DSPeaker Anti-Mode X4 2020 Black

DSPeaker Anti-Mode X4

Audiophile DAC, Preamp, Room/Speaker Calibration and Correction with measurement microphone

Brand New. Never been used.

Opened for pictures

Speaker-room interaction is typically the most important performance-limiting factor of any high-end audio system. Every listening space introduces errors that can be in the magnitude of dozen decibels or even more. These errors are most pronounced at the bass and lower midrange regions, where the classic acoustic treatment loses its effectiveness.

The new DSPeaker Anti-Mode X4TM preamplifier/DAC combines an uncompromising selection of audio electronics with more than a decade of expertise in acoustics and signal processing. It was designed with one purpose in mind: to elevate to a new high what is possible in stereo sound reproduction in the domestic environment.

The idea of the industry-leading automated Anti-ModeTMroom calibration is simple: to make the loudspeakers and subwoofers work together with the room acoustics, instead of clashing against it, in order to produce the best possible sound. The benefits of the Anti-Mode correction include vastly improved clarity, tighter and deeper bass reproduction, the absence of unwanted "boominess", and seamless integration of the main speakers and subwoofers.

The installation procedure is automated. Anyone can achieve superb results without any prior expertise or knowledge. After a brief calibration process Anti-Mode knows your listening space in great detail and designs custom filters required for your unique space. You may be very surprised to hear what your loudspeakers can do!

The Anti-Mode X4 covers a wide variety of use scenarios, ranging from the traditional "2.0" two-speaker configuration to more exotic installations featuring a number of subwoofers with multiple listening seat optimizations. The best cross-over frequency is automatically determined for speakers and subs.

In addition to the automatic correction, the user has full reign over extensive tone controls and custom filters. The preferred sound signature can be altered even in real-time, from the convenience of your listening seat. Different settings can be stored in memory for a quick recall at any time. Most functions can be accessed with the supplied full-aluminum remote or using the control wheel located at the front panel.

A modern, easy-to-use graphical user interface is provided. Room response graphs can be inspected in full detail without the need to resort to personal computers or other additional equipment. A built-in graphic design tool is included for all types of sound enhancements.

Three high-end stereo digital-to-analog converters (DACs) are driving the primary, auxiliary, and headphone outputs. Combined with output range control and picking the best converters using an IC tester, the XLR outputs reach 126dB dynamic range and less than 0.0008% total harmonic distortion. Both primary and auxiliary outputs are active simultaneously for speakers and subs, available in both XLR and RCA. The signal of the primary output is also provided as optical and coaxial SPDIF.

The headphone output is available for night-time listening and when you don’t want to disturb your household or neighbors. Headphone mode features a proprietary auralization technique which can make many recordings sound more natural and reduce listening fatigue.

Input connections are plentiful. The two stereo RCA and one stereo XLR analog inputs provide SNR+THD of -104dB. Whatever audio source you connect, the input range control selection allows you to gain full performance. Total of six SPDIF inputs and the USB Audio 2.0 input support up to 192kHz and DSD64 / DSD128 (on USB).

Power consumption in stand-by mode is mere 0.5W which helps saving both money and the environment.

You can choose between black/grey and silver/black enclosures to seamlessly integrate the Anti-Mode X4 into your home system.

•  review (in Finnish) from:   .
  
•  review (in Finnish):
  "A single box, many fine talents"
• The Finnish magazine specialized in audio, , tested DSPeaker Anti-Mode X4 (in Finnish)

• Kalman Rubinson reviews Anti-Mode X4 in  
  "I'm happy to tell you that DSPeaker's Anti-Mode X4 is great just as it is, and will appeal to user needs that until now have not been addressed. This is a first-rate two-channel preamplifier with flexible bass management and potent DSP for setup and room EQ. It requires no additional parts or a computer— everything is already built-in or is supplied by DSPeaker. Even better, it requires no additional technical background"
• Tom Mallin gives an overview of Anti-Mode X4 when used with digital in and digital out configuration: .

•  overview of  (in )

•  tests Anti-Mode X4 in their 03/2019 issue - read here:  (German).
  
  • "Klanglich spielt der Anti-Mode X4 in seiner Funktion als Vorstufe/DAC auf extrem hohem Niveau und ist schon rein aus diesem Aspekt eine echtes Highlight. Gepaart mit der Raumkorrektur ist der DSPeaker eine absolute Sensation!"
  • "Tonally the Anti-Mode X4 performs as Pre-amplifier / DAC at an extremely high level and is purely from this point of view a real Highlight. Paired with the room correction the DSPeaker is an absolute sensation!"
•  review March 20th 2019 -  (in )
•  preview July 22th 2017 -  (in )  

• Hifi.nl  (in ).

