Reflection Point Calculator — First Reflection Treatment

First reflection points are the spots on walls and ceiling where sound from your monitors bounces directly to your ears. These reflections arrive within a few milliseconds of the direct sound, causing comb filtering and smearing the stereo image. Treating these points is the highest priority for mixing rooms.

Sit in your listening position. Have someone hold a mirror flat against the wall and slide it along. When you can see a monitor reflected in the mirror, that is a first reflection point. Mark it and place an absorber there. Do this for both side walls, the ceiling and the rear wall.

For side walls and ceiling: absorption is generally preferred to eliminate early reflections cleanly. For the rear wall: diffusion can work well, preserving some sense of space while preventing flutter echoes. A combination of both is common in professional studios.

At least 60cm × 120cm (2 × 4 feet) to be effective across a broad frequency range. Larger panels provide better coverage since reflection points shift slightly with head movement. Centre the panel on the calculated reflection point.