SOUND

AMPLIFICATION
SYSTEMS

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INTRODUCTION
There are several architectural
methods to increase sound
levels in a room…
However, in certain situations,
the use of Sound Amplification
Systems is encouraged and
sometimes necessary:

the distance from sound source to receiver exceeds 15m

the room is filled to capacity

the room is heavily treated with sound absorbing finishes

high prevailing background noise levels

low voice intensity of sound source

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INTRODUCTION
The design and installation of sound amplification systems
involve several disciplines including:

Mechanical and electrical

Acoustical consultants: involved
consultants: involved with the
with structural isolation, material
provision of electrical power
finishes, reverberation time, etc.
supplies and cable routes

Electronic consultants: involved

The Architect: concerned with the
with the sound requirements,
overall integration of the sound
specifications, equipment
system into the project design (i.e.
performance, etc.
loudspeaker types, placement and
location, appearance, etc.)
Theater consultants: involved
with how the sound system
interfaces with their respective
areas of concern

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SOUND AMPLIFICATION SYSTEMS
Sound systems should meet the following criteria:

1. Sound amplification systems should properly transmit

a wide range of frequencies (32-12000 Hz)

to maintain a correct balance between fundamentals and

harmonics
to achieve perfect tone color for each musical instrument
to provide clear, undistorted sound

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SOUND AMPLIFICATION SYSTEMS
Sound systems should meet the following criteria:

2. Sound amplification systems should provide a wide

dynamic range
a pianissimo sound must be clearly audible

a fortissimo sound must be reproduced without distortion

3. Sound amplification systems should create a

sufficiently low room reverberation

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SOUND AMPLIFICATION SYSTEMS
Sound systems should meet the following criteria:
4. Sound amplification systems should be free from
disturbing echoes or feedback

FEEDBACK:
squealing or howling sounds;
occurs when…

radiated sound picked up reflective surfaces return

in reverberant rooms
by the microphone amplified sounds

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SOUND AMPLIFICATION SYSTEMS
Sound systems should meet the following criteria:

5. Sound amplification systems should remain undetected.

The illusion should be preserved that amplified sound comes

from the natural sound source

The Time Delay between the arrival of

direct and amplified sound must not
exceed 20 to 25 msec
7 -8M

The distance between sound source

and loudspeaker should not exceed
7.0 to 8.0M 7 -8M

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SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Sound amplification systems
have 3 basic components.
Microphone: picks up the
sound energy radiated by
the source, converts it into
electric energy and feeds it
into the amplifier

Amplifier: increases
magnitude of the electric
signal; delivers it to the
loudspeaker. May include
separate mixers.

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SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Sound amplification systems
have 3 basic components.
Loudspeaker: converts the
electric signal into airborne
sound waves for distribution
to the listeners

SUBWOOFER
loudspeaker dedicated to the
reproduction of low-pitched audio
frequencies known as bass

COAXIAL UNITS
loudspeaker system in which the
individual driver units radiate sound
from the same point or axis

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LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEMS
Central Loudspeaker System:
Uses a single cluster of loudspeakers over the sound
source. The preferred type because it gives maximum
realism.

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LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEMS
Central Loudspeaker System:
provides the room with
even coverage

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LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEMS
Cases where Central Loudspeaker System is impractical

The ceiling height is too low for the

Central System

Majority of the listeners do not have

an adequate sightline to the central
loudspeaker

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LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEMS
Cases where Central Loudspeaker System is impractical

Sound has to be provided to

overflow audiences

The spaces are too large for a

Central System

The halls are divided into smaller

spaces

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LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEMS
Distributed Loudspeaker System:
Uses a number of low level overhead loudspeakers
located throughout the auditorium.

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LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEMS
Distributed Loudspeaker System:
Uses a number of low level overhead loudspeakers
located throughout the auditorium.
PROBLEMS
Artificial Echo:
Rear end of the hall receives
amplified sound way before
direct sound.

This may be overcome by a Time

Delay Mechanism

Sound Overlaps: Some areas

receive amplified sound from
more than one speaker

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LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEMS
Distributed Loudspeaker System:
Uses a number of low level overhead loudspeakers
located throughout the auditorium.
PROBLEMS
Artificial Echo:
Rear end of the hall receives
amplified sound way before
direct sound.
Speakers should be spaced 12-15m
This may be overcome by a Time apart when facing the same direction
Delay Mechanism
Speakers should be spaced at least
25m apart when facing each other
Sound Overlaps: Some areas
receive amplified sound from
more than one speaker

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LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEMS
Stereophonic System:
Employs two or more microphones adequately spaced
in front of the performing area and connected through
separate amplifying channels to two or more
corresponding loudspeakers

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LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEMS
Combination Central- Distributed Loudspeaker System:
Uses a cluster of loudspeakers over the sound
source, plus additional speakers at the rear end of
the hall or under balconies.

