Focal SM9 !

[Robin Walsh]

Well done James!

[cebolao]

Now let's get back to the story...

[CoolColJ]

Originally Posted by Undahaus

I'm really enjoying these monitors. Focal don't seem to emphasize enough the importance of running them in. The sound changes drastically!!

What's also important, I've figured, is that you have to run in the 2-way monitor in the same way you do the 3-way. The mid-range speaker gets completely different frequencies in 2-way mode. Initially I was less than impressed with the 2-way. The mid-range driver/spider was obviously still too 'tight' because it hadn't been exposed to bass. After about 100 hours it also changed drastically. So much so, that I really like working on the two-way as much as the three-way. Sometimes you just get tired of the extreme full range sound. It's a pity that I have to get up from the listening position to switch between modes - later about that!

So, just a tip. Treat the two-way as a completely different speaker with it's own break-in time.

Another tip, when running in a set of monitors set the signal feeding the speakers to mono. In this way both speakers get exactly the same signal.

One thing, however! I will literally shit my pants if Focal come up with ver.2 that has a speaker switching remote!!! I mean, what were they thinking. For the equivalent price of a guitar stomp box they could've added a few Cat-5 ports and a simple small switcher. (Input and Output Cat-5's for linking speakers together from one switcher) Try switching modes when you have another pair of monitors on the inside of the SM9's (like Auratones). You can't access the damn switches!!! So, if they do a mod, I will expect it to be a retrofit option. I would've been happy to pay $200 (or whatever) more for this option. I've already paid the price of a small car for these speakers. Once again, Focal what were you thinking?

I do a variety of work - albums, final mix, post production, etc and these monitors cover all of my bases comfortably. I'm really happy with the sound.


Peace, Robin

Nice tip!

I've been running my SM9 over the last week exclusively in 2 way mode.
And now it sounds much nicer, more open sounding.

But when I switch back to 3 way mode, the benefits also carry over.
The mids and lower mids sound much better now, more transparent.
That certain thickness in the lower mids, which I didn't like, is gone now

[Robin Walsh]

Originally Posted by CoolColJ

Nice tip!

I've been running my SM9 over the last week exclusively in 2 way mode.
And now it sounds much nicer, more open sounding.

But when I switch back to 3 way mode, the benefits also carry over.
The mids and lower mids sound much better now, more transparent.
That certain thickness in the lower mids, which I didn't like, is gone now

You're welcome CoolColJ. I also noticed the difference in the 3-way when the 2-way had been run in..

[bendermastering]

Originally Posted by Undahaus

You're welcome CoolColJ. I also noticed the difference in the 3-way when the 2-way had been run in..

It actually makes sense, the mid driver probably has lower extension when working in Focus mode compared to full range mode. And that's why it needs break in time.

Maybe someone from Focal can confirm this. Or are we all being just fooled by some kind placebo effect?

Anyway, I also was unimpressed by 2-way mode in the beginning but i'm now finding it very useful. And indeed the full range mode now is even more detailed in mid bass.

[FocalPro]

Originally Posted by bendermastering

It actually makes sense, the mid driver probably has lower extension when working in Focus mode compared to full range mode. And that's why it needs break in time.

Maybe someone from Focal can confirm this. Or are we all being just fooled by some kind placebo effect?

Anyway, I also was unimpressed by 2-way mode in the beginning but i'm now finding it very useful. And indeed the full range mode now is even more detailed in mid bass.

This makes a lot of sense - mid drivers take a long time to break-in because of their minimal excursion. in focus mode - it breaks in a LOT faster.

[Magnus Lindberg]

Very good info! Will have this in mind when I get my pair delivered.

[Rsantana]

Originally Posted by Magnus Lindberg

Very good info! Will have this in mind when I get my pair delivered.

Wow gonna try this this week.

[Maschined]

Interesting to hear about the running in time. I had a demo with the sm9 today and really liked them except for a concern about a lack of clarity in the low mids. Needless to say I still have a pair being delivered to the studio next week so I can give them a full trial.

[garryrobson]

Originally Posted by Maschined

Interesting to hear about the running in time. I had a demo with the sm9 today and really liked them except for a concern about a lack of clarity in the low mids. Needless to say I still have a pair being delivered to the studio next week so I can give them a full trial.

In my opinion, 30+ hours run-in required. Enjoy!

