Re: DB Technologies Fifty Line Plus
Well they're finally here!
Of course they turn up right when our (Australian) weather is doing it's level best to melt everything through the day (43 celsius/110F) and then threaten to flood the place in the afternoon so an outside test wasn't achievable.
Set them up inside instead.
Very punchy sound . . the horn loaded 10" in the top box seems to help with that, also quite clear. In fact inside they matched the fidelity of the 5.1 system that's in the lounge room (although obviously walk all over that in terms of SPL).
For near-field/small rooms you can switch a 6dB pad on the 10/horn top box to calm them down when listening up close. . with that switched out they were a little harsh up that close but with it switched in very very smooth.
Since it was all playback I had the 15/10/horns running stereo with the subs on an aux. They can also be set up simply with a full range signal to the subs that then has a high-pass out for the tops (that way running the whole 18/15/10/horn in stereo) or a link out from each amp that can run the whole rig from one mono feed if you so desire. The value of running the tops in stereo in a live situation I guess is another debate. . I'm hoping on getting them permanently in a venue near home, and if they end up in a room that does a bit of playback work as well I'll set them up stereo. . when it's band work it's no problem to just leave everything panned centre. Being active, you don't have to do the 'stereo is nice but I need double the amp channels' stuff of passive boxes.
The subs on an aux seemed to work best. There are adjustable sensitivity controls on the sub amps (as well as the top amps) to get a sub-mains balance but I like that flexibilty from the desk rather than climbing behind the stack with a screw driver.
The benefits of aux subs in keeping the vocals and other 'mud' out of the subs is also well documented.
For playback applications it's also nice to go from a nice even 'rock 'n roll' sound to a doof doof club sound just with the adjustment of an aux send.
Can't wait to let them loose with a band and see how they go!!