Dynaudio AIR 15, Reference Manual

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Placing the monitors
Dynaudio Professional AIR reference manual – 2014-09-28 52
Monitor positions
Monitor placement and acoustics have a significant in-
fluence on monitor sound. AIR series provides powerful
tools to compensate for various, less than ideal place-
ments. Below, you will find a description of the most
common monitor placements and appropriate compen-
sation. Using material from the Dynaudio Profession-
al AIR test tone sets together with the AIR placement
compensation settings will allow you to find a perfect
balance between the AIR monitors and the acoustics
the studio.
In general, we recommended consulting an acoustics
expert for measurement and advanced adjustment and
alignment. AIR Control software provides comprehen-
sive features for EQ and Delay adjustments. For instal-
lations where flush mounting is considered, be sure to
consult an expert.
Below find a list of compensation options based on the
Room position settings in the Calibration submenu of
the Setup menu.
For more information on navigating to the Calibration
submenu and setting parameters, see “Setup menu ►
Monitor calibration” on page 26.
Monitor position Free standing (“Neutral”)
The monitor is placed on a stand or hung from the ceil-
ing some distance away from walls and other surfaces.
This position requires the “Neutral” setting (which is
the default in the Calibration menu). Try to place the
monitor optimally with regard to reflections and stand-
ing waves.
A monitor setup this way should be your reference –
you can always try to compare performance of an op-
timally placed freestanding AIR monitor (“Neutral” in
calibration menu) with any other monitor placed in an-
other position (Wall, Corner, Console) to determine if
compensation in these positions is needed.
Monitor position Close to wall (“Wall”)
When a monitor is placed close to a wall, bass re-
sponse needs to be decreased. The “Wall” setting in
the Calibration submenu of the Setup menu takes this
and other aspects into account. Try to compare this set-
ting with “Neutral” to determine which works better in
your studio.
If the opposite wall is parallel to the wall where the mon-
itor is placed, be aware that low frequency cancella-
tion might occur. You should also look out for standing
waves which might occur due to an uneven distribution
of low frequencies.
Monitor position Corner
Here, the same considerations as in the “Wall” position
apply – but in a corner position, bass response needs
to be decreased even more.
Try the “Corner” setting found in the Calibration sub-
menu of the Setup menu and then evaluate perfor-
mance in comparison to a freestanding monitor in “Neu-
tral” position. Use the Bass and Treble filters for fine
adjustment.
Monitor position On the bridge / “Console”
Placing a monitor on a meter bridge of a console will re-
sult in a strong single reflection from the desk’s surface,
which may color the sound. This comb filtering effect
sounds similar to signal modulation. In general it helps
to minimize the distance between the monitor and the
reflective surface.
Although it is not possible to fully eliminate comb filter-
ing using an equalizer, try to select the “Console” set-
ting in the Calibration submenu of the Setup menu and
evaluate performance in your studio.
Other positions/configurations
In the Calibration submenu of the Setup menu, you will
find additional settings which take combinations of the
above into account – e.g. “Console Wall”, which should
be used if the monitor is placed both close to a wall and
has a console reflection.