BSS BLU-806 – Configurable DSP with Dante and BLU link

Product Overview

The BSS BLU-806 (now designated BLU-806DA) is a rack-mount Soundweb London signal processor designed for large-scale commercial AV installations requiring flexible I/O, Dante / AES67 network audio, and EN 54-16 life safety compliance. With four configurable I/O card slots supporting up to 16 analog inputs, 16 analog outputs, AEC processing, and telephone hybrid connectivity, it serves as the processing core for boardrooms, auditoriums, government spaces, and distributed audio systems. Configured entirely through HiQnet Audio Architect, the BLU-806 integrates with third-party control systems via GPIO and RS-232, making it a dependable choice for integrators deploying networked DSP in demanding commercial environments. Its 256-channel BLU link digital audio bus with Cat5e cabling and optional fiber extension to 40km provides the backbone for large multi-zone deployments.

Product Description

The BSS BLU-806DA is a single-rack-space Soundweb London chassis processor built for installers who need maximum I/O flexibility in a compact form factor. Four card slots each accept any of six available I/O cards — Analog Input, Analog Output, Digital Input, Digital Output, AEC Input, or Telephone Hybrid — allowing the system designer to configure up to 16 channels of any combination within a single 1U unit. Analog Input Cards deliver software-configurable gain in 6dB steps up to +48dB per channel, with per-channel phantom power selectable in software. Digital Input and Output Cards handle AES/EBU and S/PDIF formats with flexible clocking options. The AEC Input Card provides acoustic echo cancellation for conferencing applications, while the Telephone Hybrid Card interfaces with POTS lines. Dante / AES67 audio is supported with primary and secondary Ethernet ports for fault tolerance, plus a dedicated control port; the unit also supports Dante Domain Manager integration via Dante 4.0 firmware. The BLU link digital audio bus carries 256 channels at low latency over standard Cat5e cable up to 100m between devices — fiber optic media converters such as the BSS MC-1 extend this to over 40km. The front panel provides LED indication for phantom power, sync, signal present, and clip per channel without requiring a connected PC, and the LCD display shows device name, type, firmware version, IP address, and subnet mask. A bi-directional locate function simplifies device identification during installation and commissioning. Twelve control inputs and six logic outputs enable GPIO integration with compatible room control systems, and the Soundweb London Interface Kit documents third-party control system integration for AMX, Crestron, and similar platforms. The BLU-806DA carries EN 54-16 certification, qualifying it for deployment in life safety and public address systems where regulatory compliance is required.

Key Features

• Four Configurable I/O Card Slots — Accept any mix of Analog Input, Analog Output, Digital Input, Digital Output, AEC Input, or Telephone Hybrid cards for up to 16 channels of custom I/O.
• Dante / AES67 Network Audio — Primary and secondary Dante ports provide fault-tolerant IP audio transport; supports Dante Domain Manager for enterprise network management.
• 256-Channel BLU link Digital Audio Bus — Low-latency, fault-tolerant digital audio bus over Cat5e cabling, extendable to 40km via fiber optic media converters.
• AES67 Compatibility — Interoperates with AES67-compliant devices across multi-vendor networked audio installations.
• EN 54-16 Life Safety Compliance — Certified for use in public address and voice alarm systems where EN 54-16 compliance is mandated.
• Software-Configurable Gain and Phantom Power — Per-channel gain adjustment in 6dB steps up to +48dB and per-channel 48V phantom power, both controlled in HiQnet Audio Architect.
• 800 MHz Signal Processing Engine — Provides the DSP headroom for complex routing, mixing, EQ, dynamics, and logic processing in large system designs.
• GPIO Integration — 12 control inputs and 6 logic outputs for direct interfacing with room control systems, occupancy sensors, and other GPIO-compatible devices.
• Front Panel LCD and LED Indication — Displays device name, IP address, and firmware version; per-channel LEDs show phantom power, sync, signal present, and clip status without a PC.
• HiQnet Audio Architect Configuration — Open-architecture drag-and-drop design environment with a full palette of processing and logic objects for complete system customization.
• Third-Party Control System Integration — Soundweb London Interface Kit included for AMX, Crestron, and RS-232 control system integration documentation.
• Single Rack Space Form Factor — Standard 19" 1U chassis fits standard equipment racks for clean, space-efficient commercial installations.

Typical Applications

• Boardroom
• Conference room
• Government space
• Auditorium
• House of worship
• Multi-purpose room
• Training room
• Commercial meeting space

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What software is required to configure the BSS BLU-806?

A: The BLU-806DA is configured using HiQnet Audio Architect (current version 2.55.3). Legacy designs can also use HiQnet London Architect v6.02.R3. Both are available as free downloads from BSS Audio. The drag-and-drop interface allows integrators to build processing configurations, routing matrices, and logic without custom programming.

Q: Can the BLU-806 be integrated with Crestron or AMX control systems?

A: Yes. BSS provides the Soundweb London Interface Kit, Crestron Series 3 and Series 4 modules, and AMX NetLinx and HPro Gateway Comm modules. These allow full third-party control over volume, routing, muting, and preset recall from room control processors. Documentation is included with every HiQnet Audio Architect installation.

Q: How does the BLU-806 connect to a Dante network?

A: The BLU-806DA includes dedicated primary and secondary Dante / AES67 Ethernet ports for fault-tolerant audio transport, plus a separate control Ethernet port. It supports Dante Domain Manager via Dante 4.0 firmware, enabling centralized credential and routing management across large enterprise Dante networks.

Q: Is the BLU-806 certified for use in life safety or public address systems?

A: Yes. The BLU-806DA carries EN 54-16 certification, qualifying it for installation in voice alarm and emergency public address systems in jurisdictions where EN 54-16 compliance is required. Certification documentation is available for download from BSS Audio.

Q: How far can BLU link devices be separated from the BLU-806?

A: Using standard Cat5e cabling, BLU link devices can be up to 100m apart. With fiber optic media converters (such as the BSS MC-1), the distance between devices can exceed 40km, making it suitable for distributed campus or multi-building installations.

Q: What I/O cards are compatible with the BLU-806?

A: The BLU-806DA's four card slots accept six card types from BSS: Analog Input Card, Analog Output Card, Digital Input Card (AES/EBU and S/PDIF), Digital Output Card (AES/EBU and S/PDIF), AEC Input Card, and Telephone Hybrid Card. Each card provides four channels, so a fully populated unit can accommodate up to 16 channels of any combination.

Q: Where can I purchase the BSS BLU-806 and get installation support?

A: The BSS BLU-806 (SKU: BSSBLU806M-US) is available at Creation Networks, a commercial AV integrator and reseller. Contact us for project pricing, system design assistance, and post-sale technical support.