The Speaker Placement Calculator helps you find the optimal speaker and listening position in your room. Click to start drawing your room shape.
Note: non-rectangular shaped rooms may produce unexpected results.
How to Use the Speaker Placement Calculator
1: Choose Your Measurement Unit
At the top of the screen, select either:
- Metric (meters)
- Imperial (feet)
2: Draw Your Room
- Click anywhere on the grid to start drawing your room.
- Click additional points to create the walls—measurements will appear automatically.
- Points snap to the grid for precise alignment.
- To complete the room, click near your starting point—the shape will automatically close.
3: Adjust Your Room (if needed)
Fine-tune your room’s shape:
- Move a corner: Click and drag any corner point.
- Add a new corner: Click on any wall to insert a new point.
- Remove a corner: Double-click on any corner point.
- Start over: Click the “Reset” button to clear everything.
4: Calculate Speaker Placement
Click the “Calculate Desk Position” button. The app will display:
- Optimal listening position
- Speaker positions
- All relevant measurements and placement guidelines
Understanding the Results
The calculator will display:
- An equilateral triangle between your listening position and speakers
- Distances from walls to:
- Your listening position
- Each speaker
- Recommended placements based on best practices
Tips for Best Results
- You can recalculate at any time by clicking the “Calculate” button.
- Switch between metric and imperial units even after drawing your room.
- The room can be any polygon shape—it doesn’t have to be a perfect rectangle.
- For optimal accuracy, try to draw your room as precisely as possible.
Need to Start Over?
Click the “Reset” button to clear everything and start fresh.
The calculator follows acoustic principles to ensure optimal stereo imaging, placing the listening position at approximately 38% of the room’s length while maintaining an equilateral triangle with the speakers.
What is a Speaker Placement Calculator?
The Speaker Placement Calculator is a free, web-based tool designed to help music enthusiasts, home studio owners, and audiophiles optimize their speaker setup for the best possible sound experience. It simplifies complex acoustic principles into easy-to-follow visual guidelines customized to your room’s dimensions.
Why Speaker Placement Matters
Improper speaker placement can cause:
- Muddy bass response
- Unclear stereo imaging
- Uneven frequency response
- Sound reflection issues
- Compromised audio quality
Benefits of Using a Speaker Placement Calculator
1. Precision Without the Guesswork
- Get exact measurements for speaker positioning
- Eliminate trial-and-error setup time
- Follow industry-standard acoustic principles automatically
2. Room-Specific Optimization
- Works with any room shape
- Adapts to your space’s unique dimensions
- Suitable for both small and large rooms
3. Professional-Grade Results
- Uses the equilateral triangle principle for optimal stereo imaging
- Implements the 38% rule for the best listening position
- Provides precise, professional-level speaker placement for those offering professional mixing services and mastering.
The Science Behind the Calculator
This tool is based on proven acoustic principles, including:
- Equilateral triangle setup for stereo balance
- The 38% rule for optimal listening position
- Wall reflection considerations to reduce unwanted echoes
- Optimal listening distance calculations for best sound clarity
Benefits of Proper Speaker Placement
- Improved Sound Quality – Clearer stereo imaging and balanced bass
- Professional Results – Accurate sound reproduction and mixing precision
- Cost-Effective Solution – Optimize your current setup without expensive upgrades
What is the 38% rule for speaker placement?
The 38% rule is a guideline for determining the ideal listening position in a rectangular room. It suggests placing your ears at a point approximately 38% of the room’s length from the front wall. This position helps minimise standing waves and uneven bass response, creating a more balanced sound environment. While it’s not a strict rule, it serves as a useful starting point for optimising speaker placement.
Where should speakers be placed?
For optimal sound quality, speakers should be placed:
At ear level when seated, ensuring the tweeters are aligned with your ears.
An equal distance from each other and the listener, forming an equilateral triangle for proper stereo imaging.
Away from walls to reduce unwanted reflections—typically, at least 2-3 feet from the back wall and a few feet from side walls, depending on room size.
Angled slightly inward (toe-in), so they are directed toward the listening position for a more focused sound stage.