Conference Paper
Covering all the angles: Evaluating simulated coupled system-space behavior for variable curvature line-source designs using direct-to-reverberant ratio
AES Show 2026 Nashville · Paper 27 · October 2026
Abstract
The acoustics of a venue can significantly influence the design and performance of a sound reinforcement system. Simulations can be used to assess the influence of the venues acoustics by importing loudspeaker manufacturer data and computing standardized metrics, such as reverberation time and clarity, to validate a design for a given space. While the influence of the room on point-source-like loudspeaker performance is well-known from classical room
acoustics theory, there has been less investigation into the influence of room acoustics on variable curvature line source arrays. Sound reinforcement systems employing line-source arrays differ from conventional point sources
through their controlled directivity and throw. At high frequencies, array curvature and adjustable waveguides enable tailored coverage and energy distribution, while at low frequencies, array length increases source directivity. The increased directivity of these sources results in them exciting the reverberant field within the space differently, compared to a point source. In this paper, we use simulations to investigate line source design parameters within a given venue. We investigate the relationship between source type and array length and the coupled directreverberant field throughout the space. We demonstrate that direct-to-reverberant ratio provides a useful metric for evaluating loudspeakerroom interaction, complementing conventional free-field response simulations.
