• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Speaker Placement..Outdoors.

Already In Use

Already In Use

Jan 3, 2010
713
4
#1
I want to run 4 mains(tops) and 2 subs for an outdoor digital music gig. No live performers. Wondering. Is there a preferred way to set this up? Typically I set the 2 mains about 4 feet apart from each other 20 to 25 feet apart and place the 2 subs next to each other right in the center. I learned a few things here already so figured I should ask and get ideas. No stage...all set up at ground level. The mains are 15 inch 2 ways and the subs are passive 18's.
 
#2
I have heard small pa's done that way and they sounded ok but not great. if at all possible, i would make a vertical stack out of each of the two tops because you'll get better dispersion, beaming won't rear its ugly head, and less chance of creating issues with phasing/comb filtering on notes that have wavelengths longer than that 4 ft gap.

sub placement, however, is correct. if you can do it in the middle, great. if not, cluster to one side.
 
#4
two tops stacked on each other with a sub cluster in the middle or to one side. as for height, i'd just say get them up as high as you can safely. as long as they're at least ear level or above, you should be good. someone else with more expertise in it could probably elaborate a little deeper than i can, but that's what i would do.
 
#7
i have done this in the past with fine results . subs side by side , tops sitting side by side on top of the subs , second pair of tops sitting side by side on top of the first tops . strap it down . if you have trap cabinets and not square cabs for the tops , make them touch all the way down the touching sides .
 
#8
Already In Use said:
I have stands a plenty. Glad to hear you are anatomically correct!:D
Click to expand...

Subs center clustered would be best. Use your stands and get the horns up about 7 ft high. If your two sets of mains are 25 ft apart angle the two inside speakers toward the center, the two outside facing straight out or maybe angled slightly outward depending on area needed to be covered.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stumbo
#10
How wide an area do you have to set up on?

+1 on the 7 foot height. At ear level, the highs will be absorbed early and not reach the crowd in back.

If there is a big crowd, be sure to go FOH (as far back as you can) after the area fills up to make sure everything is still balanced.
 
#11
Stumbo said:
How wide an area do you have to set up on?

+1 on the 7 foot height. At ear level, the highs will be absorbed early and not reach the crowd in back.

If there is a big crowd, be sure to go FOH (as far back as you can) after the area fills up to make sure everything is still balanced.
Click to expand...

I have to go and see in a week or so. Not sure. Outdoors we usually get all the room we want. If the customer wants something that is no good(schools!!!...yikes!) we advise otherwise to avoid a bad gig.

Only a few years into this DJ thing and learning something every time out. To me the 25 foot wide spacing gives good sound out to a broad area.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back