One really key aspect to reaching high volumes with a reflex system is the baffle density. If you space the speakers far apart, they just don’t work together, and doubling the system just sounds worse and does not get louder. It comes back to the challenge of system design - we chose to take an inherently "good" sounding box and then work on volume issues. Many systems take an inherently loud box and work on fidelity issues.

Lee: In your experience, what is the practical limit (distance) with front loaded boxes?

Dave Rat: If you look at systems like the V-Dosc doing the Super Bowl, I think you can see that reflex boxes are capable of very long throw when configured properly. When you form an array, it becomes more and more the driver and box to box interaction that determines the throw, rather than the system type. At least that has been my experience.

Curtis H. List (Too Tall) : Have you ever come across a driver you REALLY like, but can't find a way to put it into a total design?

Dave Rat: Yes, I have them laying around all over! Sometimes I will design a box based on a specific speaker that I want to implement, and sometimes I design something and wait for someone to design the component to make it a reality.

The Rat L wedge is a good example. We came across the horn three years after the wedge was designed. I knew the angle, the size and the configuration but no one made a horn driver combo that fit. I believe it was Ivan Schwartz that came to our shop and I told him what I was seeking. He got us some oem horns, the EV DML 1122.

For us, size is everything. We will cut, hack, and modify anything to make it fit.

Trip: What are you powering your V-DOSC rig with? What is your amplifier of choice for the RAT 5 and Nexo?

Dave Rat: We use Crest on the Rat rig, Crown VZ5000 on the V-DOSC, and Crown Macro Tech and VZ5000 on the Nexo.
I personally like the way the Crest amps sound, and am so familiar with them, thermally and power-wise, that I prefer to design around them.

We are using Chevin 4 channel amps on the Microwedge as well.

Tucci: Curious as to how many working designs are in the Rat inventory as of now. (Editor’s note: see www.ratsound.com for pics & list.)

Dave Rat: Wow, that is a big question. We do a lot of custom-tailored designs. Pearl Jam wanted a rear fill system and to have it clear in front the drum riser, where we had used rear fill wedges, so we designed some Tall Fills, we have quite a few designs down that line.

Currently we are focusing on two monitor systems:

1. Microwedge 15/12 and …
2. Rat L wedge and M wedge.