How High Should Acoustic Panels Be? (Placement Tips)
If you’re setting up a home studio, podcast room, theater, or just want better sound in your space, placing your acoustic panels at the right height makes a big difference.
The Sweet Spot: Ear Level
A good rule of thumb is to place acoustic panels at ear level when you’re sitting or standing in the room. Why? Because sound travels in straight lines. You want the panels to catch sound waves where they bounce the most—right where your ears are.
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For seated setups (like home theaters or music studios), this usually means mounting panels so the center of each one is about 3.5 to 4.5 feet off the ground.
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For standing setups (like live rooms or vocal booths), aim for about 5 to 6 feet high.
Cover First Reflection Points
Another tip is to place panels where sound bounces first. These are called first reflection points and they’re usually on the side walls and directly behind your speakers or desk.
A quick way to find them: sit in your usual listening spot, have someone slide a mirror along the wall, and mark the spots where you can see your speakers in the mirror. That’s where your panels should go.
How Many Panels Do You Need?
While height is important, coverage matters too. In most rooms, you’ll get good results by treating:
- The side walls (at ear level)
- The wall behind your listening position
- The ceiling above your listening position (optional but helpful)
- Corners (for bass traps)
Need help figuring out how many panels to get?
Try our Room Treatment Calculator to get a personalized recommendation in seconds.
We also offer a FREE Acoustic Room Analysis!
Keep It Simple
You don’t need to cover every inch of the wall. Just focus on the key spots where sound bounces the most.
