Large-format line arrays deliver in terms of output, and in many cases, are now much more than simply loudspeakers, better described as integrated systems. The vast majority of the models we’re presenting here incorporate dedicated power and DSP packages (onboard or rack mounted), and are outfitted with sophisticated control, networking, and optimization capabilities. Integral rigging is user-friendly and marked by precision and ease of use.
It’s still surprising to some that line arrays have been around for more than half a century in the guise of column loudspeakers, and most of them in earlier days were voice-range only. Their application was generally for highly reverberant spaces, where a narrow vertical dispersion avoided exciting the reflective room boundaries and, as a result, improved intelligibility of the spoken word.
V-DOSC from L-Acoustics was the first (in the mid-1990s) to show the concert sound world that more level and smoother frequency response can come from fewer drivers in a line array. Now, large-format line arrays (which we loosely identify as models with 12-inch and larger woofers) exist in a wide range of types and options.
Driver configuration and enclosure design remain defining factors. Some models employ dual woofers with a center high-frequency section to provide horizontal symmetry. The simplest systems may just have a single cone and high-frequency driver. Quasi 3-way solutions use dual woofers, but low-pass one woofer at a lower frequency than the other, thereby eliminating lobing at higher frequencies where the drivers become displaced with relation to the frequencies being reproduced.
True 3-way designs operate separate low-, mid- and high-frequency drivers, each in their own band. There are several approaches to horn loading, which can provide higher sensitivity for additional power. And now, we’re seeing some 4-way systems, with the mid-frequencies subdivided into two sections.
In the listings that follow, note that the horizontal dispersion spec is provided for all models. Vertical dispersion varies, dependent on array structure and configuration.
Keep in mind that several companies present more than one choice in this category. Several of them also offer complementary array elements with wider angles of coverage that perform better as the lowest near-throw enclosure(s) in vertical arrays. Enjoy this look at the latest large-format line arrays.
Spotlight Listing
RCF TT+ AUDIO GTX Series
ttaudio.com
RCF has debuted this new brand, which encompasses high-performance products for touring and permanent installations and is exemplified by the new GTX line array system, the first product line to display the new branding. Both GTX array models (GTX 12 three-way and GTX 10 two-way) incorporate newly developed Precision Transducers that are outfitted with advanced motor structures, multi-layer voice coils and oversized magnets designed to provide higher performance and added power handling. Proprietary waveguides work with the compression drivers to deliver more precise coverage.
GTX separates the power amplification from the loudspeaker enclosure, moving it to newly designed touring racks, each with up to three XPS 16K four-channel DSP amplifiers and including AC power, signal routing and network connections. One waterproof power connector provides straightforward cabling from the rack to system modules. XPS 16K amplifiers deliver 16,000 watts of continuous audio power with dynamic headroom and proprietary loudspeaker performance-shaping algorithms.
The companion GTS 29 subwoofer incorporates two 48 cm (19 in) cone drivers, each with a stated peak-to-peak piston moving mass excursion of 56 mm (2.2 in).
Technology Focus: TT+ AUDIO’s RDNet management platform, now in version 5.0, comes with Shape D3D, a new design, modeling, and simulation platform. Users can define a 3D representation of a venue and use multiple virtual microphones or check IR-modeled measurements of simulated system response.
Of Note: Rigging hardware is designed to provide touring and installation crews with efficient setup when suspended or stacked, with anti-rattle locks and a proprietary captive hinge bar mechanism that slips into position when set in tension or compression mode.
