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GUIDE TO PUBLIC ADDRESS -

SYSTEM DESIGN &
INSTALLATION

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Engineering Basic Sound Systems

Sound Systems for commercial use have little in common with
those found in domestic environments, the function they are
required to perform being entirely different.
Wherever numbers of people have to be informed or paged
there is a need for Public Address. The person required is
invariably on the move or working, so the ability to contact
them will aid operating efficiency and may even, in the event
of an emergency, save lives. It will be the only way to speak
to everyone at the same time and it is important that the
sound character is as natural as possible. Clear, natural voice
reproduction is achieved by good planning, by the quality
of the equipment used and the care taken in ensuring that
all areas where a listener could be have adequate sound
coverage.
In order to be effective, any sound system has to overcome the
multitude of noises which make up the ambient noise in the
listening environment; in an office the sound of computers,
people talking, telephones; on the shop floor machinery / fork
lift trucks or any number of other noises. All calculations of
speaker quanitities relate to the varying levels of background
noise and illustrations will help you make a judgement of what
is required. Some typical systems are included at the end of
this Guide to assist in your assessment.

Guide to Public Address

Public Address
Gardiner Public Address Division
Transpennine Trading Estate, Rochdale, Lancs. OL11 2PX
Contact - G. Davies, Product Manager. Tel: 01706 343343. Fax: 01706 344294.

Illustrations within this Guide are used with the kind permission
and are Copyright of COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY.

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The Acoustic Environment

The term acoustics refers to the way sound behaves within a
room or bulding. This will be a major factor in determining the
quality of the sound received.
With the exception of concert halls and theatres, few buildings
are designed with much attention being paid to the acoustic
environment.
A sound does not just travel in the direction of the listener but
radiates in all directions and is reflected many times from the
walls, floor and ceiling of the room.
Each reflection removes some of the sound energy by
absorption until, for practical purposes, there is none left.
The time that the sound takes to die away in any particular
room is called the reverberation time. Different surfaces and
materials absorb different amounts of the sound and therefore
affect reverberation times.
It is the amount and quality of the reflected sound that gives
a particular room or building its characteristic sound.
Good acoustics are important in ensuring that the reproduced
sound is of an acceptable clarity. Too much reverberation
produces a confusing and unintelligible sound, whilst too
little produces an uncomfortable deadness.
Having explained reverberation we can also say that in a
reinforcement system, sound from a loudspeaker reaching the
listener more than a fraction of a second after the original
sound, produces an echo effect which at its worst, will result
in complete unintelligibility.
To avoid the echo effect we have recommended that
distances greater than 15m between successive loudspeakers,
the original sound source and the listener should be avoided.
The arrival of electronic sound must be coincident with the
arrival of the original sound to have maximum reinforcement
effect and listener intelligibility.
Nature of Sound

50m 50m 50m 30m

D C B A
HE
HE HE LP
HE LP LP !
LP ! ! ELP!
! HH
ELP!
HEHLELP!
P!

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Ambient Noise
In order to be effective
any sound system has to
overcome the multitude of
noises which make up the
ambient noise in the
listening environment.
In an office this could be
people in discussion,
telephones ringing, the noise
of computers; in a factory
the plant or processing
equipment, or in a restaurant
the customers in discussion
and kitchen noise.
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All calculations of speaker
quantities relate to varying
levels of ambient noise and
the illustration on the
following page (Fig C) will
help you make a judgement
of what is required for your
specific needs. Some typical
sounds are indicated to
assist your assessment in
conjunction with the floor
area chart on pages 17-18.
Nature of Sound
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Measurement of Sound

30dB
Normal
Conversation
Easy
Conversation
0dB 65dB

120 Pain Threshold Difficult

115 Pneumatic Drill, Express Train passing through to
station, Car Horn at 1m Converse
110 Discotheque venue, on dance floor

105 Orchestra Live

100 Inside tube train

95 Machine Workshop, Garage, Print Shop

90 Club, three piece group

85 Supermarket

80 Traffic noise, Church Choir

75 Noisy office
70 Conversation at 30cm, Restaurant, Typing pool
65

60
Converation speech at 1m

Typical office
90dB
55 Background Music, Restaurant,
Hotel Lobby 120dB
50 Light traffic at 30m, Quiet office

45 Tearing paper at 1m

40 Quiet house, average residential area

35 Soft Music, Countryside
Nature of Sound

30 Countryside

25 Library

20 Leaves rustling

15 Broadcasting studio Impossible

10 Quiet whisper at 1m
to
Converse (Fig C)
5

0 Threshold of hearing

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Wall Loudspeakers
Wall speakers can be used for isolated sound requirements or
where it is not possible to install ceiling units - inaccessibility
for wiring, unknown behind ceiling obstructions, or where
very high ceilings are present.
An SWS10 wall cabinet loudspeaker provides general, forward
projectional distribution useful for only a few metres - four
optimally; using them over greater distances means that
those closest will hear more loudly than those at the
furthest distance.

