Line Array speakers, pros and cons

[thedelihaus]

When discussing Line Array speakers, what are the pros and cons?

There must be some interesting benefits and great aspects, but alongside there must also be some comprimises and negatives to them.

I see that lots of churches use them. Any idea why?

 

[kfa888]

Line arrays have a large sweet spot top top bottom and that's one reason you see them in churches and other PA like environments. Good coverage. Cons being cancellation due to like drivers sitting right next to each other. That's about the limit of my knowledge on the matter. Slim, I know but at least I added something :>)

 

[thedelihaus]

Thanks, Kelly. I imagine JP over you-know-where is working up a short novel for me aout 'em, but that's a good start from you!

Thanks!

 

[kfa888]

Thanks, Kelly. I imagine JP over you-know-where is working up a short novel for me aout 'em,

Full of big disorienting words I hope :>)

 

[wualta]

Churches use 'em because they can be made very directional. You can poke the sleepy parishoner in the back pew with a well-chosen P-pop on the microphone.

I don't know if JP actually owns any true line-source speakers. Has he been busy whilst he's been away? Although I think he'd like to snag a pair of Harold Beveridge electrostatics. (Not to be confused with Harold's Beverage Emporium.)

 

[Negotiableterms]

The cancellation effect (comb filtering) of the line source proves to be trivial in comparison to the benefits. That's why so many of the "statement" type speakers are line sources: IRS Vs, Genesis 1.1, Pipedreams, Dali Megalines, etc. The sweet spot is huge, and the imaging is amazing.

Since I have Pipedream 18s, I'm incredibly biased, but I've always disliked speakers with narrow vertical windows. I like the sound to remain stable as I recline, sit up, or stand up. Nothing like a pair of 7' tall line sources to handle that request.

Here's a review of the 8' tall big brother to mine, which gives an idea of why line sources are a good thing:

TAS: http://www.nearfieldacoustics.com/Reviews1.htm
TAV: http://www.nearfieldacoustics.com/Review2.htm

Of course, they were too pricey, and the company went out of business, then resurrected itself with a more reasonably priced product line. Regardless of which, I'm hooked, can ya tell?

 

[wualta]

Here's Roger Russell's journey through line sourcery, including the Beveridge:

http://www.roger-russell.com/columns/columns.htm

 

[Negotiableterms]

And with that, this thread is now closed. Anyone wishing me to edit their posts regarding other forums and their admins is welcome to PM me, and if all three of you do, the thread can be re-opened.

Generally, AK discourages comments on the activities of other forums, their admins and mods, and this is especially true in cases touching on controversy.

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Ooooh... "Line Sourcery". I like that!!