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LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEMS
Combination Central- Distributed Loudspeaker System:
Uses a cluster of loudspeakers over the sound
source, plus additional speakers at the rear end of
the hall or under balconies.

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LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEMS
Types of Loudspeakers
Line or Column:
concentrates most of the sound
in a narrow angular spread in the
vertical plane and a semi-narrow
spread in the horizontal plane.

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LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEMS
Types of Loudspeakers

Radial or Multicellular:
concentrates most of the sound
in a wide angular spread in both
the vertical and horizontal plane.

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HOMETHEATER SYSTEMS
Home Theater Systems have five basic components:
Sources: players, tuners, game
consoles, etc.

Receivers: A/V receivers, controllers,

decoders, power amplifiers, etc.

Displays: direct projector, rear

projector, flat panel, standard sized
televisions, computer monitors, etc.

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HOMETHEATER SYSTEMS
Home Theater Systems have five basic components:

Speakers: front and side speakers,

surround sound speakers,
subwoofers

Connections: antennas, satellite,

cable connections, internet DSL
connections, etc.

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HOMETHEATER SYSTEMS
Home Theaters have varying
set-up classifications:
2-channel systems: front left and
right speakers only.
Speakers should form an equilateral
triangle with the sweet spot.

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HOMETHEATER SYSTEMS
Home Theaters have varying
set-up classifications:
Multi-channel (i.e. 5.0, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1):
front, side, and rear speakers. Set-
up relies heavily on encoding and
decoding technologies

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HOMETHEATER SYSTEMS
Home Theaters have varying
set-up classifications:
Multi-channel (i.e. 5.0, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1):
front, side, and rear speakers. Set-
up relies heavily on encoding and
decoding technologies

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HOMETHEATER SYSTEMS
Home Theaters have varying
set-up classifications:

Front speakers should be direct

radiating speakers.

Surround sound speakers may be

Dipole or Bipole, and may be placed
at the side or the rear.

Midrange speakers should be

located away from enclosures, while
Subwoofer locations are flexible, but
are best placed in corners.

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HOMETHEATER SYSTEMS
Home Theaters have varying
set-up classifications:
Tweeter heights of front speakers
should be within 300mm of each
other for a seamless, consistent
front soundstage

Room proportions are critical for

good sound diffusion. Ideally , the
room is rectangular in shape, with
the short side equivalent to 2/3
the length of the long side. For
small square rooms, a diagonal
layout is ideal.

Furniture should not be placed

between the sound paths.
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HOMETHEATER SYSTEMS
Room Acoustics
Requirements:
The most important consideration
is speech intelligibility.

Thus, of primary concern is

reducing or eliminating, first and
second reflections

This can be solved with acoustical

treatment at points of reflection.

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HOMETHEATER SYSTEMS
Room Acoustics
Requirements:
The most important consideration
is speech intelligibility.

Thus, of primary concern is

reducing or eliminating, first and
second reflections

This can be solved with acoustical

treatment at points of reflection.

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HOMETHEATER SYSTEMS ABSORPTION COVERAGE

Room Acoustics
requirements:

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HOMETHEATER SYSTEMS
Sound Isolation
Soundproofing of Home Theaters
is achieved with 3 main concepts:

Mass - make walls heavier, or

provide multiple layers

Damping - to reduce sound and

vibration through absorption,
which in turn mitigate the
transmission of sound to an
adjacent room.

Decoupling - preventing sound

transmission by physically
separating connections

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SOUND SYSTEM USES
General purposes of Sound Systems:

To reinforce sound levels in an auditorium

To provide amplified sound for overflowing audiences

To increase sound level on the stage of an auditorium

To provide sound in motion picture theaters

To provide sound effects

To provide artificial reverberation in dead halls

To reduce the masking effect of an excessive background

noise level in an auditorium

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SOUND SYSTEM USES
Electronic devices have several other uses:
To distribute radio and recording programs in factories, schools,
hospitals, hotels, restaurants, etc.
To provide paging and announcing facilities in offices,
stores, transportation buildings, hotels, etc.

To provide background music in stores, offices, elevators, etc.

To operate electronic organs, chimes, and carillons

To provide personal communicating facilities between

individuals in separate locations in a building
For signalling time periods
To provide individual hearing aids in an auditorium
To provide simultaneous translation for certain conferences
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 REFERENCES:
Leslie L. Doelle. Environmental Acoustics
Cyril M. Harris. Noise Control in Buildings: A Practical Guide for Architects
and Engineers, 1994
William Cavanaugh. Architectural Acoustics: Principles and Practice, 2010
ILLUSTRATIONS:
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central.com/images/PAA%20News/Jan%202012/~lg-EAWGoldenVillageWEB.jpg
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the-Van-H.-Priest-Auditorium.jpg
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http://www.cedia.org/files/image/surround-sound-setup-5-1-vs-7-1.jpg
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