dbx 223XL Stereo 2-Way/Mono 3-Way Crossover

dbx 223XL
Let's take a look at the construction features of the dbx (r) 223XL. As you turn the controls you will notice that these units are extremely well built. The controls exude great precision, and the feel is a solid 'click'. Also, when you open the box, you won't find the external power supply that accompanies most processors in this price range. That's because we know how difficult external power supplies can be to work with and even though it costs a little more, we put the high quality power supply right in the unit. All the inputs and outputs are balanced XLRs that are screwed directly to the chassis. This connection of the jacks to the chassis insures that even if someone stomps on a cable plugged into the unit, it's not going to tear up the circuit board inside. All dbx crossovers feature Linkwitz-Riley 24dB per octave filters, the professional standard. But then again, what did you expect?

Via a switch on the back panel, you first select whether you're operating your system in stereo 2-way or mono 3-way. Then you also set, on the back panel, whether or not you want to mono sum the LF (subwoofer) out. (Most systems that use a subwoofer are mono subbed to take advantage of amplifier power and because low frequencies are non-directional.) Back panel switches allow you to select the range of the crossover frequencies individually for both channels. The crossover frequency controls have a green LED that indicates when the x10 switch on the back panel is activated (we wouldn't make you check the switch position on the back every time you wonder where it's set). All these switches are on the back panel because it could be disastrous if you were to change them mid-program. On the front panel you'll notice there are LEDs that indicate whether the unit is in mono or stereo mode. Each channel has an input gain control for proper level setting. There's a recessed 40 Hz low cut (HPF) on each channel to remove unwanted low frequencies. Both the low and high outputs on each channel have a gain control ranging from -infinity to +6 dB to allow muting of individual outputs and for level matching. Also, these outputs each have phase reverse switches that will help get you out of a bind without having to reconfigure your system. These phase reverse switches may be internally reconfigured as mute switches.

You'll get great performance, all the features you'd expect from a professional product and the knowledge that you're buying a processor from the people that have been producing the worlds finest processors for over 25 years. The technology that made us famous brings you a dbx crossover that has been tested to the highest professional standards at a price that's just too low to admit!

Features

XLR balanced ins and outs

Mode switch for stereo 2-way or mono 3-way operation

Low frequency summed (subwoofer) output

x10 range switch on both channels

40Hz high pass (low cut) filter both channels

Phase reverse switch on all outputs

Individual level controls on all outputs

24dB per octave Linkwitz-Riley filters (the professional standard)

Stereo/Mono status LEDs indicate the selected mode

dbx (r) 2 year parts and labor as standard

CSA NRTL/C approved

CE compliant

Technical Info

Input

Connectors: XLR
Type: Electronically balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered
Impedance: Balanced >50kOhm, unbalanced >25kOhm
Max Input Level: >+21dBu balanced or unbalanced
CMRR: >40dB, typically >50dB at 1kHz

Outputs

Connectors: XLR
Type: Impedance-balanaced/unbalanced, RF filtered
Impedance: Balanced 200 Ohm, unbalanced 100 Ohm
Max Output Level: >+21dBu balanced/unbalanced into 2k or greater

System Performance

Bandwidth: 20Hz to 20kHz, +/-0.5dB
Frequency Response: < 3 Hz to > 90 kHz, +0/-3 dB
Signal-to-Noise: Ref: +4 dBu, 22 kHz measurement bandwidth
Stereo Mode >94dB (Low Output), >92dB (High Output)
Mono Mode: >94dB (Low Output), >93dB (Mid Output), >92dB (High Output)
Dynamic Range: > 114 dB, unweighted, any output
THD + Noise: < 0.004% at +4 dBu, 1 kHz, < 0.04% at +20 dBu, 1 kHz
Interchannel Crosstalk: < -80 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Crossover Frequencies

Stereo Mode: Low/High 45 to 960 Hz or 450 Hz to 9.6 kHz (x10 setting)
Mono Mode: Low/Mid: 45 to 960 Hz or 450 Hz to 9.6 kHz (x10 setting)
Mid/High: 45 to 960 Hz or 450 Hz to 9.6 kHz (x10 setting)
Filter type: Linkwitz-Riley, 24 dB/octave, state-variable

Function Switches

Front Panel (Low Cut): Activates 40 Hz Butterworth, 12 dB/octave high-pass filter, one switch per channel
Phase Invert: Inverts the phase at the output, one switch per output
Rear Panel: x1 / x10: Multiplies the low-high(mono: low/mid and high/mid) crossover frequency range of the front-panel markings by a factor of 1 or 10, one switch per channel
Mode: Selects stereo 2-way or mono 3-way operation and disables all LEDs for controls that are non-functional in the selected mode
LF sum: Selects normal (stereo) or mono-summed low frequency operation and disables Ch 2’s low output phase invert LED to indicate that this output is not operational in the LF sum mode

Indicators

Stereo Operation: Green LED
Mono Operation: Yellow LED
Low Cut: Red LED per channel
x10 Green LED per channel
Phase Invert: Red LED per output (2 per channel)

Power Supply

Operating Voltage: 100 VAC 50/60 Hz; 120 VAC 60 Hz 230 VAC50 HZ
Power consumption: 15W
Main Connection: IEC 320 receptacle

Physical

Dimensions (H x W x D): 1.75 in. X 19 in. X 6.9 in.
Weight: 3.7 lbs. (1.7 kg)
Shipping Weight: 5.4 lbs. (2.5 kg)

Note: Specifications subject to change without notice.

A version of the dbx 223 with XLR I/O in lieu of TRS.