[CoolColJ]

IMO 60 hours minimum, 150+ preferred

and then 50+ in 2 way mode to clear up the lower mids

[Maschined]

I'll have them for best part of a week and as they are already an existing demo pair should be able to achieve a healthy run in tine. I also have the psi a21m arriving so the focals have a serious benchmark to aim for in the clarity stakes

[CoolColJ]

Originally Posted by Maschined

I'll have them for best part of a week and as they are already an existing demo pair should be able to achieve a healthy run in tine. I also have the psi a21m arriving so the focals have a serious benchmark to aim for in the clarity stakes

Please let me know about the PSI A21m and how it compares to the SM9
It was one I was considering before I bought the SM9

In the end the lack of dealers here and servicing is too big a handicap

PM me if you start a new thread about his

thanks

edit - the larger PSI 25m actually, but I'm still very interested in how they compare, especially with transient responce

[SirJoe]

Originally Posted by CoolColJ

Please let me know about the PSI A21m and how it compares to the SM9
It was one I was considering before I bought the SM9

In the end the lack of dealers here and servicing is too big a handicap

PM me if you start a new thread about his

thanks

edit - the larger PSI 25m actually, but I'm still very interested in how they compare, especially with transient responce

I just did a big monitor shootout at my place that included Barefoot and Adams. The Focal were the ones that grabbed me. I can only reinforce what has been said about burning them in. They sound incredible now.
I also feel that the slightly "synthetic" sound of the highs is gone.
They seem to be the perfect monitors for me (I make EDM; Pop and House records)

However, I would also be very interested to know, how the PSI perform in comparison, as I never heard them, but people seem to keep raving about them.

[Magnus Lindberg]

Yea running them in changes a lot. Mine are starting to sound like they should now after about 60 hours. Great monitors.

However, my pair doesnt have the switched EQ, only the hipass filter is swtiched. I am pretty sure the demo pair in the store had only swtiched pots in the back.

Can someone from Focal, or anyone else, enlighten me on this issue?

[nicolas debard]

Originally Posted by Magnus Lindberg

Yea running them in changes a lot. Mine are starting to sound like they should now after about 60 hours. Great monitors.

However, my pair doesnt have the switched EQ, only the hipass filter is swtiched. I am pretty sure the demo pair in the store had only swtiched pots in the back.

Can someone from Focal, or anyone else, enlighten me on this issue?

Hi,

We moved to non detended potentiometers for all the settings except the hi-pass in order to offer a total control of the EQ and achieve even more precise settings.
Nicolas @ Focal.

[bendermastering]

Originally Posted by nicolas debard

Hi,

We moved to non detended potentiometers for all the settings except the hi-pass in order to offer a total control of the EQ and achieve even more precise settings.
Nicolas @ Focal.

Will we have to replace the EQ when changing to the new chipset? I much prefer the stepped EQ, makes matching both speakers easy.

I still haven't received the new "chipset" for the SM9. I'm asking because I wanted to know if it's only an internal chipset that needs to be switched to fix the blinking LED issue or if it includes replacing the entire amp section?

[nicolas debard]

Originally Posted by bendermastering

Will we have to replace the EQ when changing to the new chipset? I much prefer the stepped EQ, makes matching both speakers easy.

I still haven't received the new "chipset" for the SM9. I'm asking because I wanted to know if it's only an internal chipset that needs to be switched to fix the blinking LED issue or if it includes replacing the entire amp section?

Hi,
Only the first batch of SM9 could have this issue.
It is an internal chipset, so it will not require replacement of the entire amp section.
PM will follow.
Nicolas @ Focal.

[Magnus Lindberg]

Originally Posted by nicolas debard

Hi,

We moved to non detended potentiometers for all the settings except the hi-pass in order to offer a total control of the EQ and achieve even more precise settings.
Nicolas @ Focal.

Thanks for the clarification Nicolas. Even though I think I would prefer the stepped switches.

[CoolColJ]

Glad I got the stepped EQ version....

[CoolColJ]

I am finding the vast majority of modern DAW based productions sound really plastic and smeared on the SM9! They don't pull any punches...
Especially on the bottom end

Ugh - listening to more analog processed tracks on them restores my faith and sanity

[Passion4Sound]

Originally Posted by CoolColJ

I am finding the vast majority of modern DAW based productions sound really plastic and smeared on the SM9! They don't pull any punches...
Especially on the bottom end

Ugh - listening to more analog processed tracks on them restores my faith and sanity

There are very revealing and honest. I love them

[Passion4Sound]

These speakers are the tools of the trade.

Listen again to you're mastering work you did in the past. Before you own the Focal SM9 and see what you missed.

Anybody try this? What did you discover on you're SM9s that you missed on you old speaker setup before?

