Where to Place Acoustic Panels
Place acoustic panels first at the side wall first reflection points, the spots where you can see a monitor in a mirror slid along the wall from your mix seat. Then do the ceiling above your seat and the walls in front of and behind you, once bass traps are in the corners.
Find the reflection points with a mirror
The mirror trick takes two people. GIK Acoustics says "wherever you can see the loudspeaker in the mirror is a first reflection point."
- Sit in your mix position with the monitors where they'll stay.
- Have a helper slide a mirror along the side wall at the height of your monitors, as Auralex describes.
- Mark each spot where you see a monitor: one for the near speaker, one for the far.
- Repeat on the other side wall and the ceiling.
Placement order
Go in this order, and measure after each step if you can.
| Order | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corners | Bass builds up there; see bass traps |
| 2 | Side wall marks | Strongest early reflections |
| 3 | Ceiling above your seat | Auralex calls it "often overlooked" |
| 4 | Behind the monitors | Front wall reflections; see panels behind speakers |
| 5 | Rear wall | Late reflections that blur the stereo image |
Auralex's home studio guide says wall treatment should start about 30 to 36 inches off the floor for a seated listener.
How to use acoustic panels properly
Use panels at least 4 inches thick at the reflection points, which GIK recommends for music rooms, with an air gap behind them if you have the depth. For thickness, see how thick acoustic panels should be, spacing on how far off the wall, mounting on how to hang acoustic panels, and quantity on how many acoustic panels you need. The full plan: home studio acoustic treatment guide.
Related questions
How high should acoustic panels be hung?
Cover the height of your monitors and ears when seated. Auralex says treatment should start about 30 to 36 inches off the floor for a seated listener.
Should acoustic panels go on the ceiling?
Yes, directly above your mix seat. Auralex calls that spot often overlooked, and GIK lists the ceiling with the side walls as a zone of strong early reflections.
More answers: Home recording FAQ