ART Voice Channel vs DBX 286s - Head-to-Head Comparison

[@ameer_saban]

The 286s is by no means an elite channel strip, but like you say it "gets the job done". It saves me a huge amount of trouble going into my DAW, because I don't have to run extra gates, reduce noise and EQ. I can just set and forget, and have a solid foundation to work with my plugins to add extra shine.

[@askdrtk]

Set and forget to speed up workflow, I believe that is how these are most often used and if they get you close to where you want to be that's not a bad thing imo... Cheers!

[@hOttOddYfAiLz]

So refreshing to see a knowledgeable person rhyme off every detail without a script. Great explanations. Very much appreciated.

[@askdrtk]

Thanks! I’m glad to help out and pleased to hear you enjoyed my overview of the two channel strips.

[@williamtrahan4717]

You have a real talent for presenting informative details on equipment like this. Very enjoyable and informative.

[@MrSasUGames]

Art Voice sounds a lot better than Dbx 286s, its impressive 😮

[@richietruman5877]

I love my DBX. Working for years, almost every day.Gigs. Guitar player and singer. Never fail. Help me a lot. I use the stereo version. For two mics. But now y will buy the 286S.

[@askdrtk]

DBX has stood the test of time. I'm thinking about adding a pair of 560A to my rack.

[@user-vi6lw8dx5f]

Hello, This comparison is great! I really appreciate your insight, it is exactly what I need before making my purchase. I will go with the Art. Amazing video content. Thank you

[@3jackdaw168]

This is super awesome! This is what I was just actually looking for and considering. Thank you so much for doing this video!

[@askdrtk]

Glad this helped out!

[@boeing757pilot]

Good video. Interesting note: the dbx286 was designed by Bob Orban, the genius behind most of today's broadcast audio processing.

[@askdrtk]

Great note about Bob Orban! Arguably “the” if not at least a legend of broadcast audio…Cheers!

[@boeing757pilot]

@@askdrtk
Thanks! Indeed. Apparently, he designed the 286 when dbx and Orban shared some aspects of R&D. Bob Orban's involvement in the 286 likely explains the reason the 286 is found in many radio stations.

[@jonkthompson]

I bought a used DBX 286s for a very reasonable price recently after watching this video. Truthfully, I wanted the ART Voice Channel but even used, it is not reasonably priced. I may save up for it and the sell my DBX as they are still in very high demand.

[@askdrtk]

Congratulations on your 286s and I am glad to hear you were able to get a good price on a used one. Used gear has become so expensive over the past two years. You can do a lot with the 286s and in the end what really matters is the sound. There is a reason the 286s has been very popular, particularly with voiceover artists and podcasters…it can produce great sound! The ART does offer more granular control, but starting with the 286s is a really good way to find out what you like and what you need in a channel strip before spending more on something with additional features. Enjoy your 286s! I will have a detailed voiceover setup guide out for it soon.

[@malcolmmontgomery4754]

Looking forward to the Art Voice Channel video. 👍

[@askdrtk]

Thanks! I will be posting it soon.😄

[@hOttOddYfAiLz]

@@askdrtk I second that motion. Heading out to pick one up today.

[@ilikehiking]

Great video. I primarily use my DBX for broadcasting purposes, so having a lot of the processing already applied on the way in really makes things easy for me. Unfortunately I had one DBX die on me (fortunately I could still RMA), and now the replacement I received is starting to die as well. I've seen threads on internet forums with a lot of people having the exact same problem, so I think there are some serious QC issues with more recent units.
Rethinking my current setup has led me to the ART Voice Channel, which certainly seems to be an excellent replacement (an upgrade even) for the DBX. The question I'm pondering is whether going for a channel strip in 2023 is a good choice in the first place. I've noticed quite a few companies seem to have phased out their channel strip offerings, and the ones that are still around have been released many many years ago (ART Voice Channel included). Audio interfaces with DSP seems to be becoming more common and affordable, and I've also noticed that for recording audio, a lot of people prefer to do a clean recording and then process in post in their DAW using plugins and such. Though I wouldn't know how to use something like that since there is no "post" in a broadcasting scenario.
Needless to say, I'm far from an expert on the subject, and once again I'm feeling quite overwhelmed. I'm tempted to just get the ART Voice Channel and call it a day, but money is kind of tight for me and I'm terrified of making the wrong decision and figuring out 2 years later that I shouldn't have spent that 700$ (Unfortunately it's more expensive here in Europe).

