Building a LINE ARRAY Column Speaker- by SoundBlab
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- čas přidán 2. 10. 2021
- - The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/soundblab10211
Let me explain what a line array speaker is. It is essentially an array of drivers closely arranged in a vertical row. My design is probably more of a mini-line array, since I only have 5 small 2 inch drivers in the array, but it is an array none the less. The aim is to have something that will still have a reasonable footprint and can fit into the average lounge. The array column also has a rear firing tweeter mounted in the back. This allows us to fill in the typical high frequency drop of the array, but also gives us some ambient presence. Of course five 2 inch drivers will not produce much bass under 200Hz, and thus the array is supported by a subwoofer as part of the overall design. In this case the subwoofer is a project I featured in a previous project video: • Building a Small Passi... . The woofer is a 6.5 inch driver by Tang Band, and two 8 inch passive radiators.
►BUILD PLANS: soundblab.net/product/line-ar...
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►PARTS:
- 6m (20 foot) of speaker wire (14 AWG) - (US) parts-express.sjv.io/e4yRJz , (EU) bit.ly/39erRI4
- Dayton Audio ND20FB-4 Rear-Mount 3/4" Soft Dome Neodymium Tweeter - (US) parts-express.sjv.io/JreqX2 , (EU) bit.ly/3D8zHib
- Dayton Audio DMA58-8 2” Dual Magnet Aluminum Cone Full-Range Driver 8 Ohm - (US) parts-express.sjv.io/e4yRG6 , (EU) bit.ly/3DfoMmC
- Tang Band W6-1139SIF 6.5 inch Subwoofer Driver - (US) parts-express.sjv.io/LPADrM , (EU) bit.ly/3xcx4bI
- Dayton Audio DSA215-PR 8" Designer Series Aluminum Cone Passive Radiator - (US) parts-express.sjv.io/Xx01jG , (EU) bit.ly/2UVva2b
- Self-adhesive Felt or Rubber Feet - (Amazon) amzn.to/2XVQaXw , (EU) bit.ly/3kB56SL
- 1m (4 foot) 25mm (or 1 inch) Aluminium Round Tube - (US) bit.ly/3mqrTSc , bit.ly/2Yf1VIP , (UK) amzn.to/3l7sI2G
- Terminal Cups - (US) parts-express.sjv.io/n1rn3R , (EU) bit.ly/2ZWcXDM
OTHER CHANNELS:
- Mixtape // Music for everyone and every occasion - bit.ly/3Cg3pUA
Recommended Gear, Tools, Amplifier Modules, Speaker Drivers, and more...
www.amazon.com/shop/soundblab
Audio Components & Solutions:
- Parts Express (US) - parts-express.sjv.io/yRNVk2
- Soundimports (EU) - bit.ly/3B0xWEn
- Axiomedia (EU) - bit.ly/3TUQUoA
Music: www.epidemicsound.com/referra... - Jak na to + styl
The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/soundblab10211
►NOTE: BUILD PLANS for this project is available on my website at soundblab.net/product/line-array-speaker-build-plan/
line array ? where are the waveguides ? lil player.
Why so much hate in the comments? This guy is expressing his passion. Sound is extremely subjective. Keep up the great work mate. Love from Australia
Thanks appreciate it! Everyone seems to be an expert, but have nothing to show for it. I don’t claim to be one at all, I just love what I do. The principle of a line source such as that of a line or column array is the same.
Oh my gosh that sound crystal clear through my earbuds. Great job 👏🏽 I enjoy listing to the different tracks, but the Jazz was my favorite 🤩.
Awesome! Thank you!
Absolutely stunning work. I can only dream of not just owning those beautiful speakers, but also being able to build them. Thank you for sharing your brilliant work!
Many thanks!
I just wanna build EVERY single project of yours ! Its so great looking !
Thanks 😊
I envy your know-how when it comes to sound/audio. I can build nearly anything, and could make the most aesthetically pleasing speakers - but - I wouldn’t have a clue when it comes to how to tune speakers, or how to pick correct speakers and different internal components, in order for my build to sound as beautiful as they looked.. amazing job, mate!
Thanks!
