Focal SM9 - Professional Monitoring System Manual

Important Safety Instructions

An sample of this equipment has been tested and found to comply with the following European directives and international standards:

Electromagnetic compatibility
EN 55103
EN 61000

Electrical safety
EN 60065

Please read carefully the following instructions and safety information. Read all warnings and follow all instructions.

• Do not remove the back panel. There are no user serviceable parts inside; please refer to qualified service personnel.
• Ensure a minimum distance of 10cm around the apparatus for sufficient ventilation.
• Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
• Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
• Servicing is required when the unit has been damaged in any way, such as power cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the unit, the unit has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
• Do not place naked flame sources, such as lighted candles, on the apparatus.
• Use the apparatus only in moderate climates (not in tropical climates).
• Do not expose the apparatus to dripping or splashing.
• Do not place objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the apparatus.
• Warning for class 1 apparatus: connect apparatus only to socket with protective earth connection.
• The mains plug shall remain readily operable.
• Ensure that the ventilation is not impeded by covering the ventilation openings with items such as newspapers, table-cloths, curtains, etc.

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
DO NOT EXPOSE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE

Unpacking

In addition to one loudspeaker and a user manual (such as this one), each SM9 carton should contain:

• A power cord.
• A guarantee card.
• 3 protection grilles for the transducers (you are advised to remove the grilles before listening to the speakers).
• A plastic bag containing an information note "Beryllium inverted dome tweeter", and some adhesive tape to affix on the tweeter in the unlikely event of the dome being damaged.

Please check that none of these items are missing, and remove all accessories from the carton.

Considering the heavy weight of the SM9 monitors (35kg per unit), we advise you to be 2 people to unpack and to position your monitors.

To remove the loudspeaker from its carton without damage, open the end flaps fully and bend them right back. Then remove the upper cushion and lift the loudspeaker out gently. Inspect the speaker for signs of any possible damage. In the unlikely event of this having occurred please inform the carrier and supplier. It is a good practice to keep the packaging in case of future transportation.

Preliminary recommendations

We would like to give a word of warning about the high sound pressure levels that can be generated by these loudspeakers, especially in a 5.1 configuration. Because of their low levels of distortion, and the minimal fatigue incurred by the user, it is not always obvious to realise the actual sound pressure level while working.

Please bear in mind that exposure to excessive levels over a sustained period of time may lead to permanent hearing loss.

Packaging Content

The SM9 monitors (SM9-L: SM9 left channel / SM9-R: SM9 right channel) integrate two speakers in one. The first monitor is a 3-way loudspeaker offering a frequency response from 30Hz to 40kHz (+/-3dB) and 40Hz to 20kHz at +/-1dB. The second monitor is a two-way monitor (only the 6.5" woofer and the tweeter are active). This monitor offers a frequency response from 90Hz to 20kHz (+/-3dB). The access to each monitor is made through the "FOCUS" switch placed on the side panel (page8).

The SM9 monitors are made of 3 internal amplifiers:

• 1 x 400W for the 8" subwoofer
• 1 x 100W for the 6.5" woofer
• 1 x 100W for the tweeter

The SM9 monitors are equipped with:

• 1 x 11" passive radiator with W composite sandwich cone
• 1 x 8" subwoofer with W composite sandwich cone
• 1 x 6.5" woofer with W composite sandwich cone
• 1 x pure Beryllium inverted dome tweeter
  

Installing

Mains Voltage

After having unpacked the unit, first check that the operating voltage is correctly set (see location on rear panel). If it is not, adjust the selector to the appropriate position. Also check and if necessary replace the fuse, which rating depends on the operating voltage (please refer to technical specifications).

The SM9 must be earthed using the power cord supplied.

Audio connections: general

The audio signal is to connect to the XLR inlet. This is a balanced input, which uses the standard cabling scheme, namely:
Pin 1 = Ground (shield)
Pin 2 = In phase voltage ("hot")
Pin 3 = Out-of-phase voltage ("cold")

If the audio source is unbalanced, common practice is to link "cold" and ground pins (pins 3 and 1 respectively). This is generally achieved within the cable.

Positioning

The SM9 are designed for near field and mid field monitoring and should be placed at a distance between 1 and 4 metres from the listener, pointing towards the listening position. They can be positioned on the console top or placed on appropriate stands. In any way it is recommended that the tweeter is at a height from the floor approximately equivalent to that of the listener's ears.