[@askdrtk]

Sorry for the late response. I have been out with Covid and am finally starting to catch up... For me the choice of whether to go with a channel strip or separate hardware preamp/eq/comp... comes down to what you are comfortable with and of course cost. I have seen fewer channel strip options over the past few years as both 500 series gear and DSP / post processing in the box have become popular. The standard for recording in pro studios has long been to get things as close to the final sound while recording in order to minimize work later when mixing. The risk of course is that if you over do things the recording may not be usable. For this reason, setup take as much time (and usually more) than recording in studios. Channel strips are made to mimic that work flow and have long been the choice for live broadcast.
Part of the challenge is that the market for manufacturers is split between recording and broadcast. With many producers working in the box the market as skewed towards post processing - record clean and adjust later. DSP has continued to improve in audio quality and has become more affordable, making it an easy choice for affordable studio setups. For broadcast though, I still am of the opinion that hardware is the way to go - dial in the settings and go. You do not have to worry about DSP processing capacity, latency, and other glitches/malfunctions plus you have the advantage of the efficient workflow of hardware control for quick adjustments on the fly.
The Voice Channel is a good option for voiceover/live broadcast. It has been and continues to be popular for its combination of features, performance, and value, but as you said its pricing varies depending on where you are. Another option that has been introduced in the past couple of years is the Behringer UV1. I haven't tried one personally (I do want to get one in for testing), but I have heard some very good things about it and I know a few voice actors that use it regularly. The UV1 controls are very similar to the 286s, but it also has a built-in audio interface. I believe it sells for around 180 euros at thomann so it may be worth checking out. I hope this helps out!

[@ilikehiking]

@@askdrtk I really appreciate the response. Hope covid wasn't too hard on you!

[@mfkrwill]

I already have the 286s, and ive been considering getting another compressor/limiter to throw in the insert (was thinking maybe the Art stereo Tube Compressor). But coming across this It kinda makes me want to upgrade to the Voice Channel XD
I gotta stop looking up gear demos

[@askdrtk]

LOL, ah yes, when it comes to audio gear the line between "need" and "want" seems to become blurred! Inserting a parametic EQ and a "76 D revision" followed by a "2a" is magic on a voiceover...can't beat serial compression on vocals... All kidding aside, the Voice Channel is a pretty compelling value given the flexibility of the EQ, compression, de esser, and expander, not to mention digital io. I like the 286s for voiceover in many cases, but there are times when the lack of flexibility, particularly in the EQ, can be challenging. I find the compressor on the 286s generally quite good, but again, there can be issues depending on acoustic treatment in your recording space, that's where compressor settings become a bit more finicky... If you exclusively record voiceover or vocals, the Voice Channel would likely be my pick between the two, but if you also record instruments (and I will apologize first for the "gear escalation" I am about to recommend), you may instead think about adding an EQ and later a compressor as inserts, keeping the 286s for preamp and de esser duties. That way you can patch in the different gear for both recording and mixing... Again, sorry for the "gear escalation..." I have full setup guides for both the 286s and Voice Channels as well as several outboard compressor and EQ reviews coming soon. I've been in the middle of a major UA-cam studio upgrade (gear escalation) and am almost ready to post some content from the new space. 🍻

[@yerocdable]

More natural with the DBX.

[@PowerUpTraining]

Looking forward to the detailed ART Voice Channel setup video. Great comparison video. Thanks

[@askdrtk]

Much appreciated. The Voice Channel video is coming soon!

