Listening environment

[sipleybeck]

I just read that one should sit in “a perfect triangle” in relation to their studio monitors. It’s a suggestion I’ve read before, but this time it occurred to me that a “perfect triangle” means an “equilateral triangle”.

I have been sitting directly between my monitors, but not as far from them as they are far from one another. And I have noticed that they sound so much better (particularly on the low end) when I move farther back.

The equilateral triangle epiphany got me curious, so I measured the distance between the two monitors: 68¾”. Then I measured back to a point 68¾” from both speakers and found myself right where they had sounded best! Whaddya know.

But now I have a problem: I can’t sit that far back from my desktop and still reach the keypad and mouse.

So what's the answer?

Do I: a) position the monitors closer to one another? or b) get cable extensions, put the keypad and mouse on a tray on my lap, and view my monitor at 300%? Can’t. Couldn’t have anyone else in the room with me.

To be able to work at the desk, I will have to reposition the monitors about 34” apart from one another - or less. Is a 34' equilateral triangle an acceptable arrangement? - or will I simply be trading one poor setup for another?

 

[muttley]

It's 2/1. For every unit of distance the monitors are apart, you should be 2 units away from them. If they are 3' apart, you need to be 6' away. This is what's called the sweet spot in the listening position.


da MUTT

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

It's 2/1. For every unit of distance the monitors are apart, you should be 2 units away from them.

huh????? I've NEVER heard that....

Monitor positioning theory commonly indicates a 1:1 relationship between the distance between the speakers, and the distance from the listener. This forms the suggested equilateral triangle.

Using your 2:1 ratio means you have an isoceles triangle between the monitors and the listener....

 

[KevinTran]

And if you use a 3:4:5 ratio...uh..nevermind

Hey if you were sitting directly between your monitors, that would even be a triangle.

Maybe you need to move the monitors further behind your monitor, so you'd be able to monitor that sweet spot.

kt

 

[Drummerbones]

KevinTran is on to something there. Move them further back....or move them closer together as you suggested. You'll compromise a bit of the "exaggerated" stereo field, but so what? 3 feet is a bit too close for me, but then again, 68" is too wide. My monitors are set to where if I have to, I can reach out and touch them both from a seated position. That goes back to being equal distance from the monitors and still being able to reach my gear. Can't be too close, can't be too far. Boy, that wasn't the most obvious possible response was it....

 

[Tonio]

Move the monitors back farther or move your workstation closer to you. Hopefully they are on stands?

Hey as a matter of fact I think my monitors are around 68" apart.

coinkidink

 

[sipleybeck]

The monitor speakers are presently mounted on foam stands on my computer desk. The desk is L-shaped and the computer monitor is in the corner. The monitor speakers are left and right of the computer monitor, and positioned just 4” from the two adjacent walls that form the corner of the room. Moving the speakers farther back, as you can see, would be impossible.

I bought a computer keyboard tray that mounts to the underside of the desktop. It swings out, and locks, and swivels; and (if all goes well) will allow me to sit about 12” away from the desk and still use the keyboard and mouse. I will still have to move the monitor speakers closer to one another, but not so close as before.

The only drawback is: some of the desktop space gained by using the keyboard tray will be lost by having to move the computer monitor close enough to see it comfortably. Who knows? It may work out better than I imagine.

I know the world is waiting for the climax to this thrilling saga, so I will report immediately upon its outcome.