Kali Audio SM-5

Kali Audio SM-5 — a 3-way active studio monitor in the Santa Monica series, a 5-inch woofer paired with a coaxial 4-inch midrange and 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter, 225 W of power and editable DSP with network control.

The SM-5 shares its coaxial architecture with the IN series, keeping the same 280 Hz and 2.8 kHz crossover points, but three independent Class D channels deliver up to 225 W of discrete power total — nearly double the IN-8. Frequency response reaches 39 Hz (-10 dB), with a 47 Hz - 21 kHz range at ±3 dB, and THD stays under 0.75% in the 100-450 Hz range and under 0.5% above that. Max SPL is 117 dB at 1 m, supporting full-range mixing from up to 4 m away.

Room calibration without an outboard processor

A working room is rarely acoustically neutral, and a dedicated calibration processor adds latency to the signal chain. The SM-5 handles this with onboard DSP: 8 bands of parametric EQ, up to 10-12ms of delay, and trim adjustment, controlled through the Kali Control Panel app for Mac and Windows over an RJ45 connection, or locally via the front-panel USB-A port. Because the processing runs on the same DSP chip already in the signal path, the correction adds no extra latency, making the monitor suitable for tracking as well as mixing.

Mounting for immersive systems

Dolby Atmos setups need speakers positioned on ceilings, walls, or structural frames, not just a pair on stands in front of the desk. The SM-5 has four tapped M5 inserts on the top and bottom panels ready for mounting brackets, plus a recessed input panel that simplifies these installations. The Kali Control Panel app supports multichannel configurations up to 9.1.6, letting you identify and calibrate every speaker on the network from one place — useful when building out a commercial mix or mastering room.

KEY FEATURES

• Coaxial 3-way design: 5-inch woofer, 4-inch midrange, 1-inch aluminum dome
• Class D tri-amplification with up to 225 W total power
• Editable DSP: 8-band parametric EQ, delay, trim
• Control via Kali Control Panel (Ethernet or USB-A)
• Analog XLR inputs plus digital AES3 over BNC
• Four tapped M5 inserts for wall/ceiling mounting
• Low-noise letterbox-style front port

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Configuration: 3-way, active, tri-amped, coaxial
• Drivers: 5-inch woofer, 4-inch midrange, 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter
• Power: up to 225 W total (Class D)
• Frequency response: 39 Hz (-10 dB), 47 Hz - 21 kHz (+/-3 dB)
• Crossovers: 280 Hz (LF-Mid), 2.8 kHz (Mid-HF)
• Max SPL: 117 dB at 1 m
• THD: under 0.75% (100-450 Hz), under 0.5% above
• Inputs: XLR, AES3 (BNC), Ethernet, USB-A
• Dimensions: 39.6 x 20 x 24.8 cm (15.6 x 7.9 x 9.8 in)
• Weight: 9.5 kg (21 lbs)