TECHNICAL REPORT

Line Arrays: Theory, Fact and Myth

Line arrays have enjoyed a surge of popularity in recent years.

This revived approach to acoustical control (formerly embodied
in the familiar column loudspeaker) now dominates the large-
scale touring market, and also has seen rapid growth in markets
for smaller venues such as houses of worship.

Alongside a flood of new product introductions, the industry

trend toward line arrays has generated some misleading
assumptions — often the result of questionable marketing
hype. This discussion outlines the basic theory and clarifies
some points of possible confusion.

What is a line array?

A line array is a group of omnidirectional radiating elements

arrayed in a straight line, closely spaced and operating in
phase with equal amplitude. Described by Olson in his classic
1957 text, Acoustical Engineering, line arrays are useful
in applications where sound must be projected over long
distances. This is because line arrays afford very directional
vertical coverage and thus project sound effectively.

The MAPP Online (see sidebar about MAPP Online on page

4) plots of Figure 1 illustrate the directional characteristics
of a line array composed of sixteen omnidirectional sources
uniformly spaced 0.5 meters apart. The array is highly
directional to 500 Hz, but at higher frequencies the directional
characteristic begins to break down. Note the strong rear lobe
at low frequencies: all conventional line arrays will exhibit Figure 1: Directional behavior of an eight-meter long array of
this behavior because they are omnidirectional in this range. sixteen omnidirectional sources
(The M3D Line Array loudspeaker is, of course, the notable
exception.) This configuration also generates strong vertical
lobes at 500 Hz.

The horizontal pattern of this system is independent of the

vertical, and is omnidirectional at all frequencies — though a
practical system would show horizontal directionality at middle
and high frequencies.
LINE ARRAYS: THEORY, FACT AND MYTHMEYER SOUND

produce cancellation, resulting in a lower sound pressure

level. In fact, if you drive both units with a sine wave, there
will be points where the cancellation is complete (this is best
demonstrated in an anechoic chamber). This is destructive
interference, which is often referred to as combing.

A line array is a line of woofers carefully spaced so that

constructive interference occurs on axis of the array and
destructive interference (combing) is aimed to the sides. While
combing has traditionally been considered undesirable, line
arrays use combing to work: without combing, there would be
no directivity.

Can a line array really form a “cylindrical wave?”

In a word, no.

A common misconception regarding line arrays is that

they somehow magically enable sound waves to combine,
forming a single “cylindrical wave” with special propagation
characteristics. Under linear acoustic theory, however, this is
impossible. “Cylindrical wave” is a marketing concept, not a
verifiable acoustical reality.

Unlike shallow water waves, which are non-linear and can

combine to form new waves, sound waves at the pressures
common in sound reinforcement cannot join together: rather,
they pass through one another linearly. Even at the high
Figure 2: Directional behavior of an eight-meter long array of levels present in the throat of compression drivers, sound
thirty-two omnidirectional sources waves conform to linear theory and pass through one another
transparently.
Figure 2 shows a line of thirty-two omnidirectional sources
spaced 0.25 meters apart. Notice that this array maintains its The MAPP Online plot of Figure 3, which shows a cross-fired
directional characteristic to 1 kHz, where the strong vertical pair of Meyer Sound MSL-4 loudspeakers, illustrates this point.
lobe appears. This illustrates the fact that directionality at At the area labeled A, in the crossfire region, there is significant
high frequencies requires progressively more closely spaced destructive interference in the dark areas. At the area labeled B,
elements. however, the output of the corresponding MSL-4 is completely
unaffected by the cross-firing unit. Though the waves interfere
at A, the interference is local to that area in space, and they still
How do line arrays work? pass through one another unaffected. In fact, you could turn off
the cross-firing unit and hear virtually no change whatsoever
Line arrays achieve directivity through constructive and at B.
destructive interference. A simple thought experiment
illustrates how this occurs.
But don’t line arrays produce waves that only
Consider a single 12” cone radiator in an enclosure. We know
drop 3 dB with every doubling of the distance
from experience that this loudspeaker’s directivity varies with from the array?
frequency: at low frequencies, it is omnidirectional, but as the
sound wavelength grows shorter, its directivity narrows. Above This simplistic assumption results from a misapplication of
about 2 kHz, it becomes too beamy for most applications. This classical line array theory to practical systems. Classical line
is why practical system designs employ crossovers and multiple array mathematics assume a line of infinitely small, perfectly
elements to achieve more or less consistent directivity across omnidirectional sources that is very large compared with the
the audio band. wavelength of the emitted energy. Obviously, practical systems
cannot approach these conditions, and their behavior is far
Stacking two of these loudspeakers one atop the other and more complex than is suggested by this assumption.
driving both with the same signal results in a different radiation
pattern. At points on axis of the two there is constructive
interference, and the sound pressure increases by 6 dB relative
to a single unit. At other points off-axis, path length differences