Running in

As in all brand new loudspeaker the drivers need some run in period: they are mechanical elements demanding a little time to settle and adapt to the climatic environment This period will vary depending of the working conditions and may take up to a few weeks. Avoid pushing the speakers very hard during their first hours of use, but to accelerate the run-in process it is good practice to operate the speakers at moderate levels for 20 hours or so, with programmes having significant low frequency content. Only once the transducers have come to stabilize will you get the optimum performance.

Back panel

HI-PASS FILTER: This potentiometer corresponds to the high-pass filter. It permits to limit or not the frequency response in the bass frequencies of the SM9 monitors. The "FULL RANGE" position has the effect of disabling the high-pass filter (the monitor functions on the whole bandwidth from 30Hz to 40kHz in three-way mode / 90Hz – 20kHz in two-way mode). The filtering slope for the three other positions (45Hz-60Hz-90Hz) is 12dB/octave.

LF SHELVING: This potentiometer permits a linear adjustment of the frequency levels between 30Hz and 250Hz of +/-3dB.

LF EQ: This potentiometer permits to adjust the bass level. The central frequency is 50Hz and the Q factor is 2. Corrections are made on a +/-3dB slot.

LMF EQ: This potentiometer permits to adjust the level of the midbass frequencies. The central frequency is 160Hz and the Q factor is 1. Corrections are made on a +/-3dB slot. This correction is very useful if the SM9 monitor is installed on a mixing desk. The activation of this setting will have the effect to lower the reflection produced by the mixing desk.

MF EQ: This potentiometer permits to adjust the level of the midrange frequencies. The central frequency is 1kHz and the Q factor is 0.6. Corrections are made on a +/-3dB slot.

HF SHELVING: This potentiometer permits a linear adjustment of the frequency levels between 4.5kHz and 40kHz of +/- 3dB.

XLR plug: This plug is dedicated to receive the low-level audio signal from the mixing desk, the sound card or any other material providing a low-level signal, line type. You may have to adjust the input sensitivity of the monitor according to the connected source (symmetrical or asymmetrical output source).

INPUT SENSITIVITY: This switch permits to adapt the input sensitivity of the monitor according to the source (mixing desk, sound card, ...) If the connected source transmits the audio signal via an unbalanced output, you will have to set the input sensitivity of the monitor on -10dBV. If the audio signal is transmitted via a balanced output, you will have to set the input sensitivity of the monitor on +4dBu.

Front panel

* In order to benefit from the whole dynamic range of the SM9 monitor, the response time of the limiter is relatively long. This function ensures the thermal protection of the speakers. The activation of the limiter leads to an automatic drop in the sound level.

Side panel

STANDBY / ON: This switch permits to turn on or pause the monitor. In STANDBY mode, the electric consumption is below 2W. When you activate the monitor, a cleaning cycle of the relays is made in order to guarantee the quality of the internal contacts. The activation of the monitor will come into effect 5 seconds after the activation of the ON mode.

FOCUS: This switch permits to use the monitor in 2 or 3-way mode. The activation of the FOCUS mode (2-way mode) enables to deactivate the subwoofer and consequently the passive radiator. Only the tweeter and the woofer can work. The frequency response of the 2-way monitor is 90Hz-20kHz (+/- 3dB). The FOCUS mode is very useful to check the mix transfer on equipments with limited bass frequencies (TV, multimedia systems, Docking station, ...). Deactivate the FOCUS mode permits to activate the 3-way mode of the monitor. All the transducers can work now and the monitor frequency response is 30Hz – 40kHz (+/- 3dB).

DIRECT INPUT: This switch permits to deactivate the settings situated on the back panel, except for the high-pass filter. The activation of this selector permits to transfer directly the audio signal from the input stage to the filtering stage.

SM9 Focus / Direct diagram

All specifications are subject to change.

Warranty

These products are guaranteed against defects in components and workmanship only, for a period of two years from the date of shipment to the end user for countries of the European Union. For other countries, please refer to the law in effect. During the warranty period Focal will, at their discretion, either repair or replace products which prove to be defective, provided that the product is returned, shipping prepaid, to an authorised Focal service facility.
Defects caused by unauthorised modifications, accident, negligence or any misuse are not covered by this warranty.
For further information please contact your dealer or the distributor in your country.

The Focal-JMlab guarantee only applies if the enclosed guarantee card is returned to us within 10 days of purchase.
Now it's possible to register on line: www.focal.com/warranty

Documents / Resources

References

• Focal

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