CES 2019: Monoprice Unveils Its HTP-1 16-Channel Processor with Dirac and New Sealed Subs

CES 2019: Monoprice Unveils Its HTP-1 16-Channel Processor with Dirac and New Sealed Subs​

(Monoprice) The all-new HTP-1 Processor will ship this coming fall.(January 3, 2019) There’s always one or two bombshell CES reveals that rock the home theater world, and this year Monoprice is taking the controls and striking first. Just minutes ago, the company officially raised the curtain on two new Monolith product classes that have been kept under tight wraps.

First up, we have the all-new Monolith HTP-1 Home Theater Processor. Aggressively priced at $3,999, the HTP-1 delivers a whopping 16-channels of processing backed by support for both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive sound (along with Dolby and DTS upmixing alternatives). That means enthusiasts can utilize a variety of speaker arrangements, including max deployments of 9.1.6, 7.3.6, and 7.5.4 for Dolby Atmos, and 7.1.4 or 7.5.4 for DTS:X.

Connectivity-wise, the rear of the HTP-1 presents seven upgradable HDMI 2.0b input modules loaded with compatibility for current 4K video technologies, including HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, along with a host of digital and analog input options. It also offers two HDMI 2.0b outputs, with one capable of delivering Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) performance for immersive sound. Other outputs include 16 balanced XLR connectors for primary subwoofer and amplifier connections.

Monoprice says the HTP-1 will ship with a Google Chromecast dongle for access to audio sources such as Spotify, while also internally housing Bluetooth and Roon Endpoint connectivity.

Among a range of “audio enhancements,” such as PEQ, 4thorder Linkwitz-Riley Crossovers, tone controls, and the like, Monoprice has opted to grace the HTP-1 with Dirac Live Room Correction functionality.

This particular processor is currently scheduled to begin shipping sometime during Q3 of 2019. Based on Monoprice’s ability to deliver Monolith products on time, this date should hold true.

Monoprice is also unveiling three new THX Certified sealed subwoofers. The all new 10”, 12”, and 15” models have the same amps, two-layer long fiber pulp/glassfiber drivers, and HDF cabinet construction found on its popular THX Certified ported Monolith models. And, once again, the subs are finished in a Black Ash vinyl covering, featuring two RCA inputs and XLR input/outputs. I’ve had an early peek at preliminary frequency responses for the three new models and the low-end looks like it should hit hard and deep, with bass performance down to 20Hz and below. This is great news for enthusiasts looking for high-end performance from affordable sealed designs.

Monoprice has not released official weights for any of the three models.

Pricing and model designations are as follows:

• M10-S 10” THX Certified Sealed 500 Watt Powered Subwoofer: $499.99
• M12-S 12” THX Certified Sealed 500 Watt Powered Subwoofer: $799.99
• M15-S 15” THX Ultra Certified Sealed 1000 Watt Powered Subwoofer: $1,299.99

All three subs are expected to begin shipping sometime during February or March of 2019.

(Monoprice) The new M10-S 10" Monolith Subwoofer*Editor's Note: AV NIRVANA has confirmed that the HTP-1 will ship with Auro-3D onboard!

 

[Todd Anderson]

What upmixer (other than DSU and Neural:X that both have)?

Also, any word on if the HTP-1 will have DTSX Pro?

Obviously with Auro-3D, the AuroMatic upmixer will be included. I don't think anything else has been finalized.

As for the Pro... they'll have the actually codec in-house soon, at which time they plan to do some testing. So, it's possible that Pro might be included. Nothing confirmed, tho

 

[Todd Anderson]

I also had confirmation from the builder that this is made by ATI on the same platform as the lower end Datasat. They couldn’t share specifics of how it’s similar or different. I wanted to know more about the DACs and circuit design.

Todd if you can ask about the internal chips and if it’s a true differential balanced design, that would be helpful.

circuits are fully differential

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

What upmixer (other than DSU and Neural:X that both have)?

The latest Dolby licensing agreement prohibits manufacturers from allowing any other licensed upmixer from being applied to Dolby-encoded content.

