Focal SM9 3

A 3-way Monitor and a 2-way Monitor – in One

The genius behind the Focal SM9 active studio monitor may seem simple; in fact, it is simple, but pure genius nonetheless. Unlike ordinary studio monitors, Focal SM9s are switchable between 3-way and 2-way operating modes, making them invaluable to any discerning mix engineer. First, check out the SM9’s 3-way mode. In 3-way mode, you get the full-range benefit of the SM9’s 1″ pure Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter (capable of accurately producing between 1kHz-40kHz) working in concert with its 6.5″ Focal “W” cone midrange and 8″ Focal “W” cone low-frequency drivers.

Thanks to its radical closed design, which uses a passive radiator (an 11″ Focal “W” composite sandwich cone piston mounted with an extra wide inverted surround radiator) instead of a typical bass port, the SM9 provides tightly focused sound across the complete frequency spectrum. They’re capable of bringing out never-before heard details in any mix. How detailed are they? Put mildly, we saw a pair of SM9s in action at their 2010 debut during an AES listening session. During this session, world-renown mastering engineer David Kutch listened as a pair of these monitors played back a popular R&B track that he himself had mastered. Suffice it to say, he was more than a little impressed.

Now, let’s flip over to the 2-way mode. When you flip the SM9 into 2-way mode, you still have complete access its entire EQ section, so you don’t need to worry about retuning your monitors to accommodate your room. What happens is that the 8″ low-frequency driver gets cut out of the mix and the overall frequency response shifts from 30Hz-40kHz to 90Hz-20kHz. This cuts out the deep lows and super-aural harmonic overtones that typical consumer gear can’t produce, but it still gives you the tightly focused (or rather, an even more tightly focused) sound you need to critically tweak your mix, to ensure that it translates. What that means for you is that when you buy an SM9 studio monitor, you’re really getting two ultra-high-end monitors in one. If you’re only going to use one pair of studio monitors, you won’t go wrong with a couple of Focal SM9s.

Focal SM9 Active 3-/2-way Studio Monitors Features at a Glance:

• Right speaker configuration
• Switchable 3-way/2-way active studio monitor
• Construction of 0.88″ and 1.2″ panels with internal braces
• High-frequency transducer: TB872, 1″ pure Beryllium inverted dome tweeter
• Midrange transducer: 6W0452, 6.5″ Focal “W” composite sandwich cone driver
• Low-frequency transducer: 8W7571, 8″ Focal “W” composite sandwich cone driver
• Passive radiator: 11WPP52, 11″ Focal “W” composite sandwich cone piston, extra wide inverted surround radiator
• Treble amplification of 100W (Class AB)
• Midrange amplification of 100W (Class AB)
• Bass amplification of 400W (Class AB)
• 3-way mode frequency response of 30Hz-40kHz (+/- 3dB; +/- 1dB from 40Hz-20kHz)
• 2-way (Focus Mode) mode frequency response of 90Hz-20kHz (+/- 3dB)
• 3-way mode maximum SPL of 116dB SPL (peak at 1m)
• 2-way (Focus Mode) mode maximum SPL of 106dB SPL (peak at 1m)
• Electronically balanced input impedance
• Input impedance of 10k ohms
• XLR input connector
• Adjustable input sensitivity (+4dBu or -10dBV)
• Power supplies: 230V (3.15A fuse) or 115V (6.3A) via IEC inlet connection
• Full-range, 45Hz, 60Hz, and 90Hz (-6dB) highpass crossover
• Low-frequency shelving configuration of 30Hz-250Hz in 0.5dB steps (up to +/- 3dB)
• High-frequency shelving configuration of 4.5kHz-40kHz in 0.5dB steps (up to +/- 3dB)
• Low-frequency EQ control of +/-3dB (in 0.5dB steps) at 50Hz (Q factor = 2)
• Low mid-frequency EQ control of +/-3dB (in 0.5dB steps) at 160Hz (Q factor = 1)
• Mid-frequency EQ control of +/-3dB (in 0.5dB steps) at 1kHz (Q factor = .6)
• Direct mode bypasses hardware EQ
• Black finish, with natural veneering on top and bottom panels
• 12.8″ x 19.6″ x 15.6″ dimensions
• 77 lbs.