M-Audio vs. Lexicon Pro USB Audio Interface

[caraudiofan21]

I'm looking for an USB audio interface for tuning FR, TA, and XO settings. Which one of the following would be a better choice?

On paper, it appears that the Lexicon Pro Lambda is better than the M-Audio Mobilepre for just $20 more. The next step up is the Fast Track Pro (listed below), and the Lexicon Pro Omega, which I didn't include because it requires external power supply - not practical for in-car measurements.

M-AUDIO MOBILEPRE ($115)
Inputs, XLR Mic:
frequency response: +/-0.8 dB, 20Hz to 20kHz
signal-to-noise ratio: -88dB, A-weighted
dynamic range: 88dB, A-weighted
THD: 0.013% (-78 dB) @ -1dBFS, 1kHz
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...eUSB-main.html

LEXICON PRO LAMBDA ($135)
Microphone Inputs: (2) Female XLR Pin 2 Hot
Input Impedance: 600 Ohms balanced
GAIN: +50 dB
EIN: -120 dB A-weighted @ 50dB gain (150 Ohm source impedance)
Maximum Input Level: +18 dBu
Frequency Response: +0, -0.2 dB 20 Hz - 20 kHz, ref. 1 kHz
THD+N: <.005%, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Dynamic Range: A/D (24 Bit) 96 dB typical, A-weighted, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
D/A (24 Bit) 100 dB typical, A-weighted, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
A/D/A (24 Bit) 95 dB typical, A-weighted, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
http://www.lexiconpro.com/ProductIndex.aspx?ProductID=8

M-AUDIO FAST TRACK PRO ($167)
Input Impedance 2.7k Ohms unbalanced, 5.4k Ohms balanced
Maximum Input Level from +24dBu @ min gain, pad on to -40dBu @ max gain, no pad
Channel-to-Channel Crosstalk < -110dB
SNR -101dB, A-weighted
Dynamic Range 101dB, A-weighted
THD+N 0.005% (-86dB) @ -1dBFS, 1kHz
Frequency Response 20Hz to 20kHz, +/- 0.1dB
Pre-amp Gain >40dB
Pad -20dB pad
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...kPro-main.html

[Ge0]

Originally Posted by caraudiofan21

I'm looking for an USB audio interface for tuning FR, TA, and XO settings. Which one of the following would be a better choice?

On paper, it appears that the Lexicon Pro Lambda is better than the M-Audio Mobilepre for just $20 more. The next step up is the Fast Track Pro (listed below), and the Lexicon Pro Omega, which I didn't include because it requires external power supply - not practical for in-car measurements.

M-AUDIO MOBILEPRE ($115)
Inputs, XLR Mic:
frequency response: +/-0.8 dB, 20Hz to 20kHz
signal-to-noise ratio: -88dB, A-weighted
dynamic range: 88dB, A-weighted
THD: 0.013% (-78 dB) @ -1dBFS, 1kHz
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...eUSB-main.html

LEXICON PRO LAMBDA ($135)
Microphone Inputs: (2) Female XLR Pin 2 Hot
Input Impedance: 600 Ohms balanced
GAIN: +50 dB
EIN: -120 dB A-weighted @ 50dB gain (150 Ohm source impedance)
Maximum Input Level: +18 dBu
Frequency Response: +0, -0.2 dB 20 Hz - 20 kHz, ref. 1 kHz
THD+N: <.005%, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Dynamic Range: A/D (24 Bit) 96 dB typical, A-weighted, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
D/A (24 Bit) 100 dB typical, A-weighted, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
A/D/A (24 Bit) 95 dB typical, A-weighted, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
http://www.lexiconpro.com/ProductIndex.aspx?ProductID=8

M-AUDIO FAST TRACK PRO ($167)
Input Impedance 2.7k Ohms unbalanced, 5.4k Ohms balanced
Maximum Input Level from +24dBu @ min gain, pad on to -40dBu @ max gain, no pad
Channel-to-Channel Crosstalk < -110dB
SNR -101dB, A-weighted
Dynamic Range 101dB, A-weighted
THD+N 0.005% (-86dB) @ -1dBFS, 1kHz
Frequency Response 20Hz to 20kHz, +/- 0.1dB
Pre-amp Gain >40dB
Pad -20dB pad
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...kPro-main.html

May I assume you'll be using some 3rd party software solution for EQ, XO, T/A? None of the sound card solutions you mentioned will give you this. Come to think of it, none of them have enough outputs to split up your audio signal for XO and T/A duties. You'll need a sound card with multiple outputs.

I use a Edirol FA-101 for this duty. You may not need something this elaborate, but, gives you an idea what is required. I need 9 outputs to complete my system.

What are you trying to do at a higher level?

Ge0

[caraudiofan21]

Yes, I'll be using some 3rd party software but haven't figured out which one I should use yet (there are so many of them!) I'm planning to use this PC setup to find the optimum (on paper) FR, T/A, EQ and XO setting for me to use as a start for tuning (and to assist) my in-car 2-way active + sub setup.

