Audiopipe Line Array Lens with PRV D280Ti

For years, I wanted to try some Line Array lenses but without any technical information, particularly the frequency response plots, I held back. I’m not going to spend >$50 and end up with a dud.

When I chanced upon this Audiopipe on eBay for $28.99 (with Free shipping), I thought it’s worth giving her a try. Worse case scenario is 30 bucks down the drain.

One of the features that attracted me to this Array Lens is the way she’s constructed. Unlike other lenses, she actually has a flange at the top and bottom. This means I can simply cut a hole and install her like a normal horn. The next thing this Audiopipe has in her favor is her height. She’s 8″ tall. This will fit a 8″ or 10″ woofer perfectly. The Eminence LA-WG10, on the other hand, is only 4.4″ high. Furthermore, she cost $79.99 each at Parts Express. So for about the same 8″ height, it’ll cost $160. To make matters worse, I couldn’t find any FR plots from the manufacturer or in the internet.

Audiopipe Line Array Lens with PRV D280Ti

For convenience, I screwed on a PRV D280Ti compression driver. I have absolutely no idea what the response will be. If she’s that bad, I can always replace her with one of the many drivers I have.

Fig 1 – Audiopipe Line Array Lens with PRV D280Ti

I was stunned by the frequency response. Fig 1 was taken with the microphone on axis at the midpoint of the Audiopipe. Mic is at 32 inches and no smoothing is applied. While her response is not as flat as I would like her to be, she is perfectly useable in the PA industry. Her bandwidth is an astonishing 1.8kHz~18kHz (+-3dB). That’s incredible for a budget array lens.

Fig 2 – Audiopipe Line Array Lens with PRV D280Ti Horizontal Dispersion

Fig 2 is with the Audiopipe at 25°, 45° and 60°. At 60°, her horizontal dispersion is at 120°.

Fig 3 – Audiopipe Line Array Lens with PRV D280Ti Normalized Horizontal Dispersion

Fig 3 is her Normalized response when referenced to the 0° measurement. Her dispersion is excellent. At 13kHz, she’s only a few dB less. Even at 120°, 13kHz can still be heard.

Summary

I am eager to test this Audiopipe with one of my woofers. It will likely be in a sealed box, therefore doing mid/high only. Bass will be handled by a 15″ woofer.