M-Audio Studiophile CX8 User Manual - 7.  Setting Up Cx Monitors

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7.  Setting up CX Monitors

The configuration and placement of your CX monitors 

within your studio may affect the performance of the 

speakers.  Use the following tips to achieve the best 

possible performance out of your CX monitors:

Speaker Placement

Place the CX monitors so that the two speakers 

and the engineer form an equilateral triangle when 

viewed from above.  Angle the speakers slightly 

inward so that the woofer and tweeter face the 

engineer.

In general, it is recommended that CX monitors 

be placed at least one foot away from the nearest 

wall, ceiling, or any other large, flat surface (the reason 

for this is covered in detail in the following chapter of this 

guide).  If practical considerations such as limited studio 

space make this impossible, CX monitors include an 

Acoustic Space Switch 

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 to compensate for placement 

near walls and corners.  See the following chapter of this 

guide to learn more about this switch.

Speaker Height

Position the speakers so that they are parallel to the ground and that your ears are 

between the midpoint of the woofer and the tweeter.

Speaker Orientation

If possible, place CX monitors in their upright position and 

avoid laying the speakers on their sides.  The CX woofer 

and tweeter are vertically aligned and will provide the best 

performance when the speakers are placed upright. Placing 

them on their sides may create strong reflections from 

nearby surfaces resulting in spectrally unbalanced sound.

If your CX monitors must be oriented horizontally due to 

space or line-of-sight considerations, place the speakers so that their tweeters are on 

the “inside” to improve imaging.

Tweeters

TIP:  If possible, place your 

CX monitors on speaker stands 

instead of your desk top.  Desks 

tend to resonate sympathetically 

at low frequencies and may 

adversely affect the bass response 

of your monitors.  If speaker 

stands are not possible due to 

space restrictions and you notice 

a buildup in bass, try placing 

the monitors on “speaker pads” 

to acoustically de-couple the 

monitors from the desk.

Left Monitor

Right Monitor