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The close-field monitor, by definition, reduces room interaction. This can be
compared to the conventional stereo configuration or the large monitor
arrangement in a recording studio where sounds emanating from the monitor
or reflecting off ceilings, walls, and floors greatly affect the sound quality. By
shortening the path to the ear, the close-field monitor offers a tremendous
amount of flexibility, allowing the sound to become less susceptible to differing
room conditions. The ability to adjust the high frequency characteristics is equally
important to help compensate for room irregularities and achieve the best sound
accuracy.
A room that is heavily dampened would typically require a slight high frequency
boost. Likewise, reducing the high frequencies can alter a reverberant room.
Placing the monitor close to a rear wall, sidewall, or a corner will reinforce the
low frequencies. If you move them two to three feet away from walls and
corners, you will hear less low frequency interaction (excluding any interaction
with the mixing console).
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Positioning your monitors correctly in the studio is critical to their performance.
Typically, they should be placed so that the listening position is fully
“covered” with all monitors resting on the same horizontal plane. To test a
monitor for its imaging capability, playback a song that includes acoustic
instruments, to fully represent the entire sound spectrum.
You can adjust the angle of each monitor by listening for dead spots. Keep in
mind, changing the angle or position of a monitor will change the way that you
perceive your music. So lets analyze the following monitors’ configurations;
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