Coupled & Uncoupled Array Coverage Calculator

Reference: ARRAY-COV-01. Two related but distinct array-design questions from McCarthy's array coverage chapter. Both tools below cover the symmetric case only — even splits, matched elements. Asymmetric arrays (uneven splits to fit a non-rectangular room) follow the same logic but need case-by-case judgment the book itself treats as a design process, not a formula, so that's out of scope here.

Coupled Point Source — Splay & Quantity

A coupled point source is multiple boxes splayed apart from (approximately) one hinge point — a typical L/R main hang. For the symmetric case, combined coverage angle ≈ splay angle × quantity of elements. Enter your target coverage angle plus either the element's own coverage/splay angle (to find how many boxes you need) or a fixed quantity of boxes (to find the splay angle between them). This is an approximation — accuracy improves with higher quantities or when angular isolation dominates over overlap.

Target coverage angle (°) Element coverage/splay angle (°) — leave blank if solving for this Quantity of elements — leave blank if solving for this Calculate

Uncoupled Line/Point Source — Unity Spacing & Limit Depth

An uncoupled array is separate, unsplayed boxes aimed in parallel or near-parallel (frontfills, underbalcony fills, overheads) rather than one splayed cluster. Its spacing depends on the element's own coverage angle via its forward aspect ratio (FAR — how the box's coverage shape scales with range). Pick your element's coverage angle, then enter either the unity depth (range to where adjacent elements just meet, no gap/no overlap) or the spacing between elements — this solves for the other, plus the limit depth (the range past which gaps open up between elements; useful mainly to confirm your listening area sits inside it).

Element horizontal coverage angle 180° (FAR 1.00) 150° (FAR 1.04) 120° (FAR 1.15) 90° (FAR 1.41) 80° (FAR 1.56) 70° (FAR 1.74) 60° (FAR 2.0) 50° (FAR 2.3) 45° (FAR 2.6) 40° (FAR 3.0) Unity depth (m) — leave blank if solving for this Spacing between elements (m) — leave blank if solving for this Calculate

Source: McCarthy, Bob. Sound Systems: Design and Optimization, 3rd ed., §11.4 "Coupled Array Coverage, Aim and Splay" and §11.5 "Uncoupled Array Coverage, Spacing and Splay," including the Fig. 11.20 symmetric uncoupled line source design reference table. Rewritten in Ryan's own words from the source material.