I have decided it's time to stop looking and jump in and build a line array,
I can just about fit 24 TC9's between floor and ceiling with only 2" spare.
My question is, what are the pros and cons of a straight array v curved array (somewhat like below) focused on my listening distance about 4/5m away from speakers?
Equalization will be done by miniDSP.
Any thoughts or ideas from anyone with experience of this type of speaker would be appreciated.
Steve
I can just about fit 24 TC9's between floor and ceiling with only 2" spare.
My question is, what are the pros and cons of a straight array v curved array (somewhat like below) focused on my listening distance about 4/5m away from speakers?
Equalization will be done by miniDSP.
Any thoughts or ideas from anyone with experience of this type of speaker would be appreciated.
Steve
I think the best advise I have to offer is to simulate both types and find out. VituixCAD can do it, nc535 made sure of that
by asking for all kinds of updates to be able to get useful output. He shared an early project in his thread:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...-corner-placement.337956/page-28#post-6205129
I believe I have simulated and shared focused array and CBT array out of curiosity.
I went with a frequency shaded straight array, all info you'd need to get going is in my (sorry, huge) thread.
I went with the straight array long ago as the best option for my use case, never regretted it.
A focused array can have a wonderful sweetspot, but not much else.
Don't forget to plan a good way of equalizing, some miniDSP's have FIR capability, but not that many tabs...
I'd recommend something that can use FIR though. That's why I use a PC.
by asking for all kinds of updates to be able to get useful output. He shared an early project in his thread:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...-corner-placement.337956/page-28#post-6205129
I believe I have simulated and shared focused array and CBT array out of curiosity.
I went with a frequency shaded straight array, all info you'd need to get going is in my (sorry, huge) thread.
I went with the straight array long ago as the best option for my use case, never regretted it.
A focused array can have a wonderful sweetspot, but not much else.
Don't forget to plan a good way of equalizing, some miniDSP's have FIR capability, but not that many tabs...
I'd recommend something that can use FIR though. That's why I use a PC.
There was a good bit on this subject in Speaker Builder back in the 80's. The exactly correct answer is "it depends"
My basic thought is they make a great PA, but I would not want them in my house.
My basic thought is they make a great PA, but I would not want them in my house.
Some times there's more than meets the eye... Line arrays can have quite favorable advantages within a room.
I just typed a long reply about that on another forum so allow me to make a quick case (part copy + paste) about the concept of arrays in a living room...
Let's compare it to a single driver for a moment.... we're in the full range forum after all...
The vertical pattern of a single 3.5" driver:
(this is a single driver's vertical directivity plotted in VituixCAD)
Vertical control down to about... ~7 KHz, but in a very limited way I'd say...
Now let's see an array of that driver, vertical pattern, 25x the same driver as the above.
(this is a frequency shaded array, vertical directivity plotted in Vituixcad)
Vertical beam width control down to about 200 Hz. How is that happening? With all those drivers? It is because all those drivers that it has the limited beam-width vertically. Like a big 15" driver starts to beam way earlier than a 3.5" driver would.
Are there any drawbacks? Sure, you see those horn shaped curves in the plot? They are the "dreaded" side lobes of an array consisting of multiple drivers. That is because it isn't a continuous array, but rather a series of 3.5" drivers. Use a smaller driver and those "horn like" lobes would go up in frequency.
One drawback of doing just that, smaller drivers wouldn't be able to play the bottom end, so you'd need a support system down low.
But look at how much energy is hitting the floor and ceiling with that single driver. Depending on the room the ceiling reflection will be at about ~41 degree to 57 degree with the array, and at about ~51 degree in the single driver case(). ( = in my room with a 3 meter high ceiling at my listening distance)
That means the single full range driver would see strong reflections from ~6 KHz on down, while the array would have (a few of) them around 5 KHz - 8 KHz and not much more.
Let's see that in an in-room prediction:
The orange line is the prediction of the in-room response once we add floor and ceiling reflections. It won't be hard to explain which is which I guess...
The array does have a raise in output.
So I'd say it is for different reasons than PA that I went for an array within a living room, although the added potential was very welcome.
Quite often people look at all of those drivers and get the wrong idea. What an array does here is providing more direct sound vs indirect sound.
It may seem crazy, but it's just following the laws of physics.
It makes an array sound clear and detailed, quite contrary to what many will assume.
Not all would want such monsters in their room though... that much I can understand...
One important note I want to make, the vertical parallel planes do cause reflections and I'd advise to use treatment there.
Behind the curtain in that picture above, a big absorbing damping panel is present. And 2 others at first reflection points on
other parallel walls.
I just typed a long reply about that on another forum so allow me to make a quick case (part copy + paste) about the concept of arrays in a living room...
Let's compare it to a single driver for a moment.... we're in the full range forum after all...
The vertical pattern of a single 3.5" driver:
(this is a single driver's vertical directivity plotted in VituixCAD)
Vertical control down to about... ~7 KHz, but in a very limited way I'd say...
Now let's see an array of that driver, vertical pattern, 25x the same driver as the above.
(this is a frequency shaded array, vertical directivity plotted in Vituixcad)
Vertical beam width control down to about 200 Hz. How is that happening? With all those drivers? It is because all those drivers that it has the limited beam-width vertically. Like a big 15" driver starts to beam way earlier than a 3.5" driver would.
Are there any drawbacks? Sure, you see those horn shaped curves in the plot? They are the "dreaded" side lobes of an array consisting of multiple drivers. That is because it isn't a continuous array, but rather a series of 3.5" drivers. Use a smaller driver and those "horn like" lobes would go up in frequency.
One drawback of doing just that, smaller drivers wouldn't be able to play the bottom end, so you'd need a support system down low.
But look at how much energy is hitting the floor and ceiling with that single driver. Depending on the room the ceiling reflection will be at about ~41 degree to 57 degree with the array, and at about ~51 degree in the single driver case(). ( = in my room with a 3 meter high ceiling at my listening distance)
That means the single full range driver would see strong reflections from ~6 KHz on down, while the array would have (a few of) them around 5 KHz - 8 KHz and not much more.
Let's see that in an in-room prediction:
The orange line is the prediction of the in-room response once we add floor and ceiling reflections. It won't be hard to explain which is which I guess...
The array does have a raise in output.
So I'd say it is for different reasons than PA that I went for an array within a living room, although the added potential was very welcome.
Quite often people look at all of those drivers and get the wrong idea. What an array does here is providing more direct sound vs indirect sound.
It may seem crazy, but it's just following the laws of physics.
It makes an array sound clear and detailed, quite contrary to what many will assume.
Not all would want such monsters in their room though... that much I can understand...
One important note I want to make, the vertical parallel planes do cause reflections and I'd advise to use treatment there.
Behind the curtain in that picture above, a big absorbing damping panel is present. And 2 others at first reflection points on
other parallel walls.
If you are up for the build, i recommend focused.
Sounds amazing at listening spot.
No eq needed, unless you want a smily face eq or baffle step.
Remember, f3's will be high.
Search focused array here, i'm debating a small or large one even now.
Sounds amazing at listening spot.
No eq needed, unless you want a smily face eq or baffle step.
Remember, f3's will be high.
Search focused array here, i'm debating a small or large one even now.