
The sound level increases when the sound radiation is limited by walls.


The radiation space is the volume into which a monitor is radiating sound. This can be achieved by maintaining the same distance to the nearest side wall and the wall behind the monitor, placing the left and right monitors to the same height in the room, and placing the listening location symmetrically in the room in the left-right direction. The most accurate stereo imaging can be achieved when the reflections are similar for the left and the right monitor in a stereo pair. Typically the listening location is moved forward or backward. Moving the listening location can solve the problem.

If the listening location is at the location of a null for some mode resonances, the level of those resonances frequencies becomes very low and these frequencies appear to be missing. The listening location may be unfavourably situated relative to the room mode resonances. Changing the monitor locations may help to reduce the levels of problematic room mode resonances. Location of the monitor in the room affects how much the room mode resonances collect energy and how audible they become. This resonance sound forms standing waves in the room, with sound pressure maximums and minimums at certain locations in the room depending on the resonance frequency. When room dimensions agree with the sound wavelength, sound energy accumulates to form resonances. Avoid placing the monitors so that the immediate side wall, ceiling, and floor reflections travel towards the listening position. If the room surfaces have not been designed to diffract the sound energy, most of the reflected sound energy leaves the reflecting wall in the same angle as it arrived to the wall. The sound level decreases when the reflected sound is out of phase with the direct sound. The sound level at the listener increases when reflected sound is in phase with the direct sound. Sound is reflected by the walls, ceiling and floor. Placement suggestions for a 5.1 monitoring setup in two different basic room layouts: However, half room height placement should be avoided, as at low frequencies the ceiling is typically also a reflective surface. The higher the monitor is from the floor, the lower is the reflection induced frequency response irregularities. Monitors should always be aimed towards the listening position. For standard stereo and multichannel reproduction, do not lift the monitors so high that more than 15 degrees of tilt is required. Placing the monitors higher with a slight tilt will minimise floor reflections. Place the listening setup symmetrically in the left-right direction.įor typical two-way systems, the recommended height of the monitor acoustical axis is at the ear level, usually between 1.2 and 1.4 metres from the floor. Find the left-right symmetry axis of your room. Place the listening position at least one metre from the walls to avoid the zone of the pressure maximum. In the case of resonances, sound pressure maxima occurs on the surface. Room resonances between room surfaces are called standing waves or room modes. For film production, place your listening setup in the rear area. Each monitor should be aimed towards the listening position. The angle between the left and right monitors should be 60° degrees. For music productions place your listening setup in the front area. Divide your room vertically into three equally sized areas: front, centre and rear.
