Raked/Bleacher Seating

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Case Study - Raked/Bleacher Seating

This originally appeared in Mixing L1 and F1 speakers for live performance

If you will perform in a venue with raked/bleacher seating you should ask:

  • The depth of the venue
  • The elevation from the stage floor to the highest seats
  • THe width of the seating area
  • The width of the stage
  • The depth of the stage

Raked seating questions.jpg


This is a non-scientific illustration of what you can expect.

Raked seating coverage.jpg


The L1 Model II is at the far right.

I've shown the projection of the Cylindrical Radiator® (the tower) in the blue zone.

People in the blue zone will hear the L1.

People above the blue zone will hear too, but the mid-high frequencies may be muffled.

It's hard to tell from the pictures, but it looks like the upper rows may not hear the sound clearly. If you were expecting a full house, this could be a problem - one you could solve with Bose F1 Model 812 systems because you can direct sound upward.


You have a couple of options here:

Put the L1 systems behind the band

  • This will be familiar in terms of sound and setup
  • This will give you a consistent sound level until you get above the blue zone in the illustration. Above that, the mid-high frequencies may be muffled.
  • People will have the option to move up to the quieter area in the higher rows
  • Main sound and monitoring
    • Connect the T8S Main Left/Right Outputs (1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve outputs) to the L1 systems.

Raked seating F1 Reverse-J.jpg


Add a couple of F1 Model 812 systems (F1 Subwoofers optional)

  • This will give you more overall volume - especially on the dance floor
  • The sound will be loud on the stage and fall off (not drastically) as you move farther back
  • The mid-high frequencies will be heard throughout the room
  • People who prefer a lower volume won't be able to escape the loudness
  • Main sound output
    • Connect the T8S Main Left/Right Outputs (1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve outputs OR XLR) to the F1 Model 812 systems
  • Monitoring
    • Connect the T8S Aux 1 Output to the L1 behind the band