I know there will not be a hard and fast rule. In general, what is the largest driver you can use in a 'good' (meaning it will sound good and have good characteristics) line array?
I see lots of 2" drivers used, but what about using 3", 4" drivers? I believe the distance between the drivers is a critical piece to avoid issues at higher frequencies hence the limit.
I am aware of products or builds that will use something like a row of ribbon tweeters, with a row of bigger (4" or larger) mid/woofers.
Thanks!
I see lots of 2" drivers used, but what about using 3", 4" drivers? I believe the distance between the drivers is a critical piece to avoid issues at higher frequencies hence the limit.
I am aware of products or builds that will use something like a row of ribbon tweeters, with a row of bigger (4" or larger) mid/woofers.
Thanks!
There’s quite a few variables to consider when determining which driver size to use.
Smaller diameter drivers will have better off axis response
Larger diameter drivers have the potential for lower frequency response
The center to center driver distance will dictate at what point in the frequency response destructive comb filtering begins.....the greater the distance as is the case with larger drivers the lower and greater the destructive force.
3-3.5” has shown to be a good compromise with practical experiences of those who have built such systems.......but of course based on the drivers available today and cost consideration not withstanding. If cost were no object, a floor to ceiling array of stacked ribbon tweeters side by side with a vertical line of 5”midwoofers would easily outperform a fullrange array in all aspects.
Smaller diameter drivers will have better off axis response
Larger diameter drivers have the potential for lower frequency response
The center to center driver distance will dictate at what point in the frequency response destructive comb filtering begins.....the greater the distance as is the case with larger drivers the lower and greater the destructive force.
3-3.5” has shown to be a good compromise with practical experiences of those who have built such systems.......but of course based on the drivers available today and cost consideration not withstanding. If cost were no object, a floor to ceiling array of stacked ribbon tweeters side by side with a vertical line of 5”midwoofers would easily outperform a fullrange array in all aspects.
I used 5" once and would't go above that for sure. It required to have small tweeter array and comb filtering was noticeable. 3.5" are way better compromise IMO.
Is there a formula for comb filtering in this context (FR driver line array)...or too many variables for it to be that simple? The practical result seems to be 2" is no problem, and over 3" is not common because of these issues.
Otherwise I would expect to see tons of builds with 3, 4" Mark Audio, Fostex, etc. drivers.
Otherwise I would expect to see tons of builds with 3, 4" Mark Audio, Fostex, etc. drivers.
I'd say there are plenty of examples of arrays with 3.5" size drivers on this forum.
Look in the last few pages of this thread: Full range line array for wall or corner placement for ways to sim the array before committing.
I'd agree with rayma, you've got to like the driver that you put into an array like that, you will get it back on steroids. Personally I look for a clean IR of a single driver, a certain amount of x-max and a slightly rising frequency curve towards the high end.
(I'd avoid any driver that has a ringing top end)
Look in the last few pages of this thread: Full range line array for wall or corner placement for ways to sim the array before committing.
I'd agree with rayma, you've got to like the driver that you put into an array like that, you will get it back on steroids. Personally I look for a clean IR of a single driver, a certain amount of x-max and a slightly rising frequency curve towards the high end.
(I'd avoid any driver that has a ringing top end)
Have you found that a line array sounds better in a room with hard bare floors,
as it theoretically should?
That is the ideal theoretical solution, making the array 'seem' taller than it is.
However I have no cross reference, meaning I've only heard them with the hard bare floor where the array is placed. It won't be easy to determine how reflective that floor (and ceiling) really is.
However I have no cross reference, meaning I've only heard them with the hard bare floor where the array is placed. It won't be easy to determine how reflective that floor (and ceiling) really is.