Product details

The SPL Audio Phonitor 3 is a premium analog headphone amplifier and monitoring controller designed for professional recording studios, mixing engineers, mastering studios, and critical listening environments. Built around SPL’s proprietary 120V technology, it delivers high output power, exceptional dynamic range, and low distortion for accurate audio monitoring. Its signature Phonitor Matrix recreates important aspects of loudspeaker listening over headphones, helping engineers make more reliable decisions about stereo imaging, panning, and spatial balance. With three balanced stereo inputs, dedicated speaker outputs, and comprehensive monitoring controls, the Phonitor 3 serves as a versatile centerpiece for analog studio monitoring.

Key Features

SPL 120V Technology: Uses a high-voltage analog audio circuit operating at ±60 V to provide substantial headroom, excellent dynamic range, and low distortion.
High-Power Headphone Amplifier: Drives a wide range of professional and audiophile headphones, including demanding high-impedance models, with detailed and controlled sound reproduction.
Powerful Headphone Output: Delivers up to 2 × 5 W into 250 Ω and 2 × 1 W into 32 Ω at 1% THD.
Analog Phonitor Matrix: Simulates key aspects of loudspeaker listening over headphones by introducing controlled crossfeed, interaural level differences, and timing differences.
Adjustable Crossfeed and Speaker Angle: Allows users to tailor the perceived stereo image to approximate different loudspeaker listening arrangements.
Center-Level Adjustment: Provides fine adjustment of the phantom-center level when the Phonitor Matrix is active, supporting more consistent stereo balance judgments.
Three Balanced Stereo Inputs: Accepts up to three analog stereo sources through balanced XLR connectors, including audio interfaces, D/A converters, and other professional line-level equipment.
Dedicated Speaker Monitoring Output: Connects to active studio monitors or a power amplifier driving passive speakers, allowing convenient switching between headphone and loudspeaker monitoring.
Flexible Monitor Controls: Includes source selection, volume control, mute, mono/stereo switching, laterality adjustment, left/right solo, left/right channel swapping, and independent channel polarity inversion.
Mid/Side Monitoring: Combines mono summing with polarity inversion to isolate mid or side information for stereo analysis and mixing.
Selectable Headphone Gain Boost: A rear-panel DIP switch provides an additional 12 dB of headphone output level when required by less-sensitive headphones.
Preamp or Direct Output Modes: Configurable rear-panel settings allow the stereo output to operate with or without the volume control and determine whether the Phonitor Matrix is applied to that output.
Analog VU Metering: Two illuminated mechanical VU meters provide visual monitoring of left- and right-channel input levels.
Premium Construction: Features a substantial aluminum volume knob, high-quality analog components, and a robust desktop chassis designed for professional studio use.
Optional Expansion Rack: An optional 19-inch rack enclosure adds installation flexibility and expands speaker switching with support for up to four stereo speaker pairs.