Yamaha STUDIO Owners Manual - Page 6

English Speaker Placement Speaker placement is one of the most important considerations when setting up a monitor system, but it is all too often overlooked with the result that performance is seriously compromised. Admittedly the obstacles to perfect speaker positioning in the small studio are formidable. Having the space available to place your speaker system so that it can provide optimum performance is a luxury, but it is definitely worth the time spent doing a little experimentation and measuring to make the most of limited resources. The difference can be astounding. The basics are the same whether you're setting up a stereo or 5.1 surround system. Proximity to Walls and Corners For the most accurate response your speakers should be positioned away from walls and especially corners, which can play havoc with a speaker's frequency characteristics. A minimum of about 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) away from walls would be ideal, but in reality they'll probably end up being placed on a desktop and pushed up against a wall. Just keep in mind that fact that the closer you get to walls and corners the more exaggerated the speaker's bass response is likely to become, and some compensation - whether you compensate mentally or use some equalization - will probably be required. Symmetry As we've just learned, the response of a speaker can change drastically according to where it is placed in relation to surfaces. So what happens if one of your speakers is up against a wall and the other is out in the open? Rest assured that the results will not be good, and will definitely not be conducive to producing good mixes. You'll have totally different response from your left and right speakers, making it next to impossible to create a well-balanced mix, or even position tracks accurately in the stereo sound field. So whatever you do, if you're serious about your sound make sure that your speakers are located as symmetrically within your listening environment as possible. Use a tape measure to ensure that your speakers are the same distance from the side and rear walls. Large objects can throw the acoustic symmetry of a room off balance, too. It's also important to be aware of the location of doors and windows. It is not always possible to achieve ideal symmetry, but it's worth getting as close as possible. 6 MSP7 STUDIO/MSP5 STUDIO/SW10 STUDIO Owner's Manual