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Convention Paper

Use of Ground-Plane Constant Beamwidth Transducer (CBT) Loudspeaker Line Arrays for Sound Reinforcement

Authors: Keele, Jr., D.B. (Don)

AES Convention 141 · Paper 9623 · September 2016

Abstract

Ground-plane circular-arc CBT line arrays with wide horizontal coverage offer a very viable, high performance, simple, and thrifty alternative to the usual sound reinforcement setup where loudspeakers are elevated or hung overhead. Due to the broadband constant beamwidth/directivity/coverage characteristics and narrow vertical coverage of the CBT array, the ground-plane version offers a number of strong performance and operational advantages even when they are located on stage behind the performers. Among these are: even coverage, minimal front-back variation in sound level, flat-energy response, less energy directed upwards towards ceiling, improved intelligibility, less prone to feedback, and greater performer freedom to move around on stage. In addition, these arrays minimize the use of stage monitors, require minimal installation voicing and on-site equalization adjustments, and result in a much simpler system, i.e., fewer speakers, fewer power amps, and fewer processing channels.

Details

Published in
AES Convention 141
AES Convention
141
Paper number
9623
Publication date
September 6, 2016
Session subject
Transducers
Affiliation
DBK Associates and Labs, Bloomington, IN, USA (See document for exact affiliation information.)
Type
Convention Paper