Audio
Line Array
01 — Definition
A vertical column of tightly coupled loudspeaker elements that behaves as a single large source: it produces a cylindrical wavefront that loses only 3 dB per doubling of distance in the near field, against 6 dB for a point source. The curvature of the array — the splay angles — shapes the vertical coverage. Without prediction software (the manufacturer plots), there is no aiming rows at the seating and away from the walls.
02 — In the field
Never rig a line array flat and hope. Use the manufacturer prediction software to set the splay angles for the shape of the room: the top boxes throw far, the bottom boxes fill the front with more splay.