Understanding Line Source Behavior for Better Optimization

Sound Reinforcement

Presenters:
Etienne Corteel, L-Acoustics - Marcoussis, France
François Montignies, L-Acoustics - Marcoussis, France

The key to a good loudspeaker system design is the balance between coverage, SPL, and frequency response performances. It deals with various challenges such as directivity control, auditory health preservation, and sonic homogeneity. 
In solutions based on a variable curvature line source, the parameters linked to its physical deployment are often overlooked. The temptation to rely on electronic processing to fix resulting problems may then arise. However, it always compromises other performances to some extent, whether system headroom or wavefront integrity. 
Using Fresnel analysis, this tutorial points at important aspects of line source behavior and identify the effect of determinant parameters, such as inter-element angles. It shows how an optimized physical deployment allows for rational electronic adjustments, which just become the icing on the cake.