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DRM Professional Powered Loudspeaker Series
Room Acoustics
DRM loudspeakers are designed to sound fantastic
in nearly every application.
But, room acoustics play a crucial role in the overall
performance of a sound system. However, the wide
high-frequency dispersion of the DRM loudspeakers
helps to minimize the problems that typically arise.
Here are some additional placement tips to help
overcome some typical room problems that might arise:
• Placing loudspeakers in the corners of a room
increases the low frequency output and can cause
the sound to be muddy and indistinct.
• Placing loudspeakers against a wall increases
the low frequency output, though not as much
as corner placement. However, this is a good way
to reinforce the low frequencies, if so desired.
• Avoid placing the speakers directly on a hollow
stage floor. A hollow stage can resonate at certain
frequencies, causing peaks and dips in the frequency
response of the room. It is better to place them
on a sturdy stand designed to handle the weight
of the loudspeaker.
• Position the loudspeakers so the high-frequency
drivers are two to four feet above ear level for
the audience (making allowances for an audience
that may be standing/dancing in the aisles).
High frequencies are highly directional and tend
to be absorbed much easier than lower frequencies.
By providing direct line-of-sight from the loudspeakers
to the audience, you increase the overall brightness
and intelligibility of the sound system.
• Highly reverberant rooms, like many gymnasiums
and auditoriums, are a nightmare for sound system
intelligibility. Multiple reflections off the hard walls,
ceiling, and floor play havoc with the sound. Depending
on the situation, you may be able to take some steps
to minimize the reflections, such as putting carpeting
on the floors, closing draperies to cover large glass
windows, or hanging tapestries or other materials
on the walls to absorb some of the sound.
However, in most cases, these remedies are not
possible or practical. So what do you do? Making
the sound system louder generally doesn’t work
because the reflections become louder, too.
The best approach is to provide as much direct sound
coverage to the audience as possible. The farther away
you are from the speaker, the more prominent will be
the reflected sound.
Use more speakers strategically placed so they
are closer to the back of the audience. If the distance
between the front and back speakers is more than
about 100 feet, you should use either (1) the internal
delay processor via the speaker control knob (see
page 15), or (2) use an external delay processor
to time-align the sound. (Since sound travels about
1 foot per millisecond, it takes about 1/10 of a second
to travel 100 feet.)
Keep in mind that the speaker mode is another great
way to compensate for some of these issues. See page
12 for more information.
DRM212 / DRM215 Fly Points
DRM315 Fly Points
MP = Mounting Point
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