SONODYNE SM 300

Product overview

The SONODYNE SM 300 is a compact 3 way tri-amplified active reference monitor with an 8 inch Kevlar woofer, a 4 inch Kevlar midrange and a 25 mm silk dome tweeter with a custom waveguide, in an aluminium - MDF hybrid rigid enclosure.

Capable of playing loud and clear, and with excellent detail, the SM 300 is an ideal reference monitor. Dedicated amplifiers deliver 150 W to the woofer and 75 W each to the midrange and tweeter before clipping, and internal DSP balance gives exceptional on and off axis response, a maximum SPL of 116 dB and a frequency response of 40 Hz - 22 kHz (±2 dB). With the SM 300, the need for a single monitor for high quality recording and post is adequately met.

Key features

• 3 way tri-amplified design with internal DSP for crossover and EQ
• Aluminium - MDF hybrid rigid enclosure: extruded aluminium sides; MDF top, bottom, front and rear; vented
• 8 inch Kevlar cone woofer and 4 inch Kevlar cone midrange, magnetically shielded
• 25 mm silk dome tweeter, magnetically shielded, with custom waveguide
• 3 EQs: high shelving and low shelving in 0.75 dB steps, plus mid EQ
• Two bass roll-off DIP switches at 80 Hz and 100 Hz
• Fully balanced XLR input with link; gain control -20 dB to +8 dB
• Protection against overcurrent, overheat, RFI and switch-on/off transients

Aluminium - MDF hybrid rigid enclosure

A unique hybrid cabinet combines the rigidity of extruded aluminium with the acoustic damping of MDF to minimise unwanted resonance, for a cleaner, more accurate sound with improved imaging and tighter low-frequency performance. The SONODYNE studio catalogue describes a compact cabinet with double MDF top, bottom, front and rear and aluminium extruded sides, with the HF and MF transducers housed in a separate aluminium die-cast plate designed for controlled dispersion and linearity.

Kevlar woofer and midrange

Premium Kevlar drivers deliver an ideal balance of stiffness and low mass, providing fast transient response with minimal cone breakup. The result is articulate bass, natural mids and exceptional detail, even at high listening levels.

Custom high-frequency waveguide

The precision-engineered waveguide optimises high-frequency dispersion, delivering a wider sweet spot, stable stereo imaging and consistent tonal balance both on and off axis.

3-way tri-amplified design and 3-band acoustic EQ

Dedicated amplifiers for the woofer, midrange and tweeter ensure every frequency is driven with optimum power and precision, for superior clarity, lower distortion and exceptional detail. Built-in acoustic EQ controls (high shelving 4 kHz - 20 kHz and low shelving 50 Hz - 250 Hz, each -3 dB to +3 dB in 0.75 dB steps, plus a mid EQ) and the 80 Hz and 100 Hz bass roll-offs let you fine-tune the monitor for different studio environments and speaker placements.

In the box

• SM 300 active studio monitor

SONODYNE SM 300: frequently asked questions

What is the SM 300 designed for?

The SM 300 is a professional 3-way active studio monitor built for recording, mixing, mastering and post-production. Its highly accurate sound reproduction makes it an ideal reference for critical listening.

Can I use the SM 300 in a home studio?

Yes. The SM 300 is ideal for serious home studios where accurate monitoring is essential for producing mixes that translate consistently across different playback systems.

Can the SM 300 be tuned to suit different rooms?

Yes. The monitor features bass roll-off and high/low shelving EQ controls, allowing you to optimise its response for your room acoustics and speaker placement.

Is the SM 300 manufactured in India?

Yes. The SM 300 is designed and manufactured by SONODYNE in India, backed by more than five decades of expertise in professional audio engineering.

Where can I buy the SONODYNE SM 300 in India?

The SONODYNE SM 300 is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Recording studio control room

Engineers who need one monitor for tracking, mixing and post.

Connections

Setup

1. Place a pair of SM 300 monitors in the control room.
2. Connect each monitor's XLR input to a balanced monitor output.
3. Switch on and set the gain control.
4. Use the shelving EQs and mid EQ to suit the room.

Tip: The 116 dB maximum SPL leaves headroom for loud, clear monitoring.

Workflow 2: Mixing and mastering

Mixing and mastering engineers who need a neutral reference.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the monitor controller to both monitors over balanced XLR.
2. Set both gain controls to the same position.
3. Adjust the high and low shelving EQs in 0.75 dB steps.

Tip: The custom waveguide gives a wider sweet spot and stable stereo imaging.

Workflow 3: Post-production suite

Post-production engineers working to picture.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the balanced outputs to the XLR inputs.
2. Set the level with the gain control.
3. Use the 80 Hz or 100 Hz bass roll-off where the placement needs it.

Tip: Three dedicated amplifiers keep distortion low across the whole frequency range.

Workflow 4: Broadcast facility

Broadcast professionals monitoring programme audio.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the console's balanced monitor output to the XLR inputs.
2. Set the gain control.
3. Tune the low shelving EQ to the room.

Tip: Fully balanced inputs with a CMRR above 70 dB.

Workflow 5: Serious home studio

Producers who want mixes that translate across playback systems.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the audio interface's balanced outputs to the monitors.
2. Set the gain controls.
3. Use the bass roll-off and shelving EQs for the room and placement.

Tip: The 8 inch Kevlar woofer reaches down to 40 Hz (±2 dB).

Workflow 6: Shared feed between monitors

Rooms where one feed drives more than one monitor.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the source to the first monitor's XLR input.
2. Pass the signal on from the LINK socket to the next monitor.
3. Set each monitor's gain control.

Tip: Protection against overcurrent, overheat, RFI and switch-on/off transients.