Go to…. Introduction Amplifier classes Behringer Marchand Rane Paradigm Thel Audioworld

Behringer:

Behringer manufacturers high-value pro electronics. Some have questioned their units' reliability under pro sound conditions, but their low price and high-tech capabilities recommend them for home hi-fi use. Their top of the line DCX2496, listed here, costs less than many electronic crossovers of much lesser capabilities. 1. Ultradrive Pro DCX2496 - Ultra High-Precision Digital 24-Bit/96 kHz Loudspeaker Management System Price: $440 Features: Almost infintely adjustable via RS-232 or RS-485 serial port computer connections or front panel multifunction controls, using SHARC 32-bit DSP processor and Crystal 24-bit, 96 kHz ADC's and DAC's. Digital sample rate convertor: Yes Inputs: 3 XLR (one - input "A" - can be used for microphone, one - input "C" - can be used for S/PDIF, AES/EBU digital stereo) Outputs: 6 XLR Presets: 60 Cascadable: Yes, via RS-485 Level: Individual, 113 dB dynamic range Filter types: LP, HP, BP (Butterworth, Bessel. or Linkwitz-Riley preprogrammed) Phase: Programmable Time delay: Programmable Frequency readout: LCD Frequency response: 10 Hz - 35 kHz, -1 dB THD = <0.007% S/N = >90 dB Gain = Programmable Input impedance (analog) = 20 KΩ Input impedance (microphone) = 470 Ω Input impedance (digital) = 110 Ω Output impedance = 160 Ω Maximum input (analog) = +22 dBu Maximum input (microphone) = -23 dBu Maximum input (digital) = 0.3 - 10 Vpp Maximum output = +22 dBu Microphone phantom output: +15 Vdc Size: 19 x 8.5 x 1.25 in. (482.6 x 216 x 31.75 mm) Weight: 6.6 lbs. (3 Kg)

Behringer distributors & dealers: International: See the Behringer web site for details

Marchand:

Marchand sells most of their products assembled, as kits, or as EZ kits (most of the hard work already done). Marchand is available direct from Marchand or through numerous distributors. 1. XM6 stereo, 2-way - 24 dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley Price: $495 EZ kit, $694 assembled Features: Frequency selection: Digital, front panel up/down switches select from 163 discreet frequencies from 20 to 5k Hz. Level: Individual per channel, -8 to +4 dB Damping: Common control, -3 to +6 dB Phase: One inverting switches per channel Summing (subwoofer) out: Yes Time delay: None Frequency readout: 4-digit LED Frequency response: 2 Hz - 100 kHz THD = <0.01% S/N = >110 dB Gain = 0 dB Input impedance = 50 KΩ Output impedance = 10 Ω Maximum input = ±12.5 V Maximum output = ±12.5 V Size: 17 x 8.5 x 2.8 in. (432 x 216 x 71 mm) Weight: N.A. 2. XM9 stereo, 2-way - 24 dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley Price: $249 kit, $299 EZ kit, $399 assembled (standard) Price: $299 kit, $349 EZ kit, $499 assembled (deluxe) Frequency modules: $2 /each (kit), $4 /each (assembled) Note: Deluxe version adds upgraded op amps and connectors. Features: Frequency selection: 20 to 5k Hz by plug-in modules. Level: Individual per channel, 0 (off) to +6 dB Damping: Fixed Summing (subwoofer) out: Yes Time delay: None Frequency readout: None Frequency response: DC - 100 kHz THD = <0.01% S/N = >110 dB Gain = 0 dB Input impedance = 50 KΩ Output impedance = 50 Ω Maximum input = ±12.5 V Maximum output = ±12.5 V Size: 17 x 8.5 x 2.8 in. (432 x 216 x 71 mm) Weight: N.A. 3. XM16 stereo, 2-way - 48 dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley Price: $299 kit, $349 EZ kit, $449 assembled (standard) Price: $349 kit, $399 EZ kit, $549 assembled (deluxe) Frequency modules: $4 /each (kit), $6 /each (assembled) Note: Deluxe version adds upgraded op amps and connectors. Features: Frequency selection: 20 to 5k Hz by plug-in modules. Level: Individual per channel, -8 to +4 dB Damping: Fixed Summing (subwoofer) out: Yes Time delay: None Frequency readout: None Frequency response: DC - 100 kHz THD = <0.01% S/N = >110 dB Gain = 0 dB Input impedance = 100 KΩ Output impedance = 50 Ω Maximum input = ±12.5 V Maximum output = ±12.5 V Size: 17 x 8.5 x 2.8 in. (235 x 127 x 317.5 mm) Weight: N.A. 4. XM26 stereo, 2-way - 24 dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley, tube/valve design Price: $689 kit, $800 EZ kit, $1,495 assembled Frequency modules: $7 /each (kit), $10 /each (assembled) Features: Frequency selection: 20 to 5k Hz by plug-in modules. Level: Individual per channel, -1 to 0 dB Damping: Fixed Summing (subwoofer) out: Yes Time delay: None Frequency readout: None Frequency response: 5 Hz - 100 kHz THD = <0.1% S/N = >110 dB Gain = 0 dB Input impedance = 1 MΩ Output impedance = 500 Ω Maximum input = ±25 V Maximum output = ±25 V Size: 17 x 8.5 x 2.8 in. (235 x 127 x 317.5 mm) Weight: N.A.

