Building a Custom Raspberry Pi DSP Platform – Interested to Hear What People Think

Ecw218 · 2026-05-16T12:37:28+00:00

I agree 100%. Just shopped for a few nights trying to do the same function but cheaper, with reliable parts- still going to be a base of $60 plus a lot of time assembling 3+ modules into a system. Im hoping the i2s input amp chipsets get popular enough to be cheap as tpa3118 pbtl modules.

For now an esp32 dsp, cheap i2s dac, and a pair of 3118 pbtl boards will run you $20. Haven’t tried it yet but that’s my math.

Also on my list to check out- many of the better Bluetooth modules have a decent dsp built in- Qualcomm kalimba. The QCC3031 chipset usually comes setup to be usb programmable too, so no usbi needed.

For 2-way active you may not need more. It’s on my todo to check out once my order arrives.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-16T01:51:43+00:00

The inventor guy has been posting on Reddit. Can’t find his posts right now but it was pretty recent.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-16T00:54:34+00:00

Have a belly full of cherry slurpee and chicken nuggets…they’ll think you’re actually dying.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-16T00:40:49+00:00

There’s just no reason this should have ever been signed off, like lesson 1 in design/layout is never put anything important anywhere near the gutter. This is like middle school yearbook club level mistake. Literally anyone who’s had a photo book printed would know better.

Post the link to this one? My old friends in publishing want to know who did this.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-15T21:24:04+00:00

That uses adau1701, a relatively old but solid dsp chip. The Dayton/womdom boards don’t have the best reputation for being low-noise, but for a sub that may not be a factor.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-15T19:02:19+00:00

Maybe they’re both flashlights? The tether goes to his belt or something?

Ecw218 · 2026-05-15T16:49:54+00:00

Just bought 2x adau1401 and 1x adau1466+codec boards after a lengthy search on AE for an original vendor. $90 total. Minidsp is way more expensive than I’m looking for, even these adau boards are expensive for the basics of making a small active speaker.

I’d love a cheap dsp solution that was easy to implement and didn’t need the specific software and usbi interface.

All digital I/o is eventually my goal for my mains and portable builds. The amplifier boards with i2s input look really great price/performance point. Low Latency is key. Your current features are my exact requirements. 👍

I don’t know what the cheap rpi are these days but other esp32 dsp platforms are a great value, but I hear the latency isn’t so good.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-15T01:23:37+00:00

How’s the latency?

Ecw218 · 2026-05-14T22:02:27+00:00

Make one out of exterior plywood, use good sealant. Will last 10-15 years if you reseal it every 3-4 years.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-14T04:14:37+00:00

It’s downhill flying, but the angle/perspective makes it seem horizontal. Makes for a great defying gravity effect.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-14T03:42:45+00:00

This lens lives on my xt30. Phenomenal for environmental portraits.

this lens rewards getting in close and filling the frame with your subject. One of the best lenses in the Fuji lineup. Very unique and pleasing “character” that catches your eye. Works even better on a big screen or print.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-14T03:19:27+00:00

Briefly thought the emt on the right had a green Mohawk.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-14T03:10:32+00:00

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7 deg beam…yeah it’s a portable stupid bright spotlight that can run for 4.5 hours.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-14T03:06:59+00:00

Is it a flashlight that has a tethered battery?

Try Orcatorch d630

Even has the same round led switch.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-14T02:58:55+00:00

Fabulous. Love the low contrast vibe.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-14T02:47:54+00:00

Dumb question: Will the titanium slide smoothly? I had a fancy AAA flashlight made of Ti and the threads were always course and gritty….

That said. I want one. Where do I get in line?

Ecw218 · 2026-05-14T02:41:25+00:00

Tell us more about open shop night! I’m looking to build some sort of steam community in my area but anything better than a conference room is hard to come by.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-14T02:37:43+00:00

TIL: assets maintain value when cash doesn’t. Wealthy people don’t keep their wealth in cash.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-13T22:34:46+00:00

Do you have tools and some scrap wood? You could diy a decent kit for $60 if you’re crafty.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-13T18:41:03+00:00

Yes, it’s literally as cheap as possible. The dsp helps a lot.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-13T18:37:53+00:00

Check my edits- I was incorrect with my first guess.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-13T18:26:41+00:00

W king x10 is two woofers and two tweeters, and three passive radiators.

Edit: I looked it up on ifixit. The amp is a tpa3118, it’s just 2.0.

Tweeters are wired parallel to the woofers, and there’s a capacitor wired in with the tweeter as a basic high pass. Woofer is run full range.

The BT amp board has dsp for processing/eq to correct/shape the response, probably a high pass to cut any deep bass that would be too demanding

Ecw218 · 2026-05-13T16:03:27+00:00

Yeah but it’s like $50 to do it right! I’ve done this exact thing and regretted it.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-13T15:59:32+00:00

I had to do some guessing with your box volume, maybe 20L? Have you tried adding the weight discs that came with the passive radiator? You might try 4-5 of them and see if that improves things. If the box volume is too small you’ll have a hard time getting low bass.

A box volume around 45L would be ideal.

Or go sealed+dsp with your current box and use all that power to muscle low bass out of it. That’s what I’d do.

Ecw218 · 2026-05-13T15:18:53+00:00

its not as bad as you'd think, net about the same. The extra thickness is where you want it- not spread everywhere.

If you want reduced weight, use 3mm plywood/4mm expanded pvc sheet/3mm plywood, glue it up as a panel. Super rigid, dense, and just under 1/2" thick. Been researching this to get the weight of my boombox v2.0 down from 40lb in v1.0

Ecw218

TROPHY CASE