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Monitor wedges let performers hear a selected mix of vocals, instruments, or cues from a speaker aimed up at them from the stage floor. That onstage “foldback” helps musicians stay oriented when the audience-facing PA, backline, or surrounding sound does not give them what they need to hear.
What a monitor wedge does
A monitor wedge is a floor loudspeaker in an angled enclosure, positioned so its sound points toward a standing or seated performer rather than out toward the audience. It reproduces a monitor mix: selected sound sent to the performer’s listening position.
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The audience-facing PA and a wedge serve different purposes. The PA projects the performance to the room; a wedge brings useful sound back to the people performing. Sound On Sound explains the foldback role of stage monitoring and the upward aim of wedge enclosures in its Stage Monitoring guide. Mackie likewise distinguishes the audience-facing PA from performer-facing stage-monitor use in its ThumpXT loudspeaker overview.
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A performer may not hear a needed source clearly from their position on stage. Acoustic instruments, loud surroundings, stage layout, or the absence of nearby backline can make it difficult to hear a voice, another musician, or a musical cue. A wedge puts selected sound closer to the performer’s ears.
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The mix is chosen for the performer’s needs. One person might want their own voice and a cue; another might need a different balance of vocals and instruments. The wedge is the speaker that delivers the mix, while the routing and mixing determine what comes through it. Performers do not all need the same sources or the same balance.
Placement and feedback
A wedge adds another loudspeaker to the stage. If its sound enters an open microphone and is amplified again through the speaker system, the resulting loop can produce feedback. The risk depends on the microphone, system, room, placement, and levels; no single position or piece of equipment guarantees that feedback cannot occur.
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- Aim for the performer’s actual position. The useful listening area depends on where the wedge points and where the performer stands or moves.
- Consider the microphone’s pickup pattern. Place and aim the wedge with the live microphone in mind, so monitor sound is less likely to enter it.
- Keep the mix and level purposeful. Send what the performer needs and avoid unnecessary loudness.
- Account for additional wedges. More speakers can cover more positions, but they can also add sound around open microphones.
Sound On Sound describes the loudspeaker-to-microphone feedback loop and the importance of placement and stage coverage in Stage Monitoring: Monitor Mixing. Yamaha also discusses wedge placement, monitor mixes, and feedback management in its guide to optimizing monitor mixes and avoiding feedback.
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In-ear monitors (IEMs) deliver a listening mix through earphones instead of a floor speaker. Because they do not add sound from a stage monitor loudspeaker, they avoid that particular route for wedge sound to enter an open microphone. They do not make every other feedback path impossible, and they create a different listening experience and setup.
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- HIGH-POWER AUDIO PERFORMANCE: Delivers 1400 watts peak with a 15" woofer and 1.75" titanium compression driver for powerful, balanced sound-ideal for live music, DJs, and stage monitoring.
- DURABLE AND ROAD-READY DESIGN: Constructed with a rugged MDF cabinet, protective steel grille, and heavy-duty carpet finish for long-lasting reliability in touring and event use.
- WIDE SOUND DISPERSION: Exclusive horn design provides 70 degree x 50 degree coverage, ensuring clear, even audio across the stage for performers and audiences.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY: Equipped with dual 1/4" and Speakon input/output connectors for seamless integration with amplifiers, mixers, and pro audio systems.
- PORTABLE AND FLEXIBLE: Angled wedge enclosure with ergonomic handles allows easy transport and precise positioning on stage or pole-mounted as a main speaker.