[@PowerUpTraining]

@@askdrtk, I have been browsing through your channel and enjoying your videos. We are sort of on the same UA-cam creator quest with similar trajectories. The quality of your videos is awesome, and I continue to strive and raise my audio skills and quality. Thanks for all you have produced!

[@askdrtk]

Thanks again and I'm glad to hear you are enjoying a few of my videos. As with anything, quality takes commitment and time. Like yourself, it is my goal to improve some aspect of each video while providing quality and value for viewers. I'm always glad to hear when my efforts are helping out! I see you sent me a note through my website contact and I very much appreciate your kind words. I had a chance to watch a couple of your videos and was impressed with the clear concise instruction you provide. I am certain your channel will help many viewers improve their communication skills with Office!

[@TRayTV]

If the individual (ART Voice Channel and DBX 286s) review and setup videos are available you should add their links to the description.

[@AlfredNazGates]

I've been wondering about the art voice channel. It's more and offers more. The dbx goes for the radio sound with punch while the art sounded more natural and complimented rather than squashed your voice. I still like both.

[@askdrtk]

Thanks for sharing your take on the sound from these two channel strips! One of my favorite things about analog gear is that difference in tone and dynamic character you mentioned beyond simply the controls. This opens up many creative options for vocals and instruments. I agree, both are great options.

[@Zazquatch1]

This was perfect. Just the video I needed.
I bought an ART used many years ago. I only used it ones for recording vocals for an album we did with our band back then.
I actually didn't know anything about it and how to really use it to its full potentional.
Now I am digging around thru my gear and almost forgot about it.
I have a dream to record audio books.
I also have a Shure 7B. But I have heard that the ART probably hasn't got enough power to drive the 7B completely. Is this true?
Should I use a condensor mic instead?
I have one or two to choose from that I have kept over the years.
Too bad I atm have no working computer to work with since they both broke down at the same time.
Anyway. This made me look forward to taking up recording again.
Thanks

[@askdrtk]

Thanks! Glad to hear you are getting back intro recording.
In terms of the 7B, the VoiceChannel has enough gain to drive it but I still recommend a mic booster (sE DM-1 Dynamite or the very affordable Klark Teknik CT-1) work well in this combination. The reason for the booster is not to provide "enough gain" but rather that is allows you to use a wider range of preamp and output gain settings on the VoiceChannel for more options as far as character (harmonics and saturation) - this pretty much applies to any tube or transformer based preamp that colors the sound. As far as condenser mics go, it really depends on sound treatment in your recording space. Condensers can provide more clarity vs dynamics, but in a less than optimal room the 7B will likely provide better results, particularly for voiceover where the sound of the room is often less desirable.

[@nicolanicoca3505]

Dommage qu'il n'y ai aucune vidéo en français concernant ces appareils !!

[@dannymolns3573]

Can you link me to your dbx 286 set up/full review video? I couldn't find it on your channel

[@kissaguitar]

Thank you sir.

[@askdrtk]

My pleasure, glad to share!

[@CreatorInsightMedia]

Lovely video and presentation!
I currently have dbx286s, Audient id4mkii and re20 microphone. I use it to record voiceover. My only problem is that dbx286s is not portable enough for me to carry it in my backpack when I travel. Do you have any recommendation for a smaller portable alternative to dbx286s that has the same or similar features?
Thanks! 🙂

[@askdrtk]

Thanks! There are not any direct comparisons to the 286s in a small form factor, but the solution may be a small format mixer. The Yamaha MG10XU offers a preamp, compression, EQ, gate (in the effects section), and also has usb output. Yes, it is.a 10 channel mixer but it is only 2.8x9.6.11.6 inches and weighs less than 5 pounds. There are mixers with fewer channels, but you will give up features such as compression. This may not seem to be an obvious solution, but I have used these mixers and at a price of around $270 USD this would be difficult to beat for your application. You could go with another interface with onboard DSP, but if you like the analog workflow and vibe of the 286s, the Yamaha is a viable option. Hope this helps out.

