music gear review JBL speakerangle spearkerpro

Music Gear Review: JBL SpeakerAngle and SpeakerPro

JBL SpeakerAngle and SpeakerPro are music gear apps for iPhones and iPads that determine the optimal monitor speaker positioning in home or project studios. Both the SpeakerAngle and SpeakerPro apps work for either stereo (two-channel) or up to 7.1 channel surround speaker systems. Incorrect spacing, “toe-in” angles and offset listening positions are common setup issues that limit the sonic performance of home project studios and home theatre speaker systems.

JBL’s SpeakerAngle app (free download) scientifically measures and determines the precise alignment “toe-in” of the left and right monitors as aimed at the center listening position. Any differences in speaker distances and toe-in angles can cause subtle inaccuracies in stereo imaging and detail.

The JBL SpeakerPro app ($1.99 download) is an advanced version of SpeakerAngle that makes intelligent speaker angling recommendations based on your speakers system’s distance measurements. It connects to your monitor speakers using a cable (not included) that splits the stereo output signal of the iOS device into separate left and right cables fitted with either RCA, 1/4-inch or XLR connectors.

SpeakerPro produces “clicks” that are picked up by the iOS device’s microphone and then uses a patented version of the “time-of- flight” technology to measure within fractions of an inch the distance between the left and right speakers and the distance of each of those speakers to the listening position.

JBL SpeakerAngle and SpeakerPro are necessary setup tools for home project studio or home theatre owners.

itunes.apple.com/us/app/jbl-speakerpro/id1061631115?mt=8

Barry Rudolph is a recording engineer/mixer who has worked on over 30 gold and platinum records. He has recorded and/or mixed Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hall & Oates, Pat Benatar, Rod Stewart, the Corrs and more. Barry has his own futuristic music mixing facility and loves teaching audio engineering at Musician’s Institute, Hollywood, CA. He is a lifetime Grammy-voting member of NARAS and a contributing editor for Mix Magazine. barryrudolph.com