SEAMLESS TRANSITION
While our engineering team has a well-earned reputation for amplifier technology, it’s important to point out that they also excel with respect to DSP.
This proved out again with the XLS Series development, where most amplifiers in this market category provide limited facilities, if any, for input signal filtering and driver protection. (Typical offerings are simple analog high-pass filters and a limiter, usually selected via rear-panel DIP switches.)
In contrast, the new XLS Series utilizes high-resolution digital signal processing to implement a flexible PureBand crossover system and proprietary PeakX driver protection limiting.
Using the easy-to-read front panel LCD display and large function buttons, users can select crossover points from 50 Hz to 3 kHz on 1/12-octave centers, allowing precise matching of specified crossover points on most bi-amplified loudspeakers.
Filters are fourth-order Linkwitz-Riley, with steep slopes for seamless transition between high and low drivers.
LCD screen and push buttons facilitate all configurations. (click to enlarge)
Alternatively, the digital filters may be set to optimize both amplifier channels for driving either high- or low-frequency loads, or for driving full-range systems.
Four crossover modes are provided:
—Crossover mode, which enables a low-pass filter on channel 1 and a high-pass filter on channel 2 at the frequency chosen.
—Low-pass mode, which enables a low-pass filter on both channel 1 and channel 2 at the frequency chosen.
—High-pass mode, which enables a high-pass filter on both channel 1 and channel 2 at the frequency chosen.
—Bridge mode, so that when the amp is in bridge mode, the crossover can still be used to employ either a low-pass or high-pass filter at the frequency chosen.
Meanwhile, the PeakX limiters utilize highly effective yet sonically transparent algorithms derived from the OmniDrive HD loudspeaker drive processing in the I-Tech HD Series.
By precisely matching response to the output characteristics of each amplifier, PeakX enables significantly higher output levels than are possible with conventional analog limiting, yet with assured driver protection.
All of the crossover settings can be fully configured quickly and easily from the front panel using the intuitive LCD interface.
The front panel soft-touch buttons also select limiter on/off (per channel) as well as bridge-mode on/off. There are no rear-panel DIP switches.