OWC Express 1M2 / CalDigit TS4 data transfer speed

[herbert7265]

@gr8tfly

Okay, here now the first part of my more detailed answer!

The most likely best option to handle you issue could be to use the "beta firmware" from CalDigit for the TS4.

But here a few remarks upfront: It has been the technical support from CalDigit that has been really interested in this topic, even after I found the fix with the update / change in the configuration of the 1M2 controller. Especially Vincent, my contact in within the technical support at CalDigit, was always in contact with his technical area and me. And when they finally also found a fix for the issue they provided me with a so called "beta firmware", despite the fact that there had still not been made an internal decision if this will be a future official beta or regular firmware update, considering all the related implications (testing, etc.). Therefore, to not misuse their trust or whatever else, I dropped an email to Vincent if I can share the provided "beta firmware" or not. Maybe they already have even a more sophisticated version of the firmware, who knows. I expect to have an answer within the next 1-3 days.

The other option is, as already mentioned, to update / adjust the configuration of the OWC 1M2 controller.

Here the link the most actual version of the controller firmware and software application to do so:

Asmedia ASM2464 NVME/USB 4.x Controller Firmware Version 250717_85_00_00

Windows

www.station-drivers.com

Remark: This version is even one step further than the one I originally used in my fix!

Here the little manual I wrote how to update / adjust the configuration of the 1M2 controller:

Important: This works only on a Windows computer, not on a Mac!

I hope the manual is clear enough, otherwise feel free to ask. But maybe you want to wait until I have the feedback from CalDigit, that could be the better and more easy solution.

Any questions left just let me know.

Herbert

 

[gr8tfly]

@gr8tfly

Okay, here now the first part of my more detailed answer!

The most likely best option to handle you issue could be to use the "beta firmware" from CalDigit for the TS4.

But here a few remarks upfront: It has been the technical support from CalDigit that has been really interested in this topic, even after I found the fix with the update / change in the configuration of the 1M2 controller. Especially Vincent, my contact in within the technical support at CalDigit, was always in contact with his technical area and me. And when they finally also found a fix for the issue they provided me with a so called "beta firmware", despite the fact that there had still not been made an internal decision if this will be a future official beta or regular firmware update, considering all the related implications (testing, etc.). Therefore, to not misuse their trust or whatever else, I dropped an email to Vincent if I can share the provided "beta firmware" or not. Maybe they already have even a more sophisticated version of the firmware, who knows. I expect to have an answer within the next 1-3 days.

The other option is, as already mentioned, to update / adjust the configuration of the OWC 1M2 controller.

Here the link the most actual version of the controller firmware and software application to do so:

Asmedia ASM2464 NVME/USB 4.x Controller Firmware Version 250717_85_00_00

Windows

www.station-drivers.com

Remark: This version is even one step further than the one I originally used in my fix!

Here the little manual I wrote how to update / adjust the configuration of the 1M2 controller:

Important: This works only on a Windows computer, not on a Mac!

I hope the manual is clear enough, otherwise feel free to ask. But maybe you want to wait until I have the feedback from CalDigit, that could be the better and more easy solution.

Any questions left just let me know.

Herbert

Thanks for the update. I'm glad CalDigit is working the issue.

OWC tech support was trying to be helpful, but he didn't have much to offer other than to take the enclosure to their facility for testing. He wasn't sure they had a CalDigit dock to test it with. Surprisingly, they would only verify it would work either connected directly to the MBP, or to one of their own docks. I say "surprisingly" because the CalDigit dock isn't exactly an unknown in the world of TB/USB4 docks and IMO testing my TB4/USB4 compliant device with at least some of the more popular (and highly rated) docks would be expected. Regardless, it's good to know you found a source for configuring and/or updating the 1M2 firmware. Your research is greatly appreciated!

Most likely, I'll wait and see what CalDigit's response to your request is. While I'd like to eventually leave the 1M2 connected to the dock to do TimeMachine backups (or just to have as a fast working drive for media work), I'm still in the process of troubleshooting TimeMachine to determine why it won't do incremental backups. Meanwhile, I just connect the 1M2 directly to the MBP and let it do it's full backup maybe once a day while I continue to work the problem. It's been doing full backups in less than 30 min for ~825 GB (I do have to whittle that down one of these days; the internal is "only" 1 TB). Of course, with "only" a 4 TB SSD, I'm limited to four backups at a time.