Specifications:
Model: GTX 12
Configuration: 3-way
LF: 2 x 12-in neo woofers (3.5-in voice coils)
MF: 4 x 6-in neo cone drivers (2-in voice coils)
HF: 2 x 1.4-in neo
compression drivers (3-in voice coils)
Frequency Response:
35 Hz – 20 kHz
Horizontal Dispersion: 90 x 10 degrees (4PATH waveguide)
Size (H x W x D) & Weight: 14.4 x 46.4 x 21.9 in; 141.5 lbs
Electronics: Driven by XPS 16K four-channel DSP amplifiers
Companion Sub: GTS 29
Standard Listings
L-Acoustics L Series
l-acoustics.com
Model: L2
Configuration: 3-way
LF: 4 x 12-in neo woofers
MF: 8 x 10-in neo cone drivers
HF: 8 x 3-in neo compression drivers
Frequency Response: 45 Hz – 20 kHz
Horizontal Dispersion: 70/110 degrees symmetric or 90 degrees asymmetric
Size (H x W x D) & Weight: 47.2 x 33.5 x 22 in; 348 lbs
Electronics: Driven by LA7.16 touring amplified controllers
Companion Sub: KS28
Biamp Community IV6-1122
biamp.com
Model: IV6
Configuration: 2-way
LF: 1 x 12-in ferrite woofer (with 3-in voice coil)
HF: 2 x 1.7-in voice coil (1-in exit) neo compression drivers
Frequency Response: 40 Hz – 18.5 kHz
Horizontal Dispersion: 120 degrees (choice of 5 or 15 degrees vertical)
Size (H x W x D) & Weight: 14 x 28.1 x 16.5 in; 77.3 lbs
Electronics: 80 volts, 400 watts at 16 ohms (1600 watts peak) continuous power handling; onboard Passive Acoustic Optimization (PAO)
Companion Sub: IV6-118S (single 18-in, flyable)
d&b audiotechnik GSL
dbaudio.com, sl-series.com
Configuration: 2-way
LF: 2 x 14-in woofers, 2 x 10-in woofers (side firing, cardioid), 1 x 10-in woofer (MF)
HF: 3 x 1.4-in compression drivers on an optimized waveguide
Frequency Response: 45 Hz –18 kHz
Horizontal Dispersion: 80 degrees (model GSL8), 120 degrees (GSL12)
Size (H x W x D) & Weight: 15.4 x 51.2 x 24.7 in; 176 lbs
Electronics: d&b D80 amplifier is required to drive the GSL8 and GSL12; powered in 2-way active mode (2 amplifier channels per loudspeaker)
K-array Firenze-KH7
k-array.com
Configuration: 2-way
Transducers: 4 x 12-inch coaxial neo woofers
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Horizontal Dispersion: 100/30 degrees, plus digital adjustment
Size (H x W x D) & Weight: 13.8 x 46 x 7.9 in; 114.6 lbs
Electronics: Onboard class D amplifier providing 4 x 2,000 watts at 4 ohms; DSP control plus passive filter
Companion Sub: Firenze-KS7 and several other options
Adamson Systems Engineering E15
adamsonsystems.com
Configuration: 3-way
LF: 2 x 15-in neo Kevlar woofers
MF: 2 x 7-in neo Kevlar cones
HF: 2 x 4-in-exit voice coil neo Kevlar drivers
Note: MF/HF coaxially mounted on Co-Linear Drive Modules
Frequency Response: 60 Hz – 18 kHz
Horizontal Dispersion: 90 degrees
Size (H x W x D) & Weight: 15.4 x 51.4 x 21.4 in; 176 lbs
Electronics: E-Rack with Lab.gruppen PLM amplifiers, audio & AC panels, Ethernet switch
** Adamson also offers the E12 12-in line array
Martin Audio WPL
martin-audio.com
Configuration: 3-way
LF: 2 x 12-in woofers on Hybrid bass horn
MF: 2 x 6.5-in cones, horn-loaded
HF: 3 x 1-in drivers, horn-loaded
Frequency Response: 52 Hz –18 kHz
Horizontal Dispersion: 90 degrees (-6 dB), 120 degrees horizontal (-10 dB)
Size (H x W x D) & Weight: 14.6 x 44.7 x 20.7 in; 141 lbs
Electronics: 1 or 2 enclosures per amplifier channel; company offers iKON power amplifiers with Dante networking and DX controllers
Meyer Sound PANTHER
meyersound.com
Configuration: 2-way
LF: 2 x 12-in long-excursion woofers
HF: 2 x 3-in diaphragm compression drivers on a horn
Frequency Response: 55 Hz to 16 kHz
Horizontal Dispersion: 80, 95, and 110 degrees
Size (H x W x D) & Weight: 14.8 x 38.1 x 22.2 in; 75 lbs
