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Line-array with 14 BMI hi-wave speakers for pro PA- Bose-killer?

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  • Line-array with 14 BMI hi-wave speakers for pro PA- Bose-killer?

    Just completed my Bose-killer line-array. 14 BMI hi-wave 8 ohm speakers ($5.50 ea at PE) in a 37" column that's about 4" square. It's used in conjunction with my DIY subwoofer so I don't need it to go low. In fact I've wired in a 100 mfd capacitor to take out the lows so the column can have more headroom overall and not strain to pump out frequencies that are covered by the sub.
    The horizontal dispersion is amazing. I thought I might have to skew the speakers alternately left and right like the Bose, but no need at all. It's practically 180 degrees of coverage now. The sound is clear and uncolored although I find I need to boost the highs slightly in my EQ.

    It's packed with acoustic foam similar to what you line the walls of an analog recording studio with. I've used this in other projects and it seems to make the sound 'prettier' for want of a better word. Probably just absorbing internal reflections more efficiently.

    Here's the best part- as a gigging musician I'm always looking to shave a few pounds off anything I build. Total weight of this cabinet & speakers: NINE POUNDS!

    Total cost: under $100

    I've included a wiring diagram because I designed this as a 'tapered' line-array, meaning the center speakers are louder than the ones at the top & bottom. There are 3 groups each with different volumes. The total impedance is 11.4 ohms- on purpose, in case I need to power it in parallel with another speaker chained together from a mono amp.
    Click image for larger version

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    Last edited by Organcat; 12-03-2013, 01:57 PM. Reason: I forgot to mention a few details

  • #2
    Re: Line-array with 14 BMI hi-wave speakers for pro PA- Bose-killer?

    Very nice job! How is the tapering working out for you?
    “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet”

    If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally ASTOUND ourselves - Thomas A. Edison

    Some people collect stamps, Imelda Marcos collected shoes. I collect speakers.:D

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    • #3
      Re: Line-array with 14 BMI hi-wave speakers for pro PA- Bose-killer?

      Originally posted by thekorvers View Post
      Very nice job! How is the tapering working out for you?
      It's great although I haven't A-B'd them both ways. In order of effectiveness, there are several choices with line-arrays: 1. straight with equal volume to all speakers; 2. tapered like I've done and 3. a physically curved convex configuration that looks like an arc, with volumes tapered. I went for 2 because it was a plausible project.
      If you want to see some freaky stuff, look at the home theater line arrays on this forum. PE even sells a kit for one, but the price- wow. I built this for under $100.

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      • #4
        Re: Line-array with 14 BMI hi-wave speakers for pro PA- Bose-killer?

        Bose killer?? Heck, that's a Bose slayer... MURDERER!! :D
        "We are just statistics, born to consume resources."
        ~Horace~, 65-8 BC

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        • #5
          Re: Line-array with 14 BMI hi-wave speakers for pro PA- Bose-killer?

          Originally posted by Tin_Ears View Post
          Bose killer?? Heck, that's a Bose slayer... MURDERER!! :D
          Thank you. My mother would be proud.

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          • #6
            Re: Line-array with 14 BMI hi-wave speakers for pro PA- Bose-killer?

            NICE JOB1

            I have wondered for a while what 6 pairs of these would do:



            end to end.
            Last edited by ontariomaximus; 12-03-2013, 05:22 PM.

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            • #7
              Re: Line-array with 14 BMI hi-wave speakers for pro PA- Bose-killer?

              Originally posted by ontariomaximus View Post
              NICE JOB1

              I have wondered for a while what 6 pairs of these would do:



              end to end.
              Sorry, the link didn't work.

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              • #8
                Re: Line-array with 14 BMI hi-wave speakers for pro PA- Bose-killer?

                fixed

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                • #9
                  Re: Line-array with 14 BMI hi-wave speakers for pro PA- Bose-killer?

                  Originally posted by ontariomaximus View Post
                  NICE JOB1

                  I have wondered for a while what 6 pairs of these would do:



                  end to end.
                  They'd sound great I'm sure, but you might get lots of comb-filtering because of the larger center-to-center spacing of the speakers. That was the reason I chose 2" BMI Hi-waves- the center-to-center on them is 2 1/2".

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