In essence, what this has said is that you can't allow users to play a Dolby track through the DTS up mixer, but if Emotiva wanted to create their own proprietary upmixer, they could apply that to Dolby, as long as they did not license it to other manufacturers.

The Emotiva crowd was very disappointed when Emotiva dropped the plans for a proprietary upmixer for the RMC-1, but now it is being alluded that the Dolby upmixer will gain more functionality with Dolby tracks. Primarily being the ability to add width channels to a 7.x.x Atmos-encoded track.

 

[Noah Katz]

[Quote not working for me] > now it is being alluded that the Dolby upmixer will gain more functionality with Dolby tracks. Primarily being the ability to add width channels to a 7.x.x Atmos-encoded track.


Atmos tracks already have wides enabled (though from what I understand they're often not used much); perhaps you mean adding them to the Dolby upmixer?

That would be awesome, as I run wides with Neural X and love them.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Adding a short video from CES 2019:

 

[Gufiaito]

Wow this has been delayed several times now anybody know what the hold up is?

 

[Todd Anderson]

I talked to Hobie not too long ago... they were working on streamlining the GUI.

As far as I know, it’s really close.

 

[NBPK402]

I talked to Hobie not too long ago... they were working on streamlining the GUI.

As far as I know, it’s really close.

Will you be reviewing one?

 

[Todd Anderson]

I sure hope so. I’ve definitely made interest known!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

To confirm, this unit is no longer Roon Ready. Roon is for naught. I can't enable it in the Roon software because it is not certified. Apparently, as if 9/21 Roon will no longer allow uncertified products to use Roon. If you had it enabled prior to 9/21, it will continue to work, but anyone purchasing it after that date, it won't work. I'm either going to have to go with Audirvana and scratch Roon, or send the unit back until it gets Roon certified... bummer either way.

 

[apgood]

To confirm, this unit is no longer Roon Ready. Roon is for naught. I can't enable it in the Roon software because it is not certified. Apparently, as if 9/21 Roon will no longer allow uncertified products to use Roon. If you had it enabled prior to 9/21, it will continue to work, but anyone purchasing it after that date, it won't work. I'm either going to have to go with Audirvana and scratch Roon, or send the unit back until it gets Roon certified... bummer either way.

The roon team sent a message out that it was possible to apply for developer access for a specific "not so roon ready" device.

If it's approved then you can enable it. I did this for my Zidoo Z9X media player

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Yep... I discovered this a little earlier and filled out the "fix" application, although it appeared as though it needed to be submitted prior to 9/21.

Maybe Ill find out in a few days.

Monoprice handled this very poorly. There are HTP-1 owners all over the country using Roon, so why would anyone expect it not to work when purchasing it. They be making it blatantly clear on the HTP-1 page of their site. Roon has become an integral part of my system, so it's mandatory for me. Had I known it would not work, I would not have purchased it until I knew without a doubt there is a method of getting it to work.

 

[apgood]

Yep... I discovered this a little earlier and filled out the "fix" application, although it appeared as though it needed to be submitted prior to 9/21.

Maybe Ill find out in a few days.

Monoprice handled this very poorly. There are HTP-1 owners all over the country using Roon, so why would anyone expect it not to work when purchasing it. They be making it blatantly clear on the HTP-1 page of their site. Roon has become an integral part of my system, so it's mandatory for me. Had I known it would not work, I would not have purchased it until I knew without a doubt there is a method of getting it to work.

I was in kind of same situation with my StormAudio ISP but luckily they announce a short while after Room's announcement that the ISP is now certified.

 

[JStewart]

Monoprice handled this very poorly. There are HTP-1 owners all over the country using Roon, so why would anyone expect it not to work when purchasing it. They be making it blatantly clear on the HTP-1 page of their site. Roon has become an integral part of my system, so it's mandatory for me. Had I known it would not work, I would not have purchased it until I knew without a doubt there is a method of getting it to work.

