Line array assistance

[danvan]

A couple friends want me to make something quote '*******'n loud' for parties in the near future, for less than 150 bucks if possible. I was thinking a line array would probably do the job, just a bunch of cheap drivers right? Sound qualtity doesn't matter for these things (to them, not to me) but I'm curious if there is anything important I should take into account when building these arrays as I've never done one before, or if there would be a better solution to extreme louditude...

Also, I've found a number of drivers on blowout at parts express, notably a 4.5" vifa for 4 bucks, and an audax 6.5" for 10 at madisound, any benefits to size? We'll be fine in the bass department, I think every one of us has a pair of subs lyin around...

Anyways, thanks for any help offered

Edit: nice anti-swear script

[chipco3434]

PE's closeout "NSB", thought to be Pioneers at $0.49 would be just the trick. They come 32 to a box. Build an open baffle, 16 to a side. Plenty of threads on this build on this site.

[Fazorcat]

Try a bunch of these:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=269-568


For 50 cents, you can't go wrong. Super cheap, and 32 of them can get loud. That's only 16 bucks! Go more if you're crazy

[danvan]

A few more questions then, since I finally have a cheap driver..

1. It wouldn't appear to be necessary for a tweeter, at least not for what we're gonna be doing, am I looking at this right?

2. I remember a few people saying they coated these paricular drivers with watered-down glue or something to stiffen the cone up, what exactly was used and how does it help?

3. Any reason to bother with filters? Or would it be an unnecessary bother since I can just set the speaker setting to "small"

4. Sealed or open-baffle? Either way will be cake to do, I would think sealed would sound better personally, but then again we're just goin for spls here. Thanks for quick responses guys

[Fazorcat]

Go To Caraudioforum.com

Then under Home Audio: General section.

You will see threads with Line array stuff in it, all the answers you could imagine.

[danvan]

Thanks a bunch!

[thylantyr]

The NSB project is good but remember that it's just a midrange driver and you won't get any real low end bass out of them.
I would imagine for parties people want the 'boom boom'
{double meaning, rofl}...

The other issue is size. Are these speakers you want to build
have a permanent home ? you don't plan to move them alot ?

To keep cost down you can make a an array of 16 NSB
with a center horn so you have 8 NSB above the horn lense,
8 below. {actually, you can put that horn where you think it's
optimal for best sound}.

PE has lots of horns to choose from depending on the budget.

I don't know if not using a horn would be acceptable even
if they are not too picky on the sound quality.

If you want decent boom, model the NSB in software to
find the enclosure size/tuning you desire {ported box}.
I found that tuning them to 100hz is a nice compromise. I used
the enclosure volume indicated by the software to achieve a 6 to
9 db boost centered around 100hz. Nice natural 'boom box'
sound. You can add a subwoofer to capture the low if you want alot more bass.

The NSB is tricky to install, it has a frame issue to be dealt with.

Search google for "nsb line"

[dastardly]

What about 16 NSBs with 12 dayton NEO tweeters?
OK. I modeled a crossover for this one in Speakerworkshop a while back just in case someday I have the money and motivation to try a line array. Of course, I haven't actually built anything, so my comments should be taken with a very large grain of salt. It may be crossed too low though, need to work on that part.

How many db down should a tweeter be at Fs?

Still $.49 per NSB and $4.10 per tweeter. And, ~99db/watt.

[johninCR]

The NSB's are going to need a tweeter. Just use one of these per side with an Lpad to balance them with the array. A tweeter array isn't worth the trouble and expense for party speakers since you'd need alot more than 12 tweeters because everyone's ears need to be in the plane of the tweeter array sitting down or standing up. One of these per side will keep up with the array.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=272-115

A great tweak on the tweeter is to stuff 4-6 pencil eraser sized pieces of foam rubber down in the throat around the bullet. Tune to taste. It makes them worth far more than the $20/ea.

Although I love OB arrays, if loud is a primary concern, you'll want to go with a sealed box for power handling reasons and the subs you use need to go up to 100hz or so. You may want to build them to be hung from the ceiling for a cool look that can't get knocked over during a party.

[danvan]

Fortunately I'm not paying for this...I told my friend about the NSB's and he picked up 128 of them, just muttered something about 2 pair, which I assume means 32/loudspeaker...Anyways yeah that looks like the perfect tweeter John, I'll have to mention it.

Honestly I'm not really looking forward to mounting all these things...maybe I'll charge something for my services.

Shouldn't have to worry too much about bass, finishing the boxes for a pair of Avalanche 18's today, also got 2 Atlas 12's on the way, could always use them too i spose since I really don't need them right now...

Oh yeah, nice idea about the hanging speakers, realtor probably would charge us for it though...