Choosing the right directional speaker is crucial for projects in retail, exhibitions, and corporate environments, where sound precision and clarity are essential. To help you make an informed decision, we conducted a comprehensive comparison of the Akoustic Arts Speaker B against the alternatives, including Holosonics Audiospotlight AS-16iX, Ultrasonic Audio Technologies Acouspade Classic, Waves System HSS3000 and Panphonics Compact. Our tests focused on key performance parameters that impact sound quality, directivity, and overall listening experience. In order to ensure highest quality standards, the testing methodology was developed and carried out by members of our R&D team who hold PhD degrees in acoustics. The same methodology and testing conditions were applied uniformly across all products to ensure a fair and reliable comparison. For a more detailed technical explanation of our methodology, please refer to the Testing Methodology section at the end of this page.
Manufacturer | Model | Technology | Dimensions (cm) | Level at 1 kHz @1m(dBA) | Listening Zone at -6 dB @1m(cm) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Akoustic Arts | B | Ultrasound | 26 x 26 x 3.2 | 82 | 20 |
Holosonics | Audiospotlight AS-16iX | Ultrasound | 40 x 40 x 4.2 | 84 | 35 |
Ultrasonic Audio Technologies | Acouspade Classic | Ultrasound | Ø27 x 1.9 | 84 | 26 |
Waves system | HSS3000 | Ultrasound | 30.5 x 15.2 x 5 | 82 | 31 |
Panphonics | Compact | Planar waves | 60 x 60 x 1.4 | 95 | 50 |
Manufacturer | Model | Mounting | Operating conditions | Analog input | Digital input/output |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Akoustic Arts | B | VESA FDMI MIS-D 100x100mm - M4X10 inserts | Indoor use only 0-40°C 10-70% non-condensing | 3.5mm TRS mini-jack Stereo 1.4V R.M.S., 60KΩ Balanced 4VR.M.S., 40KΩ | TOSLINK optical connectors S/PDIF LPCM 32-96KHz |
Holosonics | Audiospotlight AS-16iX | VESA100 | 3.5mm stereo audio input; Phoenix balanced audio 24VDC feed | none | |
Ultrasonic Audio Technologies | Acouspade Classic | Custom | -20-60°C 0-95% non-condensing | RCA (Cinch) Stereo audio | none |
Waves system | HSS3000 | Custom | Indoor use only 10-40°C 0-95% non-condensing | RCA (Cinch) Stereo audio (on external amplifier) | none |
Panphonics | Compact | VESA100/200/400 | Indoor use only -10-70°C | RCA (Cinch) Stereo audio (on external amplifier) | none |
When comparing directional speakers, understanding beamwidth and source-to-head distance is crucial for assessing how well each speaker can target sound to a specific area.
Beamwidth indicates the width of the sound beam as it travels from the speaker to the listener, measured at various distances and decibel levels. A narrower beamwidth ensures that the sound is concentrated within a specific area, reducing audio spillover to unintended zones, which is essential in environments like museums, retail spaces, and corporate settings where precision is key.
Source-to-head distance relates to how far the listener can be from the speaker while still receiving optimal sound quality. A speaker that maintains a narrow beamwidth over greater distances is ideal for settings where the listener's position may vary or where precise audio delivery is required in larger spaces. By analyzing these factors, you can determine which speaker offers better control and clarity, ensuring that the sound reaches the intended audience with minimal interference or loss of quality.
Source-to-head distance | 1m @-6dB | 2m @-6dB | 1m @-12dB | 2m @-12dB | 1m @-24dB | 2m @-24dB |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
B | 0.2 m | 0.2 m | 0.3 m | 0.42 m | 0.65 m | 1 m |
Audiospotlight AS-16iX | 0.35 m | 0.35 m | 0.55 m | 0.60 m | 1.1 m | 1.3 m |
Acouspade Classic | 0.2 m | X | 0.36 m | 0.45 m | 1.1 m | 1.5 m |
HSS3000 | 0.31 m | 0.35 m | 0.55 m | 0.80 m | 1.5 m | >2 m |
Compact | 0.5 m | 0.5 m | 1.05 m | 1 m | >2m | >2m |
When evaluating directional speakers, frequency response is a critical factor in determining the overall sound quality. Frequency response refers to the range of frequencies a speaker can reproduce, from the lowest bass notes to the highest treble. A speaker with a wide and flat frequency response delivers sound more accurately, ensuring that all aspects of audio—whether it’s music, voice, or effects—are reproduced faithfully without distortion.