[@rjy8960]

I'm looking for an outboard mic strip for my amateur radio station and am considering the DBX unit as I've seen a lot of good reviews and the price isn't too bad. However I need 44 or 48kHz 16 or 24 bit over TOSLINK to the transmitter. Adding a separate good quality A-D is going to add the price of the ART unit alone to the cost of the project, so now I need to think. I'll be using it with an EV RE20 mic. Any comments on the quality from the ADC?

[@zerobubble3063]

Don’t need a sound card for for art voice like Dbx286 ?

[@askdrtk]

That's correct . The ART Voice Channel has a usb output for your computer, so if you only need one input you don't require an audio interface / sound card. One thing to note is the available usb formats are 32, 44.1, and 48 kHz with 16 or 24 bit encoding while the other digital connections also support 88.2, 96, 176, and 192 kHz sample rates.

[@VirtuelleWeltenMitKhan]

@askdrtk which inline pre-amp do you use with the dbx?
The dbx gain is set to the 1o'clock position, no way will that be enough to drive the SM7B to that level.
The output of the dbx is even reduced in your video.

[@askdrtk]

I have found the DBX286s to be compatible (impedance wise) with most inline preamps. I have the CL-1, DM-1. McBoost, CT-1, and Fethead and all pair well with the 286s. For this video I chose the CT-1 as it puts the 7B in the sweet spot of the 286s’ logarithmic gain control and it is an affordable option to pair with affordable channel strips. Gain control has good granularity in the 11-2 o’clock range and then becomes coarse about 3 o’clock. It will drive the 7B without a booster at higher gain levels, but adjustment is too coarse imo. I generally end up with the output trim dialled back when staging the 286s.

[@VirtuelleWeltenMitKhan]

@@askdrtk Thank you for the detailed answer .. I have to take a look into the CT-1

[@askdrtk]

Glad to help out. I have had two of the CT-1 boosters in regular use for almost two years and they have been reliable. They don’t add as much boost as some of the others, but they provide enough for the 7B in most applications. I did a detailed review with audio tests that may provide some other information you are looking for. Cheers!

[@boeing757pilot]

The Cloudlifter works well to increase gain into the dbx.

[@lightafluident.9950]

I would like to get the Art unit. Thinking about getting one.

[@askdrtk]

The Voice Channel is a great choice, it does perform far above its price.

[@DreamyDawnMusic]

A lot of people say that the DBX can become faulty and in fact it happened to mine. Maybe its too old since it was made / released in 2011

[@askdrtk]

I haven’t personally had one or known someone who’s 286s went bad. I sometimes wonder if the reason we hear about them becoming faulty is partially related to the very large number of these units in use…very popular with voiceover actors and podcasters. Yours giving trouble after twelve years seems a bit early, but I have seen other preamps and channel strips need service after that length of time as well… Thanks for sharing your experience with these.

[@MrSeeker42]

Thank you. Very informative.
Good video! I may also need your advice. I already have a 286s that I use for vocals. Lo-fi heaven. In a singer-songwriter scenario where I also want to play a mic'd up acoustic guitar as I'm singing, but also want the acoustic guitar mic to have a seperate compression with its own tweaked levels, do I get another 286s for this purpose or a dbx 266/166xl? Which dbx unit would you get for just the mic'd up guitar on which you wanted seperate compression? (I want my strumming and finger-picking to sound even). I can only spend under $200 and i cannot record the guitar and vocal tracks seperately because then the guitar-vocal synergy loses some of its magic. So i have to record tbe vox and vocals simultaneously. It also seems that the 286s works fine but would the 266/166xl work better for acoustic guitar? Pretend that I'm recording into a 4-track cassette TEAC 144 (from 1979) recorder. So no DAW, no interface, no plug-ins, no effects, dry everything except for compression. Just raw but happily lo-fi and "even"-sounding due to the compression. Which would you choose for the acoustic guitar for under $200? Or neither? I heard the de-esser on the 286s can also work to tame the harsher brightness of brighter acoustic guitars. What do you think?