SWS10 Wall Cabinet Loudspeaker

Installation
Always mount wall speakers
on the longest wall of the
room at an approximate
4 - 6m
height of 1.8m to 2m and at
4m equal spacing of between
4m to 6m.
In a large room with walls
1.8 - 2.0m more than 4m apart but not
greater than 8m to 9m, wall
speakers could be placed on
opposite walls to provide
12m
sound coverage. Try not to
place them facing each other
but to be staggered.

8 - 12m 8m
12m 12m
Loudspeaker Choice

8 - 12m

24m

1.8 - 2.0m

Four loudspeakers on opposite walls arranged in a Simple paging in a quiet office; note that the reception area
staggered layout to provide sound coverage over the by the office entrance and the opposite corner managers
entire room. area are not directly covered by the two wall speakers.

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Ceiling Loudspeakers
These are ideal for use in Selecting ceiling
areas where a smooth, even loudspeakers such as
spread of sound is required, the DL06-165/T means
for example in a restaurant that there must be access
where point sources of sound above the ceiling to
from wall loudspeakers install cabling to all the
would intrude on those loudspeakers and to
closest to them. the amplifier.
They should also be used in
large open plan office areas,
DL06-165/T Ceiling Loudspeaker
where the sound coverage
from wall loudspeakers
would not be sufficient.

Installation
6m 6m
The footprint of a ceiling
loudspeaker - how much
floor it will cover evenly - is
dependent upon its height
above the floor.
Ceiling loudspeakers should
preferably be mounted in a
grid pattern at equal
distances apart. Assuming a
6m
12m
ceiling height of 2.5m/3.5m
speakers should be spaced
no less than 5.0m apart or
more than 7.0m apart
consistent with the heights
detailed.
Loudspeaker Choice

Please Note:
Some fire authorities and
fire regulations do not permit
12m 12m
the installation of ceiling
loudspeakers without a rear
protective cover which, in
the event of a fire, will stop
smoke and flames being
induced into the ceiling void.
The F165 Steel Fire Dome is
available for this purpose.

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Suspended Loudspeakers
Where the roof structure
does not allow the use of
ceiling loudspeakers B170T
loudspeakers can be
suspended at a similar height
to produce the required
coverage.
B170T Loudspeaker
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A range of flown loudspeaker
solutions to cater for both
greater mounting heights
and higher ambient noise
levels is available. Contact
Technical Support for
assistance.
Loudspeaker Choice
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Horn Loudspeakers
The major advantages of
horn loudspeakers is that
they are directional and
are weatherproof making
them an ideal choice for
outside use.
However, bass response is
limited by their physical size
and horn loudspeakers,
whilst being good for speech
are generally not suitable for
music reproduction.
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It is important, due to the
directional characteristics of
horn speakers, to ensure
that sound is beamed at all
areas to be covered. Due to
their high efficiency it is
necessary to mount them
high above the ground to
avoid the risk of deafening
people close by. The HS-20
Paging Horn Speaker will
typically cover an area
of 15m.
Loudspeaker Choice
HS-20 Paging Horn Speaker
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External Mounting Considerations

When installed outside, the effect of wind and temperature can
modify the directional characteristics of horn loudspeakers.
This will be most noticeable when installed on the flat roof of a
building in full sunlight and the following diagrams demonstrate
how the sound will be affected.

Air
ld
Co

Air
Horn rm
Speaker Wa

DAYTIME

Horn Warm Air

Speaker

Cold Air

NIGHT TIME
NOTE: The front of a
horn loudspeaker should
always be angled very
slightly downwards to
prevent the horn filling with
rain, leaves or other debris. Wind Direction
Loudspeaker Choice

Horn Speakers

High

Low
WRONG RIGHT

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Model room - Wall & Ceiling Loudspeakers

As a basis for your own Note that the chart refers
calculations we have taken only to ceiling loudspeakers
a model room with a ceiling in an office environment.
height of 3m. We have Some further considerations
assumed plaster walls and are necessary to convert
a suspended (tile) ceiling, the number of speakers
both clear of obstructions shown to that required in
and an environment of an your installation or if you
open office. only require wall mounted
Clearly, more noise in the loudspeakers.
Model room means more To illustrate the possible
sound to overcome it - in a effect of noise relative to
workshop, for example. the number of speakers
The chart below (Fig H) required please refer to the
shows, from left to right, the illustration on page 05.
floor area of the Model Study of this will enable a
room, from 35m to 700m. reasoned judgement to be
The left hand side is made quite easily.
graduated in numbers of
ceiling speakers.

