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DCX2496 Alternative ?

post #1 of 44
9/19/10 at 3:41pm
Thread Starter 
What would be a good alternative to the DCX2496 for $800 or less?

The distributorship of Behringer was discontinued where I live so no Behringer, at least for a few months. Either I import it from the US or I get something like the Driverack260. I was put off by the Driverack because I read the filters only went down till 31Hz and most people tend to prefer the DCX over the 260 because of its greater flexibility which is why I am kind of leaning towards importing the DCX.

Recommendations please.
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post #2 of 44
9/19/10 at 4:00pm
What's the application? <31Hz is a non issue if you're crossing over to your subs well before that.

I have a dbx drive rack PA and it has very good SQ, but like you said, the DCX is more powerful. The drive rack is quick to get up and running if you have a measurement mike.
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post #3 of 44
9/19/10 at 4:05pm
Thread Starter 
I have 2 DTS-10s coming in, I *may* need to high pass them at 20Hz as I plan to run them hard.

Generally need to use it as an Xover and EQ.
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post #4 of 44
9/19/10 at 4:10pm
I don't know how the drive rack 260 differs from my PA, but what I have would be close to useless for a sub. I use mine for speakers.

Two dts-10's driven hard? Sounds nice! Do you have a huge room or just like listen at 10db above reference?
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post #5 of 44
9/19/10 at 4:23pm
If you don't mind a bit of DIY, there's the MiniDSP. Cheap too, and more than OK for sub use, but not sure how low the filters will go. Two caps and two resistors (per channel) will get you a 2nd order PLLXO you can add at the xover or amp input for a couple of $.

Here's a bit of a write up on it.
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post #6 of 44
9/19/10 at 4:30pm
These guys make line level sub sonic filters if you don't want to DIY

http://store.hlabs.com/pk4/store.pl?section=12
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post #7 of 44
9/19/10 at 4:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by steve71 View Post

These guys make line level sub sonic filters if you don't want to DIY

http://store.hlabs.com/pk4/store.pl?section=12

The frequency is going to vary with load impedance and they aren't available in a low enough F3. Seems pointless having a 20Hz filter on a DTS10.
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post #8 of 44
9/19/10 at 4:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by A9X-308 View Post

The frequency is going to vary with load impedance and they aren't available in a low enough F3. Seems pointless having a 20Hz filter on a DTS10.

The 20hz filter was not my suggestion.

By load impedance, do you mean the input impedance of the sub's amp? I thought that was usually about 10K ohms on most amps, or am I barking up the wrong tree.
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post #9 of 44
9/19/10 at 4:54pm
"What would be a good alternative to the DCX2496 for $800 or less?"

what third world country do you live in where you can't get a 2496 for less than $800? ;-)

i'd bet that you can get one delivered for about 1/2 that price most anywhere in the developed world.
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post #10 of 44
9/19/10 at 5:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by steve71 View Post

The 20hz filter was not my suggestion.

Well that's the lowest on offer of the devices on the page you linked.

Quote:
Originally Posted by steve71 View Post

By load impedance, do you mean the input impedance of the sub's amp? I thought that was usually about 10K ohms on most amps, or am I barking up the wrong tree.

Yes, but I have a whole rack full of amps and they vary over a range of about 10:1.
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post #11 of 44
9/19/10 at 5:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by A9X-308 View Post

Well that's the lowest on offer of the devices on the page you linked.

Yes, but I have a whole rack full of amps and they vary over a range of about 10:1.

Not trying to argue, but the OP said they may need a 20hz filer . I guess a call to their tech support to confirm it'll work with his amps input impedance (if it's unusual) would be a good idea.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Decadent_Spectre View Post

I have 2 DTS-10s coming in, I *may* need to high pass them at 20Hz as I plan to run them hard.
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post #12 of 44
9/19/10 at 5:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by steve71 View Post

Two dts-10's driven hard? Sounds nice! Do you have a huge room or just like listen at 10db above reference?

I just like insane levels of bass

Quote:
Originally Posted by A9X-308 View Post

If you don't mind a bit of DIY, there's the MiniDSP.

I don't really do DIY that well, I think a finished product would work well for me.

Quote:
Originally Posted by A9X-308 View Post

Seems pointless having a 20Hz filter on a DTS10.

