(2) Studio Display's - Tips for Use

[RyanC1384]

I picked up a 2nd Studio Display today and have them both setup on my desktop. They're working beautifully.
Wanted to see what the community thought on ways I can get the most out of them.

I'm coming from a 38" curved LG Ultrawide and have replaced it with these (2) 27" screens.
It's been a bit of an adaptation phase because I'm used to having a single screen surround me.

At first, I setup the 2 monitors with me positioned directly in the middle, but it wasn't natural.
I've landed on having a main screen directly in front and the 2nd to my direct left (see in picture).

The biggest concern is that the one to the left is making me dizzy when looking at it. Not sure if it's too close or too big?
I'm hoping to remain ergonomic here and would love any suggestions on what would make more sense, or if I just need to get used to the new setup and it will take some time. I have heard that the curved monitor setup can mess with you for 2 weeks when you go back to flat panel monitors.

I don't have the additional lift stand, so will probably need to pickup a couple stands for each of these so my neck doesn't hurt (I'm 6'1") from looking down the whole time. I'm on the phone with apple right now because I'm trying to find a way to rename each monitor and play speakers out of both at the same time.

Would appreciate any thoughts / tips / suggestions.

 

[MisterSavage]

No suggestions but wanted to say your desk setup looks great!

 

[flapflapflap]

Do you think after two weeks you can go back to the flat arrangement where you’re directly in the middle? That’s the arrangement I am considering. I currently use (1) 34 inch ultra wide monitor.

 

[RyanC1384]

Do you think after two weeks you can go back to the flat arrangement where you’re directly in the middle? That’s the arrangement I am considering. I currently use (1) 34 inch ultra wide monitor.

No. It just felt awkward having the bezzles directly in front and having to look left and right to do any work on the screens.

I even bent the monitors inward and made an upside down V, but it wasn't gonna work for me.

 

[RyanC1384]

I'm debating taking one of them back...but really like having a dual monitor setup.

It's a major problem that the stand is so low...another $800 ($400 each) just to not have my neck hurt sucks. There aren't many options out there for a good stand either. Hopefully they come out soon.

 

[rustyosaurus]

Waiting on my Studio and two Displays to arrive but this will be my setup too. Currently in an iMac 27 and wanted more screen. I may use a primary one and sit in front of that one and then use the other display when I need more space.

I've never used dual monitors before.

 

[StoneCold X]

I picked up a 2nd Studio Display today and have them both setup on my desktop. They're working beautifully.
Wanted to see what the community thought on ways I can get the most out of them.

I'm coming from a 38" curved LG Ultrawide and have replaced it with these (2) 27" screens.
It's been a bit of an adaptation phase because I'm used to having a single screen surround me.

At first, I setup the 2 monitors with me positioned directly in the middle, but it wasn't natural.
I've landed on having a main screen directly in front and the 2nd to my direct left (see in picture).

The biggest concern is that the one to the left is making me dizzy when looking at it. Not sure if it's too close or too big?
I'm hoping to remain ergonomic here and would love any suggestions on what would make more sense, or if I just need to get used to the new setup and it will take some time. I have heard that the curved monitor setup can mess with you for 2 weeks when you go back to flat panel monitors.

I don't have the additional lift stand, so will probably need to pickup a couple stands for each of these so my neck doesn't hurt (I'm 6'1") from looking down the whole time. I'm on the phone with apple right now because I'm trying to find a way to rename each monitor and play speakers out of both at the same time.

Would appreciate any thoughts / tips / suggestions.

What did you find out in regards to renaming the displays and using the speakers on both displays?

 

[flapflapflap]

I'm debating taking one of them back...but really like having a dual monitor setup.

It's a major problem that the stand is so low...another $800 ($400 each) just to not have my neck hurt sucks. There aren't many options out there for a good stand either. Hopefully they come out soon.

I hope so, too. Initially, I was set on buying the height adjustable stand but I am worried whether the hinge or height adjusting mechanism will loosen up over time.

 

[flapflapflap]

No. It just felt awkward having the bezzles directly in front and having to look left and right to do any work on the screens.

I even bent the monitors inward and made an upside down V, but it wasn't gonna work for me.

Good point. I think your current setup makes sense then. I might add my MBP on the right side to balance things out and have three screens around me. It will be more convenient to use the trackpad and TouchID.

 

[RyanC1384]

You can't do either (play sound through both displays or rename them) right now. She said it would make sense to allow it and could come in a future release. I entered in a feature request on their website.

 

[MisterSavage]

It's a major problem that the stand is so low...another $800 ($400 each) just to not have my neck hurt sucks. There aren't many options out there for a good stand either. Hopefully they come out soon.

Another option is just buying a monitor riser. Might not be visually appealing but gets the job done.

 

[RyanC1384]

Another option is just buying a monitor riser. Might not be visually appealing but gets the job done.

