Mackie DLM8 8 inch 2000W Powered Loudspeaker with DL2 Digital Mixer
The DLM8 is the small one in Mackie's DLM Series, and the size is the whole point. A coaxial driver lets Mackie fold a proper two-way into a cube roughly a third smaller than a conventional cabinet, so an entire DLM system fits in almost any car and stacks flat for storage.
- 2000W of system power from ultra-efficient Class-D amplification.
- TruSource driver: a Mackie designed, vertically-aligned, common-magnet coaxial transducer pairing an 8 inch LF woofer with a 1.75 inch HF compression driver.
- TruSource DSP handles the voicing for consistent dispersion and clarity across the coverage area.
- DL2 integrated digital mixer: two versatile input channels with a bright OLED screen and one-touch operation.
- Per channel control: independent level, 3-band EQ and effects, with 16 channel effects including reverb, chorus and delay.
- Inputs: XLR and TRS combo plus dual RCA, handling mic, line, stereo and instrument signals.
- System tools: multi-band feedback destroyer, six speaker modes, alignment delay up to 300 ms for delay stacks and balconies, and three memory locations for instant venue recall.
- Smart Protect DSP watches the amplifier and driver dynamically.
- Mounting: pole mount on a tripod or on top of a DLM12S using the SPM300 pole, M10 flypoints for rigging, or the SWM300 articulated arm for wall installs.
- Cabinet: road-ready PC-ABS with a black finish, a powder-coated 20 gauge steel grille, a top carry handle, and an integrated kickstand that angles it as a floor wedge.
Mackie calls the DLM Series the new shape of sound, and the DLM8 is the clearest example of what that means. It is a cube. A coaxial driver puts the high frequency compression driver on the same axis as the woofer, which removes the need for a tall cabinet to stack them, and the result is a two-way that is around a third smaller than a traditional one while still producing 2000 watts of output.
What the coaxial driver changes
The TruSource transducer is Mackie designed, vertically-aligned and built on a common magnet, with an 8 inch LF woofer and a 1.75 inch HF compression driver working from a single acoustic point. Coincident drivers behave better off-axis, because the arrival time from both sections stays the same no matter where the listener stands. TruSource DSP tunes that behaviour further, and Mackie's stated aim is seamless clarity and consistent dispersion rather than a single flattering listening spot.
The DL2 mixer is why you may not need a console
Built into the back is a one-touch digital mixer with a bright OLED screen and two highly-versatile input channels. Each channel has its own level, 3-band EQ and effects control, drawn from 16 channel effects including reverb, chorus and delay. Connections are XLR and TRS combo plus dual RCA, which covers mic, line, stereo and instrument sources without an adapter bag. For a duo, a solo performer, or a corporate speaker with a laptop, that is the entire front end.
System processing that earns its keep
A multi-band feedback destroyer deals with problem frequencies rather than pulling down the whole top end. Six speaker modes voice the box for the job it is doing. Alignment delay of up to 300 ms lets you use a DLM8 as a delay fill for a balcony or a long room and keep it time-aligned with the main system. Three memory locations store venue settings for instant recall, and Smart Protect DSP dynamically guards the amplifier and driver so the limiter engages before something gives up.
Living with it
The cabinet is road-worthy PC-ABS in a pro black finish with a rugged powder-coated 20 gauge steel grille and an ergonomic top carry handle. An integrated kickstand tilts it to a sensible angle for personal monitor use on stage. Pole mounting works on a tripod or on top of a DLM12S subwoofer with the SPM300 pole, standard M10 rigging hardware handles flying, and the SWM300 articulated arm covers discreet wall-mounted installs. They also stack for storage, which the flight case budget will appreciate.