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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 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 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:

• Left speaker configuration
  
• Switchable 3-way/2-way active studio monitor
  
• Construction: 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: 100W (Class AB)
  
• Midrange amplification: 100W (Class AB)
  
• Bass amplification: 400W (Class AB)
  
• 3-way mode frequency response: 30Hz-40kHz (+/- 3dB; +/- 1dB from 40Hz-20kHz)
  
• 2-way (Focus Mode) mode frequency response: 90Hz-20kHz (+/- 3dB)
  
• 3-way mode maximum SPL: 116dB SPL (peak @ 1m)
  
• 2-way (Focus Mode) mode maximum SPL: 106dB SPL (peak @ 1m)
  
• Input impedance: Electronically balanced
  
• Input impedance: 10 kOhms
  
• Input connector: XLR
  
• Input sensitivity: Adjustable (+4dBu or -10dBV)
  
• Power supplies: 230V (3.15A fuse) or 115V (6.3A) via IEC inlet connection
  
• High-pass crossover: Full range, 45Hz, 60Hz, and 90Hz (-6dB)
  
• Low frequency shelving configuration: 30Hz-250Hz in 0.5dB steps (up to +/- 3dB)
  
• High frequency shelving configuration: 4.5kHz-40kHz in 0.5dB steps (up to +/- 3dB)
  
• Low frequency EQ control: +/-3dB (in 0.5dB steps) at 50Hz (Q factor = 2)
  
• Low-mid frequency EQ control: +/-3dB (in 0.5dB steps) at 160Hz (Q factor = 1)
  
• Mid frequency EQ control: +/-3dB (in 0.5dB steps) at 1kHz (Q factor = .6)
  
• Direct Mode: Bypasses hardware EQ
  
• Finish: Black with natural veneering on top and bottom panels
  
• Dimensions: 12.8" x 19.6" x 15.6"
  
• Net weight: 77 lbs.

For incredible versatility in a hyper-accurate studio monitor, look no farther than the Focal SM9 active 3-/2-way studio monitor!

Specification Detail Powered Yes Power Configuration Tri-amped LF Driver Size 8" (LF), 6.5" (Mid) LF Driver Type Cone LF Driver Material Composite HF Driver Size 1" HF Driver Type Dome HF Driver Material Pure Beryllium LF Driver Power Amp 400W (LF), 100W (Mid) HF Driver Power Amp 100W Frequency Range 3-way Mode : 30Hz-40kHz (+/- 3dB), 2-way Mode: : 90Hz - 20kHz (+/- 3dB) Maximum Peak SPL 3-way Mode : 116dB SPL (peak @ 1m), 2-way Mode: 106dB SPL (peak @ 1m) Enclosure Type Sealed Height 19.6" Width 12.8" Depth 15.6" Weight 77 lbs. Manufacturer Part Number # FOPRO-SM9-Left

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