Might use 15Hz, but I could not say no to the DIY kit price! I'm more of a midbass maniac and less of a sub bass fiend (it is like the icing on the cake), I'm sure the DTS-10 will perform extremely well for my intended usage. It was either these or sealed boxes, and I personally believe horns are the way to go for midbass. Down the line I *hope* to get DBH-218s

Quote:
Originally Posted by LTD02 View Post

"What would be a good alternative to the DCX2496 for $800 or less?"

what third world country do you live in where you can't get a 2496 for less than $800? ;-)

i'd bet that you can get one delivered for about 1/2 that price most anywhere in the developed world.

I think you need to read my original post. I could get a DCX2496 locally before the distributor discontinued its partnership with Behringer. When it was available it sold for $500 (in local currency).
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post #13 of 44
9/19/10 at 5:52pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by steve71 View Post

Not trying to argue, but the OP said they may need a 20hz filer . I guess a call to their tech support to confirm it'll work with his amps input impedance (if it's unusual) would be a good idea.

I figured a filter would help prevent damage due to over excursion? Am I wrong?
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post #14 of 44
9/19/10 at 5:58pm
get a eq2 if your only after a filter, it goes down to 5hz i believe.
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post #15 of 44
9/19/10 at 6:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by N8DOGG View Post

get a eq2 if your only after a filter, it goes down to 5hz i believe.

EQ2? Could you provide a link please.

I'm looking to use it both as a crossover and as an EQ. I am currently unsure if I will require the 20-15Hz high pass.
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post #16 of 44
9/19/10 at 8:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Decadent_Spectre View Post

I figured a filter would help prevent damage due to over excursion? Am I wrong?

You're %100 right. And now that we know why you want a SSF, I'd agree that a variable one + eq would be the ticket.

However unless you're music has a lot of <20hz I don't think you'd need a SSF to crank music. I know I can play my DIY 20Hz Tapped horn a lot louder with music than I can when playing one of 'those' action movies.

Anyway what are you running for mains to keep up with two DTS-10 with a 15-20hz HPF?

The DCX is just so far ahead of everything else (in it's price rage) in terms of what it can do... you can set separate eq's and delay's for up to six subs. IIRC you can also do some filter trickery to shape the response below 20hz. But over all it's more work to get it right.

Are you DTS's on separate amps or channels?
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post #17 of 44
9/19/10 at 8:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Decadent_Spectre View Post

EQ2? Could you provide a link please.

I'm looking to use it both as a crossover and as an EQ. I am currently unsure if I will require the 20-15Hz high pass.

http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_...roducts_id=657 it's basic and works great. I used on in my system for a few years until I bought a dcx 2496.
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post #18 of 44
9/19/10 at 10:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Decadent_Spectre View Post

I don't really do DIY that well, I think a finished product would work well for me.

They have a pre-built solution now:
http://www.minidsp.com/minibox
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post #19 of 44
9/19/10 at 10:55pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by steve71 View Post

You're %100 right. And now that we know why you want a SSF, I'd agree that a variable one + eq would be the ticket.

However unless you're music has a lot of <20hz I don't think you'd need a SSF to crank music. I know I can play my DIY 20Hz Tapped horn a lot louder with music than I can when playing one of 'those' action movies.

Anyway what are you running for mains to keep up with two DTS-10 with a 15-20hz HPF?

The DCX is just so far ahead of everything else (in it's price rage) in terms of what it can do... you can set separate eq's and delay's for up to six subs. IIRC you can also do some filter trickery to shape the response below 20hz. But over all it's more work to get it right.

Are you DTS's on separate amps or channels?

What is a variable SSF, as in manually change it or is it auto? My music certainly doesn't have any content below 20Hz, would that mean that a filter is not required?

I'm running a pair of JTR T12s and I want more . No other speakers, just stereo. Yes I did read that with the right filters you can reach all the way down to 10Hz which won't help me much since my electronics (DAC) roll off at 15Hz. Maybe when I get a pre/pro. Which tapped horn did you build? Can you link the build thread?

The DTS's have not yet arrived but when they do I plan on using a QSC RMX5050 to run both of them, one off each channel. I reckon that ought to let me push it hard. The alternative is a used Crown 5002VZ but I prefer the QSC.

Thank you for the links N8DOGG,findbuddha.
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post #20 of 44
9/20/10 at 12:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Decadent_Spectre View Post

My music certainly doesn't have any content below 20Hz, would that mean that a filter is not required?

Well you won't need one then.
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post #21 of 44
9/20/10 at 12:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by findbuddha View Post

They have a pre-built solution now:
http://www.minidsp.com/minibox

I hadn't seen that they'd made an encased version.
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post #22 of 44
9/20/10 at 1:17am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by A9X-308 View Post

Well you won't need one then.

