XLR differentially balanced ins and outs. Mono 4-way or stereo 2-way/3-way operation. Subwoofer output.
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
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
