LINEAR 3 – powered speakers for perfect sound

Advanced DSP technology tuned to tackle every audio challenge

Wherever the gig, whatever the venue and whoever the audio tech, this speaker delivers stellar sound in every situation for every occasion. The powered LINEAR 3 speaker system and its advanced DSP technology have got your back.

With easy on-stage access to controls, tweaking and tuning on the fly is as easy as that.

Filter presets, intelligent multiband limiting, FIR separation—these are precisely the tools you need to dial in the sweet spot for your sound. With plenty of headroom and perfectly matched components, the robust LINEAR 3 line offers high-end speakers engineered to take your performance higher.

And with its stylish slotted grille and sleek lines, the active LINEAR 3 speaker series looks as good as it sounds. Those looks and that sound make a strong statement: This band or DJ means business.

Facts & Features

• Packs the muscular bi-amped punch of a 1,200 W class-D power amp
• Beautifully balanced, high-definition audio
• 135 dB SPL—that’s plenty of sound pressure for audiences of up to 500 (with matching L SUB 1500 A or L SUB 1800 A subwoofers)
• No need for sophisticated audio skills: Advanced DSP technology serves up top-notch sound every time
• Intelligent Multiband Limiter ensures tonal integrity at every volume level
• FIR crossover filtering for transparent midrange
• Plenty of sound-shaping options with four EQ presets—Bass Boost, Flat (LF), Flat (MHF) and Contour
• Very low total harmonic distortion, so no listening fatigue
• System’s sound is easy to control and shape, even from the stage
• On-target PA aiming to reduce reflections off walls and ceilings

Frequency response filtering for better mix results from onstage

For musicians and DJs who are going for the best mixing results when on the road without a technician, the powered speaker-system LINEAR 3 offers a rich palet of sound-control. 

Intelligent multiband limiting and frequency response filtering on the Contour EQ preset setting deliver a sweet yet assertive sound, always and at every volume level, from whisper soft to super loud. The multiband limiter monitors and controls the target frequency bands separately, intervening only when and where it serves the purpose of achieving great sound.

This is why LINEAR 3 guarantees top notch sound performance, even for semi-professional musicians and DJs who are not fully-fledged PA specialists.

LINEAR 3 liberates performers, making their lives easier on stage and leaving more room for their creativity and music to flourish.

LINEAR subwoofers

L SUB 1500 A

LINEAR SUB 1500 A is a powerful 15” bass reflex subwoofer – optimized for the LINEAR 3 tops. What’s more, LINEAR SUB 1500 A can also be used in combination with mid/high units from the LINEAR 5 family, or as a bass extension to the ELEMENTS EASY BASE, SMART BASE and LINE BASE systems. The L SUB 1500 A is so lightweight and easy to handle that it can easily be transported by just one person.

L SUB 1800 A

LINEAR SUB 1800 A – an 18” bass reflex subwoofer – is packed full of even more low end than its 15” brother. Unrivaled power, SPL of up to 132 dB and thumping bass (all the way to 38 Hz) make this powered sub the ideal add-on to mid/high units from the LINEAR 3 family when you need just a little more loudness and low end. LINEAR SUB 1800 A can also be used in combination with mid/high units from the LINEAR 5 family, or as a bass extension to the ELEMENTS BIG BASE system..

The three following active LINEAR SUB subs can also be combined with mid/high units from the LINEAR 3 lineup.

L SUB 1200 A

L SUB 1200 A

L SUB 4000 A

LINEAR 3 system suggestions

LINEAR 3 mid/high units and LINEAR SUB basses are highly compatible with one another. Here are four practical system suggestions using models from across the two series.

L3 2.1 System 12/18

2x L3 112 FA
1x L SUB 1800 A

L3 Half Stack 12/15

2x L3 112 FA
2x L SUB 1500 A

L3 Full Stack 15/18

2x L3 115 FA
4x L SUB 1800 A

L3 Full Stack 15/18

2x L3 115 FA
4x L SUB 1800 A

LINEAR 3 features

LINEAR 3 vs. LINEAR 5

Suggested setups

Bar

• For acoustic performances in smaller, narrow bars and pubs with crowds of between 50 and 100 people*, a balanced fullrange sound is required even without a subwoofer.
• For this example, an acoustic duo consisting of two singers and one acoustic guitar or keyboard performs on a 3.5 x 1.5 m stage platform.
• In small rooms, the duo can be sure that they will not invoke unwanted frequencies, even if they are not using equalizers.

