"As the number of drivers rises, the structure becomes taller and a straight array would incur unequal distances from the ears. Acoustic dispersion from different locations at different distances to the ears causes unequal sound pressure at different frequencies called lobing. I pursued several goals when developing a more powerful speaker system: very low distortion, higher power with a bigger radiating surface, no enclosure reflections/resonances and a focused sound with low room reflections. My favorite drivers are widebanders which radiate from a single point so no lobing or phase changes occur.

"Following my convictions and love of full-range drivers by creating a system with a larger radiating surface whilst knowing that such drivers have limitations of speed and response as they get larger, it was necessary to enhance familiar concepts. Curving the line array results in equal distance between drivers and ears. Now almost no lobing occurs. Also, drivers in such a focused dipole array lower room reflections most effectively and smaller cone drivers reproduce more precise high frequencies. By using a large number of small drivers, we increase their radiating surface for higher SPL but the shared work load means that each driver's displacement is minimal for lower distortion. Using the same drivers to cover the majority of the bandwidth eliminates a passive filter in the range where human hearing is most sensitive. Finally, this approach also makes for phase-linear reproduction."

In our stereo setup we faced no fewer than 30 widebanders and four 12" woofers. In our first setup, we measured our listening distance at 4.88m. Curving the array converts the line into a sound projector, thus more of a point source. To aim that point at the listener, the feet of the subwoofer can tilt the loudspeaker forward or backward. More adjustments are possible by altering the placement of the speakers in the room. Speaker-to-speaker distance influences soundstage width, distance from the front wall tonal balance and toe-in focus. The latter adjustment is very easy as the curved arrays can rotate on their felt sheets. Most important at first is the distance from the front wall since these are open-backed. The radiated sound from the back should not interfere with the direct sound. A little more distance even by a few centimeters can make all the difference.

We curated a nice selection of music starting with Antonio Forcione Live!.

It had been a while since we played this acoustic solo guitar recording. The first thing we noticed now was how the intimacy of the recording venue overlaid our room. That London Vortex venue seats about 100 and here one listens to a close-mic'd acoustic guitar played by a virtuoso. Attack, decay and dynamics are key and not only on or by the strings. Forcione also uses the whole body of the guitar to slap or tap it. With 4 x 12" woofer power, one might expect some overblown image sizing but nothing of the sort occurred. The stage scale was spot on and the performer and his guitar very believable between the loudspeakers, not too far from the back of the stage and at decent height.