Lessons Learned
speakers is not always “up high”, as most vehicles do not offer an amicable location in the
dashboard or a-pillars for good image placement for both seated passengers, especially in the
critical frequencies sub-500 Hz). In addition to the time equalized placement of the drivers,
the installer must also consider that above approximately 2,000 Hz, intensity plays a key role
in good sound staging and imaging. Therefore, the Legatia L3’s should be placed in an area
where intensity differences can be equalized, either mechanically or electronically, to ensure
good imaging and sound staging.
The lesson to be learned is that, like Lesson Two, the Legatia L3’s should be placed as far
forward from your listening position as possible, and every effort should be made to optimize
time and intensity domain characteristics of the installation.
Lesson Four: Point-Sourcing
The term “point-sourcing” is often used to describe the technique of having a single pair of
speakers in an installation cover the majority of the critical middle band frequencies. In many
installation scenarios, the Legatia L3 could be considered a point-source speaker driver,
because it has the ability to reproduce six octaves of tones. Point-sourcing, if done correctly,
can lend itself to a variety of valuable attributes, including precise image definition and stable
sound staging character. By applying Lessons 1-3 above, and with correct filtering to cover
the vocal spectrum (as detailed in the “Crossover” section following), the Legatia L3 can be
used as a point-source midrange driver to achieve excellent staging and imaging results. The
lesson to be learned here is that the L3, given its wide-bandwidth design, can faithfully
reproduce as much as six octaves of tones, and would make a valuable addition to any sound
system as a point-source driver for the spectrum comprising vocal imagining cues.
Lesson Five: Reference
One of the most important things to do before reading the next section and completing your
Legatia L3 installation is to get a reference for your future listening tests. To really know what
a snare drum sounds like, you must go and listen to one, in person, live and un-amplified.
There is no substitute for the visceral impact and emotion of live music. Nothing else in life
can touch your soul the way music does. Whether it’s a 200-member orchestra, or a four-
piece fusion band, nothing compares to the phenomenon of live music. Take this as Hybrid
Audio’s official request: become a student of music and your playback car audio sound system
will be better for it. We want nothing more than to know there are great sounding audio
systems around the world using our products, and you’d make us all very proud if you became
a student of music and learned its beauty and passion.
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