Ultimate Direct Box Comparison: Which DI is THE BEST?

[@south02m]

I think when the differences are so small, the features is what you have to look at and build quality. The Warm Audio can be active/passive. I think for the price, it is the best all around.

[@mattingramsound]

Very true!

[@keithmills778]

To me, this shootout is a bit disingenuous. I can see the model numbers on the first three DIs, but the passive and active Warm DIs look the same. I hope you’re using the passive one, as all the other DIs are passive. Also, the prices aren’t exactly comparable. One would hope that the more expensive DIs would sound better than the cheap ones. Would a Radial JDI outperform the passive Warm DI? In Canada, the JDI is about CDN$80 more than the passive Warm DI. As a proud Canuck, I’ll stick with my built-like-a-tank JDIs and J48s for live music.

[@mattingramsound]

There are countless DI's out there, and I don't have access to all of them, nor would I want to make a video that long. I just put 4 common DI's against each other for a sound comparison. Whether they are active or passive is not really relevant. Especially because the outputs of both the instruments in the video are active.

[@zyonbaxter]

The Reason DIs sound different from one another is due to each having different input and output Impedances. Really to Super High Input Impedances around the 900kΩ-10MΩ range increase the clarity of higher harmonic frequencies 8 khz and up giving a more bright/open sound. While the 300kΩ-50kΩ range increases harmonic frequencies 5 khz and under which is more pleasing to the human ear. And the Different output Impedances effect the volume going into the preamp/interface which also changes how we perceive sounds, with loader/bassier sounds being more pleasing to our ears.🤓 These aren't the only reasons; there's also a plethora of other components that affect the sound and the manufacturing tolerance between part for part and piece to piece. Impedance changes are just a more noticable contributing factor.

[@mattingramsound]

Very educational!

[@lshtar777]

WA

[@mattingramsound]

Oh ya!

[@Bassic778]

Great comparison! The Whirlwind sounded good and the Warm Audio seemed to have more presence and punch.

[@mattingramsound]

Thank you! I agree with that assessment.

[@Bassic778]

@@mattingramsound I purchased a Warm Audio Active DI. It sounds amazing and is a noticeable improvement compared to my Radial JDI!