Your churchgoers say they struggle listening to sermons due to the poor sound quality. The front audience shares that the audio is too loud, while those at the back barely hear anything.
If your current sound system is no longer doing its job, it may be time to upgrade or install a new one. So, what are line array speakers, and how do they help? How do you choose one for your place of worship?
Let’s talk about that and more in this post.
What are line array speakers?
Line array speakers are a series of speakers arranged vertically. Each speaker in the set can be facing a different direction to ensure even sound distribution.
Line array speakers offer a solution if you’re experiencing sound issues in your house of worship. But, of course, not all components are the same. The use of quality speakers and a proper setup are crucial.
One advantage of using line array speakers is that you can adjust the individual components to meet your sound needs in every specific area.
You can position the speakers at exact angles and adjust them to provide a balanced, ear-pleasing sound to everyone, from those occupying the front seats to those seated at the back.
You can turn down the sound for the speakers at the front and set a higher output for those at the rear. The sound pressure level is balanced and consistent throughout all seating areas.
How to choose the right line array speakers
- Talk to sound engineers or audio professionals. Verify if a line array sound system is the solution you need for improving sound quality in your house of worship.
- Take measurements. Since the array setup will have the speaker components hanging, you need to check their weights and sizes. Be sure that the hanging point can support the entire system. You may need to adjust the hanging point or make changes to your speaker setup to identify the best spot for it.
- Choose a location. If you need a tall stack for your setup, that would mean it might be lying too low. You’ll need to look at the ceiling height, not only to ensure safety but also to prevent blocking sightlines. You don’t want the pastors to have a hard time seeing the audience, and the same goes for the audience. The sightlines should be clear, wherever you’re seated in the audience.
- Review signal processing and speaker combinations. You can choose between active or passive line array systems. Active options come with built-in amplifiers, while passive systems require a separate amplifier. The latter also needs additional space. You also need to look into the type of speaker drivers in the setup. Some speaker drives can only generate specific frequencies, so you need to complement them with other drivers in different sizes.
Whether you’re a pastor or a member of the service or tech team, you know very well that clear sound quality matters in a house of worship. Using a traditional mic isn’t enough. Choosing the right line array speakers for your application is crucial.