Diane Green
Studio monitors are designed to function optimally when placed either vertically or horizontally, depending on the dispersion of the high-frequency driver. The placement of the tweeters, whether facing inside or outside, can impact the stereo image and soundstage. It is recommended to have the tweeters at ear level, and the speakers angled towards the listener. When using multiple monitors, it is important to ensure they are lined up correctly to avoid issues with the cursor movement between screens. Additionally, matching the monitors' brightness and color can enhance the viewing experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Speaker placement | Speakers should be placed on stands, with the tweeters at ear height and positioned about 3 feet away from the wall. |
| Speaker orientation | Speakers should be placed vertically, with the tweeter on top to eliminate phase shift and acoustic cancellation of frequencies. |
| Speaker angle | Angle the speakers so the high-frequency transducer is aimed directly at the listener's ears. |
| Speaker arrangement | Speakers can be arranged with tweeters facing inwards or outwards, depending on preference for a wider stereo image or a stronger centre image. |
| Speaker distance | The distance between the left and right speakers should form an equilateral triangle with the listening position. |
What You'll Learn
Place monitors at eye level
When setting up studio monitors, it is important to place them at ear level. This is because the tweeters should ideally be at the same height as your ears when you are seated. Typically, this means placing the monitors around 47-55 inches (120-140 cm) from the floor. This can be achieved by using speaker stands or placing the monitors on a desk or table. If the monitors are placed on a desk, it is important to angle them slightly downwards so that they are pointing towards your ears.
If you are unable to place the monitors at ear level, you can try placing them slightly higher and tilting them downwards. However, care must be taken to avoid the monitors toppling over. Another option is to place the monitors vertically but upside down, with the tweeter on the bottom and the woofer on the top. This can work well in some cases but may impact the airflow for cooling if the monitors have active cooling heat sinks.
The ideal placement for studio monitors will also depend on other factors, such as the size and shape of the room, the presence of other equipment, and the specific model of the monitors. It is recommended to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for placement and to experiment with different setups to find what works best for your specific situation.
Additionally, it is important to consider the angle and distance of the monitors. The ideal setup is to form an equilateral triangle, with the distance between the left and right speakers being equal to the distance from each speaker to the back of your head. This ensures a natural stereo "sweet spot" that allows for some movement without sacrificing sound quality.
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Use stands to avoid phase shift
To avoid phase shift when setting up multiple studio monitors, it is important to use stands. This is because seating your monitors on or close to flat surfaces will add more phase shift and cause a degree of comb filtering.
The more the monitors are raised from these surfaces, the less pronounced the comb filtering effect will be, though it won't be eliminated completely. Try a few different positions to find a compromise.
The best stands for your monitors are dense and heavy, such as concrete blocks or metal spikes, which reduce the contact surface area and thus reduce the transmitted energy. Foam pads are also great for decoupling. Combining dense and springy materials can be a cheap and effective solution, for example, bricks, blocks and foam.
Monitor stands also offer maximum flexibility with positioning, making your job a lot easier.
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Avoid placing monitors sideways
Studio monitors are designed to function optimally when placed either vertically or horizontally. Placing them sideways can cause a range of issues, from acoustic anomalies to inadequate cooling.
When studio monitors are placed sideways, the dispersion pattern is disrupted, resulting in a narrower "sweet spot". This means that the optimal listening area is reduced, and you may experience an increase in sound reflections off nearby surfaces like your desk. This can lead to a strange, unstable, and disconnected stereo image, where different frequency components of a sound source seem to come from different places.
Additionally, when monitors are placed sideways, the bass driver may end up closer to the mounting surface than intended, altering the frequency response in the bass region. This can result in a sound that is more coloured and less accurate, with noticeable changes in sound quality as you move left and right from the central listening position.
Another important consideration is cooling. Many powered monitors have finned cooling heatsinks on the rear panel that require vertical airflow to function effectively. When placed sideways, this airflow is disrupted, leading to reduced cooling efficiency and potentially causing the speaker to overheat. This can result in short-term protection shutdowns and long-term premature component failure.
Therefore, it is generally recommended to follow the manufacturer's placement guidelines for studio monitors and explore alternative solutions, such as using stands or tilting the monitors, to achieve the desired positioning without compromising sound quality and equipment functionality.
