Soffit

In architecture a soffit is the underside of a structural component, such as a beam, arch, staircase, or cornice. In recording studios soffits are sometimes created along the front walls of a control room or studio space as an area to place large studio monitors. These are often recessed into the front wall of the room such that their baffles are flush with the wall surrounding them. They may be supported by being attached to the wall, flown from the ceiling joists above, or on stands attached directly to the foundation. In fact, some facilities pour separate foundations specifically for soffit mounted speakers to achieve maximum decoupling from the control room or studio. Generally soffit mounted speakers are tuned for the specific room with equalizers and other tools. In some cases rooms have been designed with specific speakers in mind beforehand. In either case the monitors used are not those designed for near field applications.