy outputs even with the input stage turned down..
so the power supply that comes with the minidsp is no good?

4real
then is active crossover the solution if i want to keep the passive crossover?

zerokelvin99
the "sub" im referring to is another driver unit in the headphones dedicated to the bass, not a full size subwoofer
 
1)so the power supply that comes with the minidsp is no good?
2)then is active crossover the solution if i want to keep the passive crossover?
1) As far as I know, the miniDSP comes with no PSU, power is provided either through the USB connection or the 2.1mm DC power connector. You get what you pay for..
2) Not sure what you are asking- if using a passive crossover, you can get by with one amp channel per ear, but will likely still need DSP to get the desired response. Using separate amplifiers (bi-amping) for each transducer would eliminate the need for passive crossovers.

As far as amplifiers, they deliver voltage, the Hypex FA122 can produce about 24.5 volts-one watt into 600 ohms.

Using "little" amps that can produce the required voltage into the load would be more cost effective.

Depending on the transducer impedance, something like the Behringer HA-400 4-Channel Stereo Headphone Amplifier (approximately 40 mW into 100 Ohms), at only $25 might be adequate for the project. Mono bridging a pair of those amp channels would give you another 6dB headroom if more power was desired for the LF transducers.

Art
 

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1) As far as I know, the miniDSP comes with no PSU, power is provided either through the USB connection or the 2.1mm DC power connector. You get what you pay for..
2) Not sure what you are asking- if using a passive crossover, you can get by with one amp channel per ear, but will likely still need DSP to get the desired response. Using separate amplifiers (bi-amping) for each transducer would eliminate the need for passive crossovers.

As far as amplifiers, they deliver voltage, the Hypex FA122 can produce about 24.5 volts-one watt into 600 ohms.

Using "little" amps that can produce the required voltage into the load would be more cost effective.

Depending on the transducer impedance, something like the Behringer HA-400 4-Channel Stereo Headphone Amplifier (approximately 40 mW into 100 Ohms), at only $25 might be adequate for the project. Mono bridging a pair of those amp channels would give you another 6dB headroom if more power was desired for the LF transducers.

Art

I have already "perfected" a passive crossover design for my high fr unit and i dont want to start all over with DSP, i know it should be rather easy but i want to stick to what works and move on atm...
The design doesn't have the usual headphones driver impedance and sensitivity on either the high fr unit and might as well be the case for the low fr driver (the driver for low fr duties is not decided yet)
The 125W is an overkill for sure but it was a comfortable solution for me ,but the hypex is out of question due to the DSP delay, which is why i asked if an active crossover which as far as i know doesn't add delay is my best option, as for the response problem i can take care of using both passive and active crossover at the worst case.

i just want to know what method and if possible specific product within this method will do the best job for that lowpass task without spending thousands
thats all.
 
i just want to know what method and if possible specific product within this method will do the best job for that lowpass task without spending thousands
thats all.
Minidsp has products that will do what you want at affordable cost.

To do what you want, first you need to understand more about filters and thier relationship to time and phase.
This might help you get started:

FIR vs IIR filtering

Good luck, be careful with your hearing!

Art