New BFD... will you buy one?

[Sonnie]

If Behringer were to produce a new BFD unit with the features below would you buy one?

We need everyone's participation, please vote!

Features Unit A (Retail $200-$250 / Street Price $150-$200):
~ Two independent channels.
~ A minimum of twelve parametric filters per channel (20 per channel is good too).
~ Channel coupling and series looping.
~ Three-way IN/OUT bypass.
~ Input/output LED level indicators.
~ LED filter indicators for both channels.
~ Front panel display.
~ Retain normal required buttons and jog dial.
~ 24-bit/96 kHz A/D and D/A converter powered by a 32-bit DSP.
~ Internal switch-mode power supply (100 - 240 V~ / 50-60hz).
~ Low power consumption.
~ Adjustable input level (-10dBV / +4dBu) on rear.
~ Hard bypass relay.
~ Noise-free.
~ 107db dynamic range.
~ 0.007% THD.
~ High-quality components.
~ High-quality construction.
~ Balanced XLR inputs/outputs.
~ Soft power ON/OFF with selectable Auto-On detect via sub signal.
~ Eliminate turn-on thump and ground hum.
~ Double insulated chassis with a two prong plug or a ground lift switch if needed to eliminate hum.
~ Pure flat frequency response from 10hz to 20khz* (FBQ2496 is -3db @ 20hz).
~ Filter adjustment capabilities from 10hz to 20khz*.
~ Adjustable gain range from -24db to +16db for each filter.
~ Minimum of 4 to 6 memory presets.
~ Replace ¼ inch inputs/outputs with RCA inputs/outputs.
~ Simple shelf filter… (i.e. selectable linear boost between two selectable frequencies).
~ Selectable and/or variable 6db-48db/octave subsonic roll-off filter from 35hz to 10hz (minimum 5hz increments).
~ Time delay from 0 to 30msec or 1 foot increments w/ 0.1 foot fine up to 30 feet.
~ Variable phase correction/adjustment from 0-180.
~ Front panel USB and/or RS-232 interface for MIDI port (place under small flip cover like on computers).
~ Dimmable front panel LED's / lights with OFF option.
~ Soft blue and/or green LED's on front panel vs. red.
~ Offer unit in black or silver… if not optional, offer only in black.
~ Revamp chassis for home theater consumer appearance vs. pro-audio style.
~ Allow mounting brackets to be optional (include unattached).
~ Enclose/fill gaps on sides if mounting brackets are removed.
~ Add rubber feet to allow placement on top of other equipment.
~ Remove graphic design from top of unit.
~ One year warranty.

Optional features in Unit A (If can be added at no additional cost):
~ Anti-clipping mechanism with higher dynamic peak input before clipping.
~ Frequency readout in hertz instead of base + fine… (1hz increments w/ 0.1hz fine increments).
~ Bandwidth readout in octaves (1/3,1/6,1/24,1/1, etc.) or hertz (2hz,5hz,12hz,etc.) instead of 1/60, 10/60, 60/60, etc.
~ Front panel volume/gain to control output level to sub.
~ Ability to slave multiple units together.
~ Linkwitz transform circuit.
~ Detachable power cord.

Added features of Unit B (Retail $250-$300 / Street Price $200-250):
~ Individual crossover filters (Butterworth, Bessel, Linkwitz-Riley) per channel w/ selectable roll-off 6db-48db/octave.
~ Adjustable/variable crossover range (low pass and high pass from 20hz to 200hz and w/ bypass).
~ Built-in RTA mic/line input w/ phantom power and w/ GAIN control.
~ Built-in SPL meter with selectable dBA/dBC/OFF weighting.
~ Built-in test tones (sinewaves - individual 1hz increments and sweep from 5hz to 400hz or 5hz to 20khz).
~ Separate RCA mic monitoring and test tone output to allow for computer program monitoring.
~ Locate RTA mic/line inputs and RCA monitoring outputs on the front face plate under a small flip cover.
~ Video output for monitoring the display would be nice, but the cost factor may prohibit this.
~ Video display instead of LED's… (dimmable and selectable OFF).
~ Small and simple 6 button wireless IR remote with discrete ON/OFF buttons and Preset 1,2,3,4 buttons.
~ Rear IR jack for remote control… to use with repeaters.
~ Add volume/gain control button to remote if feature is made available.
~ Add other control buttons to remote if cost feasible.

