Line Array VS Traditional Box Speakers, Why not just get the line array ?


I am sure this question has been posed many times over but I am curious as to response from the current active crew here.   Since I attend live music on pretty much a weekly basis for the most part I always come away with the same.  I actually need that line array at home thought.  Even if its not the band but the music between sets , I still need that line array.

We all spend good money on trying to recreate the live sound at home.  Why not use the same pro gear that bands do, DJs, Clubs etc...for a fraction of the cost of some of the crazy systems you guys have.  I have heard systems that cost ungodly amounts of money and no home system at any amount of investment that I have heard truly sounds like the real deal.  Some folks spend stupid money on AMPs, cables speakers and the sound is amazing but again it doesnt sound like it really does live.   For a fraction of the cost you  can get you the real pro AV sound.  

I look forward to the responses as I know a bunch of the cats on here are musicians as well.

128x128searchingforthesound

@johnk 

Audiophiles will tell you pro audio suxs till it's remarketed to them at a very high price than its the bees-knees.

Exactly. 

If you are interested in achieving live sound in your home I think that your instincts are good, but I’m not sure that actual, pro line array speakers are necessary unless you have a large room and are looking for exceptionally loud volume.

There are other things I would look at first such as multi-amping and active crossovers. At the very least a live audio engineer has separate control over the bass and the mid/highs. This helps in tuning the system to the venue acoustics as well as styling the system to the type of music being reproduced. This would be the same as adding a subwoofer system with an active crossover to your main system in home audio.

The other thing that is very important in live audio is dealing with venue acoustics, by far the biggest challenge, especially for traveling shows since using room treatments is not an option so they have to do it electronically. Also, all of their gear is electronically balance using the AES48 standard. This may not big the biggest difference maker, but is still part of the equation of what makes live sound what it is.

If you still think using line array speakers is the answer I would be looking at Meyer Sound.

https://meyersound.com

https://meyersound.com/product/leopard/

https://meyersound.com/download/leopard-datasheet/?wpdmdl=1992&masterkey=58b9e691f3002

https://meyersound.com/product/x-400c/

https://meyersound.com/download/x-400c-datasheet/?wpdmdl=2535&masterkey=58b9e786b6403

Ok, so the O.P. wants his sound to as closely reproduce the sound he gets at live venues.

I know exactly what he's talking about. And also, what he is after.

Almost everyone here keeps talking about, "Line Array's".

Almost no-one has even mentioned, "Line Source Array's".

Which, contrary to popular belief? Is an entirely (different) animal.

But "Line Source Array" systems are indeed the one's which are closest to reproducing the music. In the way in which he enjoys it most, as he "perceives" the music played at live venues.

Some of you have read the white paper on "Line source theory" and some have not.

But that does not seem to matter. Because as far as I can tell. Almost nobody actually "Gets It". Especially the ones that should get it! 

I have gotten to the point where I can look at any home, "Line Source" system. And I can tell you within (15) seconds whether it will perform, "AS" a line source system.

Up to this point? I have seen (0) systems that will do this. And by this, I mean - Produce a perfect, outward expanding. Circular patterned - (At a full 360 degrees.) wave of phase coherent sound. Without, "Beaming". And that does exactly what the White Paper says that it should.

Only in point of fact? If built correctly, it does much more. It will perform what I have begun to call, "Line source effects". None of which are listed in the White Paper. Or anywhere else for that matter. And seem wholly dependent on the "Line Source" design drawn directly from the theory. And, as well predicate to the correct "physical application" of this theory. And you have to hear these to believe it. Otherwise? You simply will not.

Everyone still calls it, "Line Source Theory" for a reason.

Except for me.

And these do NOT have to be crazy expensive. But currently, they simply aren't exactly cheap to build. But that was my goal.

Anyone?

 

 

any music that has gone through amplification is no longer a live sound... an interpretation
but if your hands itch and money burns your pocket - you can buy it - outwardly like an array))).

 

Don’t confuse sound reinforcement with sound reproduction. Two different animals.