Kali Audio SM-8: Meet Kali’s new Flagship 3-way Studio Monitor
3,0 / 5,0 | 
The Kali Audio SM-8 tops off the Santa Monica series of 3-way coaxial studio monitors with DSP for acoustic optimization for any studio.
You’ve probably heard of Kali Audio’s Lone Pine series, a budget studio monitor range that delivers excellent results when it comes to translation. However, the Santa Monica series has a slightly different design philosophy.
Kali Audio SM-8
The SM-Series uses the same coaxial midrange and tweeter design as the Independence series, with the same crossover points (280 Hz and 2800 Hz) and a triamplified system. However, the Santa Monica series has around double the amplification power compared to the IN-Series, 225W in the SM-5, and 300W in the new SM-8.
Equipped with an 8-inch low-frequency driver, the SM-8’s frequency response goes down to 37 Hz with a maximum SPL of 119 dB, making them the perfect main monitors for any professional studio. Also, the aluminium dome tweeter uses a unique geometric design, reducing the harshness and resonances often associated with metal dome tweeters.
The SM-Series has the same acoustic features you’ll find in other Kali monitors, such as Boundary EQ and Trim switches. However, the Kali Control panel allows you to configure a multichannel speaker system, and the software also features an 8-band EQ, and the calibration can be managed online (via Ethernet) or offline (via USB).
In addition, AES/EBU connectivity makes the SM-Series ideal for immersive audio systems, as you can set up can configure your speakers quickly and easily while the wall mounting capabilities allow you to install and angle each speaker precisely. Overall, the competition in this price range is serious, but there’s no reason not to trust Kali Audio when building your next immersive mixing room.
Pricing and Availability:
The Kali Audio SM-8 is currently available from your favourite retailers, priced at $2,499.
More about the Kali Audio SM-8:
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One response to “Kali Audio SM-8: Meet Kali’s new Flagship 3-way Studio Monitor”
After listening to several pairs of monitors (Neve, Focal, Presonus, Adam) I decided on the Kali In5 v2s. They are a big step up from the Tannoys I’d been using for years. They were also the quietest of the speakers I listened to. All four of the other pairs had annoying hiss when the music was stopped, the Kalis are silent.
Kali makes beautiful speakers, I’m sure these will be exceptional.