DBX DriveRack PA2 Complete Loudspeaker Management System

Product Information

This unit has a single stereo/mono input with three stereo outputs of which the LOW output can be configured mono for single subwoofer use. I suggest reading the manual to find out more about the features. (Yes, RTFM before buying!) Some special cases will need a bit more manual tinkering, eg. setting up a PA with three subwoofers. (Yes, one of the setups I did had a full-range stereo pair from HIGH outputs, stereo subwoofers from MID outputs, and a third mono subwoofer in the middle in front of the stage from the LOW output, and it was awesome!)

I was looking for an active crossover and ended up deciding to just go for a full loudspeaker management system! PROS: High-quality DSP, pro features, simple operations via Setup Wizard, parameter storage/recall, Android/iOS/Mac-PC control. New, improved AutoEQ algorithm ensures an extremely accurate, fast, and non-intrusive automatic EQ experience. This cookie stores user-like settings for the chat system provider, which are required for our online chat service. Trusted Shops Digisynthetic DS24: considering the price of only ¤180 (in my country) and having all the crossover filters I needed (up to 48db/oct), it was looking really good! A 3-band PEQ at input and 5-band at output, a limiter, free routing for each output (A, B or SUM) - really all I needed. But then I tried the remote software... it was an epic horror. Buggy, with the graphs for crossover and EQ not working, limiter settings were completely invisible behind a graphics glitch - absolutely useless and out of the question.

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I have also used the PA2's RTA to set up separate EQs, eg. for monitors which are completely separate from the main PA. Just play pink noise through the system you're tuning and use the PA2's analyser to measure the frequency response, just like it used to be done before fancy AutoEQs. This method also works while setting up the crossover to make sure you have an even response around the crossover frequencies. PA2 has a noise generator for this purpose. L’algorithme Enhanced AFS™ a été amélioré pour être encore plus rapide et plus précis, permettant l’élimination de larsen sans affecter l’équilibre tonal de votre système de diffusion.

From a practical angle, the PA2 couldn't really be easier to use — there is no on/off switch, and when the unit powers up all the output channels are muted, though this can be altered in the utility menu. I crossed my fingers and cut power to the unit whilst it was still connected to my monitors, and there was no pop or noise of any kind — a big improvement over the original. The goal was - 1.) get full crossover functionality with different filters available, 2.) have remote control capability through PC and 3.) spend no more than ¤400 for it.

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Configuring which outputs are enabled can only be done through the Wizard, which takes away half of the handling stars. When setting up special setups you will need to think which wizard choices enable what you need and then set up the crossover manually. I'd prefer a possibility to just enable and configure each output freely instead. I had been considering the Behringer DCX2496 Ultradrive Pro, because of the third input, but very glad I chose the DBX PA2 instead.