Line Array speakers?

I had Rick Craig of Selah Audio build me a pair with OTL-optimized impedance (nominal 13 ohms, minimum 10). We used ScanSpeak 18W-8531s and Fountek NeoPro 5i ribbons. Paired with Atma-Sphere MA-1s they are sublime. The inherently low distortion and superb dynamics of high quality drivers used in a line array design has to be heard to be appreciated. Line array writeups tend to emphasize astounding performance at high spls; rather, it is their uncanny realism at low/mid volume levels that I sought and feel is their greatest attribute.

Check out Albert Porter's system w/ Dali Megalines. SHoot him an email or post to that thread, he's got a ton of experience.

Then, there's Arthursmuck's VAC Attack w/ custom GR Research CLS-9 line arrays

And then, there is this insane All-Out Assault 7.1 way line array system. Can't say I've ever seen anything on that scale.

Shoot anyone of those three an email or post.

What are the benefits and shortcomings of a line array? If a line array = superior to all the others, why don't we see more line array's from speaker manufacturers?

Chris

I have recently fallen in love with a line array - the McIntosh XRT1K. HOLY MOLY!! It was most impressive. Makes me wonder if down the road I could afford a pair of XRT28 or something because these line arrays sound like the real deal.

From what I understand, line arrays reduce room effects. Not to mention the wave front is huge compared to a point-source speaker. The downside is the number of drivers necessary and the complications that entails - so the cost is generally very high (and the size too of course).

Arthur

"Line Array" has also become a big deal in pro-sound/sound renforcement... many new manufacturers, and old ones like JBL have line array setups. Throws a consistant wavefront to all sections of seating, up front or far back.

So line array is the future of speaker design? Tell this to Dave Wilson!

Chris

Anthony Gallo will soon offer his Reference 5 line array.

Dazzdax, Sorry not sure where you are coming from, but like anything else they are HUGE, and need the space along with the tolerance to use them...So Many just design speakers for more real world applications to try and appeal to the universal use in home. Of course their are many far better than wilson, Many line arrays are killer sound, but many are complicated, costly, and just HUGE! So thats why they are not the best trendy speaker. Not to mention the shipping costs and resale used due to this.

Beyond that I am sure they can speak for themselves on many technical points, but if you don't think a system with 40 drivers or something in it can compare to a standard 2 way or 3 way 6 driver system not sure why you would believe that?

On another point that new GR research line looks excellent, and I bet for that price point not much could compare. I built a pair of cheap line arrays years ago.. Hate to say it I gave them away due to the size, the guy still has them and loves them, I went down and took a listen to my old creations a few weeks ago and WOW they still do it so well and he owns about 20 amplifiers that he switches around on them, plus they put out great bass and are efficient.

Great line arrays needn't be huge. Mine are 62" tall and 15" wide by 14" deep. Yes, I have stereo subs as well, but I could have opted for ported rather than sealed arrays to obviate them. My loudpeakers do not dominate a 16' by 20' room.

"05-03-08: Jb0194
Great line arrays needn't be huge. Mine are 62" tall and 15" wide by 14" deep. Yes, I have stereo subs as well, but I could have opted for ported rather than sealed arrays to obviate them. My loudpeakers do not dominate a 16' by 20' room."

Ha, well okay :-) THATS STILL a huge speaker in todays terms, the bigger the better I say though. I mean most of these things weigh in at 200 lbs plus EACH.. So I would consider that definite deal breaker for many buyers of speakers is all I was saying.

05-04-08: Saudio
Anyone considering a line array speaker should take a listen to the superb Scaena. Don't let the tall height fool you. These speakers can sound good in small rooms.

Sure, if you've got $40k-$85k for just speakers and another $50k-$100k for electronics.

But, I think DioFan56 is looking in the $3k-10k range.

Hi all!

Yup, Darkmobius, I was looking in the $3K - $10K price range. I can barely afford $3K! I just bought a pair of 'small' line arrays with 6 7-inch Vifa drivers and 6 Fountek ribbon tweeters in each cabinet. Yes, line array speakers are quite large and heavy. That is the downside to them. The cabinets are about 64 inches high and weigh in at about 175 pounds each. They are being shipped to me as I write this. Dave at Art of Sound made the cabinets. He had help with the crossover from Rick at Selah Audio. I am very anxious to get them. I may put larger bases and casters on them so that they can be moved around.

When I get the speakers and my new equipment racks I will post pictures of the old and new setups.

Dave

Hi DioFan,

I have also been doing a lot of research into line arrays the last few months. Depending on the new apartment or house I move in to the next few weeks, I should start finalizing some specs.

Part of me wants to design my own 3-way array (with lots of help from others) to maximize my buying power. But, I am also extremely impatient and would rather be able to enjoy music than spend 6 months or so fine-tuning.

Of course, this all depends on how big of a room I will ultimately have.

Monster cable tested the HT waters with a full HT line array system university audio in madison wi purchased a few pairs after monster deceided against releasing this system. Retail was $30000 but UVA was offering arround your price range. System uses Aura drivers in line arrays and including the Aura 15in woofers. I heard it for the cash if one wants a line array a very good deal. Myself I perfer front horns;) Dont know if they have any left they did have pairs listed on the gon.

Hi all!

I found a pair of line arrays. They were made by Dave at Art Of Sound for his own use. They have 6 Vifa mid-bass drivers and 6 Fountek ribbon tweeters in each cabinet. The cabinets are 64 inches tall and weigh in at about 175 pounds each. They sound darn good through my old Adcom gear.

Now...how do I post a picture of my system?

Dave
diofan56

You can get line array kits from Zalytron. Some of their kits are designed by Joseph D'Appolito, including the Axon Array-1. Dr. D'Appolito's spec sheet claims a sensitivity of 96dB. A Zalytron kit includes the drivers, crossover parts, and drawings. It doesn't include the cabinet, but you can either build it from the supplied drawings or in many cases, purchase the enclosure from Zalytron separately. The line array kits run about a grand plus enclosures. They use excellent quality drivers from suppliers such as Focal and Vifa.

AV123 offers a couple of line array speakers, the LS-6 at about $4500 and the LS-9 at about $6K. Ready-built, of course, and I believe they both use ribbon tweeters.

Congrats on getting the line array running.

I recently got my line arrays setup as well, and they are completely awesome. They are completely effortless with all dynamics.

I am running the Danny Richie (GR Research) designed LS6 arrays mentioned in this thread, built by AV123. The speaker in the corner had a pretty meaty bump at 50hz (20db or so), but I've run the Anthem ARC (room correction) built into the D2, to make them flat with +/- 2db 30hz-15khz (boosted 3db or so in the bass, smoothing down at about 120hz)

AV123 LS6

New guy here.

I have looked at the AVS 123 site. How are they to deal with?
Everything is out of stock.

Is everything built to order? They don't have power requirements listed or did I miss them?

Are yours broken in yet?

I am a big fan of the line array and have a custom pair of the LS-9 that av123 is going to sell someday....the cabinetry and networks on mine are very different from the av123 offering...

What is a speaker array? Array or line array this is a array of speaker systems are assembled into a row of wires and when hung up will form a corner Wide sound so many people call this a hanging speaker.

Hi All!
I am a big fan of the line array And I own 4 pairs of Array RCF HDL 10A. And here is the review of this speaker model (See here: https://khangphudataudio.com/dan-loa-dam-cuoi.html). How about you? Give me a review from you.