MACKIE S225
Owner's Manual

�

Avoid placing the speakers directly on a hollow stage �oor. A hollow stage can resonate at certain frequencies, causing peaks and dips in the frequency response of the room. It�s better to place the loudspeakers on a sturdy table or stand designed to handle the weight of the S225s. Position the loudspeakers so the high-frequency drivers are 2 to 4 feet above ear level for the audience (make allowances for a standing/dancing in the aisles audience). High frequencies are highly directional and tend to be absorbed much easier than lower frequencies. By providing direct line-ofsight 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 re�ections off the hard walls, ceiling, and �oor play havoc with the sound. Depending on the situation, you may be able to take some steps to minimize the re�ections, such as putting carpeting on the �oors, closing draperies to cover large glass windows, or hanging tapestries 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 re�ections 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 re�ected 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 a 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.)

�

�

7