How to use active speakers correctly ?

                                            How to use active speakers correctly

1. connect

Before purchasing an active speaker, you need to see the input interface on the back of the speaker. For civilian-level active speakers, generally only RCA interfaces are provided, and a few high-end models also provide XLR interfaces. For monitor-level active speakers, generally only XLR interfaces are provided. Therefore, you need to know whether the output interface provided by your front-end equipment can match the speaker before use.

2. Positioning

In terms of placement, in fact, there is no clear standard for the placement of speakers. However, we recommend using a regular triangle setup. The so-called equilateral triangle placement means that the connection between the two speakers and the listener is in an equilateral triangle, and the radiation direction of the two speakers needs to face the listener. The advantage of this positioning method is to get as much direct sound as possible, to hear more details and lower sound coloration. As for the distance between the speakers and people, it depends on the specifications of the speakers. For general 2-way active speakers (the woofer diameter is 5-8 inches), the distance is about 1 meter, and for large active speakers with three-way design (the woofer diameter is 10 inches or above), the distance is about 1 meter. It is about 2 to 4 meters.

3 Adjust the output sound pressure of the left and right channels

After setting the position, you need to adjust the output sound pressure of the left and right channel speakers to be equal. Active speakers generally have a volume adjustment function. At this time, you need to place a sound level meter at the listening position, and then play the pink noise test audio signal, combined with the pre-amplifier (or other controller) and the speaker’s own volume adjustment. The function adjusts the sound pressure of the two speakers to be the same. At the same time, referring to the sound pressure value, we recommend that you maintain a sound pressure level of about 80dB when listening to music. In addition, the international studio standard monitor sound pressure level is 80dB to 83dB, this standard can also be used for your reference. But the prerequisite is that your speakers must maintain very low distortion at this sound pressure level.

4. Proper use of Room EQ adjustment

Most active speakers provide the Room EQ function, which provides the ability to adjust the frequency response curves of high frequency, medium frequency and low frequency, and can be fine-tuned in different usage environments. For example, if the speaker is placed directly on the desktop, the desktop will cause too much low-frequency reflections and make the low-frequency muddy, then the user needs to attenuate the low-frequency band; if the room does not have much acoustic treatment , the high-frequency emission sound is too much, then the high-frequency needs to be attenuated. However, the Room EQ function can actually play a very limited role, and it needs the cooperation of the room to get a good sound.