Thanks again for the help.

Chuck

(And fingers crossed CalDigit's update tool is macOS compatible, as I don't have a PC setup at the moment. It's still in its box sitting on the corner of the bench where it's destined to become my WX station server. Someday...)

 

[herbert7265]

@gr8tfly

Chuck, as I did not hear anything from CalDigit until now: What about you send me your email address via PM and then I send you "beta firmware" via email?

Herbert

 

[herbert7265]

@gr8tfly

UPDATE!

Chuck, one hour after I dropped the message above I received an answer from CalDigit:

Hello Herbert,

Thanks for reaching out again.

We would prefer that you re-direct the customer to us. We’d like to establish that initial connection. Also in the weird case where the customer is still having trouble, that would give us the chance to investigate the behavior too.

Just to let you know as well, the PD firmware is still in beta, because we’re looking to include some additional other devices in the firmware as well. It’s looking to be a bigger update, which is why it’s not been officially released yet.

Best Regards,
Vincent

CalDigit Support
support@caldigit.com

Therefore, please contact the CalDigit support directly (email see in the response from CalDigit), address your request to Vincent, with best regards from me.

As I know Vincent I am confident they will support you to get your problem solved.

Also, despite being a satisfied OWC customer since years, I dare to state that my experience with their technical support concerning this topic was not "overwhelming", to phrase it carefully. I contacted them in parallel to CalDigit, but the only feedback I got from OWC "blamed" the problem to the CalDigit TS4. And when I finally found my workaround (change in the 1M2 controller setting) I also informed OWC about it, on August 18. I never ever received any answer on that mail with my finding...! Taking now into account what you describe as the response from OWC concerning your problem makes me wonder if they either do not use user feedback, do not communicate internally and / or are not really interested in such topics. Sorry, that may sound harsh, but at least to a certain point a "logical" conclusion.

Would be interesting to hear from you again after your problem has (hopefully) soon been resolved!

Oh, I forgot to mention that applying the beta firmware to the TS4 can be done on Mac, it's only the controller update software that does not work on Mac, only on Windows.

Herbert

 

[gr8tfly]

@gr8tfly

UPDATE!

Chuck, one hour after I dropped the message above I received an answer from CalDigit:

Hello Herbert,

Thanks for reaching out again.

We would prefer that you re-direct the customer to us. We’d like to establish that initial connection. Also in the weird case where the customer is still having trouble, that would give us the chance to investigate the behavior too.

Just to let you know as well, the PD firmware is still in beta, because we’re looking to include some additional other devices in the firmware as well. It’s looking to be a bigger update, which is why it’s not been officially released yet.

Best Regards,
Vincent

CalDigit Support
support@caldigit.com

Therefore, please contact the CalDigit support directly (email see in the response from CalDigit), address your request to Vincent, with best regards from me.

As I know Vincent I am confident they will support you to get your problem solved.

Also, despite being a satisfied OWC customer since years, I dare to state that my experience with their technical support concerning this topic was not "overwhelming", to phrase it carefully. I contacted them in parallel to CalDigit, but the only feedback I got from OWC "blamed" the problem to the CalDigit TS4. And when I finally found my workaround (change in the 1M2 controller setting) I also informed OWC about it, on August 18. I never ever received any answer on that mail with my finding...! Taking now into account what you describe as the response from OWC concerning your problem makes me wonder if they either do not use user feedback, do not communicate internally and / or are not really interested in such topics. Sorry, that may sound harsh, but at least to a certain point a "logical" conclusion.

Would be interesting to hear from you again after your problem has (hopefully) soon been resolved!

Oh, I forgot to mention that applying the beta firmware to the TS4 can be done on Mac, it's only the controller update software that does not work on Mac, only on Windows.

Herbert

I had just finished reading your previous post and came over to the thread to see if there was any update – lo and behold!

Yes, I will send them an email with attn to Vincent. Also, great news that they have a tool for macOS.

I would agree, though didn't really convey it, that OWC's support did have a flavor of "the blame game". However, last I heard (beginning of the week, I think), he was requesting System Info dumps for both connecting the 1M2 directly to the MBP and one with it connected to the TS4. There wouldn't be anything really gained by those as they just confirmed what I had already told him. I'll give 'em a point for effort though.

Thanks! I'll keep you posted.


Edit 11/8/25:
Herbert (and all)
Just a quick update.

I contacted CalDigit through Vincent early Friday morning (like 3AM PST) and was very happy to receive his reply later that afternoon! He provided excellent information about the issue and included links to beta firmwares for me to try out. I'm assuming they are the same versions you have been testing. I hope to get them installed and tested over the weekend (I have to finally go and label all the cables going to the dock so I can make sure to have the same devices on the same ports when I go to test the updates, which involves getting under the desk, 🙄 a slow process I'm afraid.)

Further updates to come. Thanks once again for providing such an excellent connection with CalDigit support. I'm very impressed with the thoroughness of Vincent's email.

 

[gr8tfly]

I had just finished reading your previous post and came over to the thread to see if there was any update – lo and behold!

Yes, I will send them an email with attn to Vincent. Also, great news that they have a tool for macOS.

I would agree, though didn't really convey it, that OWC's support did have a flavor of "the blame game". However, last I heard (beginning of the week, I think), he was requesting System Info dumps for both connecting the 1M2 directly to the MBP and one with it connected to the TS4. There wouldn't be anything really gained by those as they just confirmed what I had already told him. I'll give 'em a point for effort though.

Thanks! I'll keep you posted.


Edit 11/8/25:
Herbert (and all)
Just a quick update.

I contacted CalDigit through Vincent early Friday morning (like 3AM PST) and was very happy to receive his reply later that afternoon! He provided excellent information about the issue and included links to beta firmwares for me to try out. I'm assuming they are the same versions you have been testing. I hope to get them installed and tested over the weekend (I have to finally go and label all the cables going to the dock so I can make sure to have the same devices on the same ports when I go to test the updates, which involves getting under the desk, 🙄 a slow process I'm afraid.)

Further updates to come. Thanks once again for providing such an excellent connection with CalDigit support. I'm very impressed with the thoroughness of Vincent's email.

Update:

Good news everyone!

The new (beta) firmware for the CalDigit TS4 fixed the OWC 1M2 enclosure connection problem. Vincent at CalDigit Support, provided betas of both the PD and the TB controllers within (separate updater tool, macOS compatible). After installation, the OWC 1M2 enclosure connects as a TB4/USB4 device at 40 Gbps.

Connection speeds are a little slower than directly connecting to my M3 Pro MBP. According to BlackMagic Disk Speed Test, I get 2822/2803 MB/s write/read through the TS4 dock. Connected directly to the MBP I get 3119/3068 MB/s write/read. I think Herbert saw something similar, though I don't have his post in front of me. For reference, note that I have a 4 TB Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD installed in the enclosure. I don't see the speed difference greatly affecting my use cases.

For anyone else experiencing an issue with the OWC 1M2 (or other USB4 devices) connecting to the TS4 dock, I would highly suggest contacting CalDigit support, attention Vincent (Please feel free to mention myself, Chuck (gr8tfly here at MR). While I can't speak for him, I suspect Herbert would be good with a mention too). Based on my experience, you will receive excellent technical support from him (and CalDigit seems to have his back).

-Chuck

 

[herbert7265]

@gr8tfly

Hello Chuck

Glad to read that the CalDigit support could solve also your problem with the 1M2.

Yes, I see the same slight drop in transfer speed when the 1M2 is connected to the TS4 vs when it is connected to my MBP M2. But considering it is just about 10% I personally don’t care at all, as it doesn’t affect my real world operations. It’s not even enough to allow me getting another coffee from the kitchen…!

From my point of view, backed now also by what you wrote, the support team at CalDigit, represented by Vincent, really showed interest in this topic, worked to provide a solution and that way lived what I call customer orientation.

Have a great day!

Herbert