Advice needed - DCX2496 (Analog) or DEQ2496 (Digital) on Open Baffle Project

OK, looking to start a project soon - an open baffle set of speakers - Dual Eminence Alpha 15A with a Fostex FE108EZ...kinda modeled / designed around the Emerald Physics CS2 and Martin King's Open Baffle White Paper. Had a pair of EP CS2 a while back after reading they were like Quad ESL-63 on steroids...well not exactly, but I was still impressed on a few things anyway (their bass and "Lively-ness"), and decided to someday build my very own...with a little tweak on the HF driver. I picked the Fostex as a few here believe it to be a great driver for HF for an open baffle setup, and also recommended in Martin King's white paper...

I have four channels of Hypex UCD400, so all good on amplification. Preamp is 6922 based tubed Music Reference RM-5 (great Phono stage) and source is an AMR DP777SE DAC connected to a computer and a Pro-Ject RM9 Turntable.

So the question -

I can do the DCX2496 doing the Crossover at LR24db/oct @ 1000hz for both drivers with EQ tweaks here and there, (with settings like the EP CS2), OR a Passive Crossover at LR24 db/oct for both drivers at 1000hz and use the DEQ2496 "correction" in the digital domain for LF and HF....

I guess I could just use both Behringer units too, so another option...

I also have the DBX VENU360, but I have yet to open the box and learn how to use it (I know, I know...sigh...)

Any advice to what is preferred? I understand this is highly subjective, but thought to just ask anyway...
 
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can do the DCX2496 doing the Crossover at LR24db/oct @ 1000hz for both drivers
I don't know why you would do that for OB. OB doesn't work like box speakers, so crossovers need to be different.
FWIW, I have used the DEQ/DCX combo for OB and for box and horn speakers. Digital in and out of the DEQ. It worked well.
You might take a look at the GRS 15" woofers, IME they are better than the 15A. But either will work.
 
Hello Pano, I have the DCX2496 unit from the CS2, which has all the exact settings for the LF section, so all I would have to do is tweak the HF settings on the unit...I am trying to remember what exactly teh crossover point was - from memory was around 1k @24db/oct

EDIT - I think it was LR 48db/oct at 1k
 
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OK, are you talking about the low pass for the woofers? If so that crossover point isn't too far off fo the Fostex, but 4th order should not be needed for a fullrange to woofer cross. And you'll have to do massive EQ on the woofers, depending on the baffle. It can all be done with first order and some gentle EQ.
And that's the nice thing about the DCX, it's quick and easy to try different things. :up:
 
IME the DCX2492 used stock in analog sucks big-time. Michael has done analog surgery so he can comment on that (i don’t have my DCX anymore but i do have 8 of the required transformers to do the job (one of the possible analog upgrades)

unit from the CS2, which has all the exact settings for the LF section

In your room? With your amplifiers?

dave
 
Since I don't know what the EP settings are, I can't comment. The first DCX I purchased was for an early OB build of mine. This one:

86605d1180554828-suggestions-ob-obee-single-jpg

It took about a year for me to understand how different open baffle is, and how to make the crossover work. I was coming from a box speaker perspective and that took a long time to shake off - and I had guidance from my friend John Busch! Getting the tonal balance right on OB takes some learning.

The DCX Makes it fast and easy to try different things and to save different settings. As Dave mentions, the stock analog output section isn't great, but that is easy to fix. Then it becomes a powerful tool.

Once you get up and running, let us know. I can suggest some crossover setting to try, it's easy enough with the DCX to hear if you like them.