Do you have a question about the L-Acoustics ARCS WIDE and is the answer not in the manual?
Warning concerning high sound pressure levels and potential permanent hearing damage from loudspeakers.
Symbol indicating potential risk of harm or damage, and mandatory safety instructions.
Symbol indicating instructions that must be strictly followed for proper installation or operation.
Symbol indicating complementary or optional instructions for user guidance.
Describes the ARCS WIDE, ARCS FOCUS, and SB18m loudspeaker enclosures and their characteristics.
Details amplified controllers (LA4, LA4X, LA8), DSP, preset library, and networking capabilities.
Lists various loudspeaker cables (DO, DOSUB-LA8, SP, SP-YI) and their specifications and recommended use.
Notes that rigging elements are not detailed in this document and refers to the dedicated rigging manual.
Introduces SOUNDVISION for 3D modeling and LA NETWORK MANAGER for remote control and monitoring.
Describes the standalone ARCS WIDE/FOCUS line source configuration and its associated preset.
Displays the internal pinout for ARCS WIDE/FOCUS and SB18m loudspeaker SpeakON connectors.
Illustrates maximum configurations using SP cables for LA4/LA4X connection, Option A.
Illustrates maximum configurations using DO cables and DOSUB-LA8 for LA8 connection, Option A.
Describes presets for medium and short throw applications for ARCS WIDE/FOCUS systems.
Describes the preset for SB18 subwoofer enclosures, setting an upper frequency limit at 60 Hz.
Describes SB18 presets optimized for cardioid configurations with specific delay settings.
Provides detailed technical specifications for the ARCS FOCUS loudspeaker enclosure.
Warning concerning high sound pressure levels and potential permanent hearing damage from loudspeakers.
Symbol indicating potential risk of harm or damage, and mandatory safety instructions.
Symbol indicating instructions that must be strictly followed for proper installation or operation.
Symbol indicating complementary or optional instructions for user guidance.
Describes the ARCS WIDE, ARCS FOCUS, and SB18m loudspeaker enclosures and their characteristics.
Details amplified controllers (LA4, LA4X, LA8), DSP, preset library, and networking capabilities.
Lists various loudspeaker cables (DO, DOSUB-LA8, SP, SP-YI) and their specifications and recommended use.
Notes that rigging elements are not detailed in this document and refers to the dedicated rigging manual.
Introduces SOUNDVISION for 3D modeling and LA NETWORK MANAGER for remote control and monitoring.
Describes the standalone ARCS WIDE/FOCUS line source configuration and its associated preset.
Displays the internal pinout for ARCS WIDE/FOCUS and SB18m loudspeaker SpeakON connectors.
Illustrates maximum configurations using SP cables for LA4/LA4X connection, Option A.
Illustrates maximum configurations using DO cables and DOSUB-LA8 for LA8 connection, Option A.
Describes presets for medium and short throw applications for ARCS WIDE/FOCUS systems.
Describes the preset for SB18 subwoofer enclosures, setting an upper frequency limit at 60 Hz.
Describes SB18 presets optimized for cardioid configurations with specific delay settings.
Provides detailed technical specifications for the ARCS FOCUS loudspeaker enclosure.
The ARCS® Wide and ARCS® Focus systems are designed as constant curvature line sources for medium-throw applications in both rental productions and fixed installations. These systems are engineered to deliver exceptional acoustic properties and versatility, making them suitable for a variety of uses, including FOH L/R systems, central clusters, side-fill monitors, distributed systems, and complementary fills.
The ARCS® Wide and ARCS® Focus systems are based on two distinct constant curvature enclosures, each offering a specific directivity pattern and SPL capability. The ARCS® Wide element provides a wide coverage pattern of 30° x 90° (H x V), while the ARCS® Focus element offers a more focused energy with a 15° x 90° (H x V) pattern. Both operate across a frequency range of 55 Hz to 20 kHz. For extended low-frequency performance, the SB18m subwoofer can be integrated, extending the system's bandwidth down to 32 Hz.
These line sources are designed to provide high SPL with excellent acoustic coupling, robust low-frequency performance, and a consistent tonal balance across distance. They can be deployed either as horizontal or vertical arrays. In the coupling plane, both ARCS® Wide and ARCS® Focus systems produce a precise directivity pattern, which is particularly useful for targeting specific audience areas while minimizing reflections from surrounding surfaces. In the other plane, both systems maintain a smooth, symmetric 90° directivity pattern.
The ARCS® Wide is ideal for achieving extensive coverage with fewer elements, resulting in a compact array that preserves sightlines. The total coverage angle of an ARCS® Wide line source is directly proportional to the number of enclosures in the array (N x 30°). Conversely, the ARCS® Focus system concentrates acoustic energy within half of the coverage angle (N x 15°), making it suitable for narrower coverage and providing a higher SPL with a more extended throw.
For complex audience geometries, ARCS® Wide and ARCS® Focus can be combined in "WIFO" hybrid arrays. This dual directivity pattern and the various system configurations offer sound designers and system engineers a high degree of creative flexibility. All configurations can be acoustically and mechanically modeled using the SOUNDVISION 3D simulation software before physical installation.
The systems are driven by L-Acoustics amplified controllers (LA4, LA4X, or LA8), which provide advanced and precise drive capabilities. These controllers feature L-DRIVE, a thermal and over-excursion protection circuit, ensuring the longevity and reliability of the loudspeakers. Multiple LA8 amplified controllers can be networked via the Ethernet-based L-NET protocol, allowing for remote control and monitoring through the LA NETWORK MANAGER software. This software offers a user-friendly graphic interface and includes the Array Morphing EQ tool, which enables quick adjustment of the system's tonal balance to match a reference curve or maintain a consistent sonic signature.
The ARCS® Wide and ARCS® Focus systems offer flexible deployment options:
[ARCS_WIFO] preset is used for a reference frequency response in medium-throw applications. This configuration is driven by LA4, LA4X, or LA8 amplified controllers.[ARCS_WIFO] preset is still used for the main enclosures, while the [SB18_60] preset is applied to the subwoofers, setting their upper frequency limit at 60 Hz for optimal coupling. This configuration can be flown, ground-stacked, or arranged in mixed arrays, and is also driven by LA4, LA4X, or LA8 amplified controllers.[ARCS_WIFO_FI] preset provides a reference frequency response optimized for these scenarios. This configuration is also driven by LA4, LA4X, or LA8 amplified controllers.[ARCS_WIFO_FI] preset is used for the main enclosure, and the [SB18_60] preset for the subwoofer. This setup is driven by LA4, LA4X, or LA8 amplified controllers.The loudspeakers connect to LA4, LA4X, or LA8 amplified controllers using specific cabling schemes:
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
|---|---|
| Nominal Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Rigging | Integrated rigging system |
| Type | Line source |
| Max SPL | 139 dB |
| Connectors | 2 x NL4 |
| Enclosure Material | Baltic birch plywood |











