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Kali Audio SM-5 (C) monitor

They are going after the high end coax monitor market, meaning Genelec, Danley and Ex Machina, and they are priced lower than all three of them.

What I don't understand is why they are chasing SPL rather than bass extension. F3 is quite high wrt to the size of the monitor and it's driver complement. If you needed a sub with the SM-5, you still need a sub with the SM-8. And you aren't getting that much more headroom with a sub to both.
 
37hz F10 on the SM8 seems like an odd choice given the competition around that price point ($5000/pr) have F3s around there.
 
dfuller said:
37hz F10 on the SM8 seems like an odd choice given the competition around that price point ($5000/pr) have F3s around there.
Click to expand...
AFAICT that's the same bass extension as the much cheaper IN-8. Aside from the enhanced DSP capability, the SM models seem to offer what amounts to an incremental improvement over the IN series -- at more than 3x the cost. Needless to say, I'm sticking with my very enjoyable INs. :cool:
 
I think these were introduced more for the custom integration market, at least the passive version. They are robust and high SPL, and compared to other speakers in that market, are way better outside of very expensive models from big names like JBL. The active version is meant for studios and the like, I would guess. There it makes sense to compare to Neumann and the like. Although I have to say these are still better than a lot of second or third tier active speakers.
 
Maybe they're hoping to sell into Dolby Atmos rooms, which are nearly always bass managed but can need high SPL.

I'd also assume that in practice the "8" has more capability in the [roughly] 60 - 200Hz range than the "5". And definitely more than the IN series. And this is, of course, where you nearly always hit the SPL end stops, just above the BM x-over.

Not that I have any idea if this product is any good, but it looks at first glance to suit my typical monitoring needs reasonably well.
 
audio2920 said:
And definitely more than the IN series.
Click to expand...
How would we know that without some help from Herr Doktor Klippel's machine? Sure, the SM woofers incorporate more advanced technology than their conventional counterparts in the INs, but where/what is the measurable/audible improvement in those few lower octaves?
 
OK you win the ASR points for this one; obviously I can't cite any references. But, do you seriously have reason to suspect I'll be proved wrong if/when we do get measurements..?
 
Well, the woofers in the SM series seem quite conventionnal. probably they're good, but I can't see any innovation in Kali's literature. that's not Purifi, Magico or even Genelec the Ones drivers.
 
Tovarich007 said:
Well, the woofers in the SM series seem quite conventionnal.
Click to expand...
That's a fair point. Although I do "trust" Kali to design good products. They vaguely claim higher SPL and/or lower distortion.

Not really relevant, but my only issue with them has been reliability and build quality. The former of which might stop me from buying these more than the current lack of measurement.
 
audio2920 said:
Not really relevant, but my only issue with them has been reliability and build quality.
Click to expand...
FWIW, I can't comment on "build quality" since I haven't opened one up for inspection, but Kali "reliability" has been a non-issue here. I've been using three IN series units pretty much 24/7 for about three years, and they're been flawless AFAICT. Again FWIW, their customer service rep was exceptionally cordial and helpful when I consulted with him about the best way to integrate my (non-Kali) subwoofer -- and his advice was perfect! Bottom line IMO: solid company and good people.
 
I might have just been unlucky.

I've posted this elsewhere before, so without wanting to become boring: On the IN8 specifically, I had one which was DOA, one which seemed to drop to standby even with audio at good level, and one that has the "buzzing" wiring behind the plastic front panel. But this is out of 9 units I've had here. None of them have failed in operation though. So, 1/3 failure rate, if you include a physical rattling/buzzing sound as a failure.

The WS12 has been much worse. I've kinda lost track now but I think I've bought 5 of them. Of which, one was DOA, one died completely after 1 year of occasional use, and another one sometimes crackles like crazy (and passes it to the XLR output) when you turn it on, and doesn't stop until you power cycle it. 3/5 failure rate.

I dunno, it just doesn't inspire confidence in me for a higher value purchase.

But I fully expect the SMs to sound GREAT.
 
Tovarich007 said:
The bigger SM-8 has just been released in the U.S. (and soon elsewhere) at 2500 $/unit. That's a lot of bucks !
audioxpress.com

Kali Audio Announces SM-8 Powered Studio Monitor

Kali Audio has announced the SM-8, an 8" model in their top-tier Project Santa Monica, or SM-Series, line of studio monitors, which already includes a 5" model. The US-based brand of studio monitors keeps expanding its successful formula, leveraging the proven 3-way coincident architecture with...
audioxpress.com audioxpress.com
It's certainly a good speaker, but much overpriced compared to the not so different IN series, whatever are the explanations of Kali officials, except for software and DSP and slightly better drivers and electronics, and probably overpriced too compared to the competition.

I don't understand where Kali's going? Obviously one of the best budget monitor maker with a deeply respectable know how, but what's the heck with this new range ???
At 1500 $ the SM-5 and 2500 $ the SM-8 for a pair, it could be OK, but not for such a price per unit.

I would not hesitate one single second to go for a Genelec 8341 or 8351 or a Neumann KH150 or KH310 instead of SM series.
At least, I would be sure of built quality, brand service and reselling value in case of money problem or system change.
And they're European companies, always making their products in Europe. In these troubled times, I'm reluctant to give big bucks to US companies.
Click to expand...

I could easily get pair of new Super Lintons for <$2500 with dealer discounts, so I'm with you.
 
audio2920 said:
I might have just been unlucky.

I've posted this elsewhere before, so without wanting to become boring: On the IN8 specifically, I had one which was DOA, one which seemed to drop to standby even with audio at good level, and one that has the "buzzing" wiring behind the plastic front panel. But this is out of 9 units I've had here. None of them have failed in operation though. So, 1/3 failure rate, if you include a physical rattling/buzzing sound as a failure.

The WS12 has been much worse. I've kinda lost track now but I think I've bought 5 of them. Of which, one was DOA, one died completely after 1 year of occasional use, and another one sometimes crackles like crazy (and passes it to the XLR output) when you turn it on, and doesn't stop until you power cycle it. 3/5 failure rate.

I dunno, it just doesn't inspire confidence in me for a higher value purchase.

But I fully expect the SMs to sound GREAT.
Click to expand...
All 5 of WS12 was V1? Or V2 too?
 
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