[Hakka]

Yes.

[Danny]

Sonnie wrote:

~ Replace ¼ inch inputs/outputs with RCA inputs/outputs.

Probably would want to leave it with the 1/4inch phono jack inputs, it's not too hard to convert to rca inputs and it would suit live sound applications a bit better to have native 6.5mm jacks on there.

[Bent]

Yup - I'd buy another one if it had these specs.

[JimPeitersen]

I would buy either unit, but would prefer "B" because of the added features. I already have a BFD, but a new model would be nice.
JP

[Otto]

I'd prefer B, if only for the remote control.

[titch--]

I voted for B to.

[Sonnie]

Yeah that remote would be nice indeed... maybe somehow we can get that on Unit A as well.

Ahem, where's the option for NADA? Velodyne SMS-1 and forgetaboutit!

RG

[Sonnie]

We really don't care how many don't want it... we only ask what we want to know...

[Owen Bartley]

I voted for A because B is getting a bit complex and expensive, although there are features on it that would be nice.

The biggest things for me would be the shelf filter ability, the 2 pronged outlet/hum control, rumble filter, and the variable phase would be an awesome addition.

[azjimmy]

I'd like to see either, but B looks like the one I'd go for, despite having a mixer, mic, SPL meter etc. I like the remote and the ability to have all the stuff I mentioned above in one unit.
Sonnie, does this mean we are coming up on a finalized product?
Jim

[Sonnie]

azjimmy wrote:

Sonnie, does this mean we are coming up on a finalized product?

No, I'm still trying to get Behringer to listen to us. I will simply continue to gather ammunition and they will have to sue me to get me to stop asking them to produce it. I'll go as far as I can for us all... You guys may have to bail me out of jail...

[O_ROD]

I just purchased my first 1124, I don't really see any upgrades in the newer ones that'd warrant it's purchase. But, B for the remote and flexibility!

[LightwaveDude]

I prefer unit B, but I'd probably have to go with Unit A due to price concerns (teenage highschool budget).

Probably B, BUT I question that an SPL meter would be accurate enough and have the resolution I'd want for the addtional $50 or so.

[toecheese]

Where's the voting option of 'I'll stick with my current BFD'?

[Sonnie]

We are only interested in those who are looking for a new one. You can keep yours...

[JorgenMan]

I'm not sure any of the extra features in B would be worth it. I might say differently if I had them, but I think the features in A are good enough for what the BFD is used for, and for the extra cost, I'd prefer to have the phantom power, SPL meter, etc. in separate components.

[JCD]

For me, the optional (i.e., more than just LR) croosover types in B make it my choice.

JCD

Hi: On my BFD Pro I am using both engines , one for two-channel and the other for movies only, on two different set-ups, that is two different sets of speakers and two different sources( c.d. and dvd player).
I am getting a lot of cross-talk between engine L and engine R. I hope the newer model can address this! Thanks, Huck

[muse77]

I would buy B. I have an old BSR EQ-3000 that even a monkey can use . I desperately need an upgrade.


Bryan

Yup, its B for me also, I like the on board electronic x-overs and the remote

[lgo51]

We be B'n

Consider:

Dialing down the 'A' version to be a playback-only unit, that runs the curves established by a 'dealer/installer' (using their 'B' unit, of course) or operates in a more consumer/basic mode.

For unit 'B'...

* Auto-dim for the LEDs, time-delayed after any knob diddling (retain the OFF option)
* Octave/third band-limited noise test signals
* 10 Hz - 100 kHz -0.1 dB native bandwidth
* Wood trim side panels that attach where the rack ears would otherwise mount
* RTA would need to be a FFT to get the necessary resolution for the 10-200 Hz range
* Suite of canned 'visualizations' for the video display - many folks like to be entertained

Just my $.02,
Cheers

[abhi]

It's B for me too...