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Loudspeakers are obviously one of the most important elements of a public address system. Depending on their main purpose, quality of sound that is expected to be delivered by the speakers as well as factors such as ease of installation, efficiency and of course, cost, the choice of the ideal loudspeaker type could vary. This article provides a very high-level overview of the different types of speakers available from some of the leading manufacturers of speakers and public address equipment.
Line array speakers
A line array loudspeaker system comprises of several loudspeaker elements joined together in a line segment. The adjacent drivers provide 'constructive interference' to push sound waves farther and importantly, with an even sound output pattern.
Line arrays are generally arranged in vertical arrays when used in public address systems. This is useful for maximising the output sound energy ensuring that sound is focused correctly at audiences.
Horn speakers
Horn loudspeakers use a horn to raise the overall efficiency of the driving element which is usually a diaphragm driven by an electromagnet. While the horn itself doesn't contribute to amplification of sound, it serves to improve the coupling efficiency between the speaker driver and the air. The horn helps provide greater acoustic output from a given driver; horns are able to extend the frequency range of a driver beyond five octaves.
Cabinet speakers
Usually mounted to a wall, cabinet loudspeakers are quite suitable for use in 'tight areas' or where space may be a constraint. These speakers are available in a range of shapes and sizes. Often the quality and the cost of these speakers are a function of the cabinet itself rather than the other components of the speaker. For anyone looking for high fidelity speakers, it will be useful to refer to an article on Audioholics [http://www.audioholics.com/education/loudspeaker-basics/loudspeaker-cabinets] that list several facts and myths about cabinets.
Ceiling speakers
The key advantages of ceiling speakers are that they consume a lot less space and that too in an area that is generally a lot more obstacle-free, ie. ceilings compared to walls. Moreover, they are relatively easy to install. Of course, there are questions about the quality of sound that ceiling speakers provide vis-a-vis wall- mounted speakers. However, considering the overall efficiency, ease of installation and the relatively less space they take up, ceiling speakers are often a good choice.
Column speakers
Column speakers are great in providing great vertical dispersion of sound. However, horizontal coverage is typically quite limited. Bosch, TOA, Electro-Voice and Penton are among the most well-known names in column speakers.
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