Preliminary Recommendation

A C T I V E S T U D I O M O N I T O R S

A word of warning on high sound levels - these speakers are capable of generating high output levels over sustained periods of time and such levels, over 95dB SPL for 8 hours per day, can eventually cause permanent hearing loss. Since Tannoy monitors have a natural-sounding flat frequency response and low distortion, it's possible not to be aware just how high the sound level is high while working with them.

For continuous exposure we recommend the occasional use of a sound level meter. This should be capable of integrating the sound level over a period of exposure according to noise control standards and used just to check that noise levels are always within safety limits. It is usually accepted that 80dB SPL is a safe level for continuous exposure.

Speaker Placement

Speaker placement, and the listening environment itself, can completely compromise the performance of any loudspeaker. It is important to understand some of the positional limitations of near-field speakers, and the operating environment, in order for you to gain maximum performance.

The construction of the Precision iDP™ incorporates magnetic shielding for the drive units. These monitors can therefore be used in close proximity to TV screens without any picture distortion. The greatest stray magnetic field is radiated from the front of the main driver, but it's unlikely you'd put your VDU right in front of the speaker. Side-by-side placement should be OK virtually touching, and, of course, modern non-CRT flat screens are unaffected by magnetic field.

Orientation

Where do you aim the speakers to give you the smoothest and most consistent sound?

How far apart do you place them to give you a good stereo image?

For a stereo set-up the basic rule is to arrange an equilateral triangle. The distance between the two monitors should be roughly the same as the distance between one monitor and your ears, this in the listening position where you are leaning forward on the console armrest.

This distance translates into a usual listening distance, for a near-field system, of around 1.3m (4'3") from each speaker, implying that the speakers will be around 1.3m (4'3") apart to create the normal equilateral arrangement applied in most stereo set-ups.

The speaker horizontal axis should be aimed at a point halfway between the two extremes of the listening positions (furthest forward and back) used when working. This is typically a range of about 600mm (24"). If possible, line up the vertical axis on a level with your ears referencing to the very centre of the Dual Concentric™ drive unit.

You can now confirm that you are on axis in both planes. First ensure that your head is in your normal listening position, look into the centre of the Dual Concentric™ high frequency unit wave guide, if you can see the gold colour of the HF driver dome in the centre of the WaveGuide™, then you are close to the ideal listening position. Also, having the monitors angled in towards the user minimises high frequency reflections from walls and outboard gear. Keeping close to this height, while moving around horizontally to access extremes of the desk and so on, will maintain a consistent frequency response; experienced as a wide "sweet spot" in which to work. For surround set-ups refer to specific ITU 775 or AES guidelines.