Marchand Electronics distributors & dealers: International: Sold directly by Marchand Electronics

Rane:

Rane is a highly-respected vendor specializing in pro sound equipment. A number of their products have been adopted for home use by DIY'ers. Rane is available from a network of Rane pro audio distributors. 1. AC22 stereo, 2-way or mono 3-way - 24 dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley Price: $369 Features: Frequency selection: 16 discreet frequencies from 70 to 3.6k Hz. Level: Individual per channel, 0 to +6 dB Damping: None Phase: None Summing (subwoofer) out: Yes Time delay: 0 - 2 ms. Frequency readout: None Frequency response: 20 Hz - 40 kHz, filtered THD = <0.02% S/N = >92 dB Gain = 0-6 dB Input impedance = 20 KΩ Output impedance = 200 Ω Maximum input = +21 dBu Maximum output = +20 dBu Size: 19 x 5.3 x 1.75 in. (483 x 133 x 44 mm) Weight: 4 lbs. (3 Kg) 2. AC23 stereo, 3-way or mono 5-way - 24 dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley Price: $450 Features: Frequency selection (lo): 11 discreet frequencies from 70 to 1k Hz. Frequency selection (hi): 14 discreet frequencies from 190 to 7k Hz. Level: Individual per channel, 0 to +6 dB Damping: None Phase: None Summing (subwoofer) out: Yes Time delay: 0 - 2 ms. Frequency readout: None Frequency response: 20 Hz - 40 kHz, filtered THD = <0.01% S/N = >110 dB Gain = 0-6 dB Input impedance = 20 KΩ Output impedance = 200 Ω Maximum input = +21 dBu Maximum output = +20 dBu Size: 19 x 5.3 x 1.75 in. (483 x 133 x 44 mm) Weight: 5 lbs. (2.3 Kg)

Rane distributors & dealers: International: See the Rane web site for dealers.

Paradigm:

Paradigm is a highly-respected vendor of loudspeaker systems. They also have a line of electronic crossovers. Hard to find, you can get the details on these units here. 1. X-20 stereo, 2-way - 18 dB/octave Price: $159 Note: This unit features speaker level inputs. Outputs are speaker level high pass (6 dB/octave @ 125 Hz), and line level subwoofer. Features: Frequency selection: 35 to 150 Hz, continuously variable. Level: Individual per channel, 0 to +6 dB Damping: None Phase: Variable, 0-180 degrees Summing (subwoofer) out: No Time delay: None Frequency readout: None Frequency response: N.A. THD = N.A. S/N = >100 dB Gain = 0 dB Size: 7.25 x 4.25 x 1.875 in. (185 x 108 x 48 mm) Weight: 2.5 lbs. (1.1 Kg) 2. X-30 stereo, 2-way - 18 dB/octave Price: $159 Note: This unit features line level inputs. Outputs are line level and symmetrical about the chosen frequency. Features: Frequency selection: 35 to 150 Hz, continuously variable. Level: Individual per channel, 0 to +6 dB Damping: None Phase: Variable, 0-180 degrees Summing (subwoofer) out: No Time delay: None Frequency readout: None Frequency response: N.A. THD = N.A. S/N = >100 dB Gain = 0 dB Input impedance = Not stated Output impedance = N.A. Maximum input = Speaker level Maximum output = N.A. Size: 7.25 x 4.25 x 1.875 in. (185 x 108 x 48 mm) Weight: 2.5 lbs. (1.1 Kg)

Paradigm distributors & dealers: International: See the Paradigm web site for dealers.

Thel Audioworld:

Thel Audioworld is a German company. Althought they don't actively pursue sales outside the EU, they do have a distributor in the UK. Their active filter modules are attractive and versatile, with crossover and equalization frequencies set by PC-mounted muti-position switches. Thel sells individual modules, which are noted here. They also sell more complete kits with power supplies and cases, which may be seen at their web site. Neither particularly cheap, nor expensive, feedback on the quality of these has been quite positive. For more money, you can have them substitute 0.1% Welwyn resistors for the standard 1% Vishay units. 1. SAW 30-3: mono 3-way, 24 dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley (other configurations possible). Price: $180 kit (standard), $290 (w. 0.1% resistors) Features: Frequency selection: 192 steps from 46 to 12.098k Hz. Damping: None Phase: Fixed Time delay: None Frequency response: DC - 300k Hz THD = 110 dBA S/N = 0.002% Gain = 1-4, adjustable Input impedance = 10 k Output impedance = 600 Maximum input = ±15 V Maximum output = ±15 V Size: N.A. 2. SAW 30-2: stero 2-way, 24 dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley (other configurations possible). Price: $180 kit (standard), $290 (w. 0.1% resistors) Features: Frequency selection: 192 steps from 46 to 12.098k Hz. Damping: None Phase: Fixed Time delay: None Frequency response: DC - 300k Hz THD = 110 dBA S/N = 0.002% Gain = 1-4, adjustable Input impedance = 10 k Output impedance = 600 Maximum input = ±15 V Maximum output = ±15 V Size: N.A.

Thel Audioworld distributors & dealers: International: Refer to the Thel Audioworld web site

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