•  tests Anti-Mode X4:  (in )
  • "¿La música? Mucho más llena, mucho más clara, con graves rápidos y ágiles: el mismo equipo parece otro."

• 1 x VS1205 (GUI & Firmware update USB)
• 6 x VS1205 (Audio Inputs, processing)
• 3 x High-Quality DAC (pre-selected), 3 x High-Quality ADC

• Anti-Mode 3.0 room calibration algorithm
• Automatic cross-over frequency optimization (US Pat. 9,955,261)
• Extensive tone controls and user-defined parametric equalizers
  • Anti-Mode 3.0 Multi-Rate (FIR & IIR)
  • House Curve, Linear-Phase Tilt, Parametric EQs
  • Adjustable Infrasonic
  • Adjustable cross-over

• 2x stereo RCA, 1x stereo XLR input
• 3x optical and 3x coaxial inputs (up to stereo 192kHz with coaxial)
• USB Audio 2.0 input (192kHz PCM, DSD64 and DSD128 by DSD over PCM)
• Primary Output: stereo RCA, stereo XLR, Optical Toslink, and Coaxial S/PDIF
• Auxiliary Output: stereo RCA and stereo XLR
• Microphone input, Headphone output
• Control wheel with a button, IR Remote

• Primary XLR: Dynamic Range: 126 dB, Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.0008%
• Analog Input, XLR, SNR+THD: -104dB
• Frequency Response: 20...20000Hz ±0.08dB
• Input Voltage max RCA: 2.5 / 4.4 / 6.2 Vrms, XLR: 2.6 / 5.2 / 12.4 Vrms
• Output Voltage max RCA: 3.2 / 6.4 Vrms, XLR: 6.4 / 14.0 Vrms
• Power consumption: 25W, stand-by: < 0.5W

• Unit dimensions: 436mm x 70mm x 295mm
• Unit weight: 4.5kg
• Color options: Black or Silver front plate

Owner's manual is available here:  (in English),  (German),  (in Dutch), ,(in Finnish).

Product brief available here:  (in English).

The older Windows operating systems do not come with an USB Audio 2.0 driver that would work with DSPeaker Anti-Mode X4. With this driver you get data rates high enough for DSD over PCM (D64 and D128) and higher than 96kHz samplerates, or you can use "Legacy USB", see below. New Windows versions may support Anti-Mode X4 with their default driver.

If you are not using Windows or your PC does not work with Anti-Mode X4, setting Anti-Mode X4 to "Legacy USB" mode (from the Input menu) allows you to use Anti-Mode X4 as USB Audio 1.0 device with a sample rate up to 96kHz. The same fallback to USB Audio 1.0 happens automatically if the USB cable is of poor quality.

Note: you need to extract the FIRMWARE.X4 file from the zip package and have that on the root directory of the USB memory stick formatted as the FAT filesystem (FAT32 or FAT16).

 A version for the new . Long press of control wheel engages Mute (after a while in Mute enters stand-by mode). Small change to SPDIF bit-depth reporting.

• Android version: 
• iOS version:  .
• To establish a connection between the mobile device and the Anti-Mode X4, first enable Bluetooth by navigating to System menu with the IR remote or the control wheel. Make sure that the menu item named "Bluetooth" is set to "On". You can now close the menu and return to home screen. A striped cone-shaped "network" icon is displayed at the status bar near the bottom right corner when Bluetooth is ready to connect.
• Similarly, please make sure that Bluetooth is enabled in your mobile device's settings. Please refer to the user manual supplied with the mobile device for further information.
• After installing and launching the app, the mobile device should be able to discover the Anti-Mode and connect with it.
• Tips: if the synchronization process does not seem to progress, you can reset the Bluetooth connection by entering the Main Menu in the Anti-Mode X4, return to home screen, and try again. Please note that Bluetooth connection is only active at the home screen.
• The Bluetooth enable setting can be saved by entering standby mode using the IR remote once. After this the Bluetooth will be enabled by default next time the device is powered up.

 A version for the new . Long press of control wheel engages Mute (after a while in Mute enters stand-by mode).

 This is a BlueTooth-enabled version to be used with . Fixes rare audio glitches.

 This is a BlueTooth-enabled version to be used with . German localization. Changes to input trim implementation. "Max Default Volume" feature.

 Fixes to 0.4 subfoower mode and Dual Mono. This is a BlueTooth-enabled version to be used with .