Add World-class Monitoring to Your Workflow
A powerful hub for any studio configuration, the SPL Phonitor 3 is not only a high-powered headphone amplifier but a full-blown monitoring controller as well. The Phonitor 3 can accommodate up to three stereo input sources, and it includes an expansion rack with room for four stereo pairs of studio monitors. Beyond that, its Phonitor Matrix enables headphone monitoring with loudspeaker-quality spatial perception. This unit includes a Mono/Stereo switch along with a Laterality knob to offset your ears' natural hearing imbalance. Its monitor-controller function controls comprise a per-channel Solo switch, a per-channel polarity-reversal switch, an L/R Swap switch, and an Output switch, which includes a dedicated Mute setting. You'll appreciate the Phonitor 3's intuitive mechanical VU metering, which includes a VU Cal switch for dead-simple calibration. You also get an array of handy rear-panel dip switches that provide for external preamps and headphones with low sensitivity. And, thanks to SPL's vaunted 120V technology, the Phonitor 3 offers sound quality on par with the company's world-class mastering consoles — on speakers and headphones alike. Engineers who expect nothing less than no-compromise monitoring will delight in the SPL Phonitor 3 experience.
Speaker-quality headphone monitoring
Headphones are fabulous for reference, but their unnaturally wide stereo image and lack of crossfeed distort the positions of sound sources within the sound field, which, in turn, makes accurate monitoring difficult. The SPL Phonitor 3 mitigates these issues, enabling you to enjoy loudspeaker-quality spatial perception with your headphones. Within this unit's Phonitor Matrix, you'll find three knobs: Crossfeed, Center, and Angle. Crossfeed mixes a small amount of the opposite channel into each ear to mimic how you'd perceive real-world studio monitors. Center, which can be switched off, sets the level of the center of your stereo image to ensure an authentic representation of the sound stage. Finally, Angle adjusts the opening angle of your stereo image. Simply put, the Phonitor Matrix corrects the skewed imaging inherent in headphones, enabling mixing and mastering engineers, as well as hi-fi enthusiasts, to hear their music accurately.
Full-featured monitor control
The engineers at Sweetwater are astonished by how much functionality SPL packed into the Phonitor 3 — it's a full-blown monitor controller in a convenient, compact box. For starters, this indispensable unit includes a 3-way Solo switch that toggles between your left, right, and both channels. A per-channel polarity-reversal switch makes correcting phase-related issues a breeze. Does something in your mix sound flipped around? No problem, the Phonitor 3's L/R Swap switch will give you a reality check in one easy step. You also get an Output switch that toggles between speakers and headphones, plus you get a dedicated Mute setting. Easy-to-read mechanical VU metering and a large-sized Volume knob round out the Phonitor 3's outstanding control set.
Rackmountable speaker expansion
The expansion rack included with the SPL Phonitor 3 not only enables you to mount it effortlessly in a standard 19-inch studio rack, but it expands its connection possibilities as well. Thanks to the expansion rack, you'll be able to deploy the Phonitor 3 as a monitor controller for up to four stereo pairs of speakers — making quick reference comparisons has never been easier!
SPL Phonitor 3 Headphone Amplifier/Monitoring Controller Features:
- Combines a high-powered headphone amp with a full-blown monitoring controller
- Accommodates up to 3 stereo input sources
- Expansion rack has room for up to 4 pairs of studio monitors
- Phonitor Matrix enables headphone monitoring with loudspeaker-quality spatial perception
- Mono/Stereo switch works in tandem with a Laterality knob to offset your ears' natural hearing imbalance
- 3-way Solo switch toggles between left, right, and both channels
- Per-channel polarity-reversal switch corrects phase-related issues
- L/R Swap switch provides you with a quick reality check
- Output switch includes a dedicated Mute setting
- Intuitive mechanical VU metering with a VU Cal switch for dead-simple calibration
- Rear-panel dip switches that provide for external preamps and headphones with low sensitivity
- 120V technology offers sound quality on par with SPL's world-class mastering consoles
- Mounts effortlessly in a standard 19-inch rack
