Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/78511
Vital Stats: Focal SM9: (www.focalprofessional.com/en/sm9-line/sm9.php) Cost: $3,595 each 3/2-way active monitor with 100W+ 100W + 400W class A/B amplifiers 1" tweeter, 6.5" midwoofer, 8" woofer Dimensions: (H x W x D): 12.8" x 19.6" x 15.6" Weight: 77lbs Frequency response: 3-way/2-way: 30Hz – 40kHz/90Hz – 20kHz Crossover frequency: At 3kHz Max SPL: 3-way/2-way: 116 dB/106 dB focus on the midrange and to see how the mix will hold up on playback devices with limited bass frequencies. The 1-inch Beryllium tweeter is designed as an inverted dome. Focal's theory is that the inverted dome is more precise than a positive dome shape because it is able to transfer energy more efficiently. The more energy that is transferred, the more detail you hear. For the woofers, Focal created a "W" cone, which is a sandwich of two sheets of woven glass over a foam core. The glass fibers are extremely light and rigid, while the foam core provides dampening. By adjusting the thickness of the foam, and the number of fiberglass sheets, Focal is able to fine turn the frequency response of the woofers. The rigidity translates to a clear sound, while the lightweight glass fiber is easy to move. On the rear panel you'll find all the bells and whistles expected of a professional monitor. There are LF and HF shelving filters adjustable from +/-3dB, as well as notch fil- ters for the low frequencies (at 50Hz), low- mid frequencies (at 160Hz), and the high- mid frequencies (at 1kHz). The filters are adjustable in 0.5dB increments. By putting the monitor in "Direct" mode, you can fully bypass all the EQ settings. The XLR input has an input sensitivity adjustment of -10dB, and +4dB, so you can match your monitor to your input source. On top of the SM9 is an 11-inch pas- sive radiator that works in conjunction Vital Stats: with the 8-inch woofer on the front, to han- dle the bass frequencies. A passive radiator increases the low frequency response. As the woofer driver moves, it creates internal air fluctuations that "drive" the passive radiator. The passive radiator also helps to dampen the woofer, flattening the frequency response and making the low-end sound smooth. Genelec has been around since 1978. Their name is synonymous with professional studio monitors. They created their first active monitors, the S30, for the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE. With only four employees, it took them a year to finish the 340 speaker order. Today, Genelec has over 50 different speakers that they sell in more than 70 countries. Genelec 8260A: (www.genelecusa.com/8260a) Cost: $5,639 each 3-way active monitor with 120W + 120W + 150W amplifiers .75" tweeter, 5" midwoofer, 10" woofer Dimensions (H x W x D): 22 7/16" x 14 1/16" x 13 5/8" Weight: 60.5lbs Frequency response: 29Hz–21kHz Crossover frequency: At 2.6 kHz; 490Hz Max SPL: 120dB 48 Post • August 2012 www.postmagazine.com The Genelec 8260A is the newest addi- tion to the 8200 series. It looks like a two-way monitor at first glance because the midwoof- er and the tweeter occupy the upper portion of the cabinet, with the 10-inch woofer below them. The tweeter is actually nestled inside the midwoofer cone, a design Genelec refers to as MDC, or Minimal Diffraction Coaxial. A foam diaphragm joins the tweeter and the midwoofer cone, and joins the midwoofer cone to the driver chassis, without any acous- tical discontinuity. The cabinet around the midwoofer/tweeter is the Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW) design that helps dis- perse the high frequencies more evenly, for flatter on and off-axis response. According to the Genelec site, the 8260A has a DSP (digital signal processing) module that controls several features: crossover filters, driver equalizers, driver position alignment, room response alignment, calibration, and equalization related filters, as well as distance compensating delays. The monitor comes with loudspeaker management software that allows you to adjust all of those settings. To increase the extension of the bass frequencies, Genelec uses a reflex port with a long curved tube that runs though the inside of the cabinet and is vented out the top of the rear panel. The long tube increases airflow, so deep bass frequencies can be repro- duced without compression. The enclosure is specially designed to reduce diffraction that can occur with cabinets that have baffled front panels. The smooth, curvy exterior, termed MDE (Minimum Diffraction Enclosure) improves the flattness of the frequency response, and power response, and improves stereo imaging. Vital Stats: KRK Rokit RP10-3 (http://www.krk- sys.com/krk-studio-monitor-speak- ers/rokit/rokit-rp10-3.html) Cost: $499/each 3-way active monitor with 30 W + 30 W + 80 W class A/B amplifiers 1" tweeter, 4" midwoofer, 10" woofer Dimensions: (H x W x D): 21.2" x 12.7" x 14.3" Weight: 46lbs Frequency response: 31Hz–20kHz Crossover frequency: at 3.75kHz; 350Hz Max SPL: 113dB KRK Systems was started in 1986 by engineer Keith Klawitter. Dissatisfied with the speaker technology at the time, Klawitter built his own monitors that would give him the clarity and accuracy he wanted. Soon people began to take notice, and Klawitter was commissioned to build custom main systems, as well as studio monitors. The KRK Rokit RP10-3 is the latest offering in the Rokit series, which is their budget-conscious line. It's much larger than the Rokit 8, because the 10-3 is a 3-way system. At only $499 per speaker, this 3-way moni- tor has a lot to offer. The size of the speaker makes it more like a mid-field, but it can be used as a near-field with a slight adjustment. For near-field monitoring, KRK recommends placing the monitor on its side, with the woofer to the outside, and rotating the tweeter and mid woofer plate so that the two are stacked (instead of side-by-side). A 3-way near field gives you clarity in the mid-range, by having a separate driver just for that frequency range, and it usually offers an extended low frequency response. The Rokit RP10-3 repro- duces frequencies down to 31Hz. There is some confusion out there as to the amplifier set-up. According to the KRK site, the Rokit RP10-3 is indeed tri-amped, with two separate 30-watt amps, one for the tweeter and one for the midwoofer, and an 80-watt amp for the woofer. Much like the Dynaudio DBM50, the Rokit RP10-3 also uses a magnetic fluid (fer- rofluid) to help control distortion and cool the tweeter voice coil. The 1-inch silk dome tweeter is recessed into a waveguide that reduces reflections and improves phase response for better imaging. The rear panel on the Rokit RP10-3 is pretty basic. There are the HF adjustment at 5kHz (-2/+1dB), and LF adjustment at 300Hz continued on page 55