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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. This foldback helps musicians stay oriented when the audience-facing PA, their instruments, or the stage environment makes key sounds hard to hear.
What a monitor wedge does
A monitor wedge is a loudspeaker in an angled enclosure, positioned on the floor and directed toward a performer. Unlike the main PA speakers, which project sound toward the audience, a wedge sends sound to a listening position on stage. Its job is foldback: reproducing selected parts of the performance so musicians can hear what they need while playing.
The wedge is only the speaker. The monitor mix and routing determine what comes out of it. A mix might include the performer’s own voice, other vocalists, instruments, or cues; different performers may need different sources. A wedge can sit at a microphone position or elsewhere on stage, and its useful coverage depends on its aim and where the performer moves. Sound On Sound’s overview of stage monitoring explains the role of wedges in delivering foldback.
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The audience mix is designed for listeners in the room, not necessarily for someone standing on stage. A performer may struggle to hear a vocal, another musician, or a cue because of stage position, acoustic instruments, loud surroundings, or the lack of nearby backline. A wedge puts the needed sound closer to the performer.
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What belongs in the monitor mix depends on the performer and the production. One person may need a clear vocal reference; another may need to hear a bandmate or a cue. The aim is not to reproduce everything on stage at maximum volume, but to make the selected sources audible enough for the performer to stay oriented.
How to choose between wedges and in-ear monitors
Wedges and in-ear monitors solve the monitoring problem in different ways. A wedge creates shared sound in the room from a stage loudspeaker. In-ear monitors (IEMs) deliver a personal listening mix through earphones, without the direct acoustic output of a floor monitor entering an open microphone. That removes this particular loudspeaker-to-microphone feedback path, but it does not make every production or listening situation identical.
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| Consideration | Monitor wedge | In-ear monitors |
|---|---|---|
| Listening experience | Sound comes from a performer-facing loudspeaker on stage. | Sound is delivered through earphones as a personal listening mix. |
| Mix needs | The mix is set for the wedge; performers may share a monitor mix. | A personal mix can suit an individual performer. |
| Open microphones | Wedge output can reach a live microphone and contribute to feedback. | The earphones do not add the direct sound of a floor loudspeaker into an open microphone. |
| Stage positions | Coverage depends on wedge placement, aim, and where the performer moves. | The performer hears through earphones rather than relying on a wedge’s coverage area. |
| Setup considerations | Requires a suitable stage position and monitor mix. | Requires an in-ear monitoring setup and a mix suited to the performer. |
Neither approach is universally better. Consider whether performers want shared stage sound or individual listening, whether they need distinct mixes, how much they move, the microphones in use, and the production’s existing equipment and workflow. Yamaha’s guidance on monitor mixes and feedback discusses both wedge and in-ear monitoring.
Wedges, microphones, and feedback
A wedge is another loudspeaker in the room. If its output enters a live microphone and is amplified back through the system, that sound can build into feedback. The risk depends on the setup, so no single placement or piece of equipment guarantees that feedback will not occur. Sound On Sound’s guide to monitor mixing describes how loudspeaker placement and stage coverage affect this interaction.
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- 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.
- Aim and position the wedge with the microphone’s pickup pattern and the performer’s actual position in mind.
- Send only the sources the performer needs in the monitor mix.
- Keep the level to what is useful rather than turning the wedge up unnecessarily.
- Consider whether extra wedges are needed for different stage positions; each additional loudspeaker can add sound around open microphones.
Wedges are therefore useful when performers benefit from a speaker on stage, but they are not mandatory. Some productions use in-ear systems, backline sound, wedges, or a combination chosen for the performers and stage setup. The monitor should support the performance without adding more loudspeaker sound than the situation requires.
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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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