Advantages

What are the advantages of the Line Array Technology?

The basic problem of every sound reinforcement system for large venues is the fact that an individual speaker cabinet cannot supply the complete audience with the required sound pressure level. Even if the audible transmission range between 20 Hz and 20 kHz is separated into five or more different speaker sizes, the necessary characteristics required for audiences with thousands or even a hundred thousands of people cannot be produced – even with the latest technology.

Furthermore, destructive interference occurs even when using only two speakers at once. Interference occurs when sound waves from two different sources overlap and lead to undesired amplification or elimination of parts of the frequency range. The aim of every sound reinforcement system is to minimize destructive interference and to provide the desired signal level at every position in the audience are.

For reaching this aim, speaker clusters were used for a long period of time where several technically identical speaker systems are horizontally and vertically grouped together. Due to sophisticated cabinet constructions and the use of horns in front of the individual drivers, the efficiency, i.e. the realistic electric power converted into sound pressure level, could be increased while reducing the interference areas within the crossover areas between the individual speaker systems to an acceptable level and thus getting closer to a physically ideal point source.

Line arrays are the next logical step in this chain of cause and consequence. With line arrays, it is possible to minimize the basic problems of conventional cluster systems. With line arrays, it is possible to minimize interference between the vertically aligned speaker systems by a vertical dispersion of less than 15°, to increase the coverage and to keep the sound pressure level constant for the maximum number of people in the audience by curving the system, i.e. setting the individual components at a specified inclination angle. Furthermore, line arrays can realize a larger horizontal dispersion angle than horn systems.

Possibilities

What characterizes the PSSO CLA?

The Compact Line Array system by PSSO is the answer to the industry‘s tendency towards line arrays and against conventional amplification systems.

While most available line array systems on the market are not profitable for small to medium-sized venues, the PSSO CLA system was especially designed for this purpose. The innovative reinforcement system unites several core characteristics which make it very attractive for installation and hire:
The weight of the mid/high column is amazingly low, due to special plastic components for the cabinet and modern neodymium technology for the speakers. Its modern design makes this system also adequate for mere voice amplification and gala performances.

By combining the tops with the matching 15“ subwoofer and 18“ subwoofer, the system can be upgraded to a full power line array system. And as the efficiency is more than convincing it provides enough sound for large halls and open-air events. The compact size is no obstacle.

What makes the compact line array unrivaled is its sophisticated and safe flying hardware. Only two technicians are needed to comfortably set up the entire system. All security-relevant parts are regularly tested by an accredited testing institute. A fact which sets the PSSO CLA apart from other manufactures in this price segment.

Amping

Must the CLA-228's hi/mid speakers be biamped?

The PSSO CLA tops do not have a passive crossover and must therefore be biamped with active crossover. The same is true for the CLA-115 and CLA-118 subwoofers. A fully equipped CLA-system requires a four-way separation, e.g. the PSSO DXO-48 system controller.

Amps

Which Amps are required for operation?

An example:
How to choose the power amplifiers for a PSSO Compack Line-Array with the following components:
16x PSSO CLA-228 top (60 watts RMS each for treble and 300 watts RMS for the mids, impedance 16 ohms)
4x PSSO CLA-115 subwoofer (500 watts RMS each, impedance 8 ohms)
8x PSSO CLA-118 floor-subwoofer (800 watts RMS each, impedance 8 ohms)
Available power amplifiers:
PSSO HP-1400 (2x 700 watts RMS, impedance 4 Ohm)
PSSO HP-2400 (2x 1200 watts RMS, impedance 4 Ohm)
PSSO HP-3200 (2x 1600 watts RMS, impedance 4 Ohm)
The easiest decision is amping the subwoofers. One HP-3200 is enough power for four CLA-118 which totals two amps. Depending on the floor position, the amplifier channels can be assigned individually. The CLA-115 subwoofers need one or two HP-2400 power amps depending on the philosophy. Theoratically, all four subs can be amped by only one power amplifier in the stereo-setup. In the mono-setup, every channel of two power amps is connected with one loudspeaker which provides higher operational safety.
Amping the hi/mid speakers CLA-228 is comparable: two HP-1400 and HP-2400 for hi and mid, every power amplifier powering four tops on the left and right side. As an alternative, using four HP-2400 with one channel for hi and one channel for mid. In case of one channel amplifier damage, only half of the hi and mid of one side would fail, in case of complete amplifier damage half of the hi and mid of one side. As a comparison: if one amplifier fails in stereo-setup, one signal path fails partly on both sides.
The required amplifiers at a glance:
Stereo-setup:
2x PSSO HP-1400 (hi)
3x PSSO HP-2400 (mid and subs)
2x PSSO HP-3200 (floor-subs)
1x controller PSSO DXO-48
1-2x amplifier rack
Mono-setup:
6x PSSO HP-2400 (hi, mid and subs)
2x PSSO HP-3200 (floor-subs)
1-2x controller PSSO DXO-48
2x amplifier rack
Clearly, stereo-setup can make do with one amplifier less and saves some money because smaller amplifier models can be used.
The advantages of both setups at a glance:
The advantages of one setup are also the disadvantages of the other setup
Stereo-Setup:
Advantages:
- lower price
- less need for room in the ware house and during transportation
- less power requirements at the event
Mono-Setup:
Advantages:
- less failure in case of amplifier failure
- modular setup and using several smaller sound-systems at a time
- shorter cables from the power amps to the loudspeakers

Flying hardware

Which flying hardware do you need?

For a flying installation, you need the CLA flying bracket in order to attach the CLA-115 subwoofers and the CLA-228 hi/mid speakers. Using this bracket enables you to attach more round slings per shackle. Normally, two round slings and four shackles are used to attach the flying bracket at a truss system, a hand chain hoist or a motor chain hoist. Depending on the material, a safety rope made of steel must be used a secondary attachment.

Safety

Is the PSSO CLA save?

All mechanic parts are regularly tested by an independent and accredited testing institute in Germany.

Value

Why is the PSSO CLA such a bargain?

The PSSO CLA system was developed for small and medium venues where the budget is the decisive factor. In order not to maka any compromise with existing speakers, all PSSO speakers are especially developed for this use. Furthermore, the housing design is used in the PSSO CSA and CSK series, which makes the tooling costs significantly lower.