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==Products==
===
The company is notable for its 3009 and 3012 (9" and 12" respectively) tone arms which were widely adopted for [[audiophile]] and [[Radio broadcasting|broadcast]] use during the 1960s and 1970s, at the higher end of the market. These arms featured a polished, bright-anodised aluminium <ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://hometheaterreview.com/sme-series-i-ii-iii-tone-arms-reviewed/|title = SME Series I, II, III Tone Arms Reviewed - HomeTheaterReview|date = 4 January 2009}}</ref> main tube with a lightweight headshell, knife edge horizontal [[Bearing (mechanical)|bearings]], and an anti skating bias provided by a weight that hung by a nylon filament. ▼
====Series II====
▲The
Versions were produced with both fixed and interchangeable headshells; the SME headshell mount (based on an Ortofon design) became the de facto industry standard, and is still widely used today on consumer and especially [[DJ]] decks. Audiophile arms today tend to not use the SME mount, but this is not due to other standards replacing the SME but because audiophile arms now tend to not have interchangeable headshells at all in an effort to reduce mass and improve rigidity, though at slight expense of user flexibility.
Some cartridges were produced that mounted directly into the SME headshell mount of the arm (rather than into a headshell), notably from [[Ortofon]].
====Series III====
The Series III <ref>{{cite web |url=https://sme.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/SERIES_III_PRECISION_PICK-UP_ARM_INSTRUCTION_BOOK.pdf |title=Series III Manual |author=<!--Not stated-->|website=SME.co.uk |access-date=October 10, 2023 }}</ref> was introduced in the late 1970s incorporating changes from the Series II models (which continued in production) covering both styling and its exceptionally thin and lightweight main tube, the entire arm being interchangeable rather than just the headshell. The Series III had very low effective mass to fit high compliance cartridges such as the Shure V15 IV.
Although technically advanced, the Series III never achieved the market dominance of the Series II.
====Series V====
The Series V <ref>{{cite web |url=https://sme.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/SME-series-v-instructions.pdf |title=Series V Manual |author=<!--Not stated-->|website=SME.co.uk |access-date=October 10, 2023 }}</ref>arm was developed as a medium mass arm more suited to emerging [[Magnetic cartridge#Moving Coil .28MC.29 cartridges|moving-coil cartridges]] with lower compliance than previously available moving magnet cartridges. The removable headshell was eliminated, and the horizontal knife bearing was replaced with ball bearings (grade ABEC 9), both in order to provide a more rigid structure for the cartridge.
In recent decades, as with many of their competitors, the company's products have tended to move further and further upmarket. Recent products include the SME V tonearm, and extremely expensive (and consequently relatively rare) decks. The company bucked their upmarket move with the M2 tonearm which sits at the bottom of their current range .
====Series IV====
The Series IV <ref>{{cite web |url=https://sme.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/SME-series-iv-instructions.pdf |title=Series IV Manual |author=<!--Not stated-->|website=SME.co.uk |access-date=October 10, 2023 }}</ref>arm was a variation of the Series V for a cheaper price point. It was mechanically and electrically identical to the Series IV with the exception of using lower grade (ABEC 7) bearnings than the Series V and due to the ommission of the damping trough used in the Series V
====Series 300====
The Series 300 <ref>{{cite web |url=https://sme.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/SME-series-300-instructions.pdf |title=Series 300 Manual |author=<!--Not stated-->|website=SME.co.uk |access-date=October 10, 2023 }}</ref>arm was a lower specification arm based on the same design concept as the Series V and IV arms. It still used a magnesium alloy arm, but had a removable headshell. It came in three models 309, 310 and 312 with lengthsh of 9, 10 and 12 inches respectively.
====M10====
The M10 <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.turntableworld.co.uk/analogue-c49/tonearm-zone-c3/tonearms-c4/model-m10-tonearm-p622 |title=M10 |author=<!--Not stated-->|website=turntableworld.co.uk |access-date=October 10, 2023 }}</ref> arm is derived from the Series 300 Model 309 (but with lower grade ABEC 1 bearings) is only for use with the SME Model 10 turntable.
===Turntables===
====Model 30====
The Model 30 <ref>{{cite web |url=https://sme.co.uk/product/model-30/ |title=Model 30 |author=<!--Not stated-->|website=SME.co.uk |access-date=October 10, 2023 }}</ref>was SME's first turntable, launched in 1991. It was their flagship model up until the launch of the Model 60 in 2022. The turntable weighs 42kg (excluding arm, power unit or speed control unit). In subsequent years the 30 MkII, 30/12 and 30 Diamond models were released.
====Model 20====
The Model 20 <ref>{{cite web |url=https://sme.co.uk/product/model-20/ |title=Model 20 |author=<!--Not stated-->|website=SME.co.uk |access-date=October 10, 2023 }}</ref>was SME's second turntable, launched in 1992. It was inspired by the Model 30 and designed to meet a lower price point. The turntable weighs 26kg (excluding arm, power unit or speed control unit). In subsequent years the 20 MkII and 20/12 models were released.
====Model 10====
The Model 10 <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stereophile.com/turntables/376/index.html |title=Model 10 |author=<!--Not stated-->|website=stereophile.com |access-date=October 10, 2023 }}</ref>was SME's third turntable, launched in 1999. It was a totally new design from the 30 and 20, and was SME's "entry level" turntable, which was intended to be sold with arm included (either M10 or IV.Vi). The turntable weighs 26kg (excluding arm, power unit or speed control unit). In subsequent years the 20 MkII and 20/12 models were released.
====Model 15====
The Model 15 <ref>{{cite web |url=https://sme.co.uk/product/model-15-2/ |title=Model 15 |author=<!--Not stated-->|website=SME.co.uk |access-date=October 10, 2023 }}</ref>was SME's second turntable, launched in 1991. It was inspired by the Model 30 and designed to meet a lower price point. The turntable weighs 26kg (excluding arm, power unit or speed control unit). In subsequent years the 20 MkII and 20/12 models were released.
==Gallery==
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