DBX Driverack PA+vs. Ashly 4.8sp

A

Alan Sledzieski

Senior
Sep 11, 2011
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Hamburg, NY.
Currently running a drive rack pa, Ive done some searching on this forum and found that some are not pleased with the dbx. If I bought a Ashly is there really a turn it on and go wow theres a difference. I understand it can't just be turned on, but when all said n done, will the Ashly sound better.
Any comments or people that have directly compared both, tell me your thoughts.
Also I don't have access to smartt and do everything by ear, if this matters at all.

Thanks,
Al
 
Re: DBX Driverack PA+vs. Ashly 4.8sp

I have owned both of these units for many years. I will say that the ashly sounds a bit better, but it is not enough of a difference to get too excited about. However there a lot of other things about the ashly that are a lot nicer, First and foremost you have more than 2 inputs witch allows you to feed the subwoofers independently from an Aux or the Mono send on your board. This allows you to keep channels that have no business being in the subwoofer out of the subwoofer, Mostly things like vocals and acoustic guitars that have the potential to create low frequency feedback, or just muddy up the mix. You also have more control over delay, and longer delay times available if you are running anything that might need it. If none of these things interest you, then it might not make much sense to spend your money on the ashly. It might be better spent upgrading other parts of your rig.

If you don't need 4 in and 8 out there is a 3x6 version of the ashly as well that is a little easier on the wallet.

Luke
 
Re: DBX Driverack PA+vs. Ashly 4.8sp

Luke,

Im going Stereo 4 way this year, So I either use another driverack pa and split the signal, or get a 4.8sp.

Nothing else really needs upgrading this year, I consider the drive rack pa the least expensive item in my rack.
 
Re: DBX Driverack PA+vs. Ashly 4.8sp

I like the 4.8 a lot better. However, it is an old platform, and something like a Symetrix Jupiter 8 would be a good, modern, decent priced option.
 
Re: DBX Driverack PA+vs. Ashly 4.8sp

VTC/Yorkville's USA office is located just a stones throw away, and they sell the VTC DLMS4080 which is a rebranded Xilica 4x8. I would recommend that..... and I wouldn't recommend setting up a DSP by ear.
 
Re: DBX Driverack PA+vs. Ashly 4.8sp

Alan Sledzieski said:
Currently running a drive rack pa, Ive done some searching on this forum and found that some are not pleased with the dbx. If I bought a Ashly is there really a turn it on and go wow theres a difference. I understand it can't just be turned on, but when all said n done, will the Ashly sound better.
Any comments or people that have directly compared both, tell me your thoughts.
Also I don't have access to smartt and do everything by ear, if this matters at all.

Thanks,
Al
Click to expand...

My experiences using several crossovers has been that the Ashly crossovers, analogue and digital, have always sounded better than the rest in the price range. DBX compressors were better than the Ashly but not the speaker system processors. And we would always run 4 way stereo. Hate to use salesman speak, but they had more balls, smoother highs, and better level before clipping. Our BSS were the only ones that could beat it but they cost 2 to 3 times more. IMO.
 
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Re: DBX Driverack PA+vs. Ashly 4.8sp

Alan Sledzieski said:
Brandon how ya been? What's wrong with setting up a rig by ear.?
Click to expand...

Well, as the technology advances and provides more quantitative solutions, having something that can produce and read the source more quantitatively can be helpful. Yes, you can estimate time delay in some cases, but it is nicer to have that offset between the sub and the top cabinet measured and be able to set it exactly. Same with parametric eq-it's nice to know exactly what that feedback frequency is, and how narrow a filter you can apply.

Ears are still plenty useful, and should be one of the final judges always.

Best regards,

John
 
Re: DBX Driverack PA+vs. Ashly 4.8sp

Alan Sledzieski said:
Brandon how ya been? What's wrong with setting up a rig by ear.?
Click to expand...

Setting parametric EQ to correct frequency response can be done by ear. Setting delay can be approximated by ear. Setting crossover frequency, shapes, and slopes can't really be done by ear (and really requires a multiple location measurement setup. Information on the drivers is also very helpful). Correcting phase response can't be done by ear,as far as I'm aware.

If you have crossover points (and ideally, delay amounts) from a loudspeaker vendor, setting a DSP by ear can get you acceptable results. But measurements can typically get you better results quicker.
 
Re: DBX Driverack PA+vs. Ashly 4.8sp

Depending on speaker manufacturer, the settings are often available. Sometimes there might be some need for some adaptation because DSPs are slightly different in terms of Q definitions particularly, bur most of the time you get very close just using the numbers. Biggest problem is often getting the phase right, manufacturers are using the phase behaviour of their DSP to "fix" the phase behaviour of the speaker, sometimes with eq settings that doesn't really make sense.
 
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