Can you hear the "line array" effect? 

Be honest, you met Jared in a Starbucks and just asked him along for this and to say nothing.

Speaker design is one of those things that feels like the more you learn about it the further you get from actually understanding the subject. Enclosure volume based on T/S parameters... Got it. Passive crossover design and all the math figured out... What? The components altered the phase so I have to get that lined back up? Okay okay got it. Baffle step? Damnit...

This is the best explanation of line array theory . Excellent video!

Very interesting! People rarely do audible demonstrations like that because it is much more work than just explaining stuff without, I guess... Thanks for going the extra mile!

Very rare, to see (and hear) such things that clear. Nicely made. Thank you.

I’ve always been fascinated by line arrays - either for pro applications or home audio. Im the guy that goes to a concert and spends more time studying the gear and sound quality than watching the show.

These videos are so great but I find the background music irritating and unnecessary.. especially destracting in videos where you really want to listen closely to how the audio is affected. Could you consider future videos with no music? Thanks for taking the time to make such clear and practical demonstrations of these properties.

Love how you were able to calculate wavelength in your environment to give the crossover frequency on the spot! That's a real Audio Engineer folks

If I had a nickel for every time I helped move speakers around that yard for ridiculous projects…

I adore how Devin keeps saying "this company" or "this manufacturer".....how can we possibly know who we are talking about??? Keeping the suspense alive 😫

The physics of sound reproduction are absolutely fascinating, impossible to get my head around, but fascinating none the less.

Esta muy genial el vídeo ya que es muy ilustrativo y práctico, podemos entender fácilmente las funciones que tiene los arreglos lineales y el porque de los componentes de las cajas acusticas.

SPL dropoff = inverse square law, works for flash photography too!!! Interesting study would be Danley Sound Labs products!!!😎👍🏻

one the finest video I found, great explanation with great presentation. 👍

Thanks for making these videos. A practical approach to test theory!

Please never stop making videos, thanks ❤️

This video is incredible. I understood line arrays but I didn’t understand some of the choices and science that go behind the box designs. Thank you for putting the time and effort into this and explaining everything so well with practice explanations.

Really appreciate the quality of content that you've got in your videos!

the inverse square law is based on frequency - line arrays dont loose 3db per doubling only frequencies acting like a line array do - read John Mayers eoplination

Not to get off topic but that compression horn speaker is similar to the horn antennas KS 15676 and conical diagonal reflector horn antenna. A periscope like design. What happens the microwave signal goes up the cable feed through the horn antenna and inside the antenna is a reflector that is tilted at an angle where the microwave signals bounce off at in and out into space. These antennas are use in telecommunication purposes and the telephone company that used it was Bell South and now AT&T. The advantage of this design is to have high signal gain. That compression driver with that periscope like design Will probably have a higher dB range and a long throw coverage than most standard compression horn speaker.

How do you combat aliasing effect on midrange?

Not enough people talk about sound like this.. When I tell people I like music I mean that I like everything about music down to the physics of reproducing it lol

I have noticed this while messing around with my little home audio speakers. Placing the speakers on each side of the room like a normal person gives a spacious sound due to the stereo mix. However, placing them right next to each other, so they touch on the sides, has given me an enhanced vocal range clarity, and an overall sense of power and greater loudness: a more “in your face” sort of sound that I really like. However, it also focuses the sound toward a certain area of the room, directly in front of the speakers, but I can move up and down and get a similar sound. This makes sense, based on what I know about physics. Then when I turn up the bass, I notice I can actually feel it when the speakers are in that position! Really digging my experimentation with what you call the “line array effect” though the majority of my speakers are effectively point sources with a nearly 180 degree wide conical dispersion, and the woofers in one set of old 70s Sonys are only rated for 6 watts, but I only have the volume on 0.5/10 on my old reciever and they are already loud! I literally can’t turn it any lower or one channel will cut out, unless I activate the convenient -20dB mode on my reciever, which I do near bedtime.

