Why you must calibrate your Monitorspeakersand how to do it
Finland:
- North of Europe
- Population 5,4 Mil.
- Iisalmi 400 km from the Arctic Circle
Helsinki
Kuopio
Helsinki
Iisalmi
Kuopio
Arctic Circle
• Genelec has been manufacturing active loudspeakers in Finland for almost 35 years
Setting up the monitors
Standard stereo pair, a virtual sound image
Virtual sound image (in this case stereo image) is formedbetween the loudspeakers.
Precision of the sound image depends on 3 elements:
1. The quality of audio source
2. The quality of loudspeakers
3. The acoustics in the listening room
Preventing early reflections
Early reflections can be attenuated by:
• Removing or turning reflecting surfaces
• Adding absorption or diffusion on the reflecting surfaces
• Moving the speakers
absorbing surface attenuates
the reflected sound level
The hard surface can be turned sothat reflection does not hit the listener
refle
ctio
n
reflection
direct sound
Loudspeaker layout and aiming
– Aim the loudspeakers towards the listening position
– Set equal distance from the loudspeakers to the listening position
– Set correct angles
• Left - Right distance is the same as the distance from listening position to the loudspeakers (60 degrees)
Recommendation ITU-R BS.775-1
Loudspeaker height
• Loudspeakers optimal height is at the listener’s ear height , typically around 1.2m
• If unwanted floor reflections occur, try increasing the monitor height
• If the speakers are set on a higher level, the tilt-down should be max 15 degrees - to avoid the displacement of sound image
height H
height 1,2 m
Floor level distance D
Listener
Max 15 degrees
Loudspeaker distance, choosing the right monitor
This information is availableon web site www. genelec.comand in the Monitor Setup Guidehandout
Loudspeaker in a room
Loudspeaker radiation pattern
Enclosed driver
Omnidirectional radiationtypically f < 200Hz
Radiation to forward direction onlytypically f > 300 Hz
Forward beam width becomes narrowtypically f > 10 kHz
Flat +6dB +18dB+12dB
Wall loading effect
Wall loading increases output level at bass frequencies boomy sound can be corrected by equalization
No walls flat response One wall close tothe loudspeaker
Two walls (corner)close to the loudspeaker
Three walls close tothe loudspeaker
freespace
halfspace
quarterspace
1/8 space
Compensation of the wall loading
Bass Tilt-6dB
Recommended wall distance
The minimum distance allows the bass reflex port to work properly
The distance produces bass cancellation, causesloss of bass frequencies in the listening position
Back wall cancellation
16
• Back wall cancellation will cause loss of bass in the listening position
• Avoid placing the monitors between 1- 2.2 m from the wall due to back-wall cancellation!
You can easily find the cancellation frequencies with
the Genelec AcoustiTape. Ordercode MAI-0079.
Genelec Directivity Control Waveguide, DCW
Conventional ”square box” design
Conventional LoudspeakerHorizontal off axis
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
10 100 1,000 10,000 100,000
Gain, dBOn axis Gain A
15 Horiz Gain
30 Horiz Gain
45 Horiz Gain
60 Horiz Gain
Genelec 8000 series
Genelec 8050A - Horizontal off axis
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
10 100 1,000 10,000 100,000
Gain, dBOn axis Gain A
15 Horiz Gain
30 Horiz Gain
45 Horiz Gain
60 Horiz Gain
Genelec DSP products - solutions to a perfect sound
Genelec Loudspeaker Manager -
automated calibration system
• Even problematic rooms can become usable!!
Genelec DSP monitoring loudspeakers
8260Acoaxial three-way
8250A8240A8130A 1238CF
Supporting DSP subwoofers
7260A 7270A 7271ASE7261A