New 3-Way Powered Studio Monitor

Kali Audio has announced the SM-8, an 8-inch model in their top-tier Project Santa Monica, or SM-Series, line of studio monitors. They say that, combining their proven 3-way coincident architecture with uncompromising components and craftsmanship, the SM-Series delivers unparalleled imaging, accuracy, and detail for critical production applications. Here's more details direct from the company...

The SM-8 is a 3-way monitor with an 8-inch woofer, and a 4-inch midrange with a coaxial 1-inch metal dome tweeter. Like Kali's acclaimed IN-Series loudspeakers, the SM-8 is an acoustic point source, and special care has been taken with the unique geometry around the midrange to ensure a seamless transition to the edge of the speaker. This gives the loudspeaker an ideal directivity characteristic, resulting in an engrossing stereo image where details are lifelike and crisp. Off-axis lobing that is unavoidable in 2-way loudspeakers is virtually eliminated in the SM-8.

The transducers on the SM-8 are similarly precision-engineered for high dynamic range, smooth response, and low distortion. The woofer design has been refined, and incorporates features that reduce magnetic flux modulation, bringing distortion down dramatically.

The midrange has been optimized not only for its own frequency handling, but also for its role as the tweeter's waveguide. The tweeter is an aluminum dome with a special geometry that reduces high-Q ultrasonic resonances, eliminating the harsh sound that can plague metal dome designs.

All of these features contribute to impressive performance from the SM-8. THD of the loudspeaker is less than 0.5% and lower frequency response is 37 Hz at -10 dB. With 300W of total power, the SM-8 can deliver 119 dB SPL peaks, allowing for reference-level listening at up to 5 meters from the loudspeaker.

On top of its impressive out-of-the-box performance, the SM-8 features user-editable DSP to control parametric EQs, delays, and trims per loudspeaker for room calibration. This is all processed natively on the speaker's own DSP chip, allowing for a less complicated signal chain and no additional latency while processing room calibration.

Users can program these DSP features using a USB drive plugged into the speaker, or by networking speakers together via Ethernet. While networked, changes in processing settings happen in real time, and multiple tuning profiles can be toggled between.

The SM-8 can be mounted using hardware from Triad Orbit, or any other speaker mount that uses a 4.25 x 2-inch hole pattern and can support the loudspeaker's 31 lb weight. Demos are available in Los Angeles and Nashville; visit kaliaudio.com/demos to schedule.

About Kali Audio

Kali Audio is a manufacturer of best-in-class audio products for the professional audio market, started in January 2018 by some of the professional audio industry's most passionate individuals. With engineering at the forefront, Kali aims to make loudspeakers and related products that present the best possible value to our customers. By devoting time and resources to research and development, and with a little bit of panache, it offer high-performance products that fit any budget.

Its design headquarters are in Burbank, California's historic audio district, surrounded by Hollywood studios, other professional audio manufacturers, and trusted retail partners. Each of Kali Audio's product lines is named after a town or city in California.

Pricing and Availability:

The SM-8 is available now in the United States, with worldwide availability soon to follow. MSRP is $2499.

A 5-inch version, the SM-5, is also available now.

More information:

• Kali Audio

• DSP-Powered Headphones For Mixing 01-Aug-25