I think you said this too already, but Roon is also at fault here. IIRC it was in September they made the announcement of the 9/21 cutoff date for wifi connection to uncertified devices. They claimed in their announcement that manufacturers had been warned it was coming. (Hello, I'm not a manufacturer. Thanks for the extended notice.) When the consumer uproar started Roon semi-recanted and stated if you had an established connection to an uncertified device it would not be severed by Roon. (Unsure how this might work if the connection became severed from say a power outage or network reboot though. Could it be re-established? I read it as probably not.) When consumers still pitched a fit, Roon devised the process Sonnie is working through.

This would have been a non-issue if Roon did a simple calculation of N uncertifed products at Y weeks for the certification process, and therefore allowed (N x Y + safety margin) in the consumer announcement or perhaps targeted manufacturers on FIFO (the oldest offenders first) basis.

Its been a month since Hobie said they are working on the certification. If an expected completion date has been announced I haven't seen it.

The "Official" Monoprice Monolith HTP-1 Owners...

www.avsforum.com

This may be more aggravation than its worth but your NAD could be connected to the Monoprice and used TEMPORARILY for Roon. Just need to bypass DSP functions in the NAD.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I was in kind of same situation with my StormAudio ISP but luckily they announce a short while after Room's announcement that the ISP is now certified.

Ouch... that would have really hurt my feelings if I'd made that purchase and ended up with no Roon for a while.

There is rumor that the HTP-1 might be certified within a few weeks. I can use Roon via my HDMI from my laptop to the unit, but I just purchased a NUC to load Roon ROCK on so that I can get the Roon Core off my laptop and in another room. So I can't use the NUC until the HTP-1 is enabled.

Of course we NEVER know the truth about rumors do we... and these kinds of things can get pushed back, as they do all the time.

I think you said this too already, but Roon is also at fault here. IIRC it was in September they made the announcement of the 9/21 cutoff date for wifi connection to uncertified devices. They claimed in their announcement that manufacturers had been warned it was coming. (Hello, I'm not a manufacturer. Thanks for the extended notice.) When the consumer uproar started Roon semi-recanted and stated if you had an established connection to an uncertified device it would not be severed by Roon. (Unsure how this might work if the connection became severed from say a power outage or network reboot though. Could it be re-established? I read it as probably not.) When consumers still pitched a fit, Roon devised the process Sonnie is working through.

This would have been a non-issue if Roon did a simple calculation of N uncertifed products at Y weeks for the certification process, and therefore allowed (N x Y + safety margin) in the consumer announcement or perhaps targeted manufacturers on FIFO (the oldest offenders first) basis.

Its been a month since Hobie said they are working on the certification. If an expected completion date has been announced I haven't seen it.

The "Official" Monoprice Monolith HTP-1 Owners...

www.avsforum.com

This may be more aggravation than its worth but your NAD could be connected to the Monoprice and used TEMPORARILY for Roon. Just need to bypass DSP functions in the NAD.

Good point on the NAD, which may be the avenue that gets the HTP-1 enabled for me. I did hear back from Roon support and I think they are going to enable it for me since I was using Roon on an uncertified product prior to 9/21 (NAD M17). They said they were going to review it today, so fingers crossed.

I agree... Roon should have done a better job of letting the consumer know what is going on, but really it boils down to what I see as a bad marketing strategy by Roon in the beginning. They should have given manufacturers a 30 day trial period, which would not allowed manufacturers to advertise uncertified products. You can't allow manufacturers to get away with it for months (maybe years?) and then take it away, even with a notice, without getting a backlash from customers who think the products they are buying are good to go. I think Roon is recognizing this and have made an escape route with the "fix".

 

[JStewart]

You can't allow manufacturers to get away with it for months (maybe years?) and then take it away, even with a notice, without getting a backlash from customers who think the products they are buying are good to go. I think Roon is recognizing this and have made an escape route with the "fix".

Yup. And that backlash was entirely predictable and should/could have been avoided.

Anyway, hope things get resolved quickly for you and I hope that as a new Roon user this doesn't taint your view of the product over the long run. I personally really enjoy it.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Yeah... I have begun to really enjoy Roon myself.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I was granted developer status, so my HTP-1 is now Roon capable, albeit still uncertified, but at least it works. Thank you Roon!