Could you elaborate on outputs needed to split up audio signal for xo & t/a (or point me to where I can learn more about that) ?

[Ge0]

Originally Posted by caraudiofan21

Yes, I'll be using some 3rd party software but haven't figured out which one I should use yet (there are so many of them!) I'm planning to use this PC setup to find the optimum (on paper) FR, T/A, EQ and XO setting for me to use as a start for tuning (and to assist) my in-car 2-way active + sub setup.

Could you elaborate on outputs needed to split up audio signal for xo & t/a (or point me to where I can learn more about that) ?

I suggest you keep reading through this forum. It doesn't appear you are ready to implement this system if you don't understand the requirements.

You may have 2 channels in, but, you'll need to split the signal into one output (and amp channel) per speaker to accomplish your goal.

Ge0

[caraudiofan21]

Are you referring to the 2-way active setup or the pc-measurement setup? My 2-way active setup is done and I'm looking for the right equipment to assist with further tuning beyond my HU (880PRS) auto eq and the shack meter. I was planning to follow npdang's pc-based measurement setup guide for FR and impulse response measurements and wanted to pick the equipments that will help with more sophisticated tuning needs in the future.

Would love to learn more about how you wired up your system to the Edirol for measurement though and why you chose that as your audio interface.

[caraudiofan21]

bump. can someone comment on these audio interfaces? which would work best for pc based RTA/impulse response measurements?

[BMWturbo]

I'd like peoples thoughts on this also.

I think Ge0 has missread your query. I believe you are chasing an external Pre-amp with better capabilites then the internal sounds card on your PC/laptop.

I have been using the internal card on my laptop with some success, but have decided to chase a USB powered device that can allow me to take FR etc and process them through the USB rather then the internal sound card.

I'm certain the MobilePre will allow FR measurements, I'm slightly confused as to how to generate the right channel loop back for the impulse response measurements though, and want to calrify this before purchasing.

This will be a TUNING tool only.

[felix509]

Any of those would be fine, in my opinion.. I have been using a M-Audio Firewire solo and WinMLS 2000 on my laptop.

One stereo output, Low latency, and a mic preamp are pretty much the requirements... I suppose ASIO support might be required by some software also, not sure?? Most of the pro type cards have ASIO support anyway..

NPDANG put together the forum free set up using an M-Audio transit. a Transit can be bought for ~$70 on ebay..


and just in case you have not seen this thread --- TUNING using PC measurement

[Ge0]

Yes, I did misread the OP's original intent. He was discussing setting X/O, T/A, EQ, etc... with a computer and audio interface. I automatically assumed he was trying to process audio data.

If you are just trying to measure then a mobile-pre with just about any reasonably flat mic will work. Grab yourself a free copy of ARTA or Room EQ Wizard and go to town!!!

Ge0

[LauZaIM]

M-Audio makes great stuff. I have their Transit USB for my laptop and it sounds perfect. I think there was a frequency response graph of it somewhere that was dead flat the entire spectrum, even up in the high kilohertz where many wobble. If all your doing is measuring with a mic then all you need is the Transit. It has 16/24bit 48/96Khz as well as ASIO support.

[michaelsil1]

What operating system are you using?

M-Audio has Driver issues with Vista; I'm not sure about the others.

[LauZaIM]

I'm using Vista and it works as long as you read the direction on their site.

[michaelsil1]

Originally Posted by LauZaIM

I'm using Vista and it works as long as you read the direction on their site.

Have you tried following their directions and did it work?

[LauZaIM]

I've already stated that in the quote you took of me. Yes it works. Yes I used their directions to get it to work. This is with the Transit USB mind you...not the mobile pre.

[felix509]

If using the transit you would most likely need a mic preamp also....

Originally Posted by LauZaIM

M-Audio makes great stuff. I have their Transit USB for my laptop and it sounds perfect. I think there was a frequency response graph of it somewhere that was dead flat the entire spectrum, even up in the high kilohertz where many wobble. If all your doing is measuring with a mic then all you need is the Transit. It has 16/24bit 48/96Khz as well as ASIO support.

[bretti_kivi]

... and a preamp in the form of a Beyerdynamic UB 802 isn't expensive...

Bret

[LauZaIM]

Originally Posted by felix509

If using the transit you would most likely need a mic preamp also....

QFT, in fact I think theres a guy with a thread over in another section having trouble with the Measurement package because it didn't come with the preamp...

[Ge0]

The best advice I can give, just go for a M-Audio mobile-pre. Soundcard and pre-amp in one package. Plenty of people on this forum use them in case you need advice.

I purchased one used on ebay for $50 a year ago and use it several times a week. Hasn't let me down yet.

Ge0

[BMWturbo]

Thanks Gents. My only concern was creating the right channel loop back for measuring inpulse and how it would be physically wired.

I'll grab a MobilePre.