I built something very similar for my PA system, but I used Faital Pro 3FE22 drivers, 16 per side for the power handling, and a Faital Pro 12FH520 on each side for the bottoms, running a QSC GX7 to feed them. Although it’s slightly lumpy at the high end because of the separation of the drivers, just over three inches) the dispersion and sound is similar to how you describe. It takes a bit of EQ above 5k to even it out and to get a flat plot like yours, also a bit more like 97dB at 1W, 1m with the 16 drivers. I’m glad others are resurrecting the column arrangement, it can work well.
Nice!
thanks for taking us along for the build. i tried to speed it up to save a little time, however i felt a seizure coming on and decided against it. the quality of your work and the materials used looked marvelous. quite a craftsman. i'm sure the outcome sounds as good as the test results imply. new subscriber here and looking forward to your past videos and future constructs. cheers from an old speaker builder in california.
Thank you!
Great Video! One of these days i'll make a line array, very cool speakers. You make me want to become a better woodworker
Cool 😎
Nice work.. I have built many a box and speaker cabinet.. glad to see someone who does mechanical fasteners instead of just glue.. speakers sound amazing.. thank you for investing in a good mic and recording.. big fan of Dipoles.. listening to this on my Def Tech 8060's.. sounds open. and full.. and unexpected depth.. A Well Done to you Sir!
Thank you very much!
I designed a similar system back in the 80s I called the "Periscope". I didn't get a chance to build them but it's nice to see and hear these. There are much better drivers available today so there is no way my old design would have sounded this good.
Thanks for sharing
Im always excited, impressed and proud when I find creative South African makers on CZcams. A diaspora of some of the smartest people in the world.
Thanks
Literally like How It's Made, but with great music as well. Wonderful build, and video!
Thanks!
Amazing work, as always. Those measurements were amazing
Thanks! The measurements are smoothed, but just for the sake of comparing more easily visually. Even with lower smoothing it still looks very good.
@@Clobercow1 The results are heavily smoothed, at least 1/24 or Var smoothing would have provided more accurate graphs. To be honest, even Psychoacoustic would have been better.
as always beautiful craftsmanship
love the design
Thanks 😊
Man, you do unique things! Respect! I can only dream of such systems...👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks 😊
Very cool. Never seen off axis response like that!
Absolutely loved every minute of this video and build!!! Outstanding
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for sharing this very interesting build. Never seen any like them. Lovely sound. Wish I could build them now.😞 Last ones I built were 4ft tall folded transmission line, in the late '70s 🙂
Thanks!
Thank you for the videos, and for including the measurements.
You are so welcome!
Wow the quality is like a megaphone.. im so impressed 👍👍👍
This is a really well done build. TY for sharing your design processes and build techniques! I do wonder, if this would be better described as a "Column" speaker instead of "Line Array" as it does not have vertically steerable elements. A very pendantic clarification on my part. But, one that may help others find similar designs to compare. Cheers!
Thanks. I think essentially a column speaker is a line array, that is if the column comsists of an array of same drivers in a vertical line. You could call it a ‘column line array’ perhaps.
@@SoundBlab TY. Yeah I think it's kind of "a column is an array and an array can be a column" sort of definition. Obv what you have here is well designed for it's application and that's what matters. Thanks again!
Id agree this is a column array rather than a line array, typical line arrays also have 10-15 degree vertical dispersion between boxes to stop comb filtering. High frequency drivers are usually set within a horn to control the dispersion of the driver to get that 10-15 degrees. With lower frequency drivers, of course it means the dispersion is more omnidirectional due to the length of the waves, however using phase cancellation using the different degree of phase from the sound coming out the back of the driver, can be used to control the dispersion out of the front of the box, using a ported horn, and creating a better phase response from the indivual box to group of boxes.
As the dispersion of your column array is set by the conical dispersion of each driver and the amount of drivers in a line, their is overall less control of phase, as the drivers get further apart, for example the top and bottom driver in the array, it will cause comb filtering depending on where you stand or sit, this is the inherent flaw of using full range or high mid drivers as the main speakers and and just having them next to each other open with no horn or wave guide.
@@SoundBlab I agree that you would be hard pressed to call this a real line array. Line array is a very specific thing. Certain measurements between drivers and air spaces need to meet very specific requirements to be classified as line array.
@@SoundBlab q
Wow it sound so clear and natural well balance to my hearing.
Glad to hear that!
Really cool speaker design. I wish I had the space, tools, and skills to do that level of woodworking.
Thanks
I don't normally watch the ENTIRE video that people post of builds, but, this. Wow. Absolutely beautiful.