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Point mouse towards the main screen
To ensure that mouse movement feels natural when using multiple studio monitors, it is important to properly orient your monitors and align your digital setup with the physical arrangement on your desk. Here are some detailed instructions to achieve this:
Identify the Main Screen
Start by deciding which monitor will be your primary display. This is typically the screen you will be facing directly, with any additional monitors positioned to the sides or above/below.
Arrange the Monitors
Physically arrange your monitors on your desk in a way that feels comfortable and intuitive for your workflow. You may want to place your main screen in the centre, with additional monitors extending to the left, right, or both sides. Alternatively, you might prefer a vertical setup, with the main screen above or below the secondary screens. Ensure that the monitors are lined up neatly, with their edges aligned, and adjust the height and position of each monitor stand as needed.
Access Display Settings
On Windows 10 or 11, right-click on your desktop and select "Display Settings" from the menu. This will bring up a picture showing your monitors.
Identify and Arrange Monitors in Settings
Click the "Identify" button to label each screen with a number, making it clear which screen is which. Then, click and drag the monitor icons in the settings to match their physical arrangement on your desk. Ensure that the relative positions of the monitors in the settings correspond to their actual setup. For example, if Monitor 2 is to the right of Monitor 1 on your desk, make sure it is positioned to the right in the settings as well.
Adjust Heights and Edges
Pay attention to the heights of your monitors and adjust their positions in the settings if needed, so that your mouse can move smoothly between them. Ensure that the edges of the monitors line up well in both the physical setup and the settings.
Apply Changes
Once you are satisfied with the arrangement, click "Apply" to save your settings. Confirm your choice if Windows prompts you to keep or revert your changes.
By following these steps, you will ensure that your mouse movement feels natural and intuitive as you move it across multiple studio monitors.
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Adjust monitors to be parallel in height
When adjusting studio monitors to be parallel in height, it is important to consider the impact of height on sound quality and to follow some general guidelines for optimal listening. The height of studio monitors can significantly affect the overall sound experience, and proper adjustment is crucial for achieving balanced and undistorted audio.
Firstly, it is recommended to position studio monitors at ear height, creating a direct path for sound to reach the listener without obstruction. This placement ensures the sound is focused on the listener and minimises the risk of noise interference or sound degradation. It is also worth noting that placing monitors too low can cause sound muffling, so a minimum height of 47 inches from the floor is often suggested to avoid this issue.
In addition to ear height placement, it is crucial to angle the monitors downward slightly if they are positioned above the listener's head. This ensures that the sound is directed towards the listener's ears, optimising sound quality. Achieving the correct angle for both monitors is essential for balancing bass, treble, and other musical elements.
For those seeking a more professional setup, the type of studio monitors can dictate the ideal height. ITU standard monitors, the most common type, should be placed between 47 and 55 inches from the ground, with the tweeters at ear level. Main monitors, used in professional settings, are typically placed higher, around 58 inches off the floor, with the main monitor slightly elevated compared to the tweeters. For surround sound setups, monitors are placed at equal heights, usually within the 47 to 55-inch range.
While these guidelines provide a solid framework, it is worth noting that personal preference and room specifics may require adjustments. Some people prefer their studio monitors to be five to six inches away from their heads, while others might opt for a slightly lower or higher placement. The key is to ensure that the monitors are angled correctly and symmetrically to achieve the desired sound balance.
Lastly, it is worth mentioning that high-frequency sound waves are highly directional, so ensuring that high-frequency speakers are aligned with the listener's ears is of utmost importance. If the monitors cannot be angled to achieve this, lowering them until the speakers are aligned with the ears becomes necessary.
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Frequently asked questions
If your monitors are the same make and model, you can simply plug them in and Windows should automatically extend your desktop horizontally. If you have two different monitors, you may need to adjust your display settings.
Position the main monitor squarely in front of your body and at eye level. Make sure your secondary monitor is at a parallel height to the main display to avoid neck and eye strain.
Studio monitors are designed to function optimally when placed either vertically or horizontally. If you turn a vertical monitor on its side, the width of the sweet spot narrows and the tweeter throws more sound up toward the ceiling and down toward the floor. This may or may not cause acoustical anomalies.
