What is the equilateral triangle method?

The equilateral triangle method places the two monitors and your head at the three points of an equilateral triangle, with 60 degrees between the monitors from the listening position. The distance between monitors equals the distance from each monitor to your ears. This provides optimal stereo imaging.

How far should monitors be from the wall?

Ideally, monitors should be either flush-mounted in the wall (soffit mounted) or placed at least 60cm from the rear wall. The worst position is at exactly 1/4 wavelength distance from the wall for any frequency, which causes a deep null. Rear-ported monitors need more clearance.

What height should studio monitors be at?

The tweeters should be at ear height when you are in your normal working position. Most engineers sit with ears at about 110-130cm from the floor. Tilting monitors slightly toward your ears is acceptable if exact height matching is not possible.

Should monitors be placed on the desk?

Ideally no — placing monitors on the desk causes reflections from the desk surface that create comb filtering. Use stands behind/beside the desk, or use isolation pads to decouple the monitors from the desk and tilt them to the correct angle.

AudioCalcs

Monitor Placement Calculator — Equilateral Triangle Method

Calculate optimal studio monitor positions using the equilateral triangle method.

Listening Distance

Ear Height (seated)

Room Width

How We Calculate This

Equilateral Triangle

Monitor spacing = Listening distance

All three sides of the triangle are equal. Each monitor is angled 30° inward (60° total angle between monitors at the listening position).

Wall Distance

As a guideline, keep monitors at 38% of the listening distance from the nearest side wall, or at least 50cm from rear walls if not soffit mounted.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates based on standard formulas. Always verify results for critical applications.