Does It Matter Which Way My Monitors Face?
Short answer: it depends on which Kali monitor you have. The good news is we've thought about this carefully, and there's a right answer for every model.
IN-Series and SM-Series — Coaxial Design
The IN-Series and SM-Series monitors feature a coaxial driver design — meaning the tweeter is mounted concentrically inside the midrange, sharing the same acoustic center. This is a significant engineering advantage when it comes to placement flexibility.
Because the high and mid frequencies radiate from the same point, the dispersion pattern of a coaxial driver is essentially symmetrical — it doesn't care which way is "up." This means your IN-Series or SM-Series monitors can be placed horizontally or vertically without adversely affecting their imaging, stereo field, or frequency response.
The Boundary EQ presets described in each model's User Guide apply equally in both orientations — so whether you're placing them on their side for a wider setup or standing them upright on a desk, your EQ settings remain valid.
One exception worth noting: the console bridge presets are designed for a very specific acoustic scenario — a speaker sitting directly on a mixing console's meter bridge. The surface reflection effects in that position are hyperspecific, and those presets are tuned accordingly. If you're using a console bridge preset, use it exactly as described in the guide. It's not really a "close enough" situation.
More on Horizontal Placement
If you do opt for a horizontal setup, you might ask if the tweeters should be on the inside or outside of the setup. There really isn’t a right or wrong answer here but the “Traditional” way would be woofers in - tweeters out. You can liken this to mixing drums, keeping the kick centered while the cymbals pan out into the peripheries.
Nowadays there are plenty of accomplished mixers who do just the opposite. Rules are made to be broken, and it all comes down to personal preference. See what camp you fall into - if it sounds good, chances are it IS good!
LP-Series — 2-Way Design
The LP-Series monitors are a traditional 2-way design, with a woofer and tweeter mounted vertically along the baffle. This distinction matters for placement.
With a 2-way speaker, the tweeter and woofer are physically offset — and the relationship between them is carefully optimized for a specific orientation. For LP-Series monitors, upright or upside down are your two options. Rotating them on their side disrupts the intended driver alignment.
Why it's worth getting right: The waveguide on the Lone Pine Series studio monitors ensures that the directivity of the loudspeaker is smooth throughout its frequency response. What’s more: it’s calibrated so that the sound power of the loudspeaker helps you to perceive sound accurately.
In practical terms, what this means is that you’re hearing spatial details in the recording that allow your brain to place elements of the recording in the space around you. This gives the speakers a more natural, lifelike feel that exposes more of the detail of the material that you’re working on. This level of detail makes it easier to make critical decisions, as well as making these monitors pleasurable to mix on and listen to in general.
Turn this speaker on its side and you're essentially folding that soundstage in half. Keep it upright, and your mix and it’s spatial elements have a very good chance at translating to other systems!
Still Not Sure?
Check your model's User Guide at kaliaudio.com/documents for placement diagrams and Boundary EQ preset details specific to your setup.