Overview

The MiniDSP UMIK-X is a USB multichannel measurement microphone array system designed for acoustic measurements and room equalization. Packages include the USB-A2B interface and either two or four UMA-4/UMA-XL microphone modules (8–16 mics total), sampling at 24-bit/44.1–48 kHz over Analog Devices A2B. The base package price is 575 USD for an 8-mic set, with options to expand to 16 channels. A single twisted-pair cable carries audio and power up to 40 m. It is UAC-2 compliant and includes a Room EQ Wizard (REW) multichannel license with purchase.

Scientific Validity

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The UMIK-X’s microphone modules are specified with 66 dB(A) SNR and 132.5 dB SPL AOP. While the high AOP provides ample headroom, a 66 dB(A) SNR falls well below the problematic threshold (≈80 dB) for precision measurement of low-level signals. No third-party comprehensive measurement set (e.g., THD vs SPL) is publicly available for the array as a system, so conclusions rely on manufacturer specifications.

Technology Level

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A2B enables 16-channel audio and power over one twisted pair up to 40 m with daisy-chain topology. Combined with UAC-2, cross-platform support, and native REW v5.20+ multichannel compatibility (license included), UMIK-X delivers a forward-looking, highly integrated workflow for distributed measurements that are impractical with single-mic repositioning.

Cost-Performance

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Cost-performance is computed against the cheapest product that offers equal or better functionality and measurement performance. We could not identify any cheaper multichannel measurement microphone array (4+ calibrated channels, integrated multichannel capture, REW-ready workflow) providing equivalent or better capability. With a base package at 575 USD for 8 channels, UMIK-X is effectively the floor price for this capability set; therefore CP = 1.0.

Reliability & Support

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MiniDSP provides a one-year warranty. Documentation and community resources are extensive. Historical forum posts show some prior UMIK-1 connectivity failures; while not directly about UMIK-X, they indicate potential variability in user experience. Overall, warranty terms are standard and support channels are established.

Rationality of Design Philosophy

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The design targets objective, repeatable room/acoustic analysis across multiple positions in one pass, minimizing operator error from repositioning. A2B distribution, matched capsules, and REW integration are rational choices that directly improve measurement throughput and usability.

Advice

Choose UMIK-X when multichannel convenience and repeatability outweigh ultimate low-noise precision. It suits distributed sound-field and multi-sub optimization tasks. For critical low-level work, a higher-SNR single-mic chain may still be preferable; for complex spatial work, UMIK-X’s time savings can dominate.

References

[1] miniDSP – “UMIK-X – USB Multichannel Microphone Array.” https://www.minidsp.com/products/acoustic-measurement/umik-x-multichannel-mic
[2] miniDSP Support – “What is the warranty on miniDSP products?” https://support.minidsp.com/support/solutions/articles/47000681533-what-is-the-warranty-on-minidsp-products-
[3] miniDSP Community – “UMIK-1 stopped working.” https://www.minidsp.com/community/threads/umik-1-stopped-working.10538/
[4] miniDSP – “UMA-XL – A2B MEMS microphone module.” (capsule and 66 dB(A) SNR/AOP notes) https://www.minidsp.com/products/acoustic-measurement/uma-xl

(2025.9.7)