In the context of directional speakers, frequency response analysis becomes even more important because it reveals how well the speaker can maintain sound quality across its targeted beam. If a speaker’s frequency response is uneven, certain frequencies might be overemphasised or diminished, leading to a less natural or clear sound. Comparing the frequency responses of different speakers helps you understand which one will deliver the most balanced and accurate sound, crucial for applications where audio clarity and fidelity are paramount, such as in retail environments, museums, or corporate presentations.
When comparing directional speakers, the harmonic distortion rate is a vital measure of sound quality. Harmonic distortion occurs when a speaker introduces additional, unintended frequencies into the audio signal, which can result in a muddled or harsh sound. A lower harmonic distortion rate indicates that the speaker is faithfully reproducing the original audio without adding these unwanted artifacts.
In directional speakers, maintaining a low harmonic distortion rate is particularly important because these speakers are often used in environments where audio clarity is critical, such as in exhibitions, galleries, or targeted advertising. High distortion can disrupt the listening experience, making speech difficult to understand or music sound unnatural. By analyzing the harmonic distortion rates of different speakers, you can determine which model will deliver the cleanest, most accurate sound, ensuring that your audience hears the audio as it was intended, without distortion or degradation in quality.
Image below represents measurements of a logarithmic chirp at 1 m at the manufacturer’s nominal input level.
Directivity in directional speakers refers to the speaker's ability to focus sound in a specific direction, minimizing audio spillover to adjacent areas. This characteristic is crucial for applications where precise sound targeting is required, such as in exhibitions, retail spaces, or interactive displays. Analyzing the speaker's directivity reveals how well it can confine the sound beam to the intended area, ensuring that only the target audience hears the audio clearly without disturbing others nearby.
Directivity by third-octave bands goes a step further by breaking down the speaker’s performance across different frequency ranges. This analysis provides a detailed view of how consistently the speaker directs sound at low, mid, and high frequencies. A speaker that maintains consistent directivity across all third-octave bands ensures uniform sound coverage and clarity throughout its frequency range. This is particularly important for environments where both speech and music need to be delivered with precision and clarity. By comparing directivity and third-octave band performance, you can identify which speaker offers the most focused and balanced audio experience, ensuring your sound is both accurately directed and evenly distributed across all frequencies.
The attenuation field describes how sound intensity decreases as the listener moves away from the speaker, which is crucial for understanding how directional audio works in spaces like museums, exhibitions, or retail environments. This is closely related to the concept of source-to-head distance, which we previously discussed, where sound levels drop as the listener moves further from the speaker. Understanding the attenuation field helps to assess how well a speaker can maintain clear, targeted sound over distance while minimizing spillover to surrounding areas. This control over sound diffusion ensures that audio is delivered precisely to the intended audience without disturbing others nearby.
Our testing methodology was developed and carried out by members of our R&D team, led by a researcher holding a PhD degree in acoustics. The same methodology and testing conditions were applied uniformly across all products.
Testing Protocol
All speakers were tested in a controlled acoustic environment to eliminate external noise and reflections, ensuring the accuracy of our measurements. We utilised advanced measurement equipment, including calibrated ECM microphones and a 3D measurement robot, to capture precise data.
Measurement Types
- Sound Level at 1 kHz: We measured the sound pressure level (SPL) at a distance of 1 meter using a 1 kHz sine wave. This test provides a baseline for comparing the output levels of each speaker.
- Frequency Response: Each speaker was tested using a chirp signal sweeping from 20 Hz to 20 kHz to determine how accurately they reproduce audio across different frequencies. This helps assess the overall sound quality.
- Directivity: We analyzed how well each speaker focuses sound in specific directions. Measurements were taken at different angles to create directivity patterns, including both global directivity and by third-octave bands.
- 2D Sound Field Analysis: Using a 3D measurement robot, we mapped the sound distribution in front of each speaker to visualize how sound levels vary across different areas.
These measurements were then compared across all products to provide a fair and reliable analysis.
For those interested in more technical details, please fill out the form below to receive the full methodology report.