* A note on audience size: these are suggestions, rather than recommendations, meaning these numbers are more for your general orientation. The actual coverage will depend on the room’s size, layout, appointments and furnishings, as well as the area you want to cover and the sound pressure levels you wish to achieve.

Lobby

• For events like receptions or the openings of new hotels, the mobile DJ often needs to cover a series of rooms (rather than just one), to crowds of between 100 and 150* people.
• The DJ controls the PA in the 15 x 10 m lobby and the neighboring 7 x 16 m lounge area directly from their decks.
• Both areas are supplied with an even fullrange sound at any volume level.

* A note on audience size: these are suggestions, rather than recommendations, meaning these numbers are more for your general orientation. The actual coverage will depend on the room’s size, layout, appointments and furnishings, as well as the area you want to cover and the sound pressure levels you wish to achieve.

Gala Events

• Weddings or gala events for between 150 and 350 guests* require the PA to be split into two distinct sections: the dance floor and the dining area.
• In this example, a covers band (featuring drums, electric guitars and bass, vocals and a DJ) focuses its sound mainly on the dance floor from a 3 x 4 m stage area.
• The PA zones are divided into the following areas:
• The dance floor is comprehensively and optimally covered with deeper frequencies and, thanks to the additional 4-point sound system, has a disco-like feel.
• The dining area (organized in table groups) starts 7 m away from the Front PA and the background music level can be well regulated.
• The bar area offers ample opportunity for discussion.

* A note on audience size: these are suggestions, rather than recommendations, meaning these numbers are more for your general orientation. The actual coverage will depend on the room’s size, layout, appointments and furnishings, as well as the area you want to cover and the sound pressure levels you wish to achieve.

Youth Center

• For youth center events, the PA system must be flexible enough to adapt to a wide variety of venue sizes and conditions, and crowd sizes of 150 to 300 listeners*.
• The amateur rock band featured in this example is made up of two guitars, one bass, one drummer and one vocalist – they expect their PA to deliver a strong, assertive reproduction of their vocals and distorted guitar sounds.
• The PA, positioned at the side of the 2.5 x 4 m stage, delivers consistent sound dispersion across the entire 8 x 8 m room.

* A note on audience size: these are suggestions, rather than recommendations, meaning these numbers are more for your general orientation. The actual coverage will depend on the room’s size, layout, appointments and furnishings, as well as the area you want to cover and the sound pressure levels you wish to achieve.

Marquees

• Events in smaller marquees often offer no suspension points to optimize the sound distribution over the area that needs to be covered. In this situation, the only reasonable acoustic solution is a professionally stacked PA, as such tents typically require different volume levels in different areas for between 250 and 400 attendees*.
• For this example, the stage area is at ground level, 3 x 4 m in size and set up for a trio consisting of a vocalist, keyboard player and guitarist.

The PA zones are divided into the following areas:

• The 6 x 10 m dance floor is wider than it is long, and the sound distribution covers the whole area extremely well, right up to the edge of the stage
  itself.
• The seating and bar areas are largely outside of the horizontal sound transmission angle, giving attendees the chance to hear the music and their own conversations without issue.

* A note on audience size: these are suggestions, rather than recommendations, meaning these numbers are more for your general orientation. The actual coverage will depend on the room’s size, layout, appointments and furnishings, as well as the area you want to cover and the sound pressure levels you wish to achieve.

Town Party

• Town parties often have crowds of around 400-500 people, and they usually take place in an open air setting. Typically, sound engineers are employed for such events, but it also regularly occurs that bands are left to fend for themselves and mix their own sound directly from the stage.
• For this example, a covers band made up of one keyboard player, one electric guitarist, one electric bassist, and one drummer – with three band members performing vocals – might find themselves playing on a 6 x 8 m round arched stage 80 cm off the ground.

The PA zones are divided into the following areas:

• The dance floor requires a sound pressure throw distance of 10 m and a wide horizontal dispersion of 14 m. This permits a strong bass foundation with stable mids.
• In the seating areas, the volume level is always significant, but moderate enough to allow
  conversations to remain understandable.
• In the standing and bar area, the sound pressure is at a comfortable level, which makes placing orders easy for everyone.