A conventional loudspeakers Sound Pressure Level (SPL) along the distance line is represented by the aqua numbers on top. 

A ribbon line arrays SPL is represented by the magenta numbers below the line.

This is a graphical representation of how much less the drop in sound intensity is from a line source at a distance when compared to conventional loudspeakers. In fact when the listener is about 28 feet from the source, the conventional loudspeaker seems to be half as loud as a line source.  To put it another way it would take at least 10 times more amplfier power into the conventional system to make up the 10 dB drop in level.

Pictured on the right is a CGN6685 loudspeaker on an Ultimate Support  TeleLock tripod stand.  This column  speaker contains 6 x 6.5" woofers and 5 x 8" ribbons. All the drivers are Neo so putting this cabinet up on a stand is easy to do because it only weighs 26 pounds.