Focal SM9

My opinion on the Focal is somewhat atypical because I use them in the context of stereo and multi-channel installation. Therefore upstream of these speakers there is a stereo preamp (McIntosh C2200) and another section dedicated to homecinema (Yamaha Z11), with the respective sources.

In short and in parallel with the stereo field, found on each SM9 mono block 600w, crossover, equalizer and a closed chamber.

SOUNDS

Active speakers sometimes have the reputation of being hyper right, not really musical and cold. This is the case for some of them but certainly not the dreaded SM9. Highlights include the expanded spectrum, good density on the midrange, tweeter Be very powerful, never aggressive and very detailed.
Although my listening room is not a recording studio, I can say that SM9 are easy going, the equalizer is rather well thought out.
Pleasant surprise, listening to low level is already very intelligible, despite what I've read on this point. Of course, as soon as you push the volume is gaining momentum but no particular frustration in a more moderate use.
Listening just be very fine, these speakers do justice to the excellent recordings and do not show too discriminating as other more questionable on their qualities, after all also depend on what there is upstream electronic side but the quality is implementation for such speakers.

OVERALL OPINION

It's been a little over a year since I started my investigations on the choice of active speakers, despite the difficulties on the possibilities of tapping, I discovered the Adam S3xh, S5xv the KH310a, Dynaudio Air25 PSI A25m and A21M. All these speakers are obviously of high quality with a reference to the Dynaudio and amazing small Neumann, but Focal gave me what I wanted, a full, balanced and detailed to perfection with a stereo listening particularly accurate even if my local does not allow the full exploitation of these speakers.
Focal makes a great product, very well built and designed and quality / very good value, especially when you start to compare the price / performance ratio to the stereo.

I rediscovered my CD just a recent example of a well-known album JJ Goldman "between light gray and dark gray," we read in the booklet that three engineers participated separately in this album. Yet I know very well this CD (or so I thought), and although the SM9 have made me aware of the different job titles according to these 3 engineers. Needless to intellectualize anything, the evidence is all in keeping this "High Musicality" clean these SM9, that's hard!
These speakers are very comfortable with electronic sounds, everything goes beautifully, all my albums Vangelis are rendered with elegance!
Same when multichannel session is airy, detailed, dynamic and musical passage all wins.
Utopia on hifi products manufacturer I had some reservations about the behavior of the tweeter be the SM9 have reconciled me, never lower hardness, all is fair and I rediscovered a lot of things on many albums, it's great !
The implementation is not too complicated, these speakers deserve the interconnect cables and power cables are cared for, pregnant is released. For my part I am equipped Vovox Sonorus and Zavfino Majestic for the sector.
The concept is top, a speaker that not depend on an internal DAC, rather it is a plus because you can work this independently. I had the choice between PSI and A25m/A21m SM9, compared to my listening kind Focal seemed obvious to me, that does not detract from superb PSI, but I saw real tools laboratory, probably top studio, less obvious in stereo and "listening pleasure", where Focal SM9 mark a big point!
These speakers are obviously a French card in a lot of studio, including abroad, and special music lovers will find their account!

To meet a need for medium-sized tracks in my studio, in addition to a 5.1 system consisting of Focal Solo 6 accompanied by a Focal Sub 6.

SOUNDS

The most stunning is first definitely incredible stereo image. Ideal for placing instruments in a mix. Then it is certain that it is more obvious to hear small errors because these monitors are very analytical, without needing to level so high. But above all, this is a great musicality that emerges immediately. Read reviews of all the monitors, it is very often a question of technical parameters (basic course), excluding it is still generally about the music and after listening to almost exhaustively what is done in this price range, I could not express how much these monitors are music (although this is certainly also a subjective opinion of course!).

OVERALL OPINION

A wonderful product, impeccable finish. Attention very heavy (37 kg each!), It is essential to be two for installation. Focal, once again, demonstrates the SM9 his knowledge, his seriousness, but also its most tasteful.

What characteristics have motivated your choice?
- Monitoring 3 way down to 30 Hz
- Possibility of correction frequency

For what purpose?
large home studio

SOUNDS

unlike other models at Focal Twin6 as where the bass is almost absent on SM9 the spectrum is properly restored. The sound is both clear, precise, detailed, it is a pleasure to mix with, or even just listen to good productions. Moreover, we guess right away if a title is produced or not, we remark on defects. The grave may be slightly lower, but at least they do not like puke on Adam S3XH.
The dynamic is good, excellent transient response, I could detect an error on a hard mix of trade (a pop on lead vocals), the stereo is great, it seems that the sound comes from around 180 °. The only small complaint I have is that because of its very detailed it gives, it seems that on some prod the sound is a little dry, a little cold. in fact it is not really a criticism because the advantage is that distinguishes good reverbs, the depth of a mix and can be tested within its own mix with great accuracy.

OVERALL OPINION

Just like the previous opinion with which I am completely ok, I use since May 2012, I was one of the first to test and buy. I tested many brands (Adam, Event, K & H, Equator, KRK, Genelec) and models before these, it took me months of research, travel stores, in studios, j ' have compared, took notes on the felt ... In short, I began to despair of not finding the right pair and finally I discovered SM9! I believe the only competitors are Barefoot mm27 I tested and are also most excellent, but the budget ... 10,000 euros pairs!
So the price / quality ratio is excellent even 5000 euros the pair is not accessible to all budgets. I would do this choice without hesitation.
The only big downside is that I would so I bought the first factory outlets and so I wiped the plaster, they have a small electronic problem, they always return me an error message at the leds which does not affect the sound at all but I find bad mark for a pair of speaker of this price. I'll be forced to return to the factory to correct this problem. Despite this, I'm still happy to have my mix has suddenly made a leap forward and now I can not mix without a good 3-way system minimum. Now I can say I know what I'm talking about when I talk about making problem or mix.
And Focal is a French brand which products are made in France, so rare that it is good to clarify without wishing to chauvinism! then buy French

PS: attention required to plug in with a good balanced cable if possible, otherwise hear the buzz and lose quality!

the characteristic that motivates my choice is an all let me explain a stereo an incredible details of his impressive believe we have the subwoofer in the room hideout
So I'm beatmaker confirms for compisition but especially for the precise mix and mastering digital
My home studio is equipped with an imac 27 inch i5 with a sound card and cable rm ucx cable monsters and of course my SM9

SOUNDS

the frequency is very neutral in spite of all that the studio monitor even those of high-end (pmc focal adam etc ...) have their color but paradoxically remains neutral
dynamics has an incredible high and low volume is frankly what I was most surprised
incredible stereo image of a surgical precision and the sound is very clean clear it feels good to listen to the entire spectrum

OVERALL OPINION

I use them since last May and I had before the enclosure of good quality but a bit tight for a precise mix (Genelec 8040 a)
I really like is the design and the little bb is the power button stop is behind the speaker which is not easy to achieve
then it is true that the price is very high compared to the product but it enjoys a value for money out of the ordinary in the same quality of its investments should be in my opinion has a pair 10 000 euros
I remake that choice because there was a time not that talent that count but the stuff with which we work today and after 17 years of experience in the music (dj composer semi professional sound engineer) the gear has its importance that should not be neglected