d&b T10/TSub array configuration

Those of you who are system geeks like me will probably dig this post.  I’m going to outline the configuration of our system and how we designed it using the d&b ArrayCalc software available for free download at their website.

As you can see, our main arrays are each comprised of 6 T10 main speakers and 2 TSub subwoofer cabinets.  The T10 is made up of two 6.5″ drivers and a 1.4″ hi-frequency compression driver.  The TSub is a single 15″ high excursion driver.

This first output from ArrayCalc simulates the aiming, coverage, and SPL throughout the main floor of our room.  In the Top View, the white line shows the center throw point of each array.  The dotted yellow line shows the coverage pattern at the top of the array while the orange line shows coverage at the bottom of the array given the rake of the boxes.  Listening to the actual space with the boxes installed, as expected, the only shaded listening positions is the 5 or 7 seats in the extreme front corners of the room and the very last row under a slight balcony overhang.

The next drawing is Main L/R Profile at 10 degree aiming.  This shows how the center point of each box’s coverage and how that will translate to the seating area.

Finally, the Direct sound level vs. distance shows how the rig should respond in the space and what SPL fall off to expect from front to back.  As you can see, this prediction was probably my only slight concern since there’s as much as a 12 dB difference from the front to back of the room.  We expected to need to do some gain shading of the boxes in the array from bottom to top in order to smooth out this difference a bit.  However, in actuality, we found the difference to be far more understated then expected.  As I noted with my general observations in Friday’s post, everyone was blown away by how consistent the spectral balance and perceived SPL remains throughout the entire seating space.  It really does translate smoothly from FOH to both the front and back of the room.

Next time we’ll talk about subwoofer arrangement and performance.