Is DSP equipped speakers worth it?

[subsonic]

Mid to high end PA speakers tend to have some sort of DSP.

What are DSP useful for? Is there a DSP feature so useful that you cannot do without?

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

DSP sets the speaker response to flat, which may or may not be of any benefit. You still need to EQ to the room.

[conanski]

DSP processing in modern powered speakers typically includes crossover, time alignment, EQ, and driver protection in the form of limiting and over excursion prevention. In the better examples this protection is so transparent the end user doesn't hear anything distorting the speaker just doesn't get any louder.

[BillESC]

Some, like the EV ETX line also offer digital delay which comes in handy for large events.

[light-o-matic]

There are two things the DSP does for you.

First, every powered speaker must have some processing in it.. crossover, sometimes eq, limiting.. that is set for you by the manufacturer. In a non-DSP speaker, this is done with analog circuits, in a DSP speaker, the DSP does it. Usually, the DSP does more and does it better.. but ultimately, it comes down to the sound and reliablility of the speaker. If one speaker is superior in sound and reliability to another speaker, then it really does not matter whether the circuits used to accomplish that are analog or digital.

But in these nicer powered speakers you are talking about, they use the DSP for a reason and these speakers do sound very good. But what I am saying is, if it sounds good it is good.. if you see what I mean.

The second reason for the DSP is the control it gives you.. over crossover points, eq, delay.. as others have said already.. and this can be really useful if you need it.

But yea, bottom line is that modern DSP does bring a lot of extras and if you can afford them you probably won't regret it.

[conanski]

I have mostly powered EV speakers now... the newer ZLX and EKX series but also have some Yamaha DXRs, and over the last few years these things have done several hundred DJ events with absolutely no issues whatsoever. The speakers often spend hours at a time with the onboard DSP limiting flashing constantly or full on but this is how it was designed to work, the processing closely manages the system to allow maximum output without damaging components and best of all without impacting sound quality. This is a great example of what is possible with DSP so IMO yes it is definitely worth it to upgrade to modern powered speakers.

[Hanginon]

DSP will really come of age when we can send a truly digital signal (via coax, fiber optics, or WiFi) from the source to the speaker, without the D/A converter, to xlr cable, back into a A/D converter in the speaker, that exists now. What stupidity - of course this might require some standardization in an industry that preys on newbies with two-way 15" speakers - which explains said stupidity.

[monomer]

DSP will really come of age when we can send a truly digital signal (via coax, fiber optics, or WiFi) from the source to the speaker, without the D/A converter, to xlr cable, back into a A/D converter in the speaker, that exists now. What stupidity - of course this might require some standardization in an industry that preys on newbies with two-way 15" speakers - which explains said stupidity.

My turbosounds can do audio over cat5, along with controlling some of the dsp remotely.

They were quite cheap for what they are

[Hanginon]

My turbosounds can do audio over cat5, along with controlling some of the dsp remotely.

Have you actually done that? What's on your signal send end?

[efinque]

I always thought DSP was better to be done with an external unit.. in a PA speaker it's more or less the same as the tone controls found in some vintage home stereo speakers, although a DSP system is a bit more sophisticated and requires some sort of power supply.