Tweeters Inside or Outside: Optimising Speaker Positioning for the Best Sound
When setting up studio monitors, getting the optimal sound isn’t just about having high-quality equipment—it’s also about proper positioning. For those with horizontally placed speakers, an often-overlooked decision is whether to position the tweeters inside or outside. This choice can have a surprising impact on stereo imaging, phantom centre stability, and overall mix quality. Here’s a deep dive into the factors at play and tips to find the perfect setup for your studio.
Trio of speakers: Amphion Two15, HEDD Type 20 MKII and Tantrum Audio Angry Box
Why Position Speakers Horizontally?
Ideally, studio monitors should be placed so that the centre point between the tweeter and woofer (on two-way speakers) or the tweeter and mid-driver (on three-way speakers) is at ear level when mixing. For those with tall desks or challenging room layouts, this often means placing speakers horizontally.
To elevate the speakers slightly and reduce muddy, low-mid reflections caused by desk surfaces, speaker stands like IsoAcoustic models are highly recommended. These stands not only improve alignment with ear level but also enhance overall sound clarity.
PSI A23 & Tantrum Audio Angry Box
Addressing Acoustic Challenges
Room acoustics play a significant role in speaker placement. In one setup, a persistent 100Hz null caused by a longitudinal node down the middle of the room posed challenges. Subwoofer placement is often debated, but contrary to popular theory, placing the subwoofer centrally mitigated the null effect.
Through trial and error, it became clear that speaker position relative to the subwoofer also mattered. Moving the speakers closer together improved the 100Hz null and strengthened the phantom centre.
Tweeters Inside vs Outside: Key Observations
After extensive testing, several conclusions emerged:
Tweeters Inside: Initially, placing the tweeters inside collapsed the phantom centre and disrupted stereo imaging.
Tweeters Outside: Switching to tweeters outside improved stereo imaging and resolved the phantom centre issue. This configuration also reduced the impact of the 100Hz null, creating a more cohesive sound.
In smaller rooms or setups where speakers need to be horizontally placed, experimenting with tweeter placement can drastically affect the listening experience.
Angling for Perfection
In a dual-monitor setup featuring PSI A23s and Amphion One15s, adjustments for each speaker type were necessary. The Amphions, positioned higher than ear level, were angled downward using IsoAcoustic 155 frames to direct sound to the mixing position. Testing revealed that when the Amphions were placed vertically beside the screen, the sound quality deteriorated due to desk reflections, even with acoustic correction applied.
Ultimately, having the Amphions’ tweeters positioned outside the PSI A23s resolved both the 100Hz null and imaging issues, creating a setup with balanced low-end and expansive top-end detail.
PSI A23s & Amphion One15s
Why Tweeter Position Matters
The placement of tweeters can affect:
Phantom Centre Stability: A solid phantom centre is essential for accurate stereo imaging.
Stereo Width: Proper placement can widen the stereo field for a more immersive experience.
Low-End and High-End Clarity: Bass, often a mono instrument, benefits from being centralised, while top-end details are better placed to the sides for greater impact.
Final Thoughts
Achieving an optimised listening environment often requires experimentation. Every room and setup is different, and what works for one may not work for another. By exploring options such as tweeter placement, speaker positioning, and acoustic treatment, even challenging rooms can be transformed into exceptional listening spaces.
Take the time to test and measure your setup—you might just uncover a configuration that exceeds your expectations.
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