[@askdrtk]

Glad to help out! Takes me back to the days when I was using a Fostex 4 track... Kidding aside, you will need a preamp for your guitar mic, so the 286s is more of an all-in--one solution vs the 266/166. If you are only wanting compression for the guitar another option (which is possible more affordable depending where you are) is the ART Tube MP/C. It has an optical vactrol compressor with sound really nice on acoustic guitar and also has a built-in DI in case you ever want to use an acoustic electric, solid body, or bass... If you are comfortable with the 286s I would likely stick with that, bu the Tube MP/C is a pretty compelling option. I actually did a review on it in case you want to check it out. ua-cam.com/video/NQ6X32O-7Vs/v-deo.html Hope this helps out!

[@mattcero1]

Great review but the prices are not comparable. What are your thoughts on the Presonus Studio Channel? I can grab on from CL for $150. Thanks again for your information.

[@askdrtk]

I recently posted a video review of the Studio Channel. I found it to be of good quality and the compressor / eq performed very well. My only complaints are the small range of control for useable preamp gain and lack of a mic / line input switch even though it has separate connections on the back.

[@robertfontaine3650]

Love the features of the Art channel strip but not really fond of the idea of the preamp coloring my audio. I have an EQ if I want color. The bells and whistles though are amazing.

[@askdrtk]

The ART channel strip does offer considerable value. I use a few different preamps depending more on any saturation / harmonics I am looking for. The nice thing with the ART's IO is that it makes it easy to bypass the internal preamp and then use the effects with another preamp of your choice. So whether it is neutral / transparent preamp such as what we find in most audio interfaces, a tube, FETS, or transformer based preamp for character, or simply using the effects as an insert during mixing, the effects on the Voice Channel can be a great way to implement analogue processing in a home or project studio. There is a lot of value in this unit.

[@steveazadi]

Hi I'm using a rode nt 1 for voice with my audient id44.. Do u suggest any vocal channel's trip to make my quality better..

[@askdrtk]

The id44 has great preamps and when combined with the nt 1, you have a great combination for voiceover. If you exclusively record and then edit, plugins are likely all you need, although analog hardware such as a channel strip can help you dial in the sound you are looking for. Since your id44 has send and return inserts of two of its preamps, you also have the option of using either the channel strip preamp or the id44 preamp and then using the channel strip effects (eq, compression, de esser, expander/gate). This gives you two preamp options to further customize your sound. The id44 preamp will be very transparent whereas most channel strip preamps impart some color do to saturation from analog circuitry. These differences combined with analog effect can provide a variety of pleasing results do to control of added harmonics and saturation. Overall, plugins may be the simpler approach, but adding some analog gear can add some nice flavor to your sound and if you stream / broadcast live, while plugins can be used, a channel strip will help you get reliable high quality sound in real time.

[@pamboscharalambous3770]

Would you consider the 286 for vocal in general? Thanks

[@askdrtk]

Thanks for asking! The 286 preamp and effects perform very well with the following consideration. The limiting factors are the somewhat sparse adjustments, particularly on the Enhancer section. While this makes setup less complicated, I find that when the voice / microphone combination is good, the 286 can generally dial things in quite well, but when things are less than ideal, it can be challenging to get the tone you are looking for. I hope this helps out and let me know if you have any further questions.

