Designer:

Micheal Edgar

Project Category:

Portable Speakers

Project Level:

Advanced

Project Time:

20+ Hours

Project Cost:

Over $1,000

Project Description:

With generous support from Parts Express, we were able to design, purchase and install a premium quality Public Address system for one of our local Spokane, Washington area High Schools.
The system features 4 permanently mounted speaker security enclosures, each containing a set of Dayton Audio IO800WT Outdoor Speakers, one facing the spectators and one facing the field. The IO8000WT’s were chosen due to their all-weather rating, relatively wide horizontal dispersion and output capabilities when used in multiples. The speakers were wired in series/parallel configuration to give a final 8-ohm load per channel to the power amplifier that ultimately results in 75 watts per speaker before the amplifier is driven into clipping. The security enclosures were constructed of heavy gauge roofing sheet metal formed around aluminum frames and protected with a stainless steel grill on the non-fenced, spectator side. The enclosures also protect the speakers from direct rainfall which should help prolong the usable lifespan. All wiring was accomplished with 14 awg outdoor, direct burial rated speaker wire, contained in galvanized conduit.
The electronics are contained in a roll out cabinet constructed from cabinet grade plywood assembled with polyurethane glue and coarse thread fasteners. The cabinet was surface prepped with auto body filler and final sanded with 150 grit media before being sprayed with Rhino Lining bed liner at the local Spokane Rhino Linings dealer. 3” caster wheels and 19” rack rails were added for permanent mounting and mobility. The amplifier chosen was a QSC GX3 due to power output, weight, and price. The mixer chosen was an Alesis Multimix 4 due to the size, cost, and simplicity of use. The mixer was permanently attached to a slide out 19” rack mount equipment shelf. The system also includes a Bluetooth adapter, 2 Auxiliary input cables with both Apple Lightning and Mini-C USB adapters as well as Sure SM58 Microphone, cable and stand. The equipment cabinet has two permanently attached 20’ cables. One is for AC mains power and the other is a 4-Pole Neutrik Speakon. All that is required for operation is rolling out of the cabinet and plugging in the AC power and audio cables.
The overall system performance exceeded everyone’s expectations. The sound is extremely clear with plenty of output. One of the most surprising aspects is the low-end response of the 8 combined speakers in free space. Music has bottom end authority and there is much more bass than was expected. The system is extremely simple to use and is now the responsibility of the students to setup and run at every practice and game.
None of this would have been possible without the generous sponsorship of Parts Express. Vivan Jones was absolutely indispensable to work with and Shadle Park High School cannot thank her and her team enough. Parks Express is a company that cares, that is why I have been a customer since the early 90s and will continue to be!
-Mike Edgar

Design Goals:

Ease of use, sound quality, all weather and price.

Driver Selection:

Dayton IO800WT

Enclosure Design:

Dayton Audio

Crossover Design:

Dayton Audio

Tips & Tricks:

Continue to use the great products Parts Express offers!

Conclusion:

Outstanding!

About the Designer:

I am an engineer working with Audio since the late 80s and RF and Electrical since the late 90s. I am retired military and currently a government contractor Senior Engineer.

Project Parts List: