Hellboy
Just to paraphrase Don's answer to one of your important questions regarding volume. As Don mentioned, the rate of fall off after the first few feet in minimal. The practical effect of this is that new owners tend to set their PAS volumes too high in anticipation of a steeper decline, like conventional pa systems.

You no longer have to endure loud volumes on stage to reach the far reaches of your venue. This is accomplished with great clarity, I might add.

Bernie