
SPEAKER PLACEMENT
Sonance Professional Series speakers possess extremely
smooth and predictable o-axis frequency response.
The chart below (see Figure 2) shows how far apart
the speakers can be placed in a distributed audio
system. The calculations are based on +/- 45 degrees of
coverage from the speaker, and listener ear heights of
62” for standing and 40” for seated.
SPEAKER
SPACING
COVERAGE
AREA
COVERAGE
AREA
Speaker Spacing in Feet for a Distributed Audio System
8’ Ceiling 5.7’ (1.7m) Apart
9.7’ (3.0m) Apart
13.7’ (4.2m) Apart
17.7’ (5.4m) Apart
9.5’ (2.9m) Apart
13.5’ (4.1m) Apart
17.5’ (5.3m) Apart
21.5’ (6.6m) Apart
Standing Listener Seated Listener
10’ Ceiling
12’ Ceiling
14’ Ceiling
Wire Resistance in Ohms vs. Length of Cable Run
20 Gauge
50’ 100’ 150’ 200’ 250’ 300’
0.86 1.73 2.59 3.45 4.32 5.18
0.65 1.30 1.94 2.59 3.24 3.89
0.43 0.85 1.28 1.71 2.14 2.56
0.27 0.54 0.81 1.08 1.35 1.62
0.17 0.34 0.51 0.68 0.85 1.02
Distance in Feet
18 Gauge
16 Gauge
14 Gauge
12 Gauge
PRODUCT PREPARATION
AMPLIFIER SELECTION
When choosing an amplifier, the maximum number of
speakers and the output level of each speaker must be
known. The sum of the tap settings should never exceed
80% of the amplifier’s rated output. For example, if
there are 5 speakers and the taps are set at 15 watts,
the load would be 75 watts (5 x 15 watts = 75 watts). To
arrive at the needed power for this number of speakers,
simply divide the total load by 0.8. In this case, 75 /
0.8 = 93.75 watts. Therefore, a standard 100 watt amp
would safely drive this load. To calculate the amount of
usable power an amp oers, simply multiply the rated
output by 0.8, i.e., 100 watts x 0.8= 80 watts.
WIRE GAUGE – 70V/100V SYSTEM
The most common wire used on commercial 70 volt
systems is 18 gauge, 2 conductor, stranded, and jacketed
without a shield. The wire starts at the amplifier location
and is paralleled at each speaker location.
Wire length using 18 gauge is appropriate up to 700
feet with a 100 watt load. If you double the load (sum
of your tap settings), you will reduce the footage by
half, to 350 feet. Conversely, if you halve the load, you
may double the acceptable wire length, i.e., a 50 watt
load is safe over 1400 feet of 18 gauge. Stepping up
to 16 gauge wire extends the allowable run length by
approximately 35%. For example, a 100 watt load can go
700 feet on 18 gauge; the same load may be placed on
1100 feet of 16 gauge.
WIRE GAUGE – 8 OHM SYSTEM
When using Sonance Professional Series loudspeakers
in an 8 Ohm system, the total wire resistance should be
less than 10% of the speaker impedance. The speakers
are nominally 8 Ohms impedance, so your total wire
resistance should be no more than 0.8 Ohms.
In simple terms, the extra resistance from the wire will
have a very negative aect on the sound quality of
the speaker. The sound can be less dynamic, definition
of bass frequencies can be reduced, and in extreme
cases, the high frequencies can be attenuated. Amplifier
power is also wasted in the wire, reducing the maximum
output level of the system.
Please refer to the following chart (see Figure 1) when
deciding on the appropriate wire gauge for your
installation.
Figure 1: Wire Resistance
Figure 2: Speaker Spacing
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