20
NUMBER OF CEILING LOUDSPEAKERS

10

4
Loudspeaker Choice

1 35 70 140 210 280 350 700

SINGLE FLOOR AREA IN SQUARE METRES

(Fig H)

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Assessing your requirements

As examples, in very noisy
areas such as a busy
supermarket add 50% - half
as many again - and for the
quiet ambiance of a library
reduce the quantity to half
that shown (20 2 = 10).
For all cases where wall
mounted loudspeakers are
chosen, divide the number
shown on the chart by a
factor of 2 and then make
allowances for ambient noise
as described above.

Use of horn loudspeakers

In areas of high ambient
noise consider the use of
horn loudspeakers and
direct towards the
specific area of the car
mechanic that is required
to hear paging messages
(for example). If so
directed, a smaller number
of loudspeakers will be
required, the number being
decided from the area
to be covered, the number
of operators to be addressed
and their usual proximity
Loudspeaker Choice

to highest noise levels.

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Recommended Loudspeaker
Options
DLO6-165T: Ceiling Loudspeaker 6, 3, 1.5W taps
F165: Fire Dome for the above (optional)
SWS10AB: Dark brown wall speaker with
volume control 10, 5, 3W taps
B170T EN: Hanging ball loudspeaker 6, 4, 2W taps
B250T EN: Hanging ball loudspeaker 15, 7, 5W taps
HS-20: Horn loudspeaker 20 & 10W taps
DL06-165/T Ceiling Loudspeaker

F165 Fire Dome B250T Omni-Directional

Suspension Speaker

HS-20 Paging Horn Speaker SWS10AB & SWS10AI B170T Omni-Directional

Wall Loudspeakers Suspension Speaker

All the above loudspeakers are fitted with 100V line transformers to enable the wattage of each
loudspeaker to be set individually as required by its operating environment. The wattage of the
amplifier required to power the system being derived by the sum of the wattage tapping of each
loudspeaker plus 15%.
Loudspeaker Choice

For Example:
6 x DL06-165T each set @ 3W= 18W
8 x B170T each set @ 6W = 48W
1 x HS-20 set @ 10W = 10W
Total Load = 78W
Plus 15% = 12W
Amplifier Power Required: 90W
A120 & PAM-120 Amplifier Use either an A120 or PAM-120 Amplifier for this system

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Recommended Amplifier Options

PA-1000B: 30W amplifier, 2 microphone inputs,
1 aux input
A60: 60W amplifier, 3 microphone inputs,
2 aux inputs
PA1000B 30W Amplifier A120: 120W amplifier, 3 microphone inputs,
2 aux inputs

All the above amplifiers have 100V line outputs,

microphone input 1 has automatic (vox) priority
over all other inputs.
A-60 / A-120 Public Address Amplifiers

PAM-60: 60W amplifier, 6 universal

microphone/line inputs
PAM-120: 120W amplifier, 6 universal
microphone/line inputs
PAM-60 & PAM-120 Amplifiers
The PAM range have 5 switched 100V line outputs.
Inputs 1 & 2 have selctable automatic (vox) priority
over all other inputs together with the option to fit music
modules see below (Note: if the Radio Tuner Module
is fitted, an outside FM aerial MUST. AM radio is not
normally useable in these applications.) The user will also
require a P.R.S. Licence if music is played no matter what
the source.

PAM Series Music Module Options: Loudspeaker Choice

PAM-CDA: CD Player PAM-D: Cassette Player

PAM-T: Tuner

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Paging Microphone
BUD100 Buddy Desk Paging Microphone
This simple yet robust desk paging single zone microphone
Features a gooseneck mounted microphone well known for its
voice clarity in almost any operating environment. Suitable for
use with all amplifiers previously illustrated.
Ideal for applications such as shops, offices, garages,
showrooms, transport termini; wherever there is a need
for an elegant, yet strong paging microphone able to
withstand heavy duty usage.

Features:
Soft touch press-to-talk button/s, with minimal noise transfer
All steel construction, weighted base, finished in scratch and
chip resistant powder coat paint
Anti-slip feet
2.5 metre lead
(Two versions are available:
BUD100J - For use with A60 & A120 Amplifiers
BUD100X - For use with PA-1000 & PAM Range Amplifiers)

For further information or assistance please call technical

support on 01706 510501

Loudspeaker Choice

BUD100 Desk Paging Microphone

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Example PA System & Positioning:

Restaurant/Bar
Restaurant

Bar

PAM-60 & PAM-120 Amplifiers

Example PA Systems & Positions

BUD100 Desk
Paqing Microphones

PAM-CDA: CD Player

DL06-165/T Ceiling Loudspeaker

Restaurant Bar

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Example PA System & Positioning:

Factory
Woodwork
Toilet
Printing

Production

Refectory Warehouse

Offices Reception

Example PA Systems & Positions

PAM-60 & PAM-120 Amplifiers

BUD100 Desk
Paqing Microphone

HS-20 Paging
Horn Speaker

B170T Omni-Directional SWS10AB Wall DL06-165/T Ceiling

Suspension Speaker Loudspeakers Loudspeaker

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