TK ACOUSTIC LAB
LOUDSPEAKERJOURNAL

d&b audiotechnik

XSL8

Line Array PA LoudspeakerLine Arrays

An 80° three-way line array with dual 8in front LF, dual 6.5in side LF, 6.5in MF and dual 1in HF, operated as a two-way active system.

Drivers
2 × 8in + 2 × 6.5in LF, 6.5in MF, 2 × 1in HF
Maximum SPL
Up to 141dB
Horizontal dispersion
80°
Official page
Published in the Journal Product release
Official product image of the d&b audiotechnik XSL8 showing its front grille, MF/HF horn and side LF aperture
Image: d&b audiotechnik

Product Overview

XSL8 is a compact mobile three-way line array in d&b audiotechnik's SL-Series, introduced in 2021. It carries two front-facing 8in LF drivers, two side-mounted 6.5in LF drivers, one horn-loaded 6.5in MF and two 1in-exit HF compression drivers. Nominal horizontal dispersion is 80°, and inter-cabinet splay can be set from 0° to 14° in 1° increments.

The acoustic system is three-way but is driven from two amplifier channels. Channel A feeds the front LF drivers, while channel B feeds the side LF drivers and the MF/HF section through a passive network. With the side LF arrangement, d&b specifies horizontal directivity control from 60Hz to beyond 18kHz.

Specifications

System
Three-way line array with two-way active operation
Drivers
LF: 2 × 8in front + 2 × 6.5in side; MF: 6.5in horn-loaded; HF: 2 × 1in-exit compression drivers with 2in voice coils
Frequency response
Standard: 60Hz–18kHz (-5dB); CUT mode: 90Hz–18kHz (-5dB)
Maximum SPL
141dB with D40/D80/D90/40D at 1m in free field
Horizontal dispersion
80° nominal
Splay angle
0–14° in 1° increments
Power handling
Front LF: 400W RMS/1,200W peak; side LF/MF/HF: 300W RMS/850W peak
Nominal impedance
8 ohms front LF; 8 ohms side LF/MF/HF
Connectors
2 × NLT4 F/M
Dimensions
283 × 700 × 507mm (H × W × D)
Weight
39kg

Design & Technology

Front and side LF arrangement

Two 8in LF drivers face forward and two 6.5in LF drivers are mounted on the sides. Their radiation is combined through dedicated amplification and processing, and d&b specifies 80° horizontal directivity control beginning at 60Hz.

SL-Series cardioid approach

The side-LF layout also forms the SL-Series cardioid approach for reducing low-frequency radiation behind the cabinet. Horizontal behaviour is treated as one system from low to high frequencies, with the aim of limiting unwanted spill toward adjacent areas and the stage.

6.5in MF and dual HF drivers

A horn loads the 6.5in MF driver, while two 1in-exit HF compression drivers feed a wave-shaping device. The MF/HF section is configured for line-array wavefront continuity between adjacent cabinets.

Three acoustic ways from two amplifier channels

Official rear view of the d&b audiotechnik XSL8 showing its side LF aperture, connections and rigging hardware
Image: d&b audiotechnik

Channel A drives the front LF section, while channel B drives the side LF and MF/HF section. An internal passive network divides MF and HF, allowing the acoustic three-way system to operate from two dedicated amplifier channels.

0–14° inter-cabinet splay

The rigging system sets inter-cabinet angles from 0° to 14° in 1° increments. Vertical coverage is formed for the venue geometry and suspension position, with the mobile system supporting flown and ground-stacked configurations.

ArrayProcessing and dedicated amplifiers

Compatible D40, D80, D90 and 40D amplifiers provide cabinet presets, protection and monitoring. d&b ArrayProcessing applies filters to individual cabinets within an array to adjust level and tonal balance over audience distance.

Sources

  1. 01
    d&b audiotechnikXSL8

    Manufacturer product page · Accessed August 15, 2026

  2. 02
    d&b audiotechnikXSL8/XSL12 Datasheet

    Official datasheet · Accessed August 15, 2026

  3. 03
    d&b audiotechnikMore SL, nothing less: d&b introduces the XSL System

    Manufacturer press release · Accessed August 15, 2026