Oval drivers for line array??

jdsackett · 13th December 2011, 02:22 PM

Hi guys. Have read Dr. Griffin's white paper, a few times and think I'll build an array. Is there any reason why I couldn't build with 3x5 ovals mounted horizontally?? To my thinking, mounting that way would raise the xo frequency to about 4500hz making it easier to find a suitable tweeter. I also thought of just using 5" round, but I don't like crossing over in that range. Array will be approx 6' tall using 24 drivers plus the tweeters. So, bad idea?? Might work ok?? Appreciate any input. Regards, j.d.

speaker dave · 13th December 2011, 03:38 PM

Should work no problem. The horizontal dispersion is roughly a function of a driver's width and the line array performance is a combination of length and also center to center spacing. With the units horizontal you'll get a little narrower horizontal performance but tighter center to center. Long axis vertical gives the other way around.

Note that the center to center spacing aspect is a bit theoretical and the units are more continuous sources than they are just point sources. This means you may get a little better performance as long as cone edge to cone edge is tight.

I'd be tempted to line up the long axis vertical (wouldn't expect a huge difference though).

Good luck,

David S.

jdsackett · 13th December 2011, 04:15 PM

Thanks Dave, appreciate the info. The main reason I'm thinking horizontal is the wavelength distance being smaller. The drivers I have in mind are 3x5and vertically would put the xo point at just above 2500hz. The other way about 4500hz. My thoughts are the higher the better, but could be very wrong. One of the main gripes of the full range guys is having xo between 1k and 5k, so would like to keep the xo point as high as possible, then feed a sub with another amp. One thing I am NOT looking forward to is oval cutouts. Round is easy, oval is a lot of jigsaw time and then a ton of router time. Another concern is horizontal combing from not being able to get the tweeter close enough to the mids. I think i can work around that with proper tweeter choice. Anyway, thanks again for the help Dave. Best regards, j.d.

speaker dave · 13th December 2011, 05:20 PM

Look into one of those roller router bits. You can make a good master pattern in masonite, by hand, and roller around it for each ellipse.

Wear hearing protection!

David

jdsackett · 13th December 2011, 08:08 PM

I will, thanks. Didn't even know they made them....duh. regards, j.d.

13th December 2011, 02:22 PM	#1
jdsackett diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	Oval drivers for line array?? Hi guys. Have read Dr. Griffin's white paper, a few times and think I'll build an array. Is there any reason why I couldn't build with 3x5 ovals mounted horizontally?? To my thinking, mounting that way would raise the xo frequency to about 4500hz making it easier to find a suitable tweeter. I also thought of just using 5" round, but I don't like crossing over in that range. Array will be approx 6' tall using 24 drivers plus the tweeters. So, bad idea?? Might work ok?? Appreciate any input. Regards, j.d.

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13th December 2011, 03:38 PM	#2
speaker dave diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto	Should work no problem. The horizontal dispersion is roughly a function of a driver's width and the line array performance is a combination of length and also center to center spacing. With the units horizontal you'll get a little narrower horizontal performance but tighter center to center. Long axis vertical gives the other way around. Note that the center to center spacing aspect is a bit theoretical and the units are more continuous sources than they are just point sources. This means you may get a little better performance as long as cone edge to cone edge is tight. I'd be tempted to line up the long axis vertical (wouldn't expect a huge difference though). Good luck, David S.

13th December 2011, 04:15 PM	#3
jdsackett diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	Thanks Dave, appreciate the info. The main reason I'm thinking horizontal is the wavelength distance being smaller. The drivers I have in mind are 3x5and vertically would put the xo point at just above 2500hz. The other way about 4500hz. My thoughts are the higher the better, but could be very wrong. One of the main gripes of the full range guys is having xo between 1k and 5k, so would like to keep the xo point as high as possible, then feed a sub with another amp. One thing I am NOT looking forward to is oval cutouts. Round is easy, oval is a lot of jigsaw time and then a ton of router time. Another concern is horizontal combing from not being able to get the tweeter close enough to the mids. I think i can work around that with proper tweeter choice. Anyway, thanks again for the help Dave. Best regards, j.d.

13th December 2011, 05:20 PM	#4
speaker dave diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto	Look into one of those roller router bits. You can make a good master pattern in masonite, by hand, and roller around it for each ellipse. Wear hearing protection! David

13th December 2011, 08:08 PM	#5
jdsackett diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	I will, thanks. Didn't even know they made them....duh. regards, j.d.

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