One of the IP2000's most attractive features is it's dispersion characteristics. You should be able to cover the width and depth of a room with less SPL variation. Normal speakers follow the inverse square rule where SPL drops of 6dB with each doubling of distance. Over the range where the IP2000 functions as a line source, the SPL will drop off at 3dB per doubling of distance. Since the sound does not behave as a line source at the high and low range with the IP2000 the voicing will shift with distance. This was fairly noticeable outdoors with the Bose L1s I used for awhile.
IMHO one place where the IP2000 falls fairly short is it's continuous SPL capabilities. Max SPL is listed as 123dB...I believe this is a peak rating which is most likely 6dB above continuous. The available literature does not provide a clear explanation, but "Max" SPL is interpretted as "Peak" SPL.
Compare to these horn plus 8" boxes: EV ZXA1 lists Max SPL at 126dB, QSC K8.2 lists Max SPL at 128dB...these are clearly identified as peak ratings in the manufacturers documents. EV specifies whole-space loading; QSC and TurboSound do not specify half- or whole-space, so it's possible the EV is actually the loudest of the three....remember to subtract 6dB for the continuous rating though.
IMHO this recent trend of using peak/max SPL with some products is misleading and unethical. Most manufactures use some sort of a continuous power rating with a 6dB crest factor. They seem to be using peak/Max SPL ratings only with their lower end products to disguise reduced performance...continuous and peak really the same rating but you have to be an informed consumer to understand the 120dB continuous is the same as 126dB peak. To further the deception...often the SPL ratings are calculated off the power handling specs rather than measured. This is inaccurate because drivers compress as they approach their power handling limits.