Thankyou so much for these interesting video's!

I just found your channel tonight. Love the content. Keep ‘em coming guys 👍

umm why did you invite ZZTOP? he didn't do shit

Thanks Jared….. Glad you stood there with me and agreed.

Very cool and very informative! Alpha Sound, have you ever tried using only a single side of the horn/waveguide inserts for an asymmetrical horizontal dispersion? Or are those inserts only meant to be used in pairs? Thanks!

When an Expert in Theory do Practical Stuffs of work... 🙂

It's incredible. It's non easy to find information on this topic made so clear and concise

Actions speak louder than words, very impressive demo.

Can you explain how you calculated the shape and size of the woofer cover?

Does Jared say anything?

Does the obstruction in front of the driver trick work on for example a 15" sub playing down to say 30hz, and what is the calculation for dimensions?

7:01 Wonder who got the Bob Ross reference.

A couple corrections. When you fold a horn, you always reflect off a flat surface like a mirror. The horn itself has a flat reflector at the fold, not curved like you drew it. The reflector is curved on the axis that is 90 degrees to the conical section, which entirely spoils the off axis directivity (as you demonstrated, it did not have constant volume inside the area that it should). The curved portion appears to be an oblate spheroid, which is considered similar to but inferior to tractrix - so a good compromise for a concert, it will radiate a spherical wave that is very non-directive so combing will be reduced. These horns are pretty stubby to begin with, I doubt they where able to shorten it with their "special" reflector. Putting conical sides on a curved horn tends to produce "horn" sound (think Klipsch), most likely that reflector is helping with that

There are plenty of mistakes in this explanation. Should go to school and learn good basics in mathematics. Then calculate your lineair row of sources and how it creates lobes. You can't take conclusions by putting a measurement microphone in 1 position. The line array speakers are supposed to make a curve - not all at 0 degrees. That's essential in line arrays. Also the true reason for designing the folded horn is different.

sound is similar to light when it projected straight out of the source. but when using reflective wall it is kind of contrasting to the light, as the reflective point will cancel the up coming source. only the non-cancelled sound will beamed out.

Now! I understand boundary integrators and horizontal dispersion vs vertical dispersion as the relate to crossover integration for low to high 2-ways. I’ve seen this technology on 3 ways for low, mids, high’s in JBL Vertec products( no disrespect but I’m a JBL man.) But I also see Overseas (UK) and Domestic brand deploy this same technology

I'm in a dilemma: This content is great knowledge shown in a brilliant way. Seriously. But...a guy in a video about actual science wearing a covid-denier shirt? Oh man...this hurts my eyes.

Two major aspects are never addressed by manufacturers: the clarity and intelligibility of high power bass. The quality of the result is ensured by separate transducers for the bass drum and the bass guitar, possibly for the low frequencies of the keyboards. No matter how good the research, this fundamental aspect is overlooked, while it makes all the difference between a clean sound and a crap sound. The study of transients is an ignored subject. You can't solve bass diffusion problems with white noise.

Great vid as usual ..and we are listening intently to what you are doing but there seems to be some useless irrelevant muzak smogging up the info ..we all like a good signal to noise ratio ....please lose the noise..its an utterly worthless intrusion , its like listening to a wood chipper in the background.

Western Electric

Used to be that when you unplug the speakers the smoke used to escape from the amplifier and you could never get it back in again. How times have changed.

So you hired an engineer to come and "talk" about arrays? but y'all like Jay and silent Bob over there!

Corrector de fase

Thumbs up for Jared’s sweet nod!!

This is an awesome video! Well done explaining the various ways to contort the sound to your exact application. Versed heavy bass heads understand the theories and compromise when shooting for max spl in a target area. We do the same tricks to aim pressure at the dash where it counts on the meter. I never thought to study line array setups in large venues, but this definitely should open up some minds, even for unintended watchers such as myself. I'll probably spend some time in the living room for once and play around a bit now, it definitely gave me some ideas to try in my mobile and home environment. Time to buy an RTA. Thanks again for sharing!

