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Line Arrays VS Plane Array™
Naturally, an EDC Acoustics Plane Array™ also provides the added benefit of being capable of producing adaptable 3-Dimensional acoustics wavefronts not possible with a line array system, and can do so using one single inventory item.
Line Array Systems
Line array systems have a difficult and conflicting task to perform. In order to create broadband SPL summation for longer throw distances, they are required to act in a planar array (a plane in a single dimension is aline, so in the vertical dispersion a line array is a one-dimensional planar array). They are also required to ‘splay’, to reduce SPL and increase coverage for shorter throw distances. Line array designers are faced with a compromise -to design a speaker with a flat front (one-dimensional planar) for longer throws, or conventional dispersive for shorter throws. The result is typically a tight vertical dispersion design, usually limited to 10° or less.This means the acoustic wavefront is compromised by design. For short throw applications the augmentation of the line array splay results in less comb filtering for shorter throw (and therefore less HF summation). For long throw applications the 10° HF dispersion overlaps to create comb filtering. Thankfully, as these speakers are throwing further, the more the audience is in the far field where the HF overlap distances become more negligible.
Problem
As a result, line arrays exhibit significant comb filtering effects throughout the HF region. More importantly, a line array frequency response is less linear, as one-dimensional planar array properties exist. This results in a stronger low-to-medium frequency beam of energy through the centre axis of the line array, whilst high frequency energy summation is restricted to the one-dimensional planar configuration of the array. This low-to-medium frequency energy beam can be corrected with signal processing, but in doing so must significantly reduce the maximum SPL of the line array, as either FIR filters, low pass filters or amplitude shading must be applied to broaden then arrowing beam of energy in the low-mid frequency region.
Solution
By comparison, an EDC Acoustics Plane ArrayTM is not restricted by design to act in either a planar array manner or conventional speaker manner. Each and every driver can work together to create an acoustic wave front that is consistent in dispersion characteristics, regardless of frequency (low frequency limit is array-size dependant). This overcomes the line array issue of a strong low-to-medium frequency beam down the centre axis of the array. The complex 3-Dimensional wavefront of an EDC Acoustics PlaneArrayTM also means the HF is not limited to the effects of lessHF summation over larger splay coverage. A wavefront can be generated that creates more spread, whilst increasing the SPL for the wider coverage area.This property can be used to throw more energy to the sides of the front of the room - to compensate for distance losses when compared to the centre of the front of the room. Once again, this consistency can be achieved without compromising SPL capacity. Finally, the high coherence of the Plane Array system provides for a much higher quality sound, with significantly less comb-filtering as compared with a conventional line array. Naturally, an EDC AcousticsPlaneArrayTM also provides the added benefit of being capable of producing adaptable 3-Dimensional acoustics wavefronts not possible with aline array system - and can do so using one single inventory item.
