KnoelScott.com

The close field reference monitor is the solution to minimize as much as possible the interaction of sound with the room. Because they are positioned close to you, you hear the sound directly. Because they are so close you need less volume, so less of the sound travels to walls and corners and bounces back at you. Because close field reference studio monitors can reduce unwanted acoustical effects within the listening space, speaker placement is critical. Begin by setting up the monitoring system symmetrically within the room, positioning your speakers with the high frequency elements at ear level and each monitor aimed slightly inward. The distance between speakers should be the same as the distance from each speaker to your ears, forming an equilateral triangle.

This creates a “sweet spot” where the listener is precisely on axis with each monitor. The most accurate perception of sound is attained from this position, because the sonic character of many speakers changes dramatically when heard off axis. To improve the sound quality and imaging of your monitors, it’s a good idea to acoustically isolate, or decouple, them from the surface they’re on. The typical do it your self solution is to set your monitors on a thick piece of foam or rubber. Auralex Mo Pads are a set of inexpensive wedges made of high density polyurethane foam that not only decouple your monitors from the stand or desktop, but also let you tilt them up or down slightly.

This phenomenon, known as off axis coloration, can be demonstrated by referencing a sound while facing the monitor and comparing that to the sound heard after taking a step to either side of the same monitor. Typical symptoms of off axis coloration are a loss of high frequency information or a change in the mid range characteristics. Since low frequency information is largely non directional, bass response generally is unaffected by off axis listening.