Phase Plugs and Wave Guides are the 'things' that make the magic happen. Why not call the technology what it is?

Awesome video.one quation,why portable speaker use passive radiator instade off bass port?

Aerostriction arent more suited? Like the Aurum cantus G1 or the AST25120

If only all of that wavefront manipulation would make speakers sound good 😂

You guys are doing a great job with these videos and I'm impressed by the amounts of views they are getting. Turns out what I've been studying for the past 7 years of my life is interesting for more than just engineers and enthusiasts and I love it. One thing I'm gonna say about this one, though, is I don't like the closing statement in regards to SPL distribution over big crowds. Whilist it is true that the first few boxes will not behave the same, the theory behind line array speakers is that they should provide the same SPL no matter how distant one is from the array. That is the reason why line arrays were invented in the first place. Having taken this into account, the first boxes work alone as they are fully capable of reaching the required SPL by themselves while the ones that must reach further are grouped as they would not. Therefore saying the first boxes will have less SPL is almost completely incorrect. Instead, they will have the same average SPL but it will be differently distributed over the frequency range due to the different acoustic behaviour. I feel like this should have been explained a little bit more in-depth as only those who already know the subject pretty well could tell that it doesn't exactly work that way. Other than that, kudos for the video. I guess I should start doing some as well. 😄

Hi Devin. Can I email you re some Nexo questions? thanks Jim

need more tutorials like this inbox would greatly appriciat

You discover all this if you have played with speakers for over 30 years or more ❤

Awesome! You should curve the line array system inwards to see what happens. It’s pretty much the only thing that was left!

Is it functional to use full range drivers in a line array and then horn the entire array?

I thought Jared was going to help with something until the end 😂 having him just stand there was... Odd lol

Hi. What's the full name of these boxes? Thanks :)

What's up with summer santa? Let him enjoy his time off.

Still don't understand how one small Bend equals a long tube?

Can you compare this to Martinez bros, void, etc

Very interesting

great video, audio RU-vid has been lacking lately, except here at AlphaSound

Great stuff. Thank you. Ever look a distortion analyzer with and without a phase-plug type devices in front of a low-mid?

the guy doesn't seem to care how cool this is

And the chinese will never waste a time to copy

AT LAST . . . Explanations that I can follow . . And understand!!!!! NICE JOB . . certainly gets a sub from me . . THANKYOU!!!!!

jerry didnt even talk ...😅

Question, the "little devices in front of the woofer" to divide each woofer into 2(so to speak). Can you recommend a paper(or better yet a guide) on that structure? I have been thinking of building an array for personal use as a PA for years. It address an issue that has stopped me many times. Please help.

"But, what about beam steering?"

Alpha Sound, you are doing great work here on RU-vid. That said, the genii of ‘audio’ will never stop. There is nothing they can’t imagine they know. Empirical data is so inconvenient.

Such a great video, I learned so much

Your content is fantastic! Loving the series and explanations. Thankyou

@ALPHA SOUND Devin, you might be interested in taking a look at the *Audiofrog CLA-52H Dual 5-1/4” Compact Line Array* and complimentary *CLA-52W 10” Bass Reflex Woofer* for smaller venues. *Audiofrog* was founded by Andy Wehmeyer who for 19 years worked alongside such notable engineers as Dr. Floyd Toole at Harman Int'l/JBL.

There is actually a fault in this video, and that's the conclusion about the woofer 'dividers'. They do split up the sound, creating two virtually smaller sound sources, but the line array effect of this would only be noticed in the horizontal plane as you start to move off axis (in this example that is, where the array is laying horizontally). Straight ahead it would still be as loud because the sources all sum just about as well either with or without the dividers. It does get louder, through. That is because the volume of the dividers also introduce a bandpass effect on the woofer, which in this case increases the sensitivity especially around 1,2khz or so. If the increased loudness would have been because of the increased summation (as per the logic in the video), we would see increased sensitivity above 2khz as well, but we don't.