Electronics: Self-powered (class D, 1100 watts); separate Galileo GALAXY DSPl AVB & Milan certified
Companion Sub: 2100-LFC
Electro-Voice X2-212/90
electrovoice.com
Configuration: 2-way
LF: 1 x 12-in neo woofer
HF: 2 x 3-in titanium drivers coupled to pair of PDH Plane Wave Generators on a waveguide
Frequency Response: 52 Hz – 19 kHz
Horizontal Dispersion: 90 degrees (120 degrees also available)
Size (H x W x D) & Weight: 13.5 in x 28.8 in x 12 in; 93 lbs
Electronics: Dynacord TGX/IPX amplifiers and SONICUE sound system software
JBL Professional VTX A12
jblpro.com
Configuration: 3-way
LF: 2 x JBL 2264H neo woofers (12-in, dual 3-in voice coils)
MF: 4 x JBL 2165H neo cone drivers (5.5-in, dual 2-in voice coils)
HF: 3 x JBL 2423K neo compression drivers (2-in, and 2-in voice coil)
Frequency Response: 46 Hz – 19 kHz
Horizontal Dispersion: 90 degrees nominal (250 Hz – 18 kHz)
Size (H x W x D)/Weight: 13 x 44 x 19.5 in; 134 lbs
Electronics: Crown Audio I-Tech 12000HD or I-Tech 4x3500HD with standard presets for VTX A12
dBTechnologies VIO C
dbtechnologies.com
Model: VIO C15
Configuration: 2-way
LF: 1 x 15-in (3.5-in voice coil) neo woofers
HF: 1 x 1.4-in (3-in voice coil) neodrivers
Frequency Response: 42 Hz – 19 kHz (-10 dB)
Dispersion: 22.5 degrees horizontal, 45 degrees (+15/-30 degrees) vertical
Size (H x W x D) & Weight: 35.1 x 17.2 x 24.8 in; 89.5 lbs
Electronics: Digipro G4 class-D amplifier joined by DSP; RDNet card facilitates monitoring and remote control via Aurora Net software
** dBTechnologies also offers VIO C12 (12-in) and VIO C212 2 x 12-in) models
Alcons Audio LR28
alconsaudio.com
Configuration: 3-way
LF: 2 x 14-in neo woofers, reflex-loaded
MF: 4 x 6.5-in neo cones, slot-loaded configuration
HF: 1 x 14-in ribbon driver
Frequency Response: 50 Hz – 20 kHz
Horizontal Dispersion: 80 degrees (110 degrees also available)
Size (H x W x D) & Weight: 15.8 x 47.2 x 21.1 in; 138.9 lbs
Electronics: Sentinel10 amplified loudspeaker controller (4 channels) with specific drive processing with array-compensation, filter presets, system EQ, phase-matching, etc.
D.A.S. Audio LARA
dasaudio.com
Configuration: 4-way symmetrical
LF: 2 x 12-in woofers plus another 2 x 8-in woofers in cardioid configuration
MF: 2 x 8-in woofers
HF: 2 x DAS M-78N compression drivers on a waveguide
Frequency Response: 63 Hz – 17 kHz
Horizontal Dispersion: 100 degrees
Size (H x W x D) & Weight: 14 x 46 x 25.4 in; 189.6 lbs
Electronics: Self-powered (8-channel, class D), FIR processing and digital management via DASaim platform, IP control and monitoring through ALMA
Crest Audio Versarray PRO 112
peavey.com
Configuration: 2-way
LF: 1 x 12-in Black Widow neo woofer (4-in voice coils)
HF: 2 x 4.75-in ribbon tweeters & 2 x RD 2.6 Mk III ribbon tweeters on a waveguide
Frequency Response: 100 Hz to 20 kHz (±3 dB, with processing)
Horizontal Dispersion: 90 degrees
Size (H x W x D) & Weight: 15.1 x 25 x 15.2 in; 75 lbs
Electronics: Self-powered (3400 watts peak) with companion DSP; analog and/or Dante input
Companion Sub: Versarray PRO 218 (double-18) or 215 (double-15)
EAW Anya
eaw.com
Configuration: 3-way
LF: 2 x 15-in woofers, vented, Phase Aligned and Offset Aperture loading
MF: 6 x 5-in cones, horn-loaded with Radial Phase Plug & CSA apertures
HF: 14 x 1-in-exit drivers, horn-loaded
Frequency Response: 35 Hz – 18 kHz
Horizontal Dispersion: 70 degrees (scalable up to 360 degrees)
Size (H x W x D) & Weight: 30 x 45 x 17 in; 285 lbs
Electronics: Self-powered (22 channels, each w/DSP), EAW Focusing & ADAPTive Performance processing, Resolution control software.
