5 
 
Setup 
 
The configuration and placement of your BX5 D3 monitors on speaker stands or your desktop 
workstation may affect the performance of the speakers. Use the following tips to achieve the 
best performance out of your BX5 D3 monitors. 
 
Tip: If possible, place your BX5 D3 monitors on speaker stands instead of your desktop. 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 isolation pads to acoustically de-couple 
the monitors from the desk. 
 
XLR Balanced Connection 
 
Assure that the power switch of the BX5 D3 is turned off and that the volume control of the 
BX5 D3 is turned down to a minimum. Connect the male end of an XLR balanced cable to the 
balanced input of the BX5 D3. 
 
TRS Balanced/Unbalanced Connection 
 
Assure that the power switch of the BX5 D3 is turned to off and that the volume control of the 
BX5 D3 is turned down to a minimum. Connect the male end of a TRS balanced or TS 
unbalanced cable to the TRS input of the BX5 D3. 
 
Connecting to Preamp or Computer Outputs 
 
Before connecting, make sure the output device's power has been turned off. Plug the XLR 
balanced, TRS balanced or TS unbalanced cable to the corresponding output connectors of a 
pre‑amplifier, audio interface, mixer, computer, or game console. 
 
Speaker Placement 
 
The placement of your speakers has a huge 
impact on how well they will perform in your 
studio. Although nearfield studio monitors are 
designed to be more forgiving when it comes 
to placement, you should do your best to make 
sure they form an equilateral triangle relative to 
your head. In other words, make sure that each 
speaker is equally distant from both your head 
as well as the other speaker. Once each 
speaker has been placed, rotate the speakers 
slightly so that the drivers are pointing toward 
the listener. 
 
Take a look at the diagram on the right. Notice 
that the distance from the listener’s head to 
each speaker is the same as the distance 
between the left and right speakers. Also note 
that the speakers are turned slightly so that the 
drivers are facing the listener. This is an ideal 
setup but if it is not practical (or possible) to do 
this, try to match this setup as closely as 
possible. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The speakers and listener should 
be at the three corners of a 
triangle having equal length sides. 
Listener 
Left Speaker 
Right Speaker