Line Array vs Point Source: Which is the right one for your event?

A colleague of mine asked me this morning:

"Which is better - the PRX 815 or the VRX 912?"

My answer, as usual, was...

"It depends!"

I explained the difference between point source and line array, but badly. 

I'm going to try explain a bit better here.

Point Source:

Point source speakers are designed to produce sound from a single source, across all frequencies. Due to the physical properties of audio, this leads to a widening of the frequency dispersion the lower the frequency reproduced. Audio companies choose a general coverage for the cabinet, usually between 90° and 110°. The high frequencies are shaped out of the box by a waveguide, while porting and cabinet shape can influence the low-frequency dispersion to an extent. 

Point source speakers have a Spherical wavefront - which if you want to get into the weeds, means that they are governed by the INVERSE SQUARE LAW - The inverse square law states that the intensity of a sound is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source. In other words, as a sound wave moves further from its source, its intensity decreases. A doubling of distance results in a 6 dB loss in both intensity (dB SIL) and pressure level (dB SPL).

https://scienceready.com.

LINE ARRAY:

Line array speakers consist of multiple identical speaker units mounted in a vertical line. They are designed to cover large areas and distribute sound evenly over long distances. using a combination of phase cancellation and physical driver coupling, multiple elements combine to crate a line source - which creates a Cylindrical wavefront, which defeats the inverse square law, to a point, and you effectively have a 3dB reduction in dB SPL for every doubling of distance.

OK...

BUT WHICH IS BETTER?

Back to the same answer - It depends.

Are you outdoors where you can get the PA up quite high, and your coverage area is not too wide? 

Line Array could work for you.

Are you in a hall, where the audience is going to be closer to the stage than the back wall?

Point source might be for you.

Want an even coverage over a longer distance?

Line array.

Want more power and an even tonal balance without spending too much time on tuning?

Point source.

It really depends on the outcome you are trying to achieve. 

There are benefits to both. There are drawbacks and challenges to both.

Call me. I will tell you what you need.