How to Choose the Right Line Array for Your Venue

Line arrays have become the standard for large-scale reinforcement—but choosing the right system for your venue requires understanding a few key variables: throw distance, coverage angle, and SPL headroom.

Throw Distance

For venues under 30 meters, a compact 8-10 inch coaxial line array typically provides enough throw with manageable weight. Beyond 40 meters, you want a larger-format system with dedicated high-frequency waveguides for controlled directivity at distance. The Shockwave LA-212 covers venues up to 60 meters without additional delay fills when flown at the correct angle.

Coverage Angle

Most touring arrays offer horizontal coverage between 90° and 120°. Narrower coverage (70-90°) minimizes wall reflections in reverberant spaces—churches, sports arenas, and exhibition halls benefit from this. Wider coverage works well for stadium seating and wide-format festival stages.

SPL Headroom

Budget at least 6dB of headroom above your target average SPL. A venue calling for 105dB average should have a system capable of 111dB peaks. Clipping an amplifier to meet loudness requirements is the leading cause of driver failure in live sound.

Working With a Shockwave Engineer

We offer free system design consultations for any venue project. Send us your floor plan, ceiling height, and target SPL and we will provide a full coverage simulation with recommended hang positions.