speaker/mix position placement advice (diagram inside)

jbible · 19th August 2006

I am moving to a new studio space next week and am trying to plan out at least a starting point towards optimal speaker and mix position placement. The main room is L shaped so I am unclear how that will effect the mix.

I created this diagram illustrateing the room measurements and tenative placement of my monitors and mix position.

Any suggestions for adjustments of placement? I have m-audio BX8's placed on sand filled spiked bottom stands and aurelex isolation pads.

u b k · 19th August 2006

my advice is to put away any diagrams and ideas you have about where things should go, and when you get in the space set your monitors up with long xlr's and commence moving them around everywhere. listen on repeat to one song with good bass content that you're familiar with, and move things around a foot at a time, stop, listen, move, compare. if you get a spot that sounds decent, listen to a different song and see how it reacts.

take notes on what places sound best, and when you've tried everything (including diagonal placements), go back to the best spots and compare them. you should be able to do the whole room in under an hour, and when you're done you'll know you've got the best spot the space has to offer.

despite any claims otherwise, no one else can give you any meaningful assessment without being there to take measurements and use their ears. you can use math to find a spot that should work decently, but in my experience the sweetest spot in a room is never where it should be, and it's never the most convenient in terms of ergonomics or cosmetics. but it's the best, and that's what i'm after.

gregoire
del
ubk
.

jbible · 19th August 2006

Thank you. I will spend some time trying this out.

However by the diagram are there some certain placements I should keep in mind to try first. Facing the corner? Flipped around in the enclosed end facing the opposite walls so I can place the speakers symmetrical to the side walls?

Ethan Winer · 19th August 2006

JB,

> am trying to plan out at least a starting point towards optimal speaker and mix position placement. <

The main problem I see is a lack of left/right symmetry. In an "L" shaped room like that whatever you do will be a compromise, but you should at least aim to make the front part of the room symmetrical. Therefore, you should set up with the front L/C/R loudspeakers at the bottom of the "L" facing up toward the top of the drawing. Then sit so your ears are 7 feet back from the front wall (bottom) you face.

The drawing below is from THIS article on my company's web site, and it shows one way to setup for a 5.1 environment. Note that in this example the listening position is placed 38 percent of the way from the rear wall rather than from the front wall. In home theaters with large TVs the visual requirements often force you to be farther back. In your case you'll want to be surrounded symmetrical by the side walls.

--Ethan

nathanvacha · 19th August 2006

where's the door to the bedroom? centered? or off to one side of that wall?

19th August 2006	#1
jbible Gear interested Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 2 Thread Starter	speaker/mix position placement advice (diagram inside) I am moving to a new studio space next week and am trying to plan out at least a starting point towards optimal speaker and mix position placement. The main room is L shaped so I am unclear how that will effect the mix. I created this diagram illustrateing the room measurements and tenative placement of my monitors and mix position. Any suggestions for adjustments of placement? I have m-audio BX8's placed on sand filled spiked bottom stands and aurelex isolation pads.

19th August 2006	#2
u b k Gear Guru Joined: Oct 2004 Location: The Land of Sunshine Posts: 11,294	my advice is to put away any diagrams and ideas you have about where things should go, and when you get in the space set your monitors up with long xlr's and commence moving them around everywhere. listen on repeat to one song with good bass content that you're familiar with, and move things around a foot at a time, stop, listen, move, compare. if you get a spot that sounds decent, listen to a different song and see how it reacts. take notes on what places sound best, and when you've tried everything (including diagonal placements), go back to the best spots and compare them. you should be able to do the whole room in under an hour, and when you're done you'll know you've got the best spot the space has to offer. despite any claims otherwise, no one else can give you any meaningful assessment without being there to take measurements and use their ears. you can use math to find a spot that should work decently, but in my experience the sweetest spot in a room is never where it should be, and it's never the most convenient in terms of ergonomics or cosmetics. but it's the best, and that's what i'm after. gregoire del ubk . __________________ • Tapey Compressor \| Silky Air EQ \| Vibey Plugin Squeezebox... • ...... • Kush Audio: High End Just Got Higher • ____________________

19th August 2006	#4
Ethan Winer Gear Guru Joined: Oct 2002 Location: New Milford, CT, USA Posts: 12,334	JB, > am trying to plan out at least a starting point towards optimal speaker and mix position placement. < The main problem I see is a lack of left/right symmetry. In an "L" shaped room like that whatever you do will be a compromise, but you should at least aim to make the front part of the room symmetrical. Therefore, you should set up with the front L/C/R loudspeakers at the bottom of the "L" facing up toward the top of the drawing. Then sit so your ears are 7 feet back from the front wall (bottom) you face. The drawing below is from THIS article on my company's web site, and it shows one way to setup for a 5.1 environment. Note that in this example the listening position is placed 38 percent of the way from the rear wall rather than from the front wall. In home theaters with large TVs the visual requirements often force you to be farther back. In your case you'll want to be surrounded symmetrical by the side walls. --Ethan __________________ Ethan's audio book is now available!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Monitor Placement/Listening Position - Try This	Jax	So much gear, so little time!	5	25th May 2011 10:10 PM
Monitor speaker placement	bachconnelly	Low End Theory	7	11th May 2006 01:28 PM
OH placement, snare position	fadista	So much gear, so little time!	8	10th May 2006 06:37 AM
Speaker Placement Issues	ethan_c	Mastering forum	7	24th March 2006 07:50 AM
speaker placement/desks -- I don't get it!	jayman	High end	10	19th November 2005 06:43 AM

19th August 2006	#5
nathanvacha Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,231	where's the door to the bedroom? centered? or off to one side of that wall?