TOPIC:

I need help deciding what to replace my Helix DSP.3 with. My problem is that I ran out of usable channels since I want to install a 3 way comp front, coax rear channels and Subs in my 2017 Ram 1500 Crew Cab.

I'm trying to debate if I should go with a Helix DSP Pro MK II or buy the MiniDSP C-DSP 8x12 or C-DSP 8x12DL for my build.

What I'm using for a source unit if my factory radio that connected to a Pac Amp Pro that connected to the Helix DSP.3 via Toslink. I was wondering if the C-DSP 8x12 would allow me to use my factory volume knob over toslink or not?

Then I was wondering how well the DL software works when compared to manually tuning? Is the DL worth the extra $400 over the regular C-DSP 8x12? Is the C-DSP 8x12 worth it over the Helix DSP Pro MKII?

There is a few things to think about here.

You can do what you want with your existing DSP if you run the rears and subs in mono. If you just want the rears to add some sound for rear passengers than this can work well. If your wanting true differential rear fill then you will need more channels. But honestly... IMO it's not worth it.

Yes, any DSP including the miniDSP will maintain factory volume control through the PAC AmpPRO. That is a function of the AmpPRO - not the DSP.

The regular CDSP8x12 and Helix Pro mkII offer the same functionality but different UI. They are both what I call "traditional" DSPs offering EQ, Time Delay, Xovers, And level control. The Helix does give 30bands of PEQ compared to the Mini's 10 but many including me don't really think it is really necessary. You may want to stick with the Helix if your already familiar with the Helix UI. And the Helix offers a way nicer remote but at extra cost.

However, when it comes to the CDSP8x12DL: IMO Dirac Live goes beyond a "traditional" DSP. If you do a little research you'll find it can accomplish things that a traditional DSP can not. And, with proper implementation, it can produce a very good tune in much less time than a traditional DSP. Keep in mind, it will not fix installation or application shortcomings. But, with all else being equal, IMO it has the potential to achieve better results than with a traditional DSP.

Also, If you didn't know - the standard CDSP8x12 can be upgraded to the DL with just a firmware update. So you could get the standard 8x12 and use it for a while and then upgrade it to Dirac Live in the future when your ready. The upgrade cost $329 but also requires a UMIK-1 mic which is extra. The CDSP8x12DL includes the mic for the $899 price.

Hope this helps

I'm not using the Remote from the Helix and I didn't really plan on using the remote with the 8x12DL.

My problem is that the DSP sits behind on the rear wall of my truck behind the rear seat. I just want a solution that I don't have to replace the DSP ever again unless it goes out years down the road.

The DL does really interests me. Especially that it can correct most issues in the cab. I asked my installer about using channel 7 to mono the rear on the DSP.3 and he thinks that I can work, its not a very good idea though. I thought If I could get $300 to $400 for the DSP.3, the Pro MK II or the 8x12DL might be worth getting.

TBH, if your installer is not familiar with tuning with Dirac then I would suggest just use what he is familiar with.

Also, IMO it's worth it to at least try running the rears in mono to see if it satisfies you before dropping more coin just to get stereo rears.

He's familiar with the 8x12 v2 and how to tune it. He never turned the 8x12 before.

Does the 8x12DL have a center channel up mixer?

No, it does not.

How does DL actually work?

I believe I set the crossovers and time alignment. Then let the software do the EQing and phase correcting?

There a different ways to go about it and most experiment to see what works best in their scenario.

At minimum; xovers & levels need to be set. Then a 2ch Dirac optimization can do a pretty dang good job of the rest.

Entering delay by distance and doing some broad stroke EQ before optimizing can provide different results that may be better.

Some will set up a multichannel Dirac configuration where each driver get a channel of Dirac, take measurements & optimize to individual driver targets, load the filter file into the DSP so the delays based on impulse response can be obtained - then take those delays and plug them into the DSP plugin outputs, then reconfigure for a 2ch Dirac and re-optimize to a final target from there.

So, there isn't any one correct answer to how it will work best for any individual application without some experimentation. But I think the general consensus is - the more time spent correcting stuff before running Dirac the better the results will be after.

If you go with DL, I would personally advise against tuning the rears. You may do a 4/5 channel tune to get the delays, but DL will try to level out the fronts and rears and potentially cut the front levels to even everything out. After playing around with it for awhile, I did what rccotroneo described which is run a 3-channel tune (R/L/Sub), set the delays and levels based on that tune, and finally run a 2-channel tune. On my rears, I set the delays by measurement and the HP XO. I set the fader on my HU very front-biased and just let the rears add some “spaciousness.” That said, it’s critical to set the delays on the rears otherwise they can shift the image even though they’re quite attenuated