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By modeling the behavior of a 15” woofer with Bessel functions

(which describe a piston), Meyer Sound has written custom
computer code to model line arrays with various numbers of
loudspeakers at various spacings. This computation shows
that it is theoretically possible to construct an audio line array
that follows the theory at low frequencies. However, the array
requires more than 1,000 fifteen-inch drivers, spaced twenty
inches center-to-center, to do it!

It is true that a truncated continuous line array will produce

waves that drop 3 dB per doubling of distance in the near field,
but the extent of the near field depends on the frequency of
the sound and the length of the array. Some would have us
believe that, for a hybrid cone/waveguide system, the near
field extends hundreds of meters at high frequencies. It can be
shown mathematically that this is true for a line of 100 small
omnidirectional sources spaced an inch apart, but that is hardly
a practical system for sound reinforcement and is not a model
for the behavior of waveguides.

Nor does the purely theoretical computation reflect the reality

of air absorption and its effects at high frequencies. Table 1
shows the attenuation at various distances from an array of 100
Figure 3: Cross-fired MSL-4 loudspeakers 1” pistons spaced 1” apart, as modeled using a Bessel function.
At 500 Hz and above, it also shows the total attenuation when

2 4 8 16 32 64 128 256
meters meters meters meters meters meters meters meters
125 Hz 0 5.5 11 17 23 29 35 41
250 Hz 0 5 11 17 23 29 35 41
500 Hz 0 2.3 7.2 13 19 25 31 37
w/air 38
absorption
1 kHz 0 1.3 3.2 8.2 14 20 26 32
w/air 15 21 28 35
absorption
2 kHz 0 3 5.2 7 12 18 24 30
w/air 8 13 21 29 41
absorption
4 kHz 0 2.7 6.3 9 11 16 21 27
w/air 3.1 7.1 11 14 23 35 59
absorption
8 kHz 0 2.8 5 8.6 11 13 18 24
w/air 3.5 6 12 17 25 42 72
absorption
16 kHz 0 3.1 6.6 8.2 12 14 16 21
w/air 4.1 8.6 12 20 33 49 88
absorption
3 dB per 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21
doubling
6 dB per 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42
doubling

Table 1: Attenuation in decibels for octave frequency bands at various distances from a line array of
100 1” pistons spaced 1” apart

