Soundtube LA880I-II-BK Full range line array - Series II (Black)

SoundTube LA880I-II-BK — 3-Way LAPS Line Array Speaker (Black)

Product Overview

The SoundTube LA880I-II-BK is a full-range, single-enclosure 3-way line array speaker designed for commercial AV installations where consistent SPL, controlled vertical dispersion, and intelligible speech reproduction are required at moderate to long throw distances. Unlike conventional column loudspeakers, the LA880i-II employs SoundTube's LAPS (Line Array-Point Source) topology, which applies frequency tapering across the low and midrange pass bands to maintain a stable vertical beamwidth regardless of listening distance. The result is a speaker that behaves predictably in reverberant spaces — houses of worship, ballrooms, auditoriums, and large retail environments — where a simple column or coaxial speaker would produce uneven coverage. The black finish suits installations in dark-painted venues, theatrical environments, churches with dark wood interiors, and any application where the speaker should visually recede against the wall surface.

Product Description

The LA880I-II-BK's driver array consists of eight 4.5-inch paper cone woofers with rubber surrounds, eight 2-inch paper cone midrange drivers with foam surrounds, and a single 2.5-inch planar magnetic ribbon high-frequency driver. This driver complement gives the speaker a frequency response of 71 Hz to 22 kHz (±3 dB) and 58 Hz to 22 kHz (±10 dB), which covers the full speech intelligibility range and a substantial portion of the musical low-frequency spectrum without a supplemental subwoofer in many applications. The planar magnetic ribbon HF driver produces wide horizontal dispersion and extremely low distortion at high frequencies, which translates to clear, fatigue-free reproduction of voice and high-frequency musical content at the back of a large room.

The LAPS frequency tapering mechanism addresses one of the core problems with conventional single-box line arrays: at low frequencies, the array height is acoustically short relative to the radiated wavelength, causing the speaker to behave more like a point source and lose vertical control. SoundTube's frequency tapering progressively reduces the number of active drivers in the low and mid bands as frequency decreases, maintaining a more consistent ratio of active array height to wavelength across the frequency range. This produces a stable directivity index of 9.2 dB (averaged 100 Hz–10 kHz) and 10.9 dB at 2 kHz — figures that allow the system designer to predict coverage and SPL uniformity with confidence using standard acoustic modeling tools such as EASE.

The enclosure is constructed from aluminum, MDF, and plywood with a ported rear chamber and measures 7.5" × 41" × 10.75" (W × H × D). At 300W continuous RMS and 500W program power handling with a 4-ohm nominal impedance, the LA880I-II-BK is suited for use with professional install amplifiers. Connectivity is via 4-pin 5.08mm Euroblock and SpeakON connectors. The black powder-coated steel grille and enclosure are designed for surface wall or column mounting using the included mounting hardware and safety cable, with optional fly brackets and pan/tilt mount kits available separately. The black finish is the same acoustically as the white (LA880i-II-WH) version — driver complement, crossover, power handling, and frequency response are identical between the two variants.

Key Features

• LAPS (Line Array-Point Source) Technology: Frequency tapering of low and mid pass bands maintains consistent vertical beamwidth across throw distances — outperforming conventional single-box line arrays in reverberant spaces
• 17-Driver Array: Eight 4.5" woofers, eight 2" midranges, and one 2.5" planar magnetic ribbon HF driver in a single enclosure measuring 41" tall
• Planar Magnetic Ribbon Tweeter: Low distortion, wide horizontal dispersion, and extended HF response to 22 kHz — superior intelligibility for speech-critical applications
• 300W Continuous / 500W Program Power: Compatible with professional install amplifiers at 4-ohm nominal impedance
• Stable Vertical Directivity: DI of 9.2 dB (broadband avg.) and 10.9 dB at 2 kHz — predictable coverage for acoustic modeling and system design
• Dual-Input Connectivity: 4-pin 5.08mm Euroblock and SpeakON for permanent commercial AV wiring
• Compact Enclosure: 7.5" wide × 41" tall × 10.75" deep — minimal wall footprint for column or surface mounting
• Ported Enclosure: Extends bass response; –10 dB point at 58 Hz for musical program content without a subwoofer in smaller venues
• Black Powder-Coat Finish: Visually recedes in dark-painted venues, theatrical spaces, and churches with dark wood interiors
• Included Safety Hardware: 4-pin Euroblock, back cover, mounting hardware, and safety cable; complies with rigging safety requirements for installed systems
• Extensive Mounting Accessories: Compatible with SoundTube fly brackets, pan/tilt brackets, and pole mount adapters (sold separately)

Typical Applications

• Houses of worship with dark wood interiors — primary cluster or distributed fill in sanctuaries and fellowship halls
• Hotel ballrooms and pre-function spaces with dark finishes requiring even SPL coverage over large floor areas
• Corporate conference centers and boardrooms with dark architectural finishes
• School auditoriums and performing arts venues where speech intelligibility is the primary design criterion
• Nightclubs and entertainment venues requiring high-output BGM at low visible profile
• Theaters and black-box performance spaces
• Fitness centers and sports facilities with high ambient noise floors

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the BK and WH versions of the LA880i-II?

The LA880I-II-BK (black) and LA880i-II-WH (white) are acoustically identical — same drivers, same crossover, same power handling, and same frequency response. The only difference is the enclosure and grille finish. Black is preferred for dark-painted or theatrical environments; white suits light-colored venues and standard commercial spaces.

What amplifier is recommended for the LA880I-II-BK?

The LA880I-II-BK operates at 4 ohms nominal and handles 300W continuous / 500W program. Professional install amplifiers in the 300–500W per channel range at 4 ohms — such as Crown CDi, QSC CX, Lab.Gruppen IPD, or Powersoft X Series — are appropriate. Select amplifier output based on calculated SPL requirements for the specific room.

How does the LAPS design differ from a standard column speaker?

A conventional column speaker uses all drivers at all frequencies, which causes the vertical beamwidth to narrow significantly at higher frequencies and widen at lower frequencies. SoundTube's LAPS applies frequency tapering — progressively reducing active woofer and midrange drivers at lower frequencies — to maintain a more consistent ratio of effective array height to wavelength. This produces more stable vertical coverage in rooms with long reverberation times.

Is a separate subwoofer required?

For speech-primary applications (corporate, worship, conference), the LA880I-II-BK's –3 dB point at 71 Hz is adequate without a subwoofer. For music playback, live sound, or venues requiring extended bass below 60 Hz, a companion subwoofer or the SoundTube LA808i-II extension cabinet is recommended.

Can the LA880I-II-BK be flown (suspended from the ceiling)?

Yes, with the optional fly bracket (SAS-1WA-20). All rigging must be engineered per local structural codes. The included safety cable provides secondary retention and is required for overhead installations in most jurisdictions.

What GLL file is available for acoustic modeling?

SoundTube provides a GLL file (LA880i Full Range v1.1) compatible with EASE, Ease Focus, and similar acoustic modeling platforms. This allows the system designer to model SPL, coverage angle, and frequency response at any throw distance and angle during the design phase.

What mounting accessories are compatible?

Available separately: Pan and Tilt Surface Mount Bracket Kits (MM-024-BT, MM-022-BT), Heavy Duty Pan and Tilt Bracket (MM-120HD), Fly Bracket (SAS-1WA-20), and Pole Mount Adapter (AC-PA-010). Contact Creation Networks for accessory pricing and availability.