Audio T Verdict
The Lyngdorf MP-40 2.1 brings much of the sound quality, processing power and installation flexibility of the flagship MP-60 2.1 to home cinemas requiring fewer decoded channels.
It supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro-3D, with 12 native decoding and upmixing channels feeding a highly flexible bank of 16 balanced XLR outputs.
RoomPerfect measures the loudspeakers and their interaction with the room, helping integrate multiple speakers and subwoofers without forcing them towards an artificial house sound.
Its HDMI 2.1 board supports 8K60, 4K120, eARC, VRR, ALLM and HDR passthrough, while the built-in music player adds AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready, DLNA and internet radio.
It requires separate power amplifiers and accepts digital sources only, but for a carefully planned high-performance cinema, the MP-40 2.1 offers exceptional sound, control and system flexibility.
Lyngdorf MP-40 2.1 Surround Sound Processor
The Lyngdorf MP-40 2.1 is a high-performance surround sound processor designed for immersive home cinema systems using separate power amplifiers.
It provides 12 native decoding and upmixing channels, 16 balanced analogue outputs, Lyngdorf’s RoomPerfect room correction and comprehensive bass-management facilities.
Three HDMI 2.1 inputs and two HDMI outputs support modern 8K video, high-frame-rate gaming and advanced audio return from a compatible television.
Separate Power Amplification Is Required
The MP-40 2.1 is an AV processor and does not contain power amplifiers for driving loudspeakers.
Suitable external power amplification will be required for every passive loudspeaker channel within the system.
Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro-3D
The MP-40 2.1 supports the principal immersive home cinema formats, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro-3D.
It can decode or upmix up to 12 channels, allowing conventional surround, height and subwoofer channels to be combined according to the room and speaker layout.
Legacy Dolby and DTS formats are also supported, alongside Dolby Surround, DTS Neural:X and Auro-Matic post-processing.
12 Decoding Channels and 16 Outputs
The MP-40 2.1 can decode or upmix a maximum of 12 channels, but it provides 16 physical XLR outputs.
The additional output flexibility can be used for configurations involving multiple subwoofers, bi-amplification or matrixed channels. It does not mean that the processor can decode 16 independent Dolby Atmos channels.
RoomPerfect Room Correction
RoomPerfect measures both the primary listening position and additional locations around the room to understand how the loudspeakers and subwoofers interact with their surroundings.
Rather than forcing every system towards a predetermined target curve, RoomPerfect is designed to reduce the unwanted influence of the room while retaining the intended tonal character of the loudspeakers.
The supplied measurement microphone, stand and cable provide everything required to carry out the initial calibration.
Integrated Bass Management
Lyngdorf’s bass-management system coordinates the main loudspeakers and subwoofers as part of the same system rather than treating the subwoofer as a separate addition.
Crossover points, channel routing, delays and output levels can be configured according to the capabilities and positions of the loudspeakers.
A Subwoofer Level Assistant helps establish an appropriate starting level before the full RoomPerfect calibration is completed.
Professional Setup Is Strongly Recommended
The flexibility of the MP-40 2.1 means that speaker routing, bass management, delays, crossover points, HDMI settings and RoomPerfect measurements must all be configured correctly.
A carefully planned installation will deliver considerably better results than simply connecting the equipment and relying on default settings.
32 Custom Voicings
The MP-40 2.1 can store up to 32 adjustable Voicings for tailoring the overall tonal balance of the system.
Each Voicing can contain up to eight shelving, high-pass, low-pass or parametric filters with adjustable frequency, gain and Q.
Different Voicings can be assigned to particular inputs or selected for films, music, television, late-night viewing and individual recordings.
RoomPerfect and Voicings Perform Different Jobs
RoomPerfect addresses the interaction between the loudspeakers and the room. Voicings allow the listener to make deliberate tonal adjustments after calibration.
HDMI 2.1 with 40Gbps Bandwidth
Three HDMI 2.1 inputs support 40Gbps Fixed Rate Link video and conventional 18Gbps TMDS signals.
The processor accepts compatible 8K30 RGB or YCbCr 4:4:4 10-bit video, 8K60 YCbCr 4:2:0 10-bit video and 4K120 4:4:4 10-bit signals.
HDCP 2.3 is supported for compatibility with protected Ultra HD and 8K content.
High-Frame-Rate Gaming
Variable Refresh Rate can synchronise the display refresh rate with a compatible games console or computer, helping reduce visible tearing and stutter.
Auto Low Latency Mode allows compatible equipment to select its low-latency gaming mode automatically.
