Long Narrow Venues: Coverage Strategies for Extended Spaces

Long narrow venues—bowling alleys, hallways, converted storefronts, and similar spaces—present unique coverage challenges. Sound must travel significant distances while the narrow width limits speaker spread. Successful reinforcement requires strategies that address extreme throw requirements while maintaining consistent coverage.

Understanding the Challenge

The throw distance from stage to back of a long narrow venue may exceed what typical PA systems cover effectively.

The narrow width limits useful horizontal speaker spread. Wide coverage angles waste energy on side walls rather than audience.

Sound level drops significantly from front to back due to the extreme distance ratio between nearest and furthest listeners.

Throw Distance Calculations

Sound decreases 6 dB each time distance doubles (for point source speakers). A listener 80 feet back hears 12 dB less than someone 20 feet away.

This level differential exceeds what many would consider acceptable. Front row listeners may experience excessive volume while back rows strain to hear.

Either significant power reserves or supplemental coverage addresses this disparity.

Delay Speaker Solutions

Delay speakers positioned partway down the venue extend coverage without excessive front-area volume.

A typical approach places main speakers at the stage and delay speakers at mid-venue and/or rear positions, each covering a zone.

Proper delay alignment ensures the stage remains the perceived sound source while delay speakers add needed level.

Speaker Selection

Speakers with longer throw capability suit long venues better than wide-coverage designs.

Narrower horizontal patterns (60-70 degrees rather than 90-100) concentrate energy on the audience rather than side walls.

Line arrays excel in long throw situations due to their slower level attenuation with distance.

Wall Reflection Considerations

Narrow venues place side walls close to speakers and audience. Reflections off these walls add to direct sound.

Early reflections from nearby walls can reinforce or interfere with direct sound depending on timing.

Strategic angling of speakers to minimize wall excitation reduces reflection-related problems.

Coverage Zone Planning

Dividing the venue into zones—each served by a speaker or speaker pair—simplifies the challenge.

Front zone: Main speakers with high-pass filtering and appropriate level for close listeners.

Mid zone: First delay position, delayed to align with main arrival, adding level for mid-venue listeners.

Rear zone: Second delay position (if needed), further delayed, serving back-of-house listeners.

Front-to-Back Level Management

Multiple zones allow independent level control. Front speakers can run lower while rear delays add to achieve consistent perceived level throughout.

This approach inverts the typical situation where front areas receive excessive level while rear areas suffer.

Walking the venue during setup verifies consistent coverage from front to back.

Bass Coverage Considerations

Low frequencies are less directional and fill narrow spaces more easily than high frequencies.

Subwoofer coverage may be adequate from stage-positioned units alone, even when mains require delay support.

Bass buildup in narrow spaces may actually require subwoofer reduction rather than distribution.

Stage Volume Impact

In long narrow venues, stage volume propagates the full length of the space with minimal attenuation.

Controlling stage volume improves front-of-house consistency. In-ear monitoring for performers reduces stage noise.

Backline amplifiers aimed across-stage rather than toward the audience minimize their contribution to FOH sound.

Mix Position Considerations

FOH mix position in long narrow venues should be in the area serving the largest audience percentage.

Mixing from the back of a long venue may result in excessive front volume as the engineer compensates for their distant position.

Mid-venue mix positions often serve better than extreme rear positions in long spaces.

Specific Venue Types

Bowling alleys: Typically have very long throws with relatively low ceilings, combining long and low ceiling challenges.

Restaurant rows: Multiple parallel seating rows with narrow aisles; distributed ceiling speakers may suit better than end-mounted mains.

Hallway spaces: Extreme length-to-width ratios; careful delay system design with multiple zones addresses coverage.

Church naves: Historic churches often have long narrow floor plans; careful delay alignment maintains the altar as the perceived source.

Measurement and Verification

Measurement at multiple positions verifies coverage consistency. Walk-through listening supplements measurement data.

Level variations exceeding 6 dB from zone to zone may be audible and problematic.

Frequency response variations between zones should be minimized through appropriate EQ per zone if needed.

Equipment Quantity

Long narrow venues often require more speakers than width alone suggests. The length drives speaker count.

Budget planning should account for delay speakers, cabling to reach mid-venue positions, and appropriate processing.

Rental systems for long narrow venues may need augmentation beyond typical venue-size-based packages.