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Room Setup, Page 2      

The Near Field Listening Position

By George Cardas

In the near field position the speakers and the listener’s head are the points of an equilateral triangle. Near field listening gives the perfect stereo field. It is frequently used in the recording studio to position the microphones and the voice in the mix. The near field listening position is determined by the "center to center" distance of the speakers and the distance to the listener’s head. It does not refer to the room in any way.

The importance of symmetrical speaker placement in a small room cannot be over emphasized.

Once the speakers are set as close to perfect as possible, you must angle them slightly toward the listening position. This can be done by ear and usually a ¼ to ½ inch tweek will do. Box speakers generally require a bit more toe-in than planear speakers. You will be able to hear a center focused voice clarify when the sweet spot is hit.