A wavelength cross connect is provided in which there is a dispersive arrangement per port for each input port and each output port. Some of the dispersive arrangements have differing characteristics so as to result in different performances at the ports. The dispersive arrangements can differ in the selection of different dispersive elements or differing coupling optics. A particular implementation features a first set of waveguide dispersive elements having first performance characteristics, and a second set of waveguide dispersive elements having second performance characteristics.