COMPRESSORS · DYNAMICS
266xs
Compressor / Gate
Adding a dbx® 266xs Compressor/Gate to your live sound rig or studio gives you more dynamic control to help create a more polished, professional sound. Having compression in your audio chain gives you the ability to smooth out uneven levels, add sustain to guitars and fatten up your drums. It also makes it easy to bring vocals to the front of your mix - adding greater clarity and making them stand out from the surrounding instruments.
- Frequency range
- 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- FREQUENCY RANGE
- Dynamic range
- >114 dB
- DYNAMIC RANGE
- Weight
- 2.19 kg
- WEIGHT
Supplied and supported in Pakistan by KYAF, the official HARMAN Professional distributor.
AT A GLANCE
Specifications
- 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Frequency range
- >114 dB
- Dynamic range
- 2.19 kg
- Weight
- 40kΩ balanced/unbalanced
- Impedance
- 1.75" x 5.75" x 19"
- Dimensions
- 1/4" TRS and female XLR
- Inputs
- 1/4" TRS, male XLR
- Output Connectors
- Tip = >10kΩ
- Sidechain Impedance
| Input Connectors | 1/4" TRS and female XLR (pin 2 hot) |
|---|---|
| Input Type | Electronically balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered |
| Input Impedance | 40kΩ balanced/unbalanced |
| Max Input | >+22dBu Balanced or Unbalanced |
| Output Connectors | 1/4" TRS, male XLR (pin 2 hot) |
| Output Type | Impedance-balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered |
| Output Impedance | +4dBu: 100Ω balanced, 50Ω unbalanced; -10dBu: 1kΩ balanced, 500Ω unbalanced |
| Max Output | >+21dBu balanced/unbalanced into 2kΩ or greater; >+18dBm balanced/unbalanced (into 600Ω) |
| Sidechain | 1/4" TRS Phone, Normalled: Ring = Output (send); tip = Input (return) |
| Sidechain Impedance | Tip = >10kΩ (Input), Ring = 2kΩ (Output) |
| Sidechain Max Input Level | Tip = >+22dBu (Input) |
| Sidechain Max Output Level | Ring = >+20dBu (Output) |
| Compressor Threshold Range | -40dBu to +20dBu |
| Compressor Threshold Characteristic | Selectable OverEasy® or hard knee |
| Compressor Ratio | 1:1 to Infinity:1 |
| Compressor Attack Time | Scalable Program-Dependent AutoDynamic™ |
| Compressor Release Time | Scalable Program-Dependent AutoDynamic™ |
| Expander/Gate Threshold Range | -60dBu to +15dBu |
| Expander/Gate Ratio | 1:1 to 4:1 |
| Expander/Gate Attack Time | <100µs |
| Expander/Gate Release Time | Program-dependent |
| Bandwidth | 0.35Hz - 90kHz, +0/-3dB |
| Frequency Response | Flat: 20Hz-20kHz, +0, -0.5dB |
| Noise | <-93dBu unweighted (22kHz measurement bandwidth) |
| THD+Noise | Typically <0.2%; Any Amount of Compression @1kHz |
| IMD | Typically <0.2% SMPTE |
| Dynamic Range | >114 dB, unweighted |
| Interchannel Crosstalk | <-95dB, 20Hz to 20kHz |
| CMRR | >40dB, typically >55dB at 1kHz |
| Stereo Coupling | True RMS Power Summing™ |
| Power Consumption | 15 Watts Maximum |
| Operating Voltage | 100VAC 50/60Hz; 120VAC 60Hz; 230VAC 50/60Hz |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F) |
| Dimensions | 1.75" x 5.75" x 19" (4.45 cm x 14.6 cm x 48.26 cm ) |
| Unit Weight | 2.19 kg |
| Shipping Weight | 2.99 kg |
| Reference | 0dBu = 0.775Vrms |
| 266xs | 286s | |
|---|---|---|
| CMRR | >40dB, typically >55dB at 1kHz | >40dB, typically 55dB |
