Does the active line array require a processor for use?

May 1,2024

A customer asked: I have purchased a powered line array speaker, do I still need to buy a processor? The answer depends on whether the powered line array has DSP functionality. For example, the powered V932 has built-in crossover, only has a powered amplifier board without DSP, so it needs to be connected to a processor separately; the powered ka210 also has built-in crossover, but the powered amplifier board has DSP, so it does not need to be connected to a processor separately.

The processor is mainly responsible for processing audio signals, processing, amplifying, balancing, and other operations on the input audio signals to ensure the clarity, balance, and accuracy of the sound quality. The processor can adjust the volume balance of various audio channels in the speaker system, perform sound effects processing such as equalizer adjustment, reverb effects, delay effects, etc., making the music or sound more layered and three-dimensional. The processor can also protect the speaker system from overload or damage from sudden high volumes, ensuring the stable operation of the speaker system.

Built-in crossover refers to the speaker being equipped with a crossover inside, which is used to divide the input audio signal into different frequency bands (such as bass, midrange, treble, etc.), and then output these different frequency bands of sound through different speaker units (such as subwoofers, midrange units, treble units). This allows each speaker unit to be responsible for the corresponding frequency band of sound, improving the sound quality and overall performance of the speaker.

The external crossover is responsible for dividing the input full-band audio signal into different frequency bands and sending the signal of each band to the corresponding frequency range of the driver unit. Through the precise control and adjustment of the external crossover, the line array speaker system can achieve the optimal performance of each driver unit, ensuring clear, balanced, and accurate sound. The external crossover can also adjust and optimize the line array speaker system according to actual needs. By adjusting the volume, tone, and other parameters of different frequency bands through the external crossover, it can meet the requirements of different occasions and music types, providing a more professional and customized audio solution for a higher quality auditory experience.

However, please remember that whether the built-in crossover is needed and whether the active line array needs to be connected separately to the processor is not related to whether the power amplifier board has DSP functionality.