| Video Noise November 2001
Checkpoint Sound Alignment Systems Laser-Alignment
Tools
Strolling down the aisles of CEDIA last fall, I had my
attention drawn to the Checkpoint Sound Alignment Systems (SA-S) booth. There were
colorful aluminum laser instruments of many shapes and sizes all over the place. After a
conversation about who might use such tools and the purpose for them, it was clear...these
were something special. Anybody could use them, but if you do the job right, you
would never need them again. So perhaps they aren’t something for every home-theater
enthusiast to own, but what great tools they are for dealers, custom installers, and, of
course, home-theater reviewers.
Checkpoint is a manufacturer of laser-measuring and
alignment instruments for a wide variety of applications. Sound Alignment Systems is a
business unit of Checkpoint Professional Laser Tools. SA-S is dedicated to the home-audio
and home-theater markets. SA-S has produced an entire array of procedures, application
notes, charts, and layout pads. They even have a self-teach program that installers can
complete and receive official SA-S Technician Certification.
 SA-S provided two laser instruments and
some accessories for evaluation. These have proven themselves to be incredibly useful when
I need to set up, change, and re-set up various home-theater and stereo systems. Talk
about removing the guesswork! I discovered that my "foolproof" manual method for
aiming loudspeakers wasn’t particularly accurate. I used the SA-S P-770, a precision
laser-alignment tool (much like a calibrated laser pointer) with integral bubble level, to
determine just where the loudspeakers needed to be aimed. I mounted the P-770 in the R2-D2
rotating base, which has a 360-degree angle calibration around the base. The R2-D2 was
mounted on the rotary base plate (RBP) that sits on top of objects like loudspeakers. The
RBP has a 90-degree lip that projects down from the front so it is easily aligned with the
edge of the loudspeaker. Set the R2-D2 to zero degrees and turn on the P-770. The laser
beam points precisely to where the speaker is aimed (assuming you have aligned the SA-S
assembly with the acoustic centerline of the loudspeaker). This permits you to set speaker
toe exactly where it sounds best. You can remove the speakers and replace them with
something else, then put the original speakers back, and within seconds, have the toe set
exactly as it was originally.
SA-S also provided an LG-120. This clever device generates
a laser line rather than a single small round beam. The rotatable barrel has an aperture
in the end. As you rotate the barrel, more or less of the line is cut off by the aperture.
This allows you to pick various line widths, representing loudspeaker dispersion or
video-viewing angle. The LG-120 can project a line representing 120-degrees dispersion or
a viewing angle down to 15 degrees. This allows you to set up for maybe two to four
"prime" seats in a home theater while being able to insure that additional seats
are at least within some reasonable angle for viewing the screen or hearing the sound from
each loudspeaker. Set from 15 degrees to zero for the prime seats, then open up to maybe
90 degrees to make sure all the other seats are "covered" by the loudspeakers,
for example. The LG-120 has a magnetic base that allows it to stick to the front of the
RBP (see illustration). This allows you to see the selected dispersion angle and the
alignment point for the loudspeaker simultaneously -- very clever. SA-S also sells
accessory "shoes" that can be stuck to projectors, speakers, etc. These shoes
hold the LG-120 securely for easy set up if/when they are moved. The LG-120 merely needs
to be rotated to be used for viewing vertical dispersion. It can be reset to different
angles to show tweeter, midrange, and woofer dispersion separately, should that be useful.
Custom installers have a zillion uses for devices like the
LG-120 and P-770. For example, the LG-120 can be used to locate the best positions for
overhead lighting by projecting the angle of coverage onto the floor or furniture. Another
example would be predicting the line-of-sight requirement for infrared remote controls so
you will know in advance if they can reliably access various components or if repeaters
will be needed, and if so, where to place them. To aid frequent users of the SA-S tools, a
fitted aluminum tool kit is also offered, completely populated with a compliment of
alignment tools.
I used the P-770 with R2-D2 and RBP along with an accessory
line-generator lens to project a precisely directed level line to the other side of the
room to insure that I was mounting the opposite surround loudspeaker at the same height as
the first one -- a somewhat tricky job made incredibly easy. With bubble levels in both
the P-770 and R2-D2, it is easy to know that you are projecting a level line. The R2-D2
protractor calibration allows precise setting of the angle within one degree.
I’m not suggesting that every home-theater owner needs
tools like the SA-S products, but I’m sure there are gear heads out there that would
love to get their hands on these things. Perhaps if you use them for home DIY projects,
etc., the cost can easily be justified. Dealers: what amazingly useful tools these can be
to speed your own installations. Custom installers: these are essential tools you
can’t be without. The benefits are just too huge to overlook. Reviewers: these are
important tools that will make reviewing much easier. I’m sold.
...Doug Blackburn
db@hometheatersound.com
Product line description (all prices in US
Dollars):
- P-770 Professional Kit $189.95
- LG-120 $249.95
- P-770 Line Lens $59.95
- P-770 Dual Beam Lens $69.95
- P-770 Lens Adapter $16.95
- P-770 Lens Protractor $19.95
- R2-D2 Tripod Rotary Base $149.95
- RBP Rotary Base Plate $149.95
- Technician Certification Kit $25.00
All products come with a one year parts and labor warranty.
Manufacturer contact information:
Checkpoint Professional Laser Tools
Sound Alignment Systems
3112 Kashiwa St.
Torrance, CA 90505-4011
Phone: (310) 891-1550
Fax: (310) 891-1551
E-mail: sassales@get.net
Website: www.checkpoint3d.com |