[@sto2779]

The ART Voice Channel sounds better

[@WrldIzyourz]

Hey man I have a question I have a ss2+ and the art pro channel strip but unless but the vocals show up as empty or very low when recording . Do I need yo connect a pre amp to the art then to the ss2! Im trying tk get the most outta of the art thank u

[@askdrtk]

Hey there, great question. The ART has plenty of gain at both input and output stages, so no preamp is required before the ART. A couple of things I would check is to make sure the Output Level switch on the back of the ART is set to +4dBu. The second is to make sure you are using a balanced cable (TRS) between the ART and SSL (I would also try another cable as I have found more bad cables than I want to remember of the years). The output says "Unbalanced" on the back of the ART, but both the XLR and 1/4" jack provide balanced output. Also, the gain control on the SSL provides trim for the line input, so you will likely need to add gain there as well (staging the gain from the input on the ART to the output on the ART and then on the SSL will provide better sound vs having too much at any one stage) - I will have a video explaining this in detail available soon. I hope this helps out!

[@onetruth_1]

Turn the gain up make sure your mic isn't switched -20db pad or another negative #DB pad if mic has that function newer mics usually do depending on brand. How far away r u from the mic? I'm sure you fix this issue by now it's been a year you never no tho lol

[@papavondrei]

I’m confused. This is a comparison of a $600+ tube mic preamp vs a $200+ mic preamp that’s not for tube mics. Can you explain?

[@askdrtk]

I hope this will help. A "tube" preamp like the ART means is uses a tube or "valve" to provide gain. The ART uses a tube on the input (preamp) side rather than the output side for gain. Without getting overly technical, the purpose of the tube is to provide saturation / harmonics that can be desirable on some sources. The DBX uses solid state circuitry to provide gain which is generally considered more "transparent." Neither the ART or DBX are specifically designed for use with a tube microphone. As with the ART, tube microphones include a tube to add character (saturation / harmonics) to the sound. Both of these channel strips are suitable for any type of microphone, the most common types being condenser, dynamics, and ribbon. Both ribbon and condenser microphones are available in models with and without tubes. As for price, in my area (Canada), the DBX is about $400 CAD and the ART is $600 CAD. I am aware pricing on both ranges significantly depending on where you live, but I will say that price is not everything. I higher price doesn't always mean better sound. In the end, both of these channel strips are popular for voiceover and are worth considering imo before getting into the above $1K price range.

[@papavondrei]

@@askdrtk ahhh okay I see. I’m still new the the hardware side of things and am preferring it over software so I’m trying to learn as much as I can to get the quality we all desire of course. Thanks for the clarification. I have a Shure SM7B - DBX 286s - DBX 166XS - 2nd gen Focusrite 6i6. Any hardware you would recommend in the chain besides a cloud lifter? That’s next on the list. Some say it’s not needed but I don’t wanna have the 286s turned up so high.

[@askdrtk]

I very much enjoy working with hardware as well ( I like turning dials and moving faders will listening instead of looking at a screen). I have settled on a hybrid setup that works well for me.
I like your configuration as it allows for serial compression with some EQ before the second stage of compression (166XS). A mic booster such as the Cloudlifter is a good option in my opinion, not because the DBX 286s doesn't have enough gain, but rather because your get better control of the gain when you don't have to turn the dial to almost maximum. I have reviewed the Cloudlifter CL1, sE Dynamite DM1, and Klark Teknik CT1 if you are interested in checking out a few options (the CL1 and DM1 provide more gain, but the CT1 is well made and works very well at its price). Other than that, your vocal chain is in good shape. The key with analog processing while recording is not to over-compress or EQ on the way in imo, these can always be fine-tuned after.

[@papavondrei]

@@askdrtk Thanks for the advice.

[@whiskywang3634]

Hello sir, I use the art voice channel for my Electro-voice RE20 with a Cloudlifter, What is the correct impedance I should adjust to? thanks!

[@askdrtk]

Hello and thanks for the question! According to Cloudlifter, the CL-1 will not color the sound of your microphone with preamp impedances up to 3000ohms, so using the impedance control on the Voice Channel will not alter tone as it does with many microphones plugged in directly (I have measured this and can confirm this is the case). Cloudlifter designed the CL-1 with this in mind to help with compatibility / consistency between various mic / preamp combinations. That said, I have found setting the impedance at 1.5k on the Voice Channel provides consistent tone and sufficient boost with the CL-1. Hope this helps out!

