M-Audio CX8 Speaker User Manual


 
10
7. Setting up CX Monitors
The configuration and placement of your CX monitors
within your studio may affect the performance of the
speakers. Use the following tips to achieve the best
possible performance out of your CX monitors:
Speaker Placement
Place the CX 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 woofer and tweeter face the
engineer.
In general, it is recommended that CX 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, CX monitors include an
Acoustic Space Switch
7
to compensate for placement
near walls and corners. See the following chapter of this
guide to learn more about this switch.
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 CX monitors in their upright position and
avoid laying the speakers on their sides. The CX 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 CX monitors must be oriented horizontally due to
space or line-of-sight considerations, place the speakers so that their tweeters are on
the “inside” to improve imaging.
Tweeters
TIP: If possible, place your
CX 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 “speaker pads”
to acoustically de-couple the
monitors from the desk.
Left Monitor Right Monito
r