Focal SM9 3-Way Monitor Reviews

I've now used Focal SM9's for over 8 years in my main music and home-theatre set-up. Although designed as studio monitors these make fantastic active speakers for systems in small to medium sized rooms (and a medium sized room can be quite large). Being active they eliminate the need for any power amplification and thus provide incredible value for money over conventional passive speakers (e.g. they save you investment in a US$5,000+ power amp). I am convinced the sound quality of the SM9 is almost unsurpassed (think US$30,000+ to find a better performing speaker & amplifier combination) and the combination of the genuine 100% beryllium tweeter (which knows no equal for high frequency reproduction) and the "W" Cone mid-range & bass drivers simply makes this unsurpassed (and beware imitators that only have thin beryllium coating on front faces of their tweeters). The passive radiator rounds out the unit, providing extra bass reinforcement and similar which is another reason why these can operate so successfully as Hi-Fi / home theatre speakers in a relatively largish room. While these are probably not 'the best speakers in the world' they certainly surpass everything in their price range (and significantly above) - making both the performance and value for money unequalled.

Without wanting to just name drop there are genuine reasons people like Sting, Peter Gabriel, etc, have purchased these (not been gifted them) for their private recording studios (even though they have been gifted monitors from 'other' manufacturers); and music enthusiasts can get the chance to appreciate the reason for this in their stereo systems.

In brief terms the profile of these is almost perfectly neutral with incredible openness and clarity of high frequencies, tight, full well defined mid-range and bass (with the latter going rather deep) and with an effortless energy that is a real pleasure to listen to. Listening to these the first time can be a bit of surprise (or shock) and the level of detail and openness could be misinterpreted - so if you try these give your ears plenty of chance to adjust and appreciate their full glory. Being a studio monitor it's also highly customisable as needed with a high pass filter setting and various low/medium/high frequency settings/EQ (plus the optional 2-way function to disable the bass driver if desired).

While these aren't the prettiest speakers - after all the are designed for studio use - mounted on some custom stands (to allow maximum airflow around 95% of the surface of each unit) the SM9's truly sound amazing, and can look good in their own semi-industrial style. For the record I run a pair of these as my main 'audiophile' hi-fi set-up which I can in turn  then utilise as part of my larger 5.2 Home Theatre set-up that incorporates their little brothers & sisters (a Focal 'SM6 Twin6' centre, 2 SM6 'Solo' surrounds, and 2 SM6 'Sub6' subwoofers). Joel Little who produced Lorde's first album(s) did so here in New Zealand utilising a pair of Focal SM6 'Twins'.

For further review info see:

What Hi-Fi Review: https://www.whathifi.com/au/focal/sm9/review

P.S. If you budget is limited consider the Focal SM6 range - an extremely similar profile but smaller product (e.g. a pair of SM6 'Solo' ad an SM6 'Sub6' would make a very compelling and cost effective smaller room or apartment solution).