Guide
Use symmetry and iteration to establish a sensible two-channel starting point in a real room.
Updated 2026-08-24
Establish a repeatable starting geometry
For two-channel monitoring, equal left and right distances with an included listening angle of about 60 degrees are a useful starting geometry.
Aim each monitor toward the listening position and align its acoustic axis with the seated listener's ear height.
- Keep the two speakers as similar as practical in their distances to nearby boundaries.
- Use the manufacturer's placement guidance when it differs from a general starting layout.
Adjust for the room rather than forcing a formula
Hard surfaces reflect sound, while room modes can create position-dependent low-frequency peaks and dips.
Moving speakers or the listening position can change what is heard at the seat, but it does not remove the room's underlying modes.
- Evaluate wall distance, desk reflections, and room symmetry together.
- Treat subwoofer location, crossover, and phase as system-specific adjustments rather than fixed settings.