I was wondering for a time who mcf was. Now, I know. Regards, chief.
Acoustics indeed is one subject matter that gets the best of everyone primarily because it does use a lot of math (calculus, differential equations, etc.). But as long as you understand what is needed and to be done, all those mathematical equations can be dispensed with momentarily. Regarding the use of speakers, I would prefer keeping things simple. Instead of putting a lot of speakers all throughout the church, I would just concentrate on one point source, cluster the speakers together, possibly long throw ones, and probably some fill or delay speakers if the room is long. Point or aim the axis towards the people and toe in the speakers as not to have the side of their sound waves hit the side walls which will bring reflections, as Tarkuz had said (unless you put absorbers). Also, I would cut the LF info in the Eq, which would develop anyway in a big room like a cathedral. My take is that the more speakers you distribute all around, the more you agitate the modes of the room, resulting to defeating your quest for intelligibility. Too many reflections, again as Tarkuz mentioned, bring lots of echoes, standing waves and unwanted long reverberation, which masks intelligibility in the room. My method however, is just one of the many solutions that people involved in audio and acoustics have in their artistic or creative palette. It is the proper understanding of the science/physics as well as the available tools (speakers, electronic processors, new technology, etc.), not to mention cost implications, that must be given priority in undertaking solutions or design considerations for such situations.
FWIW