Thanks!
Same hear, but my computer is connected to Klipsch The Sixes and their 15" sub.
sounds amazing through my studio monitors. very nice.
Cool, thanks 😊
Very very clear. Line array is a great way to clearcoat your ears.
👊
woodwinds really shine on these speakers!!
Beautifully done.
Thank you very much!
The best built so far!
Thanks 😊
Parabéns ficou show de bola 👏👏 👏
Thanks
Awesome video, I would like to see this same design but with bigger speakers 4 inch drivers and the subwoofer 12 inch
Thanks
The fullrange drivers are available in a 4 inch version (Dayton Audio DMA 105)
Very professional job ... love it ... thank you
Thank you very much!
Parabéns, excelente trabalho.....
Thanks
🎉🎉🎉 LUAR BIASA...🎉 I'm from Indonesia I will follow you
dang dudee! such a cool project, amazing build =)
Thanks
I imagine the sound was excellent. How about the sound stage? Once the insulation dried out I bet it was even better.
I am listening to this with the same tweeter and woofer. My mids are the RS100 paper cone Dayton driver crossed over at 250 hz and 4khz.
Very cool project. Great wood working skills. Love this channel.
Thanks 😊
Espectacular!!👍
Thanks
Looks very Superb quality speaker, crisp and clear explanation.great video for audio lover
Would like to learn how to construct 3 way cross over for my diy projects for 3 way speakers, please guide, thanks in advance
Thanks
Классная работа👍
Thanks
thanks sir i like your project always support your channel 👍👊
Thanks so much!
Looking at your stuff on the console I realized that I either have it our considered buying it at one point or another...lol Cheers.
As always nice work!😉👍👌🔊
Thanks
@@SoundBlab 👍
Sounds amazing!! Well done sir. 🔥🏆🥇
Thanks
Excellent build sir!
Glad you like it!
Looks terrific, I just bought one of your designs which I'm looking forward to getting on to. Just a thought though: for gluing the veneer I usually lightly coat both the support and the veneer with white glue and after it dries a bit, maybe 15 minutes or so, I just iron it on. Speeds things up, no clamps and works great. Try it
Thanks for the support! I have not tried this method before. Lately I have just used spray-on contact adhesive, which also works very well. I will try this sometime. Thanks!
@@SoundBlab So I just finished making the slimline 3 way design. Looks almost exactly like yours since I had some walnut veneer left over from a job. Sounds terrific. Thanks so much.
Awesome!
Is this the best sounding spesker of all the projects that you have done till date
I think each project sets different goals, and each one has unique characteristics, so I can’t say one is better than the other, but it does sound very good and I enjoy listening to these. Definitely one of my top choices.
It's still a long way from the line array, but nice work,
the processor is missing, which is the loop, the separately controlled speakers, and one important thing, the speakers are far apart, even in this case, which is the hardest solution for line array systems !!
Thanks for the video.
Thanks
Wow, I'm already a fan
Thanks 😊
awesome design
Thanks a lot
Wao... que increíble proyecto...
Se siente la calidez de la música.
Mis felicitaciones.
Thanks
Awesome Video!
Thanks so much!
Wonderful build. My only, admittedly subjective, opinion is that I would have preferred to have the entire cabinetry in black with rounded edges all over, perhaps encased in black acoustically transparent fabric. The aluminum post for the array unfinished. Overall great job!
Thanks. I like the idea of the rounded corners.
Sounds pretty darn good....
Thanks!
Outstanding
Thanks
Really nice!
Thanks!
it is a masterpiece!!!
Thanks
Fantastic..!!...Debe Sonar Fantástico...ji ji ji... Saludossss
Thanks
I have become your fan
Bro you are very intelligent
You deserve 10M subscribers and 3M like on this video
Thanks man 👊
Very cool clean build. Though the graphs look odd. Like there's some comb filtering or standing waves or something causing it to rise and fall at a steady rate across the range of the Frequency Response.
Though I'd imagine that could be fixed easily with DSP and a few low Q filters.
You can’t fix comb filtering with DSP, nor EQ. The only way to fix it is to move way back. And the graphics are misleading. Stand up above the line and the highs completely go. That’s the vertical dispersion limited only to the height within the line.
