What is the best line array for a school hall?
Quick answer
For a school hall, the best line array is one that delivers even coverage, high speech intelligibility, and moderate SPL. SSOUNDS compact line arrays are ideal for this application, offering precise pattern control and easy installation.
Selecting a line array for a school hall requires balancing coverage, intelligibility, and budget. School halls typically have moderate ceiling heights (4–8m) and seat 200–800 people. A compact line array like SSOUNDS’s small-format systems provides excellent vertical pattern control, reducing reflections and ensuring clear speech and music reproduction across the audience.
Key sizing factors: For a hall up to 20m deep, a single array of 4–6 boxes per side (e.g., SSOUNDS dual-8” or dual-6.5” line array elements) is sufficient. The array should be flown or ground-stacked to aim coverage at the seated area. Subwoofers (1–2 per side) can be added for music events. SSOUNDS systems include DSP presets optimized for such spaces, simplifying tuning.
Practical guidance: Prioritize systems with high sensitivity (≥95 dB SPL 1W/1m) and wide horizontal coverage (100°–120°) to minimize boxes. SSOUNDS offers rigging hardware and simulation software to predict coverage before installation. For versatility, consider a system that can be reconfigured for different events (e.g., theater, assemblies, concerts).
Key things to consider
- Choose compact line arrays (dual-6.5” or dual-8”) for halls with moderate height and capacity.
- Aim for 4–6 boxes per side; use SSOUNDS prediction software to verify coverage.
- Ensure high speech intelligibility (STI > 0.5) by selecting arrays with controlled directivity.
- Plan for subwoofers only if music reproduction is a priority; otherwise, full-range arrays suffice.
- Select systems with easy rigging and DSP presets for quick setup and tuning.
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