Quick Frame Transport, Fast Vactive and 4K120 support provide additional flexibility for modern high-frame-rate gaming systems.
The Entire HDMI Chain Must Be Compatible
The source, MP-40 2.1, television or projector and every HDMI cable in the signal path must support the required resolution, frame rate and bandwidth.
An older cable or display may restrict the system to a lower video format.
eARC and Two HDMI Outputs
Enhanced Audio Return Channel allows compatible televisions to return high-quality sound, including suitable Dolby Atmos bitstreams, to the processor through HDMI.
This is useful for applications built into a smart television and for sources connected directly to the television.
Two HDMI 2.1 outputs allow the processor to be used with compatible dual-display installations, such as a television and projector.
HDR and Dolby Vision Passthrough
The HDMI system supports the passthrough of standard and dynamic high-dynamic-range metadata.
Compatible formats include HDR, HLG, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, subject to support from the source material and connected display.
Quick Media Switching and Dynamic Lip-Sync are also supported to improve transitions and audio-to-video synchronisation with compatible equipment.
Built-In Music Streaming
The integrated media player allows the MP-40 2.1 to operate as a high-quality music source as well as a home cinema processor.
Supported services and technologies include AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect with Dolby Atmos Music, Roon Ready, DLNA and internet radio through compatible services.
Music stored on a compatible network server or FAT32-formatted USB storage device can also be accessed through the media player.
A Wired Network Connection Is Required
The MP-40 2.1 provides an RJ45 Ethernet connection but does not include built-in Wi-Fi.
A reliable wired network connection is recommended for streaming, app control, browser-based setup and software updates.
High-Resolution Digital Audio Inputs
Dedicated audio sources can be connected using AES/EBU, three coaxial digital inputs, four optical inputs or USB-B.
AES/EBU and coaxial inputs support signals up to 24-bit/192kHz, while the optical inputs support up to 24-bit/96kHz.
The asynchronous USB audio input supports compatible PCM signals up to 32-bit/192kHz.
No Conventional Analogue Audio Inputs
The MP-40 2.1 does not provide RCA or XLR analogue source inputs.
A turntable, cassette deck, analogue tuner or other analogue source will require a suitable external analogue-to-digital converter.
16 Balanced XLR Outputs
Sixteen balanced XLR outputs provide connection to suitable multichannel, stereo or monoblock power amplifiers.
The maximum output level is 8Vrms, providing strong signal levels and useful resistance to interference over longer cable runs.
A fixed 24-bit/96kHz coaxial digital Zone output is also provided for feeding a compatible secondary audio system.
Silent Fan-Free Operation
The MP-40 2.1 does not use forced-air cooling, avoiding the background noise produced by internal cooling fans.
This is particularly beneficial within quiet dedicated cinema rooms where the processor is installed close to the listening area.
Adequate ventilation must still be provided around the chassis, whether it is used freestanding or installed within an equipment rack.
App, Browser and System Control
The My Lyngdorf app provides control of source selection, volume, RoomPerfect settings, Voicings and compatible streaming functions from a phone or tablet.
A browser-based interface provides access to the detailed setup menus from a computer, tablet or mobile device connected to the same network.
RS-232, IR inputs and output, a trigger input and four trigger outputs support integration with suitable control systems, screens, power amplifiers and accessories.
Backup and Software Updates
Two USB Type-A connections and an SD card slot support software installation, media storage and system backup functions.
Software can also be downloaded directly when the processor is connected to the internet.
Saving a complete system backup is recommended once speaker routing, bass management, RoomPerfect and input settings have been finalised.
Lyngdorf MP-40 2.1 or MP-60 2.1?
Choose the MP-40 2.1 When
- Up to 12 decoded or upmixed channels are required
- Three HDMI inputs meet the system requirements
- RoomPerfect and advanced bass management are priorities
- Sixteen balanced outputs provide sufficient flexibility
- A streamlined Lyngdorf processor suits the installation
Choose the MP-60 2.1 When
- Up to 16 independently decoded channels are required
- A larger immersive speaker layout is being planned
- Additional processing flexibility is essential
- The cinema is being designed around the flagship processor
- Future expansion beyond 12 decoded channels is likely
The Lyngdorf MP-60 2.1 increases the native decoding and upmixing capability from 12 to 16 channels for more extensive immersive cinema systems.