| Input Connectors | 1/4" TRS and female XLR (pin 2 hot) | (line) Floating balanced, TIP Hot |
| Input Impedance | 40kΩ balanced/unbalanced | (line) 10kΩ unbalanced, 20kΩ balanced |
| Max Input | >+22dBu Balanced or Unbalanced | (line) >+21dBu, balanced or unbalanced |
| Output Connectors | 1/4" TRS, male XLR (pin 2 hot) | 1/4" Balanced/Unbalanced TRS Connectors |
| Output Impedance | +4dBu: 100Ω balanced, 50Ω unbalanced; -10dBu: 1kΩ balanced, 500Ω unbalanced | 100Ω unbalanced, 200Ω balanced |
| Max Output | >+21dBu balanced/unbalanced into 2kΩ or greater; >+18dBm balanced/unbalanced (into 600Ω) | >+21dBu, >+20dBm (600Ω load) |
| Noise | <-93dBu unweighted (22kHz measurement bandwidth) | <-80dBu unweighted (20Hz-20kHz); Both Gain Controls set for 0dB, all processing controls OFF |
| Frequency Response | Flat: 20Hz-20kHz, +0, -0.5dB | 20Hz to 20kHz, +0.5, -0.5dB |
| Compressor Threshold Range | -40dBu to +20dBu | -40dBu to +20dBu |
| Compressor Threshold Characteristic | Selectable OverEasy® or hard knee | OverEasy® |
| Compressor Ratio | 1:1 to Infinity:1 | >4:1 For input levels beyond 20dB above threshold |
| Compressor Attack Time | Scalable Program-Dependent AutoDynamic™ | Program-Dependent; >1s for small level increases, down to 10ms for larage increases |
| Compressor Release Time | Scalable Program-Dependent AutoDynamic™ | Program-Dependent; adjustable between approximately 1dB/sec and 75dB/sec |
FOR DESIGNERS AND INSTALLERS
Downloads
- ZIP266xs CAD drawing frontZIP · 232 KB · updated: Apr 2026
- ZIP266xs CAD drawing rearZIP · 201 KB · updated: Apr 2026
- PDF266xs Cut Sheet-EnglishPDF · 1.55 MB · updated: Apr 2026
- PDF266xs Owner's Manual-FrenchPDF · 1.31 MB · updated: Apr 2026
- PDF266xs Owner's Manual-SpanishPDF · 971 KB · updated: Apr 2026
- PDF266xs Owner's Manual-EnglishPDF · 1.75 MB · updated: Apr 2026
dbx's own files, opened here on the KYAF site.

266xs
Compressor / Gate
DESIGN
Everything at the back of the box.

FEATURES
What the 266xs brings.

Adding a dbx® 266xs Compressor/Gate to your live sound rig or studio gives you more dynamic control to help create a more polished, professional sound. Having compression in your audio chain gives you the ability to smooth out uneven levels, add sustain to guitars and fatten up your drums. It also makes it easy to bring vocals to the front of your mix - adding greater clarity and making them stand out from the surrounding instruments.
dbx knows compressors...after all we invented them! The 266xs is the latest in a long line of the world's most successful compressors from the inventors of the technology. Its patented Overeasy® compression technology provides smooth and musical performance while the AutoDynamic™ attack and release controls, found only on dbx compressors, puts great sound within easy reach. The 266xs can operate in stereo or dual-mono modes, has true RMS power summing and features quality XLR and 1/4" TRS inputs and outputs. It cuts no corners on visual feedback with gain reduction metering and easy-to-read backlit switches.
WHERE IT WORKS
Applications
PLANNING A 266XS SYSTEM?
Tell us the room. We'll size the system.
Send the space, the audience and the budget. A KYAF engineer will work out what you need and quote it delivered in Pakistan.
DBX PROFESSIONAL
266xs





