| It's interesting timing this thread as I've just had a desk custom built based on the Sterling Modular concept but with a few small differences. We based it on the 'Plan D' desk but with a smaller footprint. It's 68" wide across the back, 48" wide across the front, the highest point of the rack at the back is 33" which is 2" under the bottom driver of my Dynaudios which are stand mounted 16" back from the desk. It has enough space in the middle to accomodate one 24" LCD monitor (at the moment I have a single 17" there). Under the desk it has a 14" cavity in the middle to pass low frequencies from a 12" sub. Top racks hold 12RU each side, bottom racks hold 9RU each side. Cosmetically it looks almost identical to the Sterling Modular 'Plan D' but it just has a smaller footprint.
How does it sound? Well compared to my old cheap computer desk, I have noticed an improved sense of depth in the stereo field, improved low frequency response (I need to re-cal my sub now) & the ergonomics are far better. I'll have some new photos to post soon.
Of course anything in between you & the speakers are going to compromise the direct sound in some way. I always suffer when I move or change something in the room (even if it is an improvement in some ways) as any change to my point of reference tends to throw my judgements off a little until I get used of it again, then my ears settle in to the new reference point & I'm fine & can appreciate the differences.
To a large extent knowing the sound of your speakers & room intimately & how they translate outside your room is one of the biggest factors in churning out consistent work, even if your speakers or acoustics aren't ideal. Obviously the more accurate the room & monitoring path is, the quicker & easier the decision making becomes. But I would rather trade a few early reflections for ergonomics, as a bonus it also looks more pro to the clients.
Matt
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