DBX 223XS

A 1U Rack Crossover Designed for Modern Sound Reinforcement

The 223xs is a stereo active crossover designed to meet the demands of a professional sound processor while remaining easy to integrate into a rack. Its 1U format makes it a natural choice for fixed installations, touring racks, mobile sound systems, and DJ/sound setups that require reliable frequency band separation. The principle is clear: optimize multi-way speaker behavior by assigning each driver the frequency range it reproduces best, to gain in intelligibility, power handling, and bass clarity.

Who Is It For and What Is It Used For?

This active crossover is aimed at users who want to get the best out of a multi-way speaker system: sound providers, musicians equipped with sound systems, DJs, rehearsal rooms, houses of worship, bars with live music, or small stages. In 2-way stereo, you can, for example, split the signal between tops (highs/mids) and subwoofers. In 3-way mono, it becomes possible to separately control bass, midrange, and treble, which suits more elaborate systems. In all cases, the balanced XLR connectors facilitate integration into a professional audio chain and reduce noise on long cable runs.

Key Features: Control, Precision, and Easy Integration

Linkwitz-Riley 24 dB per Octave Filters: Clean Channel Separation

The 223xs uses Linkwitz-Riley filters at 24 dB per octave, a topology recognized in sound reinforcement for achieving an effective transition between bands, with coherent summation when channels are properly adjusted. Result: cleaner crossover, better controlled bass, and improved definition, particularly useful when pushing the system to high levels.

Per-Output Adjustments: Fine-Tune Your System to the Millimeter

Each channel features an individual level control to balance your system according to speaker efficiency, room acoustics, or placement. Phase inversion on all outputs provides a simple and effective tool to correct acoustic addition/subtraction issues (notably at the sub/top crossover), or to adapt to certain wiring and upstream processing.

40 Hz High-Pass and Bass Summation: Easier Subwoofer Feeding

The 40 Hz high-pass filter limits unnecessary excursion in the infrasonic range and protects your system from frequencies too low for certain configurations. The LF summation circuit offers a dedicated mono bass output, convenient for a subwoofer: you combine bass energy without multiplying processing, while maintaining a clear and efficient architecture.

Technical specifications

Number of channels

2

U-height

1

Mode	2-way stereo or 3-way mono	Maximum output level	+20 dBu (600 ohms)
Filters	Linkwitz-Riley 24 dB per octave	Frequency response	20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0 / -0.5 dB
High-pass filter	40 Hz	Distortion + noise	less than 0.004 % at +4 dBu, 1 kHz
Phase inversion	on all outputs	Signal-to-noise ratio (reference	+4 dBu, 22 kHz): stereo, greater than 94 dB (LF), greater than 91 dB (HF)
Level control	individual on outputs	Dynamic range	greater than 106 dB
Mono summable bass outputs	for subwoofer (LF summation)	Crosstalk	less than -80 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Inputs	2 inputs on XLR connector (balanced)	Rack units	1U
Outputs	XLR connector (balanced)	Dimensions	486 x 175 x 45 mm
Maximum input level	+22 dBu	Weight	1.7 kg