Sean, I've been wanting to start a thread on high performance discotheques. There is much to be learned. I learned a lot from one audio salesman who worked for the same company I did back in 1982-83. He was an opera and classical freak, but started his own business setting up incredible high performance discos. His home system consisted of a Linn Sondek w/Monster Alpha, Klyne SK-5A pre, Conrad Johnson tube power amp, Proac super tablettes and a Janis 12" sub. His objective, as he taught me, was to replicate as much as possible that sound in a club. It worked.
To start with, discos are run mono. A good EQ-ing job will be done by EAR with a 31 band EQ, when the club is packed (this guy told me he took acid before doing such a job!)...so much for overemphasizing frequencies. The curves are very gentle, by the way. The EQ-ing is for flatness, man. The sound will be five way, so you will have tweeters, midranges, mid-bass (~250 Hz, for PUNCH), woofers and subwoofers. Yes, you can get great sound. Liberating the drivers an the amps by doing this on a five way system has an unbelievable effect on sound quality. So much for the schools that teach 'start at the source' or 'start with the speakers'. Has to be experienced for anyone to become a convert.
Regards,
