Room Acoustics - Mackie THUMP212XT Owner's Manual

Placement
WARNING: Installation should only
be done by an experienced technician.
Improper installation may result in damage
to the equipment, injury or death. Make sure that
the loudspeaker is installed in a stable and secure
way in order to avoid any conditions that may be
dangerous for persons or structures.
ThumpXT loudspeakers are designed to sit on the
floor or stage as the main PA or as monitors. They may
also be pole-mounted via the built-in socket on
the bottom of the cabinet. Be sure the pole is capable
of supporting the weight of the loudspeaker.
The T100 is a great tripod option and the SPM400
is a nice choice when using a subwoofer.
These loudspeakers may also be flown via their
integrated fly points as detailed on the following
page. Be sure to read the PA-A2 Eyebolt Installation
Instructions, as well.
NEVER attempt to suspend a Thump
loudspeaker by its handles.
Check to make sure that the support surface
(e.g. floor, etc.) has the necessary mechanical
characteristics to support the weight of the
loudspeaker(s).
When pole-mounting loudspeakers, be sure that they
are stabilized and secured from falling over or being
accidentally pushed over. Failure to follow these
precautions may result in damage to the equipment,
personal injury, or death.
Thump loudspeakers may be laid out horizontally
as monitors for the band at a 40˚ angle (as seen below).
It is intended to be used only when the speaker
is in its wedge configuration and works best
when on a hard work surface, like a stage.
As seen above, the Running Man logo
is rotatable for when the loudspeaker
is used as a monitor!

Room Acoustics

ThumpXT loudspeakers are designed to sound
fantastic in nearly every application.
But, room acoustics play a crucial role
in the overall performance of a sound system.
However, the wide high-frequency dispersion
of the ThumpXT loudspeakers helps to minimize
the problems that typically arise.
Here are some additional placement tips to help
overcome some typical room problems that might arise:
• Placing loudspeakers in the corners of a room
increases the low frequency output and can cause
the sound to be muddy and indistinct.
• Placing loudspeakers against a wall increases
the low frequency output, though not as much
as corner placement. However, this is a good way
to reinforce the low frequencies, if so desired.
• Avoid placing the speakers directly on a hollow
stage floor. A hollow stage can resonate at certain
frequencies, causing peaks and dips in the frequency
response of the room. It is better to place them
on a sturdy stand designed to handle the weight
of the loudspeaker.
• Position the loudspeakers so the high-frequency
drivers are two to four feet above ear level
for the audience (making allowances for an audience
that may be standing/dancing in the aisles). High
frequencies are highly directional and tend to be
absorbed much easier than lower frequencies.
By providing direct line-of-sight from the loudspeakers
to the audience, you increase the overall brightness
and intelligibility of the sound system.
• Highly reverberant rooms, like many gymnasiums
and auditoriums, are a nightmare for sound system
intelligibility. Multiple reflections off the hard walls,
ceiling, and floor play havoc with the sound.
Depending on the situation, you may be able
to take some steps to minimize the reflections,
such as putting carpeting on the floors, closing
draperies to cover large glass windows, or hanging tap-
estries or other materials on the walls to absorb some
of the sound.
However, in most cases, these remedies are not
possible or practical. So what do you do? Making
the sound system louder generally doesn't work
because the reflections become louder, too.
The best approach is to provide as much direct sound
coverage to the audience as possible. The farther away
you are from the speaker, the more prominent will be
the reflected sound.
Use more speakers strategically placed so they
are closer to the back of the audience. If the distance
between the front and back speakers is more than
about 100 feet, you should use an external delay
processor to time-align the sound. (Since sound
travels about 1 foot per millisecond, it takes about
1/10 of a second to travel 100 feet.)
Keep in mind that the voicing mode is another
great way to compensate for some of these issues.
See page 12 for more information.
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Owner's Manual