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Average Price: $2,200
High-end/Boutique
$300
$801+
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High-end
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Description
Step into the world of professional audio precision with the Focal SM9 Active Studio Monitor, a staple for sound engineers and producers who demand nothing but the best. This high-end studio monitor is designed to deliver an ultra-accurate audio reproduction, ensuring that what you hear is exactly what you get. With its three-way design and dual monitor mode, the SM9 offers unprecedented versatility, allowing you to switch between full-range and a two-way monitor setup with ease.
The SM9's low distortion levels and wide frequency response make it ideal for critical listening environments, from mixing to mastering. Its 600W RMS power output ensures that every nuance and detail is captured, making it a favorite among professionals who require precision and clarity. The integrated Beryllium inverted dome tweeter and "W" composite sandwich cone woofer provide exceptional sound integrity, while the passive radiator enhances bass response without adding unwanted noise.
Whether you’re working on a complex orchestral piece or a minimalist electronic track, the Focal SM9 ensures that your audio will be represented with pristine accuracy. Designed and manufactured in France, this monitor embodies the meticulous craftsmanship that Focal is renowned for, making it a worthy investment for any serious audio professional.
Key Features:
- Three-way design with dual monitor mode
- Beryllium inverted dome tweeter
- "W" composite sandwich cone woofer
- Passive radiator for enhanced bass response
- Low distortion and wide frequency response
- 600W RMS power output
- Designed and manufactured in France
Product specs
| Brand | Focal |
| Model | SM9 Powered Midfield Monitors (Pair) |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 2010s |
| Categories | Powered Speakers, Studio Monitors |
FAQs
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What is the frequency response of the Focal SM9 Active Studio Monitor?
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The Focal SM9 offers a frequency response of 1Hz to 40kHz in 3-way mode, providing full-range sound with its 1" Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter, 6.5" midrange, and 8" low-frequency drivers.
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Is the Focal SM9 suitable for mixing and mastering in a professional studio?
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Yes, the Focal SM9 is designed for professional studio environments, offering precise sound reproduction and the ability to switch between 2-way and 3-way modes for detailed mixing and mastering.
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Can the Focal SM9 be used in a small home studio setup?
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While the Focal SM9 is a midfield monitor ideal for larger spaces, it can be used in a well-treated home studio, although its powerful output and size may require careful placement and acoustic treatment.
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Does the Focal SM9 have built-in amplification?
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Yes, the Focal SM9 is an active studio monitor, meaning it has built-in amplifiers and does not require an external amplifier to operate.
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How does the Focal SM9 handle different genres of music?
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The Focal SM9 is versatile and provides accurate sound reproduction across various music genres, thanks to its wide frequency response and ability to reveal fine details in recordings.
Videos
Sweetwater
Focal SM9 Monitors
Focal SM9 Monitors
Sweetwater
MESSE13: New Flagship SM9 Monitor From Focal
sonicstate
Re-recording mixer Jonathan Wales on his Focal SM9 Monitors - RSPE Audio
RSPE Audio Solutions
Focal SM9 LIve demo show @ Prolight+Sound 2011
wwwaLivegr
Focal SM9 Monitor Speaker
HarmonyCentral
Electronic Musician Morgan Page Talks on His Focal SM9 Studio Monitors - RSPE Audio
RSPE Audio Solutions
Focal SM9 Monitors
Studio Creations
Feature Film Mixer Ron Bartlett On His Focal SM9 Monitors - RSPE Audio
RSPE Audio Solutions
Guitarist Dweezil Zappa On His Focal SM9 Monitors - RSPE Audio
RSPE Audio Solutions
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Focal SM9 Active Studio Monitor.
Features and functionality
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Focal SM9s are praised for their ability to accurately reproduce frequencies down to 30Hz, ideal for genres requiring deep bass.
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Studio monitors, such as the Focal SM9, are designed to be flat and wide in frequency response, ensuring sound engineers hear accurate mixes without coloration.
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Focal SM9s have built-in amplification and balanced inputs, making them easy to integrate into various studio setups without additional equipment.
Source
User experience
Setup and maintenance
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It's suggested to use ISO Acoustic 430 stands for the Focal SM9s to optimize their performance and accommodate their larger size.
Source
Comparisons
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Focal SM9s are considered superior to Genelecs by some, as they offer a more "3D" and colorful sound experience, especially for mixing.
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Focal SM9s are noted to sound excellent in a living room, although some users find better value in large standing speakers for the same cost.
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Focal SM9s are often compared to the Focal Trio11s, with some users preferring the SM9s for deeper bass and better midrange presence.
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Focal SM9s are sometimes preferred over the Adams series for their overall sound, despite Adams having a favored tweeter by some users.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The Focal SM9s are favored by techno and cinematic music producers for their body and definition, which are essential for these genres.
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It's noted that high-end studio monitors like the Focal SM9 provide an "x-ray style" of sound, crucial for distinguishing between elements like bass and kick drum in a mix.
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Some owners use Focal SM9s successfully in untreated rooms, leveraging their direct sound to minimize room interaction issues.
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Despite being studio monitors, SM9s are used by some as primary speakers in living rooms, providing excellent sound even at a distance of 2.8 meters.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 33 Ratings
313
Center Speaker of my 7.1 Setup
Center Speaker of my 7.1 Setup .................................................................................
Artist usage
Add artist
You could see Focal SM9 in the back of the room.
if you see closely in this video at 0:11 you see focal sm9 at the studio equipment of chemical bros!
On Blasterjaxx member Idir's personal Facebook account, he posted a picture of the new Blasterjaxx studio. "First lights and focal sm9!!"
MAKJ takes us on a studio tour in this video and at :07s you can see the Focal SM9 Active Studio Monitors in the background.
That led to another clear-out of gear, and recently he arrived at the point where he made Empath with Pro Tools HDX, a bunch of plug-ins, that 6176 for his vocals, and new Focal SM9 monitors, which he describes as "a real paradigm shift". He also has a mobile setup, which he used in Russia, Japan, China and elsewhere while creating Empath, consisting of a MacBook Pro, a MOTU 828 Mk3 interface, an M‑Audio MIDI keyboard and an sE Electronics SE4400a vocal mic.
Cazzette can be seen using the Focal SM9 studio monitors in this video.
In a Facebook photo shared by Stephan Bodzin, a Focal SM9 Active Studio Monitor is visible in his studio setup, indicating his use of this equipment.
Mark Knight is listed as an artist using Focal's SM9 monitors on Focal's official website. They write, "DJ/producer and Toolroom Records founder, Mark Knight, has installed Focal SM9 monitors into his studio, replacing his much loved Focal Twins that he's used for the last couple of years. Apart from loving the SM9s in 'full range', Mark says that, with their Focus mode (2 way), he no longer uses his NS10 for referencing.??"
Original source found here.
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In this Instagram photo, posted 21/10/2015, they say:"Mixing???? and mastering???? our new record with.. #sicknewmusic" and we can see Focal SM9 on the right and on the left of the monitor.
Gareth Emery tweets a reply to Steve Angello, Skrillex, Dirty South, and Morgan Page saying that the Focal SM9s are the best studio monitors he has ever owned by saying, "SM9s best mons I've ever owned but wish they had handles like those barefoots. So fkn heavy."
Morgan Page talks about his Focal SM9s in this video starting at 0:35.
Album Usage
The Focal SM9 Active Studio Monitor has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Focal SM9 Active Studio Monitor, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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