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Author
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Topic: Proper Speaker Placement Height
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Cameron Glendinning
Jedi Master Film Handler
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Posts: 845
From: West Ryde, Sydney, NSW Australia
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted 02-07-2007 11:02 PM
I am not sure if placement will make that much of a difference, I need more information, you have not mentioned how big the screen is, therefore how many feet up the speakers must go. I do not know what type of speakers you have, the condition of them. Why they need to be raised or what the problem is in the first place. Are people taking from there legs or is the sound thin. are there echo problems?
Now one quick question are the speakers much bigger than you? is it as big as a phone box?
Generally though Big improvements can be made by hanging an acoustic curtain backstage, Wings can vastly improve the sound of any stage speakers. Perhaps the fiberglass dampening materials inside the boxes have perished over the last 50 years. I tend to place acoustic tiles behind the drivers in altec cabinets to break up standing waves that bounce off the back wall through the cone. The aiming of the horn is also critical, is it pointing to far down and creating an echo of the stage, that would make it hard to understand dialoge. perhaps the driver needs to be reconed or the solar cell is out of alignment?
Now please explain whats wrong with the sound, how does it sound to you? Is there plenty of bass? any echos? crystal clear dialogue? Why do you think raising the speaker going to make worthwile improvement? Afterall they are already off the ground and on wheels.
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Martin McCaffery
Film God
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Posts: 2481
From: Montgomery, AL
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 02-08-2007 09:48 AM
Keeping in mind I was just up there to give them some advice, not doing a total tech evaluation. And that they have plenty of other problems, starting with a Smart stereo processor that appears to be miswired, only two amps- one running stage R other stage Left (no Center channel or speaker (couldn't check to see how the processer was rigged to handle this) the other running the surrounds and an undersized subwoofer. And a horrible electronic buzz in the system.
So onto your specific questions:
quote: Cameron Glendinning you have not mentioned how big the screen is
Approx 20x30
quote: Cameron Glendinning I do not know what type of speakers you have, the condition of them.
Voice of the Theatre, model unknown
quote: Cameron Glendinning Why they need to be raised or what the problem is in the first place. Are people taking from there legs or is the sound thin. are there echo problems?
They are on the stage, which is creating a noticable boominess. The sound doesn't "fill" the house. When standing in the middle seats, it is almost like standing in a pool, you "feel" like there is sound below you but not above you. Again, didn't have meters and things to give this a full tech check, just going on subjective observation. There was clearly alot of sound being transferred to the stage.
quote: Cameron Glendinning Now one quick question are the speakers much bigger than you? is it as big as a phone box?
We don't have no stinking phone boxes in this country anymore;> No, the cabinets are about 3ft tall.
quote: Cameron Glendinning
Generally though Big improvements can be made by hanging an acoustic curtain backstage
This they have.
quote: Cameron Glendinning Wings can vastly improve the sound of any stage speakers.
I may have some old ones I can send them.
quote: Cameron Glendinning Perhaps the fiberglass dampening materials inside the boxes have perished over the last 50 years.
Didn't go into the boxes, so don't know.
quote: Cameron Glendinning The aiming of the horn is also critical, is it pointing to far down and creating an echo of the stage, that would make it hard to understand dialoge. perhaps the driver needs to be reconed or the solar cell is out of alignment?
As noted above, the horns are bolted to the box. They didn't appear to be adjustable, but I didn't examine them closely.
Obviously, the audience will put up with alot once they get used to it. It's a gorgeous theater and they have a really nice picture. I told them they needed to get an electrician to hunt down the buzz, and then get a sound pro to go through their entire system and then get a whole new system. Raising the speakers is just a baby step that they can easily do themselves. Film is not their top priority, though they want to do it as right as they can. Quite frankly, I suggested they concentrate on good mono until they can replace the bad stereo. They run mostly art/indie, so the audience is more interested in hearing the dialoge than the stereo.
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Cameron Glendinning
Jedi Master Film Handler
![](http://www.film-tech.com/ubbmembers/3516a.jpg)
Posts: 845
From: West Ryde, Sydney, NSW Australia
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted 02-08-2007 08:50 PM
quote: Steve Guttag I suspect you have Altec A5s or A7s or even the Simplex cabinets (also had the VOT designation).
Well it looks like steve was right yet again!
I have heard good sound in this style of venue, type of speaker with the speakers on the floor.The a5 or a7, these speakers are not naturally boomy when working properly so perhaps its a cause of the Eq or miswired smart processer or solar cell or subwoofer or perished fiberglass or additional drilled holes.
Is the subwoofer located against the back wall?
Raising the speakers will only help the tonal qualities if either the masking is blocking the hi frequencies from getting through the screen. I assume that due to the 20x30 is close to 1.33 aspect, it would have top and bottom masking?
quote: Martin McCaffery They are on the stage, which is creating a noticable boominess. The sound doesn't "fill" the house. When standing in the middle seats, it is almost like standing in a pool, you "feel" like there is sound below you but not above you.
Thankyou, very well put, the horn works best when placed very close to the screen, It does sound like the masking may blocking the sound.
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