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air absorption is included using the calculation given in ANSI At frequencies below 100 Hz, the drivers in a practical line
Standard S1.26-1995 (the conditions for this table are 20° C array will be omnidirectional but the array length will be
ambient temperature and 11% relative humidity). Note that, small compared with the sound wavelength, so the system
while at 16 kHz the array as modeled by the Bessel function will not conform to line array theory. Above about 400 Hz the
is approaching 3 dB attenuation per doubling of distance, low-frequency cones become directional, again violating the
air absorption makes its actual behavior closer to 6 dB per theory’s assumptions. And at high frequencies, all practical
doubling. systems use directional waveguides whose behavior cannot be
described using classical line array theory.
With a practical, real line array of sixteen cabinets (each using
15” low-frequency cones), a slight “cylindrical wave-like” effect In short, the geometry of real-world audio line arrays is
can be measured at about 350 Hz, where there is a 3 dB drop far too complicated to be modeled accurately by “pure”
between two and four meters from the array. More than four line array theory. Rather, modeling with a useful degree of
meters from the array, however, the sound spreads spherically, accuracy requires a computational code that uses a high-
losing 6 dB per distance doubling. This behavior can be resolution measurement of the complex directionality of actual
confirmed with MAPP using the measured directionality of real loudspeakers, such as MAPP Online.
loudspeakers.
That said, practical line array systems remain very useful tools,
regardless of whether the continuous line array equation
Meyer Sound’s MAPP Online applies. They still achieve effective directional control, and
skilled designers can make them behave very well in long-throw
MAPP (Multipurpose Acoustical Prediction Program) Online applications.
(patent pending) is a cross-platform, Internet-enabled
application that accurately predicts the behavior of How do practical line array systems handle high
arrayed Meyer Sound loudspeakers. MAPP Online has two frequencies?
components: a Java applet that runs on the sound system
designer’s computer, and a prediction program that runs Figures 1 and 2 show that line array theory works best for
on a remote server. low frequencies. As the sound wavelength decreases, more
and more drivers, smaller in size and spaced more closely,
Using the Java application, the sound designer configures are required to maintain directivity. Eventually, however, it
Meyer Sound products and, optionally, defines the becomes impractical to use, for example, hundreds of closely
environment in which they operate — including air spaced one-inch cones.
temperature, pressure and humidity, as well as the
location and composition of walls. When the designer Practical line array systems therefore act as line arrays only in the
requests a prediction, data travel over the Internet to the low and mid frequencies. For the high frequencies, some other
server, which runs a sophisticated acoustical prediction method must be employed to attain directional characteristics
algorithm using high-resolution, complex (magnitude and that match those of the lows and mids. The most practical
phase) polar data. The loudspeaker data used by MAPP method for reinforcement systems is to use waveguides (horns)
are acquired at 1/24th octave frequency resolution, and coupled to compression drivers.
one degree angular resolution, in a calibrated anechoic
environment. Predicted data return over the Internet and Rather than using constructive and destructive interference,
are displayed in color on the designer's computer. horns achieve directionality by reflecting sound into a specified
coverage pattern. In a properly designed line array system, that
MAPP Online’s Sound Field display comprises a map of pattern should closely match the low-frequency directional
the specified space with loudspeaker(s) installed, and characteristic of the array: very narrow vertical coverage
the distribution of sound energy in a specified frequency and wide horizontal coverage. (Narrow vertical coverage has
band. The color spectrum signifies sound pressure level, the benefit that it minimizes multiple arrivals, which would
with reds being the loudest and blues the softest. harm intelligibility.) If this is achieved, then the waveguide
elements can be integrated into the line array and, with proper
MAPP Online is unique in its ability to accurately predict equalization and crossovers, the beam from the high frequencies
a system’s frequency response at any position in the and the constructive interference of the low frequencies can
sound field. Frequency response is a function of Virtual be made to align so that the resulting arrayed system provides
SIM, a mode that simulates measuring the system using consistent coverage.
SIM System II. MAPP’s frequency response predictions
have been verified in an actual performance space
using a physically realized sound system, and have been
proven to be accurate (within the modeled parameters)
to approximately ±1 dB at 1/24th octave frequency
resolution.

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Can you curve a line array to extend vertical

coverage?

In practice, gently curving a line array can aid in covering a

wider arc, and thereby extend the coverage area in the vertical
plane. In fact, some line array systems such as Meyer Sound’s
M1D and M2D are termed “Curvilinear Array Loudspeakers”
because they are designed specifically to allow curvature and
still maintain optimum performance. Radically curving line
arrays, however, introduces problems.

First, if the high-frequency section has the narrow vertical

pattern that’s required to make a straight array work, curving
the array can produce hot spots and areas of poor high-
frequency coverage. Second, while the curvature can spread
high frequencies over a larger area, it does nothing to the low
frequencies, which remain directional because the curvature is
trivial at long wavelengths.

Figure 4 illustrates these points. On the left is a series of MAPP

Online plots for a curved array, and on the right are plots
of a straight array. Both arrays are constructed of identical
loudspeakers having a 12” cone low-frequency driver and a
high-frequency horn with a 45-degree vertical pattern.

Notable in the left-hand plots is that, while the wider horn

aids in spreading the high frequencies, it also introduces
pronounced lobing due to interference. At 1 kHz and below,
the array remains highly directional, following line array theory.
In practice, this behavior would produce very uneven coverage,
with the frequency response varying substantially across the
coverage area and a large proportion of that area receiving
almost no low-frequency energy.

The right-hand series of plots reveals that a loudspeaker with

a horn having moderately wide vertical coverage for curved
arrays behaves poorly in a straight array. While the array is
highly directional, pronounced vertical lobing occurs at 1 kHz
and above. These strong side lobes divert energy from the
intended coverage area and would excite the reverberant field
excessively, reducing intelligibility.

