How to Calculate Ceiling Speaker Coverage in a Room on Pro Acoustics Tech Talk Episode # 100

www.proacousti...​​
In this informative video, Nathan discusses the many factors to consider when determining the optimal placement for your speakers.
If you’re looking to install commercial speakers and think there’s a rule of thumb of how many of them you need, you’d be disappointed. The reality is, a universal approach simply falls short here. This stems from the fact that the coverage of different speakers varies due to their unique conical shape.
Nathan explains what to consider, including:
• The dimensions of the room (length and width)
• Ceiling height
• Listener's elevation
• Spatial layout
• Intended usage, whether it's providing subtle background music, conveying general announcements, hosting live performances, or delivering prominent foreground audio
• Desired volume level
• Presence of areas where speaker installation isn't feasible
All of these factors play a pivotal role in the selection of suitable speakers and the determination of their optimal spacing to eliminate any dead zones.
Nathan explores each aspect, offering insightful guidance and even sharing calculations to assist you in making well-informed choices.
Have additional questions about your speaker setup? Let us know by commenting below, emailing [e-mail], or calling [phone].
Find us on Facebook: / proacousticsusacom
Follow us on Instagram: / proacousticsusa

[@rodneylawrence6189]

Thank you for the info! I will be ordering a set speaker very soon.

[@aaronsceilingfansspeakersa3057]

I’m getting a Lowell R1810-72 speaker for Christmas. People said that Lowell speakers sound BOOMING!

[@mohamedshafeelmohamedbilal6364]

Any software available for auditorium sound system calculations for speech purposes without music
Just like column speakers around 10W-20W of power rate
For exact position and number of speaker placements

[@ProAcoustics]

There are several software options available online for auditorium sound system calculations, especially focused on speech. Some manufacturers, like Atlas and Yamaha, offer software tailored to their specific products. For a more general and free tool, you might want to check out Room EQ Wizard: www.roomeqwizard.com/.
I recommend doing some research to ensure that the software you choose meets your specific needs for positioning and the number of speakers. Best of luck with your project!

[@hunternico4810]

Thanks for the video Nathan. Do you have any thoughts on overlapping the edges of that conical coverage? On the one hand, we obviously want to avoid phase issues and comb filtering. On the other hand, we want even coverage without much variation as you walk from one speaker's coverage to the next. You'll have a hotter coverage directly under the axis of the speaker, and a drop-off off axis. Speaker dispersion is often measured with respect to this off-axis drop off. So do you recommend overlapping the edges of coverage for more even SPL?

[@ProAcoustics]

I'm glad to hear that you found the video helpful! In terms of overlapping the edges of conical coverage, it's common in foreground applications to allow some overlap to ensure that you don't have a bad seat in the house, so to speak. However, in light background music applications, many times, we want to cut down on the drop-off between speakers as much as possible while still being sensitive to client budgets. Hope this helps!

[@JaySinead12]

What abount pendant speakers. How high should the hanging speaker be from listening position.

[@ProAcoustics]

For pendant speakers, a height of 9' to 12' is typically recommended for most setups. In larger spaces like gymnasiums, the height may need to be adjusted higher for optimal sound distribution.