I am very interested in you're findings

[Fleckenwerg]

Hi all,

today I had a listening session with the SM9, Solo and Twins. There was one problem, I was dissapointed about at first but after the listening session, I realy was glad about it: One SM9 was defect. So the whole listening session was done in mono. This way, I could concentrate on the tonality of the speakers. The stereo session will be done in the future too but for now it was quite interesting to listen like that. There should be less room problems and the brain doesn't has to process the fake 3D image and so, there were resources free to listen to what was actually comming out of the speakers.
All speakers were Focal demo pairs and hence fully run in.
I am not the type telling long stories, so I will come to the point quick.
I liked the solo for beeing very musical. You can listen to them and realx. They create an intimate sound, espacially
voices with small instrumentation were very impressive. They are a little coloured in the lower mids (100-200 Hz). There is a little too much but this creates the relaxed sound and if one likes
listening to music and does not care for the last, very small details, this can be a very good speaker.
The Twins added some midrange details and punch in the bass. The overall sound was quite similar. What I didn't liked about the twins in comparison to the solo, is that they do not have the coherent sound of the solos. The sound falls apart a little. It is like a good looking girl you just are not further interested in. You walk on.
No surprise with the SM9. It was the third time I listened to them and they were superior to the other speakers. Linearity was clearly improved. The bass was deeper and clenaer. The midrange and highs were more detailed and had an improved clarity.
At this point I have to write something about the source. I was playing CD's from a Pioneer DJ CD-PLayer feeding the preamp with the switches for the different speakers. Not the best quality gear. With pop productions, this was not a big problem but with more complex music, like classical music or good recorded acoustic instruments, it sounded not as natural as it can. The sound seemed to be a little sharp and not very pleasant to listen too. This was maybe masked by the solos and revealed by the SM9, espeacially in direct mode. This could be improved by using 1.5db more volume in the 0-250 Hz region. Now there was the nice warmth from the solo puls a very clean midrange. Still it was not 100% convincing, sounding a little "technically". A listening session with a better DAC and preamp should show more of their qualities. I plan to bring my equipment to the dealer the next time and see.

Greetings
Flecko

[Maschined]

We had the SM9's, Boulders and A21-M's here for a demo. I have posted our thoughts in this thread : PSI Audio A21M twice as Good as Opals?

For the short summary - We have ordered the SM9's :-)

[CoolColJ]

Originally Posted by Passion4Sound

These speakers are the tools of the trade.

Listen again to you're mastering work you did in the past. Before you own the Focal SM9 and see what you missed.

Anybody try this? What did you discover on you're SM9s that you missed on you old speaker setup before?

I am very interested in you're findings

I have to glue things together a lot more

[bendermastering]

Originally Posted by Passion4Sound

These speakers are the tools of the trade.

Listen again to you're mastering work you did in the past. Before you own the Focal SM9 and see what you missed.

Anybody try this? What did you discover on you're SM9s that you missed on you old speaker setup before?

I am very interested in you're findings

The thing with the SM9s is that they are amazing speakers though they don't have a wow factor when you first listen at them. You need to work with them for a while to fully understand how great they are!

Since I've got the SM9s I've been working a lot faster and consistently delivering great results. You can't put a spec on that, you can't even properly describe it but I'm sure other SM9 users will have similar experience. They just allow you to work in a whole different level of detail and accuracy!

[cebolao]

I am considering getting the sm9s to my control room. I do both music and postproduction, music mixing for film, etc. I would buy three sm9s for front LCR speakers. The question is how loud are they? I need the calibrated environment (85 dB SPL @ pink noise -20 dB Fs), and my control room is 5 meters wide and 7 meters long, 3 meters high. Will they have enough power for me?

I would love to have the full range speakers with lots of sub information.

[garryrobson]

Originally Posted by cebolao

I am considering getting the sm9s to my control room. I do both music and postproduction, music mixing for film, etc. I would buy three sm9s for front LCR speakers. The question is how loud are they? I need the calibrated environment (85 dB SPL @ pink noise -20 dB Fs), and my control room is 5 meters wide and 7 meters long, 3 meters high. Will they have enough power for me?

I would love to have the full range speakers with lots of sub information.

Of course it depends how far you are sitting from the monitors but, IMO, assuming you are 3-4 metres away, there should be no problem at all. Get them in and check. In fact, I know of two Dolby licensed rooms using Twin 6 monitors at a distance of 4 metres and still there is much more level available than Dolby require!!

[bendermastering]

Originally Posted by cebolao

I am considering getting the sm9s to my control room. I do both music and postproduction, music mixing for film, etc. I would buy three sm9s for front LCR speakers. The question is how loud are they? I need the calibrated environment (85 dB SPL @ pink noise -20 dB Fs), and my control room is 5 meters wide and 7 meters long, 3 meters high. Will they have enough power for me?

I would love to have the full range speakers with lots of sub information.

Ask Focal about it but I'm pretty sure they have more than enough (clean) power for what you need!