Lyngdorf Products and Audio T Guides
Key Features
- 12 decoding and upmixing channels
- 16 balanced XLR analogue outputs
- Dolby Atmos decoding
- DTS:X decoding
- Auro-3D decoding
- Dolby Surround post-processing
- DTS Neural:X post-processing
- Auro-Matic post-processing
- RoomPerfect room correction
- Subwoofer Level Assistant
- Advanced speaker and bass management
- 32 adjustable Voicings
- Up to eight filters per Voicing
- Three HDMI 2.1 inputs
- Two HDMI 2.1 outputs
- 40Gbps Fixed Rate Link bandwidth
- 8K60 video support
- 4K120 video support
- HDCP 2.3 support
- Variable Refresh Rate
- Auto Low Latency Mode
- Quick Frame Transport
- Quick Media Switching
- Dynamic Lip-Sync
- eARC support
- HDR10+ passthrough
- Dolby Vision passthrough
- HLG passthrough
- AirPlay 2
- Spotify Connect
- Tidal Connect with Dolby Atmos Music
- Roon Ready
- DLNA media playback
- Internet radio
- AES/EBU digital input
- Three coaxial digital inputs
- Four optical digital inputs
- USB-B audio input
- Fan-free operation
- My Lyngdorf app control
- Browser-based setup
- RS-232, IR and trigger control
- Rack-mount or freestanding installation
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Lyngdorf MP-40 2.1 contain power amplifiers?
No. It is a surround sound processor and requires separate power amplification for all passive loudspeakers.
How many channels can it decode?
It can decode or upmix a maximum of 12 channels.
Why does it have 16 XLR outputs?
The additional physical outputs provide flexibility for multiple subwoofers, bi-amplification and matrixed channels. They do not increase the number of independently decoded channels beyond 12.
Does it support Dolby Atmos?
Yes. Dolby Atmos and Dolby Surround post-processing are supported.
Does it support DTS:X?
Yes. DTS:X and DTS Neural:X post-processing are supported.
Does it support Auro-3D?
Yes. Auro-3D and Auro-Matic post-processing are supported.
Does it include RoomPerfect?
Yes. The RoomPerfect microphone, stand and microphone cable are included.
How many HDMI inputs does it have?
It provides three HDMI 2.1 inputs.
How many HDMI outputs does it have?
It provides two HDMI 2.1 outputs.
Does it support 8K video?
Yes. It accepts compatible 8K30 RGB or YCbCr 4:4:4 signals and 8K60 YCbCr 4:2:0 signals.
Does it support 4K120 gaming?
Yes. Compatible 4K120 4:4:4 10-bit signals are supported.
Does it support VRR and ALLM?
Yes. Variable Refresh Rate and Auto Low Latency Mode are supported with compatible equipment.
Does it support eARC?
Yes. eARC allows compatible televisions to return high-quality audio, including suitable Dolby Atmos bitstreams, to the processor.
Does it pass Dolby Vision and HDR10+?
Yes. The HDMI system supports suitable Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR and HLG signals.
Does it have analogue audio inputs?
No. Analogue sources require a suitable external analogue-to-digital converter.
Does it have balanced outputs?
Yes. Sixteen balanced XLR outputs are provided, with a maximum output level of 8Vrms.
Can it stream music?
Yes. Supported options include AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready, DLNA and internet radio.
Does it support Dolby Atmos Music through Tidal?
Yes. Lyngdorf specifies Tidal Connect with Dolby Atmos Music support.
Does it have Wi-Fi?
No built-in Wi-Fi connection is specified. Network access is provided through wired Ethernet.
Does it support Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is not included. Compatible network streaming services or a separate Bluetooth receiver can be used instead.
Can a computer be connected by USB?
Yes. The USB-B audio input supports compatible PCM signals at up to 32-bit/192kHz.
Does it have a second-zone output?
Yes. A fixed 24-bit/96kHz coaxial digital Zone output is provided.
Does it use an internal cooling fan?
No. The MP-40 2.1 uses fan-free cooling, although suitable ventilation is still required.
Can it be rack-mounted?
Yes. It can be installed freestanding or within a suitable 4RU equipment rack.
How large and heavy is it?
It measures approximately 450mm wide, 147mm high and 370mm deep, and weighs around 6.7kg.
Which finish is available?
The Lyngdorf MP-40 2.1 is supplied in a matte black finish.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Specialist home cinema demonstrations
- Room and speaker-layout planning
- Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro-3D guidance
- RoomPerfect calibration and setup support
- Power amplifier and loudspeaker matching
- Subwoofer selection and integration advice
- HDMI 2.1 signal-path planning
- 4K120 and 8K compatibility guidance
- Balanced XLR cable advice
- Network and control-system assistance
- Home cinema design and installation advice
- Ongoing system and software support
Contact your local Audio T store to arrange a demonstration or discuss designing a home cinema system around the Lyngdorf MP-40 2.1.