Acoustics · Studio Music Tools · 02 Oct 2026
Calibration starts with placement.
Before reaching for a correction plugin, give your monitors and listening position a fair starting point.
Start with symmetry
Aim for comparable left and right surroundings, and point the monitors towards the listening area. A position close to a wall or corner can change the bass balance; the useful starting point depends on the room and speakers.
Move, then measure
Try small changes in speaker or listening position and measure again. Keep a record of what changed. One graph at one point cannot describe the whole listening area.
Know what correction can do
Calibration can adjust the signal feeding the speakers or headphones. It cannot remove a physical reflection or shorten the room’s reverberation. Deep cancellations are not a reason to add large amounts of EQ boost.
Build a combined approach
Use placement, suitable acoustic treatment and careful measurement together. Consider correction once the physical setup is sensible, and keep checking familiar music. The Speaker Placement Planner can help you sketch your first arrangement.