A highly accurate monitor system tends to make mixes that translate well to many playback systems

When a mastering decision sounds correct on an accurate, high-resolution monitor system, it tends to translate well to a wide variety of playback devices—small speakers, car stereos, and headphones. The reverse approach—getting things to sound right only on an NS-10M—creates a narrow reference point. Bob Ludwig prefers a large, accurate main monitor as his primary reference for this reason.

Examples

Bob Ludwig: ‘when something sounds really right on an accurate speaker, it tends to sound right on a wide variety of speakers. I’ve never been a big fan of trying to get things to sound right only on an NS-10M.‘

Assessment

Why do some mastering engineers prefer a single accurate reference monitor over switching between multiple monitor pairs?