Absolutely - That's what I meant by "there aren't a number of good options out there". I'm hoping manufacturers come out with a color matched monitor stand that's the same footprint. Just saw Twelve South is pitching their previous iMac stands for this new Studio Display...not impressed with that option. I literally just want an elevation that matches the color and stand width / depth.

 

[MisterSavage]

Absolutely - That's what I meant by "there aren't a number of good options out there". I'm hoping manufacturers come out with a color matched monitor stand that's the same footprint. Just saw Twelve South is pitching their previous iMac stands for this new Studio Display...not impressed with that option. I literally just want an elevation that matches the color and stand width / depth.

Yeah I'm going to be going through the same thing myself if I don't like the height when it gets here. I can't stomach paying $400 to adjust the height.

 

[dcmontgomery]

Looking at getting two studio displays myself and am wondering how does MacOS decide which display the audio comes out of? Same with Facetime? Can you select that or does audio come out of both at the same time? Assuming you designate one as a primary/main and the other as secondary and it adjusts accordingly? Sorry if a dumb question, but that was the first thing that came to mind when considering a dual setup.

 

[RyanC1384]

Looking at getting two studio displays myself and am wondering how does MacOS decide which display the audio comes out of? Same with Facetime? Can you select that or does audio come out of both at the same time? Assuming you designate one as a primary/main and the other as secondary and it adjusts accordingly? Sorry if a dumb question, but that was the first thing that came to mind when considering a dual setup.

You're able to pick which one you want sound out of...but can't rename each display to know which is which.
That makes it tough for calls - because I don't know which monitor microphones are which?

You are not able to have sound come out of both at the same time, which sucks.

 

[dcmontgomery]

Thank you! And that is odd you can't name each display. Hopefully that is something that will be remedied in the future.

 

[macpro2000]

Buy a third and you’ll love it. I currently use 5 30” Apple Cinema Displays with my trashcan Mac Pro. Wonderful. However going to finally ditch it for newer technology and get a fully loaded studio with an XDR in the middle and an ASD for each side. Should be sweet.

 

[jasoncarle]

plug it into a computer, turn it on, use.

 

[RyanC1384]

Buy a third and you’ll love it. I currently use 5 30” Apple Cinema Displays with my trashcan Mac Pro. Wonderful. However going to finally ditch it for newer technology and get a fully loaded studio with an XDR in the middle and an ASD for each side. Should be sweet.

Man, I actually thought about doing this...adding an XDR for the 32" in the middle and these 2 ASD's on each side. My desk would be loaded up in that situation. lol

 

[macpro2000]

Man, I actually thought about doing this...adding an XDR for the 32" in the middle and these 2 ASD's on each side. My desk would be loaded up in that situation. lol

My other thought was to just get 3 of the ASD at first and then my guess is that at WWDC they will introduce a new 32" XDR display and then get that and sell one of the ASD, as most likely it will be a 32" ASD XDR with cam and speakers.

 

[RyanC1384]

My other thought was to just get 3 of the ASD at first and then my guess is that at WWDC they will introduce a new 32" XDR display and then get that and sell one of the ASD, as most likely it will be a 32" ASD XDR with cam and speakers.

In that case, I'll just keep these 2 and wait to see what is released. If they drop an updated XDR I can swoop that and place it right in the middle.

 

[macpro2000]

In that case, I'll just keep these 2 and wait to see what is released. If they drop an updated XDR I can swoop that and place it right in the middle.

Perfect brother. We'll compare in the end.

 

[mbsaeger]

You're able to pick which one you want sound out of...but can't rename each display to know which is which.
That makes it tough for calls - because I don't know which monitor microphones are which?

You are not able to have sound come out of both at the same time, which sucks.

View attachment 1979276

Create an Aggregate device in the Midi control panel with both display speakers, select that as output. you lose volume controls - but it works, and actually sounds decent.

 

[eliellis]

Create an Aggregate device in the Midi control panel with both display speakers, select that as output. you lose volume controls - but it works, and actually sounds decent.

You can also buy Loopback, create a new pass through device (can name it whatever you want), and chain the left channel to the display on the left and right channel to display on the right. That's what I do! Works like magic and music sounds great spread across both displays in true stereo. You can even pick which programs play sound on which display. Awesome piece of software.

 

[Johnf1285]

You can also buy Loopback, create a new pass through device (can name it whatever you want), and chain the left channel to the display on the left and right channel to display on the right. That's what I do! Works like magic and music sounds great spread across both displays in true stereo. You can even pick which programs play sound on which display. Awesome piece of software.

Very cool software. I am giving it a shot now using their trial, but I am noticing just one monitor is emitting sound. Does this seem right? I set it up this way in hopes of having the left monitor use all of its speakers for the left channel and the right monitor all of its speakers for the right channel.