In sum, it’s unwise to assume that any line array can be radically
curved and still provide the desired results. The acoustical
properties of the particular system in question must be
examined to determine if a curved configuration will give the
desired results.
Figure 4: Directional characteristics of a curved (left) and
straight (right) line array using a high-frequency horn with a
45-degree vertical pattern

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Can you combine line arrays with other types of Seen from the far field, the outputs of the individual sources in a
loudspeakers? line array combine constructively, and appear to operate as one
source. Figure 6 illustrates this concept. The figure shows the
far-field frequency response for line arrays of two, four and eight
Yes, since sound waves pass unaffected through one another
omnidirectional radiators (a single omni response is included
regardless of whether they are created by a direct radiator or
for reference) spaced 0.4 meters apart. Notice that each
a waveguide, it is possible to combine line array systems with
doubling of the number of elements results in a uniform 6 dB
other types of loudspeakers as long as their phase response
level increase across the full frequency range of operation. The
matches. There is nothing special about the sound waves that
high-frequency response is smooth, but reflects a natural rolloff
line arrays create. They are merely the output of low-frequency
due to air absorption (20 degrees C and 50% relative humidity).
cones, spaced using line array theory, and high-frequency
waveguides. Therefore, skilled designers with the proper tools
can flexibly integrate other compatible types of loudspeakers to
cover short-throw areas.

In practice, larger and smaller versions of similar line arrays

can work extremely well together, as a proper design will
give the two versions similar coverage patterns. For example,
Meyer Sound’s M2D Compact Curvilinear Array loudspeaker is
designed to work seamlessly as a front fill system underneath an
M3D Line Array loudspeaker system.

How do line arrays behave in the near and far

field?

As we have seen, practical “line array” systems as used in high- Figure 6: Far-field frequency response for line arrays with
power applications are actually a combination of “classical” various numbers of sources showing high-frequency loss due
line arrays for the low frequencies and highly directional to air absorption and humidity
waveguides for the high frequencies. Because of this hybrid
nature, it is difficult to apply predictions from classical line array The near-field behavior of practical line arrays is more complex.
theory across the whole audio spectrum. Nonetheless, line array Any given point in the near field is on axis of only one of the very
systems can be made to work reasonably well in both the far directional high-frequency horns, yet “sees” the low-frequency
field and moderately close to the array. energy from most of the cabinets in the array. For this reason,
adding cabinets to the array boosts the near-field low-frequency
energy, but the high frequencies remain the same.

This explains why line array systems need high-frequency

boost equalization. In the far field, the equalization effectively
compensates for air loss. In the near field, it compensates for the
constructive addition of the low frequencies and the proximity
to the directional high-frequency waveguide.

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How does the M3D compensate for the real-world So, when is a line array the preferred solution?
limitations of line arrays?
Though some might suggest that a line array is the ultimate
Figure 7 illustrates how a low-frequency line array and high- solution in all situations, this is decidedly not the case. In
frequency waveguides can be integrated to form a well behaved, general, the line array is best suited to applications where
consistent system. It shows the directional characteristics of a broad horizontal coverage is desired throughout a given space,
line array comprising sixteen M3D Line Array loudspeakers. combined with long throw and relatively narrow vertical
By virtue of the M3D’s REM (Ribbon Emulation Manifold) and beamwidth. In contrast, for short-throw applications, or other
constant-directivity horn, the high-frequency radiation pattern situations where greater vertical beamwidth or narrower
closely matches that of the low frequencies. horizontal coverage is desired, single cabinets solutions or
conventional “cluster” arrays usually provide better results.
Note, also, the absence of any significant rear lobe at low Also, although smaller line arrays can be used successfully
frequencies. This illustrates the advantages of the M3D’s low- in distributed systems, conventional single cabinets or small
frequency directional technology. There is also virtually no clusters generally prove more cost-effective.
vertical lobing at 500 Hz, as was seen in the omni array of Figure
1, because the 15” cone drivers and the high-frequency horn
are aligned in this region to work together and suppress off-axis
energy.

Figure 7: Directional behavior of an eight meter long array of

sixteen M3D Line Array Loudspeakers

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