Setup
The configuration and placement of your SM50 monitors on speaker stands or your desktop
workstation may affect the performance of the speakers. Use the following tips to achieve the
best performance out of your SM50 monitors.
Tip: If possible, place your SM50 monitors on speaker stands instead of your desk top. Desks
tend to resonate sympathetically at low frequencies and may adversely affect the bass
response of your monitors. If speaker stands are not possible due to space restrictions and you
notice a buildup in bass, try placing the monitors on isolation pads (included) to acoustically
de-couple the monitors from the desk.
Speaker Placement
Place the SM50 monitors so that the two speakers
and the engineer form an equilateral triangle when
viewed from above. Angle the speakers slightly
inward so that the drivers face the engineer.
In general, it is recommended that SM50 monitors be
placed at least one foot away from the nearest wall,
ceiling, or any other large, flat surface (the reason for
this is covered in detail in the following chapter of this
guide). If practical considerations such as limited
studio space make this impossible, SM50 monitors
include separate equalizer controls to compensate for
placement near walls and corners, as well as to
compensate for the general acoustic response of
your monitoring environment.
Speaker Height
Position the speakers so that they are parallel to the
ground and that your ears are between the midpoint of
the woofer and the tweeter.
Speaker Orientation
If possible, place the SM50 monitors in their upright position and avoid laying the speakers on
their sides. The SM50 woofer and tweeter are vertically aligned and will provide the best
performance when the speakers are placed upright. Placing them on their sides may create
strong reflections from nearby surfaces resulting in spectrally unbalanced sound.
If your SM50 monitors must be oriented horizontally due to space or line-of-sight
considerations, place the speakers so that their tweeter is on the "inside" to improve imaging.
Tweeters
5