Line Array Speaker vs Point Source Speaker

This really IS an interesting question--one that very few people will probalbly agree on an answer to.
Having been closely associated with the Nearfield Acoustics Pipedreams, I'm hesitant to say that focus is 'better' with a single tweeter/line array/panel/omnipolar and so on.
These guys (certain model 21's) had 42 tweeters, one inch domes...with 21 4"+ inch mid's crossing over to a sub, or subs that were 18" cylinders. If all this sounds unusual, I thought so too. Then spent a couple of years 'setting them up' the right way (after many hours of listening).
One might think that (and some may even claim) there would be 'confusion' from the multiplicity of tweeters in a vertical array--AND one may point out, rightfully that 'comb-filter effects' are created by such--however, to my silly little ears, they sounded really remarkable and did not seem to have problems with this effect.
In fairness, there were 'supposed' technologies in place to ameliorate such issues, but I've never been able to gleen what those technologies might have been.
I only knew the Pipedreams to have been very dynamic and impressive, and to have had wonderful presence.
(Read Johnathan Valin's raves for a reference point).
There are many ways to achieve Nirvana, I suppose...so I'm, at this late stage of my existance, unable to say emperically which method of loudspeaker tech is 'better'.

Great question...and fodder for lots of interesting responses.

Best,
Larry

Al

Thank you for exercising restrain in your response.

Jim

Hello,

Actually Dali Megaline uses multiple tweeters in a line array.
IMO and in absolute terms a line source will give better performance than a point source.

regards,

If I am well informed the line source has less problems with two boundarys: ceiling and floor. BTW I wish I owned
Alberts Megaline. The ordinary kind will also do.
The so called 'point source' is an attempt to construct a
microphon in the 'reverse': as a sound source. The only one
that works or that I know of is the Manger midd/high speaker. The Kef and the TAD are actualy a compromise.
There are also those German Ascendo speakers by wich you
need to measure the distance between the tweeter and your
own ears and move the tweeter to the right distance like
a geometre. The version M (?) is realy very impressive but
also very ugly to see. This however is taste dependent.

Regards,

"The so called 'point source' is an attempt to construct a
microphon in the 'reverse': as a sound source. The only one
that works or that I know of is the Manger midd/high speaker. The Kef and the TAD are actualy a compromise."

The CLS Walsh type drivers in OHM Acoustics Walsh line speakers actually approximate a very wide dispersion (pseudo omni) point source extremely well in most setups, especially in but not limited to the horizontal plane.

The key difference between a well executed line source versus point source is mostly in the geometry of the sound dispersion pattern which is a primary determining factor for imaging and soundstage.

Whether point or line source works better in this regard has largely to do with size, shape and perhaps liveliness of your listening room, the location of the speakers within it, and your location as the listener within it as well.