Manley Labs have announced the upcoming launch of the Massive Passive XXV, a limited edition model of their popular stereo valve equaliser. Intended to celebrate the unit’s 25th year in production, the XXV version retains the same circuit design but sports a new deep-blue finish complete with laser-engraved artwork. Each unit will also be supplied with a ‘Micro Massive’ artpiece crafted by EveAnna Manley.
The Massive Passive is a stereo unit that offers four bands of equalisation per channel, along with both high- and low-pass filters. Each band can be switched between shelf and bell filter modes and can apply a cut or boost of up to 20dB. The unit also features a Bandwidth control, which differs from a traditional Q in that it interacts with the band’s level control, behaving in a similar way to the control found on Pultec equalisers. As a result, the company say the Massive Passive is often more musical and natural-sounding than many alternative processors.
As you’d expect, the unit employs high-quality components throughout, with film capacitors and metal-film resistors joined by inductors and transformers that are wound in-house by Manley’s own dedicated department. Since 2020, all Massive Passive units have also been fitted with the company’s own custom power supply.
The Massive Passive XXV boasts a stylish deep blue finish with laser-engraved artwork.
Pricing & Availability
The Massive Passive XXV will begin shipping in September 2023, priced at $6999. Manley Labs will only be manufacturing 100 units.