Thanks for letting me know. I guess I will just need the filter for movies with a lot of content below 20/15Hz if I play it really loud.
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post #23 of 44
9/20/10 at 1:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Decadent_Spectre View Post

I guess I will just need the filter for movies with a lot of content below 20/15Hz if I play it really loud.

My engineer's gut says you won't, but I would enquire of the other owners of the units and see what they think/have measured etc.
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post #24 of 44
9/20/10 at 4:53am
What a great list of products you guys found. That little ED eq is sweet ! And the Mini DSP, holy cow...I want one just to play with it. So you config it, unplug it and away you go......sweet.
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post #25 of 44
9/20/10 at 6:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Decadent_Spectre View Post

EQ2? Could you provide a link please.

I'm looking to use it both as a crossover and as an EQ. I am currently unsure if I will require the 20-15Hz high pass.

I have one sitting around unused. Where do you live?

EQ.2 from elementaldesigns.com

http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_...roducts_id=657
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post #26 of 44
9/20/10 at 8:03am
If you plan to push dts10's hard enough to need a hpf you are looking for something 24db octave near 12 to 13hz. That is where it loses loading on the drivers. Anything above there should be fine and if it's not then you need more speaker. Music really won't have much below 25-30hz compared to an action movie.
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post #27 of 44
9/20/10 at 8:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Decadent_Spectre View Post

What is a variable SSF, as in manually change it or is it auto? My music certainly doesn't have any content below 20Hz, would that mean that a filter is not required?

I'm running a pair of JTR T12s and I want more . No other speakers, just stereo. Yes I did read that with the right filters you can reach all the way down to 10Hz which won't help me much since my electronics (DAC) roll off at 15Hz. Maybe when I get a pre/pro. Which tapped horn did you build? Can you link the build thread?

The DTS's have not yet arrived but when they do I plan on using a QSC RMX5050 to run both of them, one off each channel. I reckon that ought to let me push it hard. The alternative is a used Crown 5002VZ but I prefer the QSC.

Thank you for the links N8DOGG,findbuddha.

A variable SSF is just one that you can change, from say 15hz to 30hz, with the twist of a knob.

Tripple 12's and you still want more... these things must be gate-ways drugs of the speaker world.

If you're running separate amp channels, then the dcx will allow you to eq your two dts-10's independently and also adjust the time delay if not placed equidistant from your LP. Maybe the little mini-dsp can do some of that also, I haven't really checked it out.

I built a tapped horn based of my own design using Hornsrep, which I've been really happy with, but I've moved into a large room and now I'm looking for more subs.

More info on the build is here
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/subwo...oject-236.html
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post #28 of 44
9/21/10 at 12:49am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by penngray View Post

I have one sitting around unused. Where do you live?

EQ.2 from elementaldesigns.com

http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_...roducts_id=657

India.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ricci View Post

If you plan to push dts10's hard enough to need a hpf you are looking for something 24db octave near 12 to 13hz. That is where it loses loading on the drivers. Anything above there should be fine and if it's not then you need more speaker. Music really won't have much below 25-30hz compared to an action movie.

Thanks for the suggestion, I will try it out once it is set up.

Quote:
Originally Posted by steve71 View Post

A variable SSF is just one that you can change, from say 15hz to 30hz, with the twist of a knob.

Tripple 12's and you still want more... these things must be gate-ways drugs of the speaker world.

If you're running separate amp channels, then the dcx will allow you to eq your two dts-10's independently and also adjust the time delay if not placed equidistant from your LP. Maybe the little mini-dsp can do some of that also, I haven't really checked it out.

I built a tapped horn based of my own design using Hornsrep, which I've been really happy with, but I've moved into a large room and now I'm looking for more subs.

More info on the build is here
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/subwo...oject-236.html

Nice, what are you planning to replace them with?
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post #29 of 44
9/21/10 at 8:05am
It's a big space at 26x22x8.5ft and it has a huge 10x4x8.5 closet to boot.

I'd like to hit over 135db a have extension into the low teens, so I'm considering all things at this stage, but getting what I want isn't going to be easy, simple or cheap.

Maybe three or four 2x18 IB manifolds to even out the room response. Or a few large tapped horns or THT placed about the room. I'm probably going to have to compromise on my goals...
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post #30 of 44
10/8/10 at 11:34am
Thread Starter 
I bought the DCX, I was looking to try a digital input from my PC and I found plenty of XLR/RCA cables but they do not mention if they will work with AES/EBU. Will the ones from Monoprice work?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...=2#description
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