Speaker Time Alignment
Definition
Speaker Time Alignment
Speaker time alignment is the process of adjusting delay settings so that multiple speakers deliver sound to the listener position simultaneously, preventing destructive interference from arrival time differences. Proper alignment eliminates comb filtering in overlap zones, maintains coherent frequency response, and preserves transient accuracy. SonaVyx measures arrival times and calculates optimal alignment using impulse response analysis.
How It Is Measured
Alignment is measured using SonaVyx transfer function or impulse response mode. The engineer measures each speaker individually to determine its arrival time at the listener position. The time difference between speakers reveals the required delay adjustment. SonaVyx delay finder uses cross-correlation to precisely identify arrival time differences with sub-sample accuracy, then recommends the optimal delay value.
Practical Example
A three-way PA has a 15-inch woofer, a horn midrange, and a compression tweeter. SonaVyx impulse response shows the tweeter arrives 1.2 ms before the midrange (due to the horn depth) and the midrange arrives 0.8 ms before the woofer (due to the woofer cone depth). Adding 1.2 ms to the tweeter and 0.4 ms to the midrange aligns all three drivers, producing coherent summation through both crossover regions.
Why Alignment Matters
Even 0.5 ms of misalignment between two speakers creates the first comb filter null at 1 kHz. At 1 ms, the null drops to 500 Hz. These nulls produce audible coloration, hollow sound, and reduced clarity. In multi-driver speakers, crossover alignment is critical because both drivers contribute simultaneously at the crossover frequency — any time offset causes a level dip proportional to the phase difference.
Alignment Procedure
The standard alignment procedure is: (1) Measure each speaker or driver individually. (2) Identify the arrival time of each using the impulse response peak. (3) Add delay to the earlier-arriving speaker(s) to match the latest arrival. (4) Verify alignment by measuring both speakers simultaneously — the combined response should show smooth summation without comb filter nulls. SonaVyx automates steps 2 and 3.
Subwoofer Alignment
Subwoofer alignment is particularly critical because the crossover region (80 to 120 Hz) is where both the subwoofer and main speaker contribute simultaneously. Misalignment by just 2 ms at 100 Hz creates 72 degrees of phase offset, reducing summation by 2 dB. SonaVyx transfer function phase display at the crossover frequency guides subwoofer delay and polarity adjustment for maximum summation.
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