Calibrating Using 85 Db Spl "Standard" Reference - PRESONUS Eris XT Series Owner's Manual

3 Application Guide
3.2

Calibrating Using 85 dB SPL "Standard" Reference

3.2 Calibrating Using 85 dB SPL "Standard" Reference
Creating the sweet spot is relatively easy. Simply angle, or "toe-in, " each
speaker so that the tweeters form an equilateral triangle with your
head—that is, the speakers are the same distance from each other as
they are from you. The monitors should be angled, or "toed in, " so that
they are each directed to an ear, rather than pointed straight ahead.
Ideally, near-field studio monitors like the Eris XT-series should be placed
so that the high-frequency drivers (commonly known as 'tweeters') are at
the same height as your ears when you are seated in the mix position.
High-frequency content is much more directional than low frequency content.
Because of this, you can more accurately hear what is happening if the high
frequencies are directed at your ear. Once you have created the sweet spot,
sit down and make sure that your ears are level with the center of tweeter.
After you have properly positioned your studio monitors and listening
position, it is helpful to set all the levels in your studio so that you are
optimizing every component. Taking the time to properly calibrate your
speakers can be very valuable in this respect and will also give you a great
starting point to troubleshoot or fine-tune your mixing environment.
The main purpose of speaker calibration is to ensure that a specific metered audio
level in your DAW or on your mixer equals a predetermined SPL in your studio
environment. Depending upon the method and reference levels used during
calibration, proper calibration can help reduce unwanted noise, minimize the risk of
damage to your studio monitors and to your ears, maximize the reference capabilities
of different speaker types, and ensure you hear the audio as accurately as possible.
When calibrating reference monitors in a studio, the acoustic level or
sound pressure level (SPL) should be measured from the mix position at
seated ear height. There are an assortment of great SPL metering apps
on the market for smartphones, and many are free! You can also find
accurate SPL meters at your favorite local electronics-supply store.
The SPL meter should be held at arm's length, with the microphone pointed at
the center point between the left and right speakers (where your head will be),
angled at 45 degrees to ensure an accurate reading. If your SPL meter is also your
cell phone, make sure your finger or cell phone case isn't covering the mic!
Eris XT-Series E5XT / E8XT
Owner's Manual
10