Line Arrays - Competitive with best dynanics, ESL?

a well executed esl will probably be less timbrally inaccurate than any line array.

a well executed esl will probably be less timbrally inaccurate than any line array.

Do I sense a little "bomb", Mr T.

I don't think I will enter the fray here except to say that any large radiating surface or line (panel or array) will have a markedly different dispersion pattern compared to a point source. As the line array becomes large relative to the listening position then the energy will fall off inversely with respect to distance as opposed to the inverse of the square of the distance for a point source or as opposed to no drop in energy with distance for an infinitely large surface.

Throw in room wall surfaces and it gets even more complex as some signals from different parts of a line array or surface become additive when reflected to the listener and some signals cancel as they are reflected to the listener. Some of this complex reverberation may be countered by a stronger primary signal reaching the listener. Nevertheless the reverberant field may vary quite significantly with listener position (standing/seated or off center).

In essence any radiating lines or surfaces tend to result in a more complex reverberant radiation patterns in the room. (Bear in mind that a point source is pretty complex already...)

Note: I have said nothing about what sounds best - this is a matter of taste about the reverberant sound field.

Certainly for rock concerts and arenas, line arrays and walls of speakers are very effective in reducing the drop in SPL with distance - giving similar levels of loudness to more listeners. (A point source would be too loud for those at the front or close to the speaker and not loud enough for those at the back or seated off axis)

...back to regular programming

ESLs are the Jaguars of the audio world. Great...when they're not in the shop. Reliability has improved, but is a serious detractor for people who would like to listen to music on a regular basis. I don't even consider them an option.