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Title: Speaker position help
Post by: adam.brakhane on January 25, 2012, 10:27:26 AM
Hey guys,
I'm running sound in a room that is about 140ft by 50ft. In the past, we've use the room longways with our ~30ft stage on the short wall facing out towards an audience of about 300-400. We're looking to switch it up so that the stage is on the long wall so that more people can be closer to the stage. I'm wondering the best way to set up speakers for this. I have 4 I can use: 2 on stands and 2 that must be set on the stage (as well as 2 subs). We have both a live band playing and someone speaking. Is the best way to set this up:
1) two on stage facing out with the ones on stands right next to the stage angled out
2) two on stage facing out with the ones on stands away from the stage also facing out.
I'll just leave the subs where they are to the front left and right of the stage.


Thanks,
-Adam
Title: Re: Speaker position help
Post by: James A. Griffin on January 25, 2012, 01:05:55 PM
Hey guys,
I'm running sound in a room that is about 140ft by 50ft. In the past, we've use the room longways with our ~30ft stage on the short wall facing out towards an audience of about 300-400. We're looking to switch it up so that the stage is on the long wall so that more people can be closer to the stage. I'm wondering the best way to set up speakers for this. I have 4 I can use: 2 on stands and 2 that must be set on the stage (as well as 2 subs). We have both a live band playing and someone speaking. Is the best way to set this up:
1) two on stage facing out with the ones on stands right next to the stage angled out
2) two on stage facing out with the ones on stands away from the stage also facing out.
I'll just leave the subs where they are to the front left and right of the stage.


Thanks,
-Adam


Need more info.   Here's a handful of questions that come to mind:

What 4 speakers / subs / amps are available?
Is 30' the depth or width of the stage?   
How many chairs and how positioned in the room?

Title: Re: Speaker position help
Post by: Kirby Yarbrough on January 25, 2012, 02:45:50 PM
We have both a live band playing and someone speaking.

If it's only the speaking portion that needs to reach the whole crowd, put one speaker on a stand against the long wall on each side halfway from the stage towards the short wall, and bring them up only for the speech(es).  Put the other two speakers on the subs on each side of the stage, or however they need to be elevated to cover the crowd near the stage for dancing of listening.  That way you can cover the whole crowd for the speeches without excessive volume near the stage, and people can hold conversations in the corners while the band is playing.
Title: Re: Speaker position help
Post by: Marcus Wilson on January 25, 2012, 09:31:01 PM
Spacing speakers part way down the wall will reduce speech clarity for many of the audience due to differing arrival time issues.  Your option 1 is best.
Title: Re: Speaker position help
Post by: g'bye, Dick Rees on January 25, 2012, 09:40:02 PM
Spacing speakers part way down the wall will reduce speech clarity for many of the audience due to differing arrival time issues.  Your option 1 is best.

I think it's 6 of one and a half-dozen of the other.  There are pluses and minuses to both set ups.  Good PEQ control is what I consider to be the most important.  That and using speakers with very wide HF so that off-axis voice clarity is at a max.  I prefer EV S200's or similar for such an application.