@@hualieno4119 Maybe "fix" wasn't the right term. Like a null you can't fix with DSP I poorly worded what I said and Instead I meant you can somewhat tame it based on the graph I saw. It won't fix it. But might make it less noticeable. At least a little.
Placement would be the main focus to get where they play best then DSP after that.
Though I wouldn't want to have to deal with that comb filtering at all if that's what it is. I'm not sure what that is but It just looked kinda like it.
@@JoshM7 Trouble with comb filtering is that when you move just to a different seat on the couch, it is a completely different tonal picture. Sit in the center, and there will be a gap at, let's say 6kHz. Move a bit on the couch, and your gap is now a peak at 6kHz.That's the comb filtering in action. So, if you EQ the center position trying to raise that null in the center (bad idea), then the person sitting next to you will have the peak even more intensified.
Same goes if you go the other way. If you try to tame a peak at the center position, the others will have a chasm.
And you can't do multiple measurements because they will average each other.
Really, the only way to deal with comb filtering is keeping the drivers small, the C-to-C as small as possible, and putting some distance between you and the speakers.
Line arrays are wonderful, I built a couple myself, but they do need certain care, and yes, they do need DSP, even after you took care of the comb filtering.
@@jeffp7038 Ohhh ok. I typically only have one seating position and rarely anyone else in the room. So I'm only really tuning for my position. But that makes sense as it's just like other audio related problems. Just a different way to tackle the problem.
When I had a single sub it was extremely positional and hard to get a smooth response across the range. But was doable after lots of trial and error with different positions in my room.
Switching to dual subs helped a lot and sounds more full almost everywhere in the room compared to a single sub.
Even though I only have the one listening position it's nice having that smooth response in other areas of my room.
So I guess now the question is. Would time alignment fix the comb filtering? Might need each driver to have their own channel though... that's not always easy.
@@JoshM7 multiple subs is the way to go indeed. You can also play with phase between them to equalize the nodes around the room.
The smallest line array I built was 9 drivers. I wouldn't do it again. I like being seated at the listening position, but I also want to have good sound around the room when I do other things. Small LA have tiny perfect listening spot, sometimes a few cms only! The smallest I would do is 16 drivers, and 25 would be better yet.
And going through all the trouble of wiring all these drivers to get a very limited listening space is way too much hassle! If the room is too small to have LA in it, then, one should consider other designs. Trying to beat something into a shape it doesn't want to do is a lost cause, and will introduce way more problems than solutions.
Time aligning them all with single powered channels is possible, but again... the amount of work involved is overwhelming! Wiring and assembling 16 or 25 drivers per line is quite the exercise in patience!
Very Nice Job!
Thanks
Awesome😍
Thanks
nice build
Thanks
A small 90x45 wave guide tweeter or tall ribbon tweeter could be mounted in a nested configuration, just inside and half-way up the line array.
Yeah, I like the idea. Definitely something to try for a future build. Thanks for the suggestion!
very clean and beautiful speaker build. never knew that the passive radiators needed to have weight like that on the back of the cone, how do u know how much weight to add based off the sub you are using?
You can tune them by ear. Start by mounting the passive radiator inside out so that you can easily access the back of the cone to add or remove weights to your liking. Once the tuning is to you liking mount the passive radiator the normal way with the back of the cone inside the box.
Buen trabajo y bastante elaborado ...los tewters estan conectados en paralelo?ya que eso bajaria mucho la impedancia casi a cero..saludos...
I wish to see more more slim enclosures, similar to soundbars because they can be put on the wall, furniture, horizontally, vertical and don't need a lot of space. If you can go to 40-50Hz will be more than enough for 99% of people.
Anything’s that in your radar I am keen to do a slim project
If you rotate this design to the side (horizontal) it will loose evetything that makes it great. It will suck at imaging, the dispursion will be very narrow and riddled with colmfiltering nuls, in short, dont do it.
Id love to hear a replay with the aray being centered in the corner between the sub and the radiator, subs pointing out and the radiators pointing in at a 45 degree
Thank you sir 😊😊☺️
Most welcome
I like your build .
I've worked with veneers before but how about bending around corners such as a quarter inch bullnose ?
Without using something like a vacuum bag.
Thanks. Never tried it before, but it will be tricky I would imagine if going against the grain. I am sure there are some tips and tricks involved. Something to explore then...