Companion Sub: Otto ADAPTive
PK Sound Trinity Black
pksound.live
Configuration: 4-way
LF: 2 x 12-in neo woofers, horn-loaded/rear-vented
MF: 4 x 6-in CMI-loaded drivers
HF & VHF: 2 x 4-in coaxial drivers
Frequency Response: 40 Hz – 20 kHz
Horizontal Directivity: 120 – 60 degrees symmetric & asymmetric (intercabinet adjustment: 0 – 5.5 degrees)
Size (H x W x D) & Weight: 13.8 x 54.8 x 23 in; 259.1 lbs
Electronics: Self-powered (6000 watts, RMS), DSP, rear-panel LCD or .dynamics software for control of DSP and vertical/horizontal settings
CODA Audio AiRAY
codaaudio.com
Configuration: 3-way (biamplified)
LF: 2 x 12-in (4-in voice coil) neo woofers
MF/HF: 2 x 6-in DDP (Double Diaphragm Planar-wave-drivers) with 3.5-in MF voice coil and 1.75-in HF voice coil
Frequency Response: 50 Hz – 22 kHz (-6 dB)
Dispersion: Horizontal – 90, 120 or asymmetrical 105 degrees; vertical is array dependent – 0 to 8 degrees in 1-degree steps
Size (H x W x D) & Weight: 14 x 26.5 x 21.9 in; 88.2 lbs
Electronics: LINUS loudspeaker management amplifiers for DSP control, amplification, audio I/O routing, network remote control, and diagnostics
** CODA SC2-F 2 x 15-inch sensor-controlled bass extension overlaps the low range of AiRAY and paired subwoofers
Ramsdell Pro Audio LA-15-3
ramsdellproaudio.com
Configuration: 3-way
LF: 1 x 15-in neo woofer, vented
MF: 2 x 12-in neo cones
HF: 2 x 2-in-exit neo drivers
Frequency Response: 50 Hz – 18 kHz
Horizontal Dispersion: 130 degrees
Size (H x W x D) & Weight: 15.7 x 42 x 19; 106 lbs
Electronics: External amplification/processing; program power: 1200 watts LF, 600 watts MF, 300 watts HF
**Ramsdell also offers LA-1-15 15-in line array
NEXO GEO M12
nexo-sa.com
Configuration: 2-way
LF: 1 x 12-in neo woofer
HF: 1 x 1.4-in compression driver on a BEA/FEA optimized HR wavesource
Frequency Response: 50 Hz – 20 kHz
Horizontal Dispersion: 80 or 120 degrees
Size (H x W x D) & Weight: 14.6 x 27.6 x 17.6 in; 75 lbs
Electronics: NXAMP4x4 powered TDcontroller for 3 x GEO M12 per channel recommended; other options also available
Companion Sub: MSUB18
QSC KLA
qsc.com
Configuration: 2-way
LF: 1 x 12-in woofer
HF: 1 x 1.75-in (diaphragm) compression driver on a multiple difraction aperture waveguide
Frequency Response: 49 Hz – 18 kHz
Horizontal Dispersion: 90 degrees
Size (H x W x D) & Weight: 15 x 23.4 x 16.6 in; 55 lbs
Electronics: Onboard 500- x 500-watt amplifier (1,000 total watts), proprietary DEEP DSP algorithm extends bass response, and Ar-Q frequency optimization quickly tunes and configures the array
Clair Brothers C12-M
clairbrothers.com
Configuration: 3-way
Dispersion (h x v): 90 x 10 degrees; additional horizontal options (120 degrees or TrueFit)
LF: 2 x 12-inch cone drivers
MF/HF: 2 x 3.5-inch (voice coil), 2 x 1.75-inch (voice coil) concentric compression drivers
Frequency Response: 45 Hz – 20 kHz
Power: Bi-amplified with passive mid/high
Rigging: Integral rigging hardware with adjustable splay angles (Additional angular resolutions available using Rigging Disc accessory)
Size (h x w x d): 13.9 x 42 x 25.2 inches
Weight: 153 pounds
Companion Subs: CS218-M, iS218-M
