This term is reasonably self-explanatory, but it’s something to be aware of when choosing a set of monitors. Nearfield monitors are designed to be positioned approximately one to two metres away from the listener, making them ideal for smaller studios, whereas mid-field monitors are generally larger and optimised for positioning between two and four metres away from the listener. It’s a common mistake to choose the biggest, loudest monitors you can afford, but this often results in a less than ideal mixing environment. Larger studios will generally use nearfields in addition to midfields or even larger flush-mounted systems.
