Goldhorn DSPA 406 v1 | 6 Channel DSP / 4 x 65w Amplifier

⚠️ CLOSEOUT NOTICE: Final Inventory Before Version 2 Launch

The Goldhorn DSPA 406 is being phased out to make way for the upcoming DSPA 406 Version 2 with enhanced features and updated specifications. Current inventory represents final stock of the proven Version 1 platform — a mature, field-tested design that's powered thousands of installations worldwide. This is your opportunity to acquire professional-grade ADAU1450 DSP processing, 31-band parametric EQ, 48 dB crossover slopes, and Voltage Build-Up Technology at closeout pricing before the new generation arrives.

Why Buy Closeout V1? Proven reliability, mature software ecosystem, comprehensive online community support, and exceptional value. Version 2 will likely command premium pricing upon launch — secure Version 1 capability now at $399.99.

1. Extended EQ Capability: 31 Parametric Bands Across All Channels

The ADAU1450's processing capacity enables 31 parametric EQ bands per channel — more than doubling the DSPA 206's 15-band limitation on primary outputs. This granularity allows surgical correction of specific frequency anomalies without affecting adjacent bands. For example, a problematic 320 Hz midbass resonance can be addressed with a Q=10 notch filter at 320 Hz without impacting 280 Hz or 360 Hz response. The 31-band architecture also supports multiple filter types per channel: peak/dip (parametric), high-shelf, low-shelf, and first/second-order all-pass filters, enabling advanced phase correction and tonal shaping impossible with entry-level processors.

2. Comprehensive Crossover Slopes: 6 dB to 48 dB/Octave

The DSPA 406 implements Butterworth and Bessel topologies at 6/12/18/24/30/36/42/48 dB per octave slopes, plus Linkwitz-Riley at 12/24/36 dB. This range addresses diverse speaker integration challenges: 6-12 dB slopes for natural phase response and wide crossover regions (full-range drivers, wideband compression horns). 18-24 dB slopes for typical two-way/three-way component systems balancing overlap and isolation. 36-48 dB slopes for aggressive driver protection and precise frequency band isolation (ribbon tweeters, fragile midranges). The DSPA 206's limitation to 6/12 dB slopes only forces compromises in challenging integrations — the DSPA 406 eliminates this constraint.

3. Variable Phase Rotation: 0-359° at Crossover Points

The ADAU1450 supports continuously variable phase rotation (0-359°) at high-pass and low-pass crossover points — a feature absent in entry-level DSPs. This enables precise phase alignment between drivers with non-minimum-phase crossovers or asymmetric acoustic centers, correcting summation errors that standard polarity inversion (0°/180° only) cannot address. Enthusiasts familiar with REW (Room EQ Wizard) measurements and group delay optimization will recognize this as a professional-grade feature typically found in $1,000+ standalone processors.

Voltage Build-Up Technology Explained

Traditional car audio amplifiers suffer power output degradation when vehicle electrical voltage sags below 12V — a common occurrence during engine cranking, high-load accessories (HVAC, headlights), or marginal alternator capacity. A typical amplifier rated at 65W @ 14.4V might deliver only 45W @ 11V, representing a 30% power loss and 1.6 dB SPL reduction. Voltage Build-Up Technology employs high-frequency DC-DC boost converters to stabilize amplifier rail voltage at +/- 18V regardless of input voltage (within 10-16V operating range). This ensures consistent 65W output whether the vehicle battery reads 14.4V (engine running) or 11.5V (engine off, accessories active).

Practical Benefits: Eliminates volume fluctuations correlated with electrical load changes. Maintains amplifier headroom during bass transients (which often coincide with voltage sag). Extends usable voltage range for installations with marginal charging systems. Reduces audible distortion artifacts associated with power supply collapse.

Trade-offs: Slightly reduced efficiency compared to non-boosted designs (78-80% vs. 82-85% for direct-coupled amplifiers). Increased heat generation requiring robust thermal management. The DSPA 406's compact chassis incorporates forced-air cooling channels and oversized aluminum heatsinking to dissipate the additional thermal load.

31-Band Parametric EQ with Advanced Filter Types

Each of the six DSP output channels receives 31 fully parametric EQ bands (vs. DSPA 206's 15 bands on primary outputs only). Filter types include: Peak/Dip (parametric): Standard ±15 dB adjustment with adjustable center frequency (20 Hz-20 kHz @ 1 Hz steps) and Q factor (0.5-15 @ 0.1 steps) for surgical frequency correction. High-Shelf / Low-Shelf: Gradual treble/bass boost or cut mimicking analog tone controls, ideal for global tonal balance adjustments. All-Pass Filters (1st/2nd Order): Phase rotation without amplitude change, correcting group delay mismatches between drivers or compensating for acoustic reflections. This filter diversity enables complex EQ strategies impossible with simple parametric bands alone.

48 dB/Octave Crossover Slopes for Aggressive Driver Protection

The DSPA 406's 48 dB/octave Butterworth and Bessel crossover options provide -48 dB attenuation one octave beyond the crossover point — effectively brick-wall isolation. For example, a tweeter crossed at 3 kHz with 48 dB slope receives -48 dB attenuation at 1.5 kHz, protecting fragile voice coils from midrange energy. This steep isolation is critical for ribbon tweeters, compression drivers, and small-format midranges with limited power handling. The DSPA 206's 12 dB maximum slope provides only -12 dB attenuation at the same one-octave point, allowing potentially damaging energy through.

15ms Time Alignment: Extended Path Length Correction

The DSPA 406's 15ms maximum delay per channel accommodates path length differences up to 17 feet (5.2 meters) — triple the DSPA 206's 5ms / 5.6-foot capability. This extended range enables rear-seat listening position optimization, large SUV/van installations, and extreme soundstage placement (e.g., virtual center image positioned at windshield). The 0.02ms step resolution maintains sub-inch adjustment precision for critical front-stage imaging.

