DBX 286 S

Great looking device with well thought out features.
Very easy to use.

The low and high frequency detail (which isn't "just" EQ) sounds nice as long as you don't pump it all the way up.
It can just add that tad which is missing especially when you are using the 80hz cut off.
The De-esser does it job, similar to the compressor.
It's not too fast, not too slow. So perfect for controlling rather than removing peaks.

Tho for non-sensitive mics, beware for the noisy preamp.
I originally bought it thinking it would probably be less noisy than my Audient iD14 preamps but I was wrong.
From 30dB you start to hear the hiss.
Since you have to drive the compressor, it only amplifies it.
Not an issue for the majority of condenser mics since you will stay under 35dB anyways.

If you are buying it mostly for the effects section, it might be better to use the insert with another preamp if you are going to use gain hungry mics and especially if you are going into another (multiband)compressor/broadcast processor.

It's certainly a decent product for the price.

I bought the dbx 286s for multiple reasons.
I wanted to record vocals with compression on the way in. Many of the vocal performances I had to capture in my studio were very dynamic, and in order to avoid the risk of clipping I decided to go with a hardware compressor.
Also the fact that the dbs 286s acts as a preamp is a great addition to anyone who uses microphones such as the Shure SM7B.
The channel strip can add gain, compress the signal and especially add a gate to eliminate the noise.
I must stay, I am not such a fan of the compression. For vocals it's fine if you can keep it relatively low, as the attack is not adjustable and pretty slow. So if you compress it too hard you will have a lot of plosives. The compression itself also is quite unpleasant compared to other units, but as mentioned before, if you don't overdo it then it sounds great. Use it for light dynamic control and then compress the vocals in your DAW, it makes it A LOT easier.
I used it as an outboard for snare compression too, and it worked surprisingly well.
HOWEVER, after a few year the unit started to malfunction. The unit would spontaneously distort and lower its volume. I have sent my unit back for repair, and am very curious if the problem can be fixed. I have read that this is a recurring issue with the unit.

SO IF YOU PLAN ON GETTING ONE, be aware that after a few year this well performing channel strip might die on you.