| Consideration | Floor wedges | In-ear monitors |
|---|---|---|
| How sound reaches the performer | A performer-facing loudspeaker on stage | A personal mix through earphones |
| Shared or individual listening | Stage sound can be shared; the mix depends on how the system is routed | Can provide a personal listening mix |
| Sound entering open microphones | Wedge output can reach a live microphone and contribute to feedback | Avoids the acoustic path from a floor monitor loudspeaker into an open microphone |
| Practical fit | Depends on stage positions, movement, coverage, and the production’s setup | Depends on the desired listening experience and the production’s setup |
Neither approach is best for every production. The useful choice depends on whether performers want shared stage sound or personal mixes, how much they move, microphone feedback paths, and what equipment and operating workflow the production already has. Yamaha compares wedge and in-ear monitoring in its monitor-mix guide; Shure presents a manufacturer’s perspective on the comparison in 10 Reasons Why In-Ear Monitors Are Better Than Wedges.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When a wedge makes sense
A wedge is useful when a performer needs selected sound at a particular stage position and a floor loudspeaker suits the production. It is one monitoring option among several: performers may instead use in-ear systems, rely on backline sound, or combine approaches. The right setup is the one that gives performers the sound they need while keeping stage coverage and microphone feedback manageable.
Quick Recap
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- POWERED 2-WAY STAGE MONITOR: Features a 10" low-frequency woofer paired with a 1" titanium compression driver, delivering clear, focused sound for live performance and monitoring applications.
- INTEGRATED AMPLIFICATION: Equipped with an integrated 300W amplifier, providing dependable output for stage monitoring, rehearsals, and small-venue use.
- VERSATILE INPUT & OUTPUT CONFIGURATION: Includes one XLR line input, one XLR line output for daisy chaining, one 1/4" auxiliary input, and one 1/8" MP3 input for flexible source connectivity.
- ONBOARD 3-BAND EQ CONTROL: Built-in bass, mid, and treble controls allow quick tonal adjustment to accommodate different stage setups and room acoustics.
- COMPACT & ROAD-READY DESIGN: Low-profile wedge enclosure with a recessed carry handle, durable black carpet covering, heavy-duty metal grille, and reinforced metal corners for reliable transport and stage use.
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- Package Includes: (2) Rockville RSM12P 12" 1000 Watt 2-Way Passive Stage Floor Monitor Speakers - matched pair of wedge monitors featuring 12" LF driver and 1" titanium compression horn, 8-Ohm impedance, aviation-grade carpet finish, steel grille protection, recessed carry handles, rubber isolating feet, and Speakon/1/4" input and thru connectors for easy daisy-chaining - everything you need for clear, reliable stage monitoring in a compact footprint.
- Powerful, clear stage monitoring: RSM12P delivers authoritative sound for vocals, keys, guitars, and tracks with 1000-Watt peak power handling (250-Watt RMS / 500-Watt program) per cabinet. The 12" woofer with 2.5" KSV voice coil supplies tight, punchy low end, while the 1" titanium diaphragm horn keeps highs crisp. Wide 45 Hz-20 kHz response and a max SPL spec listed at 93 dB @1W/1m help the RSM12P project mixes that cut through busy stages.
- RSM12P versatility for any rig: Run them as floor wedges or pole-mount as mains - your call. Each monitor provides both Speakon and 1/4" input plus matching thru connections for flexible cabling and easy daisy-chain setups with standard pro power amps or powered mixers. The exclusive elliptical wave-guide horn (70° x 50° dispersion) throws sound broadly and evenly so performers can move naturally without stepping out of the sweet spot mid-set.
- Tour-ready build that lasts: Purpose-built MDF cabinetry with a thicker front baffle, CNC precision cuts, and tight tolerances resists vibration for cleaner sound at high SPL. Aviation-grade carpet stands up to load-outs; a custom-molded steel grille shields drivers; rubber isolating feet add traction and tilt stability; recessed, ergonomic handles simplify carries. At 36.8 lbs and 14.96" x 15.83" x 22.95", the RSM12P balances ruggedness with manageable size.
- Ideal for bands, houses of worship & DJs: Whether you're running compact club dates, rehearsals, or mobile events, RSM12P's 8-Ohm design plays nicely with common pro amplifiers and powered mixers, making system planning straightforward. Use pairs for lead vocals, keys, or drum cue mixes; flip to poles for small-room mains. Consistent voicing and wide coverage make it easy to dial monitors fast and keep performers locked-in all night.
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