Navigation Mix Mode: Seamless GPS Voice Integration

The DSPA 406 includes Navigation Mix functionality — a feature absent from the DSPA 206. This mode automatically detects GPS voice prompts on a designated input channel, ducks (reduces) music volume, plays the navigation instruction, then restores music level. The ducking depth, fade time, and hold duration are user-configurable, eliminating the jarring experience of navigation prompts competing with music or requiring manual volume adjustments.

Input EQ: 5-Band Parametric per Input Channel

Each of the four input channels (high-level or RCA) receives 5 parametric EQ bands with full frequency/gain/Q control. This input-stage EQ addresses source-level tonal anomalies before signal routing to output channels. Use cases include: Factory Head Unit EQ: Correcting factory head unit's built-in tonal shaping (often bass/treble boost) before DSP processing, ensuring flat input to output-channel crossovers and EQ. Bluetooth Source Correction: Compensating for Bluetooth codec limitations (e.g., aptX HD's subtle high-frequency roll-off) at the input stage. Multi-Source Balancing: Matching tonal balance between different input sources (e.g., RCA from aftermarket head unit vs. high-level from factory amp) so users don't perceive tonal shifts when switching sources.

Input Delay: 0-10ms per Input Channel

The DSPA 406 provides 0-10ms delay adjustment per input channel (@ 0.02ms steps) — a feature enabling synchronization of multi-source systems or compensation for factory amplifier processing latency. For example, a system using factory head unit for navigation prompts (Input 1) and aftermarket Bluetooth receiver for music (Input 2) might experience processing latency mismatch causing audible delays when switching sources. The input delay function aligns these sources temporally, eliminating the perception of "lag" between navigation voice and music playback.

Scenario 1: Challenging Speaker Integration (Ribbon Tweeters, Fragile Midranges)

Challenge: Ribbon tweeters (e.g., Fountek NeoCD3.0, RAAL 70-10) require aggressive high-pass filtering (48 dB @ 3 kHz+) to prevent thermal damage and surgical EQ correction of resonance peaks

Solution: DSPA 406's 48 dB Butterworth crossover provides brick-wall isolation below 3 kHz, while 31-band parametric EQ surgically corrects the ribbon's 8 kHz resonance peak and compensates for beaming narrowness. The DSPA 206's 12 dB maximum slope would allow damaging midrange energy through, and its 15-band EQ provides insufficient granularity for ribbon tuning

Scenario 2: Large Vehicle Soundstage Optimization (SUVs, Vans)

Challenge: Large vehicles with 10+ foot path length differences between dash-mounted tweeters and A-pillar midranges create time-domain smearing and collapsed soundstage

Solution: DSPA 406's 15ms time alignment range accommodates the extreme path length differences, enabling coherent wavefront arrival at the listening position. The DSPA 206's 5ms limit (5.6 feet) cannot compensate for paths exceeding this distance, forcing compromised speaker placement

Scenario 3: Marginal Electrical System Stability

Challenge: Vehicle with weak alternator or extensive accessory load (LED light bars, winches, HVAC) experiences voltage sag to 11-11.5V during high-load conditions, causing amplifier power compression and audible distortion. Solution: DSPA 406's Voltage Build-Up Technology maintains stable amplifier rail voltage despite input voltage fluctuations, ensuring consistent 65W output and low-distortion performance regardless of electrical system state

Channel Count Constraints

• 6 DSP Outputs: Limits configurations to two-way active front stage + subwoofer/rear-fill or three-way active single-sided (competition one-side builds). Three-way active front stage (tweeter + midrange + midbass per side = 6 channels) consumes all DSP outputs, eliminating subwoofer/rear-fill processing
• 4 Amplified Channels: Insufficient for three-way active front stages or bi-amped midbass systems requiring 6+ amplified channels. External amplifiers become necessary, negating the integrated DSP/amplifier convenience

Power Output Limitations

• 65W per Channel: Sufficient for efficient component speakers (88-92 dB sensitivity) but marginal for low-efficiency drivers (85-87 dB) requiring 100-150W for adequate SPL. Competition SPL applications or large-format midbass (8-inch+) demand external amplification

Upgrade Path Decision Tree

Upgrade to DSPA 1012 Plus ($1,299) or higher when: Requiring three-way active front stage + subwoofer (10+ DSP channels needed). Bi-amping midbass or running multiple subwoofers with independent processing (8+ amplified channels). Adding rear surround channels or center channel for true multichannel systems.

⏰ Closeout Status: Act Before Final Inventory Depletion

As Goldhorn prepares the DSPA 406 Version 2 launch, remaining Version 1 inventory is limited. This closeout period offers exceptional value on a proven, field-tested platform with extensive community support and mature software. Once current stock depletes, the opportunity to acquire Version 1 at this pricing ends permanently.

The value proposition is undeniable: Flagship DSP features in a mid-tier package at closeout pricing. If your system demands surgical EQ correction, aggressive driver protection via steep crossovers, extended time alignment for large vehicles, and stable amplification despite electrical fluctuations — and you're running a two-way active front stage or compact three-way configuration — secure the Goldhorn DSPA 406 before Version 2 replaces it. Welcome to accessible professional-grade car audio.

⚡ Final Inventory: Secure Your DSPA 406 V1 Before V2 Launch

Closeout opportunity on proven ADAU1450 automotive DSP + 31-band EQ + 48 dB crossovers + Voltage Build-Up Technology. Limited stock remaining before Version 2 replaces this generation.

Brand New • Full Warranty • Closeout Pricing: $399.99