[@whiskywang3634]

@@askdrtk So many thanks. It is beneficial.

[@frubo_ssg]

Funny: At 0:12 there is not even a cable running into the microphone - seems to be a great recording LOL - BTW: I own two dbx 286s using nearly daily for online classes, video conferences, voice recordings,… Grest value for the money.

[@askdrtk]

LOL, I must be watching another video...I see the same cable plugged into the SM7B at 0:12 as in the rest of the entire video.

[@frubo_ssg]

@@askdrtk Sorry - I mean 0:02 which is not a SM7B LOL - YES You are using a cabled SM7B 👍

[@askdrtk]

No worries...I was kidding around😄It's also funny when the mic isn't plugged into the front input...😆

[@mr.everbless2721]

Hey boss
Can I use the both device for my studio set up, I’m looking to make beats and record vocals, looking to get a professional sound, what’s your input to have both devices in my studio? Also I have the Art in my studio

[@askdrtk]

Both work well for vocals and will provide professional sounding vocals in your mixes. The DBX preamp is more transparent compared to the ART. Being a tube preamp, the ART imparts additional saturation and harmonics which can help thicken up vocals, but it really depends on your preferred tone (very bass-heavy voices tend to work well with the DBX). The effects on both units are appropriate for your application although I will say the DBX is easy to dial in for deeper voices, whereas the ART offers more flexibility for mid and higher pitched voices. I hope this helps out.

[@mr.everbless2721]

@@askdrtk boss this information was very helpful, thanks a lot, many blessings 🔥🔥

[@murraywebster1228]

I just got a virtually new 286 for a friend for only €66.00, no brainer….

[@askdrtk]

Now that is a deal!

[@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios]

Noise floor?

[@askdrtk]

Thanks for the question! The preamp noise floor for the ART with maximum gain and a 150ohm resistor load is -92dB at 1kHz and has a peak of -80db at 80Hz. This video was a comparison walk through of the features for both channel strips. I will be posting separate detailed reviews including a variety of performance tests for each channel strip (too much for one video).

[@askdrtk]

The DBX 286s at maximum gain is -95dB at 1kHz with a peak of -78dB at 80Hz.

[@marknoviskie2178]

Art better

[@lightafluident.9950]

The DBX seems "cheesy", and they don't look great either.

[@askdrtk]

The DBX 286s is very popular, but the ART does offer far more control and flexibility and I must say the build quality is excellent.

[@bushmanjive6314]

Nice hairline dude

[@miekwavesoundlab]

DBX clearly has more sibilance than ART

[@SuspiciousPixels]

ART is five times the price, yet you fail to mention that

[@askdrtk]

I did in fact mention that the ART was more expensive, but it is not 5x the price where I am. Here, the ART is $600 CAD and the DBX is $400 CAD, or 1.5x the price. There can be some variation in different markets, but if you are seeing the ART at 5x the price of the DBX, either the DBX is priced very low or someone is overcharging for the ART. Watch out on Amazon for market sellers overcharging on items currently out of stock from Amazon directly…

[@SuspiciousPixels]

@@askdrtk £155 vs £640 EU prices

[@askdrtk]

Wow, I just looked at Thomann and £155 is a bargain for the DBX 286s. For some reason the ART is far less expensive in Canada. I am not sure if Long and McQuade can ship to you, but with conversion would be £422 plus shipping. I usually find prices in Canada to be higher on many items, so I am really surprised to see the difference on the voice channel.

[@SuspiciousPixels]

@@askdrtk Happy Christmas. Yeah the DBX has been around the £150 mark for years at various retailers brand new. Unfortunately shipping isn't an option due to high taxes and import fees.

[@askdrtk]

All the best to you as well. I hear you on the import fees and taxes. I see some great deals from the United States, but by the time I ship, pay the duty/taxes, and with the Canadian dollar being low compared to USD, the deal often becomes just as expensive if not more than regular price for me. The DBX is $400 CAD here at the moment...