dbx 234XL Stereo 2-Way/Mono 3 or 4-Way Crossover

Let's take a look at the construction features of the dbx 234XL. At first glance you'll notice the units are great looking, and as you turn the controls something else becomes apparent; 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 dbx knows how difficult external power supplies can be to work with and even though it costs a little more they put the high quality power supply right in the unit. All the inputs and outputs are balanced XLR connectors that are screwed directly to the chassis. This connecting of the jacks insures that even if someone steps 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 2 switches on the back panel you first select whether you're operating your system in stereo 2-way, 3-way or mono 4-way. Another back panel switch also selects whether or not you want to mono sum the LF (subwoofer) out. (Most systems that use a subwoofer are mono summed 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 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 +6dB, to allow muting of individual outputs and for level matching. Also, these outputs each have phase reverse switches that'll 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 world's finest processors for over 20 years. The technology that made dbx famous brings you a crossover which has been tested to the highest professional standards at a price that's just too low to admit!

Features:
XLR differentially balanced ins and outs

Mode switches for mono 4-way or stereo 2-way/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 band outputs

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

Stereo/Mono status LEDs indicate the selected mode

Technical Info

Input
Connectors: XLR

Type: Electronically balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered

Impedance: Balanced >50k ohm, unbalanced >25k ohm

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)
>93dB (Mid Output)
>92dB (High Output)

Mono Mode:
>94dB (Low Output)
>94dB (Low/Mid Output)
>92dB (High-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

Cossover Frequencies:
Stereo Mode: Low/High: 45 to 960 Hz or 450 Hz to 9.6 kHz (x10 setting)

Stereo Mode: Mid/High: 450 Hz to 9.6 kHz

Mono Mode: Low/Low Mid: 45 to 960 Hz or 450 Hz to 9.6 kHz (x10 setting)

Low-Mid/High-Mid: 450 Hz to 9.6 kHz

High-Mid/High: 450 Hz to 9.6 kHz

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-mid (mono: low/low-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, 3-way or mono 4-way operation and disables all LEDs for controls that are non-functional in the mono mode

LF sum: Selects normal (stereo) or mono-summed low frequency operation and disables Ch 2s low output phase invert LED to indicate that this output is not operational in the LF sum mode

Inditators
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 (3 per channel)

Power Supply
Operating Voltage: 100-120 VAC 50/60 Hz; 120 VAC 60 Hz 230 VAC 50 Hz

Power consumption: 15W

Main Connection: IEC 320 receptacle

Physical
Dimensions (H x W x D): 1.75 X 19 X 6.9 in. (4.4cm x 48.3cm x 17.5cm)

Weight: 4.0 lbs. (1.8 kg)

Shipping Weight: 5.8 lbs. (2.6 kg)

Note: Specifications subject to change without notice.