WHAT IS A DIRECTIONAL SPEAKER?

Directional speakers allow you to direct your sound directly to your audience. For example, by using a directional speaker you can effectively target your audience without creating noise issues in the surrounding environments.nnThis type of sound control system is particularly useful in wedding and entertainment venues that may be situated near to residential areas. nnWhilst traditional speaker systems are designed to amplify sound over a wide area, directional speakers are designed to focus their sound to more precise areas.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DIRECTIONAL SOUND?

Utilising a directional sound system inside your venue has several advantages, including: nnTarget a specific audience with clear and understandable audionLimit noise pollutionnComply with licensing requirements for temporary eventsnMitigate any noise complaints from neighbouring properties or venuesnMultiple sound sources can be used at one time

HOW DO DIRECTIONAL SPEAKERS WORK?

We’ve engineered the Zone Array to control sound at source and localise bass to the dancefloor. Each speaker is positioned to interact with those next to it.nnWhen multiple panels are combined they utilise “Wave Interference” and “Phase Cancellation” to create a total area that mimics a single speaker. This allows us to enhance lower frequencies that are focused only on the dancefloor.nnAs soon as you step away from under the system the same phase cancellation removes any bass and reduces the volume by 75% in only 2m.

ZONE ARRAY - THE DIRECTIONAL SPEAKER SYSTEM DESIGNED FOR NOISE SENSITIVE VENUES

Immersive Sound Where You Want It. Silence Where You Don’t.

The Zone Array is a directional speaker system built for venues in noise-sensitive settings. It delivers full, rich sound to the dance floor while dramatically reducing volume beyond it. That means better experiences for your guests, fewer complaints from neighbours, and full confidence that your events stay compliant without compromising on atmosphere.

Overview

The Zone Array is a modular ceiling-mounted speaker system that directs sound exactly where you need it—on the dancefloor—and cuts it where you don’t. By cancelling bass spill into surrounding areas, it solves the noise problems that traditional PA systems can’t.

It’s designed for venues in noise-sensitive settings: countryside estates, tipis, barns, hotels, and beyond. Whether you’re hosting weddings, parties or corporate events, the Zone Array delivers immersive, full-range sound for your guests—without disturbing neighbours or risking complaints.

Available to hire or purchase, we’ll work with you to design the right system and install it seamlessly into any venue structure.

Precision Sound Coverage

Full range high quality audio focused exactly on the dancefloor and nowhere else.

Keeps You Compliant

Engineered to dramatically reduce noise spill protecting venue and preventing complaints.

Plug & Play Simplicity

DJs connect via XLR or simply plug in a phone for background playlists or simple setups.

Flexible to Fit Any Venue

Available in standard formats or customised to suit your venue, style and layout.

Since installing a Zone Array System into our wedding marquee some 12 years ago, we have not had a single noise complaint from our village neighbours. It has worked remarkably well. We use the system for wedding bands, DJs and as a PA system.

JonThe Perch Inn

“The background ambient noise levels in Shilstone’s surrounding Devon countryside are exceptionally low and presented some real challenges which Direct Acoustics were able to address with real efficiency. Their whole package from Assessment to after sales/servicing is brilliant; and to cap it, Shilstone has not receive one music related noise complaint since!”

DavidShilstone

"Our wedding parties are very impressed by the sound quality and volume on the dance floor under the Zone array while still being able to talk to each other at their table, enjoying the balanced levels from some fill speakers. All in all I would describe the system as a successful investment for our business. You get what you pay for from these guys."

DesEden Leisure

"We have worked with Direct Acoustic on several projects; they have always been very supportive and professional with every aspect of our requirements. They have always supplied us with a superior product that works!"

JohnHand Picked Hotels

How Zone Array Helps Your Venue

Stops Noise Complaints

By directing sound only where it’s needed, Zone Array eliminates disruptive spill into surrounding areas. Its precision is trusted by Environmental Health Officers and has helped venues across the UK stay complaint-free.

Simplifies Sound Management

No more chasing DJs or fiddling with volume controls. Zone Array gives you complete control over how much sound goes where, ensuring consistent levels without limiters cutting the music.

Delivers the Best Guest Experience

Guests get immersive, full-volume music on the dancefloor and quieter spaces nearby to chat and relax. It creates a premium, comfortable atmosphere from start to finish—without compromise.

How it Works

Directional Speakers

The Zone Array installs as a modular grid of panels, each packed with nine small speakers. Together, they act as a single directional audio source that projects full-range sound straight down onto the dance floor without bulky subs or visible gear.

Targeted Bass Control

Using precise phase alignment, the system boosts sound where you need it under the array and cancels it where you don’t. One step off the dance floor and volume drops significantly, especially the bass. That means immersive music for guests, peace and quiet for everyone else.

Smart Volume & Frequency Management

Zone Array uses intelligent DSP processing to ensure the system stays within agreed sound limits without limiting performance. DJs and bands simply plug in via XLR or phone, and you control volume zones using a simple wall-mounted remote.

A Universal Solution for any Venue

Originally developed to help wedding venues manage noise, Zone Array is now trusted by over 300 sites across the UK. From open-sided structures to permanent buildings, it enables events to run with high quality sound where it is needed and quiet where it is not.

Our systems are installed discreetly and tailored to each setting, helping venues host vibrant events without disturbing neighbours or breaching sound limits.

Marquees

Zone Array targets sound precisely over the dancefloor, drastically reducing bass spill through thin marquee walls. It helps venues maintain high-quality audio while avoiding complaints from nearby properties.

Tipis

Open and acoustically transparent, tipis are difficult to contain. Zone Array fills the canopy with music while controlling sound beyond it, making late events possible without disruption.

Barns

Barns often echo and have little insulation. Zone Array places sound where it is needed and limits spill into sensitive areas, helping maintain a great guest experience without neighbour issues.

Bars

Zone Array directs music where people gather and limits spill into quieter areas or neighbouring properties. It helps create lively atmospheres without losing control of the sound.

group of people in large sitting room on big grey sofa watching television

Residential

Whether used indoors or outside, Zone Array is integrated to suit luxury homes and private spaces. It keeps events intimate, high quality and compliant with local restrictions.

Zone Array vs Typical PA

Traditional PA systems have long been used by venues to deliver loud music, but they are not designed for sound control. These systems disperse sound in all directions, especially low-end bass frequencies, which are the most likely to cause complaints. Once the music starts, there’s little to no control over where that sound travels.

Zone Array changes that completely. It concentrates sound particularly bass precisely over the dance floor. Just one metre outside that zone, the bass energy collapses. This dramatically reduces the amount of sound that escapes into surrounding areas and reaches neighbours.

Use the comparison slider on the left to explore the difference in noise dispersion between a conventional PA and the Zone Array. The visual clearly shows how Zone Array keeps sound contained where it’s needed, cutting unnecessary spill.

At just 8 metres from the dancefloor, the Zone Array is over 75% quieter than a typical PA at 32 metres.

Zone Array Noise Control

The graph shows what makes the Zone Array so effective. While a typical PA PA emits uncontrolled sound, the Zone Array focuses it precisely where it’s needed on the dance floor.

At 98dB, the dance floor experience is just as powerful as a PA, but as you move away the volume drops off much faster. Within a few metres, sound levels fall to comfortable background volume.

This sharp drop-off means guests can dance in one area while others relax nearby. For neighbours , it means events stay quiet, private and compliant. The result is a better guest experience without the risk of complaints.