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Posted by kpjf on Dec-19-2008 16:17:

Optimum level for speakers

Hi,

I know this may sound like a basic question but what is the optimum level to have speakers at for djing?

I currently have a pair of JBLs but i think they're a bit too high. The very bottom of the speakers would be at about my ear level approximately. Should they be a bit lower? Say the middle of the speaker about ear level or is it okay the way they are? They are on wall brackets so they do kind of come down at an angle and it is a bit of a bother to screw holes in the wall and then remount it. Just wondering if it's maybe better to have it lower.

Thanks

Posted by n3lly on Dec-19-2008 16:26:

Having them around ear level is perfect.

Even better if you can point them towards you slightly as well, instead of having them just facing straight out from the wall. That's presuming you're playing in between the speakers.

Though having said all that the production forum would probably be able to answer this a little better, although the lads in here will also know.

HTH
nelly

Posted by Stu Cox on Dec-19-2008 16:26:

Ideally a pair of speakers should be about your ear level or very slightly higher - the treble tends to be fairly directional so if they're lower than your ears you'll start to lose a little bit of clarity in the top end.

If you can easily lower them an inch or so I'd do it, but tbh I doubt you're gonna notice much difference unless your ears are practically in the cones when you're mixing... for some reason in my experience treble's clearer when it's coming from above your ears a bit than below your ears a bit, so you're better off with them being slightly too high than slightly too low.

Posted by kpjf on Dec-20-2008 11:56:

Thanks for the help. Maybe i could post this in the production forum.

I do mix right in the middle of the speakers and they do come down at an angle from the speaker brackets on the wall http://www.polkaudio.com/images/showcase/96_5_big.jpg this isn't my setup; just an example.

So, basically what you are saying is that it'd probably be better for them to be a bit lower, but it isn't a big deal. But if i was to do it just make sure that the treble was above my ears?

I might just leave it, as it was a real pain drilling holes in the wall and screwing them in etc then you're left with a real mess with holes all over the place. Maybe if i'm bored one day i should lower them.

Thanks for your help Stu & Nelly!

Posted by Stu Cox on Dec-20-2008 12:04:

If they're angled down then I'd keep them as they are...

Absolute ideal situation would be the tweeter cones pointing directly at your ears.

But yeah, it doesn't make a vast amount of difference - as long as it sounds clear to you

Posted by winston on Dec-26-2008 19:17:

I'd usually advice to set up your speakers at the lowest level possible, specially if you live in an apartment complex [most big cities, etc]. if you do, you'll train your ear to notice transitions at lower levels, without depending on one element (bass) to transit from one loop to the other, or to notice when a song has successfully faded in, while the other remains present in the background.

when i used to play regularly i used to blast my speakers alot though...

Posted by Stu Cox on Dec-27-2008 09:08:

Posted by kpjf on Dec-27-2008 16:31:

quote:
Originally posted by diggerz
I'd usually advice to set up your speakers at the lowest level possible, specially if you live in an apartment complex [most big cities, etc]. if you do, you'll train your ear to notice transitions at lower levels, without depending on one element (bass) to transit from one loop to the other, or to notice when a song has successfully faded in, while the other remains present in the background.

when i used to play regularly i used to blast my speakers alot though...

I'm talking about the best place to put the speakers so that mixing is easier, not making things harder so that you become a better dj. Sorry i don't quite understand you.

quote:
Originally posted by Stu Cox
He means level as in height off the ground

But still a valid point - I totally agree.

Does lowest level possible not mean exactly what he says? i mean why would he say that if he means something else... i'm confused!

Lowest level to me means literally on the floor. Are you saying he's talking about almost on the floor but not actually touching the floor? I don't understand this, sorry.

I did remember a good tip from Dave Angel, who said for learning how to get accustomed to club mixing you should turn you speakers back to front, so that the speakers face the walls. Therefore it will obviously be harder to mix and maybe make you more prepared for a dodgy sound system... but as i say i am wondering what the optimum level is; not ways to make your ear better trained making it difficult etc

I remember i used to know someone who put his speakers behind a cabinet, so that the speakers were facing the back of the cabinet (he was no dj); i always thought that was the height of stupidity. And i knew someone else who used to have his speakers upside down! When i fixed them, the next time i was there the speakers were upside down again!

Posted by Zild on Dec-27-2008 17:13:

As a DJ when you talk about levels you are usually talking about the volume of the sound not the height of a speaker.

Posted by Stu Cox on Dec-27-2008 17:52:

quote:
Originally posted by kevferris
Does lowest level possible not mean exactly what he says? i mean why would he say that if he means something else... i'm confused!

Lowest level to me means literally on the floor. Are you saying he's talking about almost on the floor but not actually touching the floor? I don't understand this, sorry.

Yeah he's talking about volume

Posted by kpjf on Dec-27-2008 20:30:

quote:
Originally posted by Zild
As a DJ when you talk about levels you are usually talking about the volume of the sound not the height of a speaker.

Okay thanks, but the whole point of my thread was in fact the physical level of speakers

Posted by chesco on Mar-27-2009 22:46:

I was looking for some recommendations on speaker stands when i came across this thread.

I decided to take my speakers down off their shelves today and place them with the tweeters @ ear level, and from what I found the sound is far clearer and much more "punchy" if that makes sense. Going to get rid of my shelves and buy a set of stands to sit them behind my set up. Been finding it difficult to mix with the speakers where they were so think this should improve it..

If anyone wants to recommend a set then please do.