Jason don’t talk much, do he?

So. you finally let Jarad speak after half a day of messing around with him and speakers. Not much point teaching people about this stuff. Only the huge companies have the good line array and the venues to make the most of them. If you direct something into a tight area then it will be loud, the difficult thing is covering all of the area with what you have. I have 20K of Martin Wavefront horns and it's enough for what i do.

What type of speaker & model are?

Is this why I hear the music in a circular motion at electrinic music shows? Like the nusic sounds likenits getting closer and then goes further. Idk how to describe but the effect is awesome. Im still learning this. very fascinating

Your videos have great content, and I appreciate why you would want to do your videos where you are talking to someone about things. But if your guests aren't going to ask questions to make this a conversation, I would prefer it if you just talked to the camera.

@ALPHA SOUND Devin, how does the Bowtie affect the directivity or beaming point of the 8" midwoofer? IOW, with the Bowtie in place, will the 8" midwoofer still start to beam at the same frequency as a "virgin" 8" driver, or will you gain another octave of HF extension as well as raise the beaming point another octave higher? In my use case scenario, not in a line array but in a simple, large-ish 2-way "bookshelf" speaker and a separate subwoofer to cover the bottom octaves, I want to be able to raise the usable upper bandwidth of a 6.5" midwoofer to better match the ideal X/O frequency of a traditional 1-1/8" dome tweeter. But, I want to maintain Wide Directivity and don't want the 6.5" midwoofer to begin beaming or to narrow its directivity at the higher X/O point to the tweeter. Will the Bowtie cause the 6.5" midwoofer to beam lower in frequency than normal, or higher in frequency than normal? Thank you 100x for the excellent videos with actual *usable* binaural audio that clearly demonstrate the effects! 👍👍

What An Amzing Video And AMAZING Channel - Defiently will watch most of your videos ! Thank You So Much !

Thank you. I've always wondered about this but never looked into it. Very clear demonstration. I have a line array of mid drivers on one of my bass guitar cabs (Genzler) and it's nice to know it's not just snake oil! :)

Hands down the best explanation on RU-vid even a five year old would understand awesome job guys 👍👍👍👍👍👍💯💯💯

You are an awesome teacher. Thank you for making me _understanding_ things. I knew it is a hyperboloid waveguide. But after you explaining it, I understood it.

I would love to see you do a video on sirens for vehicles. And use your knowledge of speaker engineering and frequency to improve the tech thats been in use for decades. Could save alot of lives. Wish i had the education myself. I love car audio,played drums in live bands and was a firefighter.

My first array on the road was an S8 rig with CD12 for lows. Loved that little guy. It’s really cool to see how the individual parts contribute to its sound.

no mention of the axes of awsome :(

I was a roadie on one of the first (if not the first) touring show to use line array speakers. And the BEST demo/explanation I've ever seen. Thank You.

Hey AS, so what material are used of all that covers to get to higher frequencies, is it plastic or metal, and also what is the effect to the low frequencies if the covers were made of wood? thanks.

I havent finished it yet, but before i get my answer, im goign to state why i would guess it sounds louder and better when they are closer. Maybe becuase further apart they are like a bunch of small speakers in similar directions where as when they are together they are acting more like asingle speaker moving waves all similarly directed.

This is a cool more scientific visualization to what I heard a concert audio engineer talking about in a couple other videos. Same concepts though. Super cool considering all I did was google PA speakers a couple weeks ago. LOL

Jared is a really chatty guy😅

Nexo are very good speakers

Gotta say your way of explaining it is amazing. Thanks for the videos. +1 Sub

I'm a fan of the nexo geo rig....

I'd like to be the friend and spend time with the guy on ALPHA SOUND videos :)

Line array is not always best..