Veri nice info.. awesome produk
Thanks 😊
@@SoundBlab welcome
This ka what I am waiting for
🤙🏻
Love your work. Its a great inspiration to make my own speakers.
Where do you get your veneer from? Would like to give that a go as well.
Thanks, thats good to hear! I get the veneer form VeneerCraft in Cape Town.
Exceptional as usual, however I challenge you to build enclosure with no straight lines, a curved monolith if you will.
Thanks! That will be a good challenge…
Очень круто!
Thanks
Hade si eta nyieun na euyyy... Perpecto
Soy mexicano pero todo lo que está diciendo o explicando con imágenes es correcto y muy sierto
Thanks
It's really beautiful, I want to follow you, but do not know how inside?
Can you tell me about the internal connection?
Please make vertical array that is angled 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Nice Video! I am curious what is the name and artist of the Jazz background music in the beginning of the video played in the 1st 6 mins?
Keren banget 👍👍
Thanks
very good bro from Indonesia
Thanks!
Great build, thanks. My question is about the tweeter position, I understand it reflects from the room walls, but this is not perfect. Would it be better to place two tweeters angled from each other 60 degrees for eeample?
This is the only thing I do not like with my column array, it produces 120 degrees coverage, however the high frequencies are there for 40 degrees, no more unfortunately.
It sounds like boom sibilance and harshness... I think there's good reason why people angle them. I've always wondered why even still they're not too popular.
I had wondered how a line array of speakers could be done for height channels .. fitted to ceiling for that Atmos / Auro 3D immersive effect ? Maybe 11.2.x systems cover that well enough?
You will meed a big room with plenty of space between the speakers and the listening position.
wish I could buy these speakers after he builds them.
I'm from india, your build quality is great. I am taking the speaker made by you but can you send me the product to India
hey awesome videos, can you share the link on where to get the router circle cutting jig
Thanks. It's a jig that came with my Triton router. I don't think it fits other routers or can be purchased separately.
I love the results, crisp sounds
Thanks
Very nicely done. I was interested by the 5 driver setup, and intrigued by your wiring diagram. I see your impedance is Z/2, which works out neatly, but the bottom most driver in the array will get 4x the power that the others get (if my brain is working correctly). How does that affect an array?
Thanks. All drivers will get equal wattage, since the impedance of all the drivers are the same, which means the wattage is divided equally across them.
@@SoundBlab Ok that's good. The wiring diagram looked like 2&3 in parallel, in series with 4&5 in parallel, and that network in parallel with 1. I probably got it wrong, but I still want to figure out how 5 drivers are connected for equal power, unless all in either series or parallel.
Estou fazendo uma projeto com um Woffer de 6,5 polegadas e duas domos de seda,qual é o projeto melhor?Uma caixa de 18 litros com dois radiadores de 16cm ou uma caixa de 14 litros com apenas um radiador passivo?
the best 👍👍👌👌
Thanks
What media are you using for play back in this video. It looks like your TV screen is showing your song collections. USB @ 320 output from TV?
I run Audirvana on a Mini PC connected to a DAC via USB and then into the amp. The TV just shows the PC screen via HDMI, it's not in the signal path.
Nice and kreatif
Thanks
Mantap
Thanks
cute but powerful 🔥
Thanks
Hi this Chanel is still cool for hoe long ive been subed
Thanks
Please do active bookshelf speakers.
Will put it on the list.
Are the 2" Dayton DMA58s (4 or 8 Ohm...couldn't quite tell the wiring diagram although said okay for 4 Ohm amplifier)? I recently used two in a Bluetooth speaker build. The sound was authentic, clean and sitting farther away is better than close. Mids and highs are clean and flat response curve. Obviously not a lot of bass although rated to 20 Hz. I think this is a really good design and build, one of the best, especially including the sub-woofer for the base. (Or bass, :-) )
Thanks! They are 8 Ohm versions, wired to give 4 Ohms together.
@@SoundBlab You may well have recognized this, but the way they are wired, the power sharing will be very uneven, and the power handling is reduced well below the potential sum of the 5 drivers (30W nominal RMS compared with potential 75W). I'd also suggest for this configuration you might benefit by positioning the currently lowest driver (the one wired directly across the input terminals, which is getting the most input power) in the center location. This would provide a simple power tapering, which can help reduce the perceptibility of the comb filtering in arrays. However in a short array it might not make a noticeable difference.