Soffit angle for wide dispersion monitor

Started by drfrankencopter on 16 April 2005. 2 replies.

Originally posted at johnlsayers.com, topic 3588.

I'm in the middle of designing my one room (plus amp iso closets) studio, and am at the point where I'm placing the monitors in the design. I am using ATC SCM-50a (active triamp) monitors and intend on mounting them on filled concrete blocks, and constructing a false wall in front out of MDF(and framing) to act as an extension of the baffle. I have already determined the optimum listening position of my room based on mode analysis, however if I aim my speakers at the classic 30 degree angle (for an equilateral triangle between listening posn and the monitors) I end up chewing up a liite too much floor space at the front of my room. If I get the monitors as close to the corners as I can I and keep them aimed at the optimum listening position I end up with a 37 degree angle. I've attached a sketch with the monitors in the optimum 30 degree angle and equilateral setup...basically I'm trying to get the monitors into the corners to optimize floorspace. This is a control room and rehearsal/tracking room (I will put my console desk on wheels and roll it up against the front wall while tracking/rehearsing, and roll it to the ideal listening posn for mixing). SO here's the question...the ATC's a a wide dispersion monitor, so they sound really good and coherent even well off axis. After getting the monitors into the corners, should I keep the angle at 30 degrees, and just listen 7 degrees off axis, or should I try to make my soffits at a 37 degree angle (might be tough, I'm not certain what accuracy mitre saws are capable of).. Currently, I'm leaning towards keeping the angle at 30 deg and listening a little off axis. Anyone think this is a bad idea? I checked the 2D wall bounce calculator and the 37 deree angle gives a little bit (1dB) of a bump in the bass, but its a broad bump, and I doubt it would really be audible. Cheers, Kris
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A leading question. How many feet or inches would you have to move your head to be int he design listening position? Is so litle that nrmoal movement would put you in there? Andre
I just measured on the sketch.....at 30 degrees coming from the corners the monitors are focused at about 1.5 feet from the modally optimum mix position.. Probably too little to worry about, especially when you consider that your ears are about 4" from the center of yout head.... I;ve just been in so many bad rooms that really want to do mine right. Cheers, Kris