Adam's Small Studio Monitors: Worthy Upgrades Or Not?

Upgrading your studio monitors can be a great way to improve the sound quality of your music productions, but it's important to consider your specific needs and budget before making a purchase. Studio monitors are an essential component of any recording studio, as they allow producers and engineers to hear their tracks with intricate detail, making informed decisions about EQ, compression, and other sound manipulation techniques. When choosing studio monitors, it's crucial to consider factors such as sound accuracy, build quality, cost-to-value ratio, and versatility.

One popular option for small studio monitors is the Adam Audio T5V, which offers precise top-end sound, making them ideal for mixing. With a frequency response of 45 Hz to 25 kHz, these monitors deliver a massive amount of bass and can get loud with minimal distortion. They are also competitively priced at around $400 for a new pair. Another option from Adam Audio is the T7V, which features a larger 7 woofer, allowing for even more bass response and an increased SPL of up to 110 dB.

Other notable small studio monitors include the Yamaha HS5, which are known for their ultra clarity and transparency, making them ideal for identifying issues in your mix. The JBL 305P Mk2 offers fantastic clarity, especially in the mid-range, and is suitable for critical mixing at a reasonable price point. If you're on a tight budget, the Mackie CR3-X delivers decent sound quality and accurate response for under $100.

When deciding whether to upgrade your studio monitors, it's important to consider your room acoustics and treatment. Even the best monitors may not perform optimally in an untreated room. Acoustic treatment can help reduce reflections, improve sound accuracy, and create a more controlled listening environment. Additionally, it's worth noting that simply upgrading your monitors may not significantly improve your mixes. Investing in room treatment or acoustic panels can often provide a more noticeable improvement in sound quality.

Adam Audio T5V vs. T7V: which is the better upgrade?

The Adam T5V and T7V are both 2-way active monitors with 5-inch and 7-inch low-end drivers, respectively. They offer a frequency response of 45 Hz to 25 kHz and 39 Hz to 25 kHz, and are rated at a max SPL of 106 dB and 110 dB, respectively. The T5V is designed for smaller rooms and offers a compact housing, making it a good option for those seeking portability. On the other hand, the T7V is a more powerful option with a bigger woofer, providing more volume and bass response.

When it comes to sound quality, the T5V has been described as having a small lift in the low mids, resulting in more fleshed-out male voices and a more open and present midrange. The T7V, in comparison, may seem veiled and slightly muddy in the midrange. The T5V also has a brighter and more analytical overall presentation due to a lift in the frequency response from the upper mids to the lower treble. Additionally, the T5V creates a more convincing soundstage with sharper images. However, the T7V has greater headroom and can play louder.

In terms of build quality, both monitors have plastic fronts and a similar "inexpensive" fit and finish. They also feature flimsy controls on the back, such as a notchless gain knob, and lack an LED status light on the front panel. The T5V has a deeper cabinet, making it take up similar desk space as the bigger T7V.

Both monitors have received positive reviews and are considered sound investments for building a project studio at home or using them as reference monitors in more elaborate studio settings. The T7V is also a good option for those who want to use their monitors mostly for music listening in the mid-field.

In conclusion, the choice between the Adam T5V and T7V depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritises compactness, portability, and a more detailed midrange, the T5V might be the better option. On the other hand, if you require more volume, bass response, and headroom, the T7V could be the preferred choice.

Adam Audio T Series: are they worth the money?

The T Series by Adam Audio is a range of affordable, professional 2-way powered studio monitors. The series includes three models: the T5V, the T7V, and the T8V, which use a 5", 7", and 8" woofer, respectively. The T Series monitors are designed for small control rooms for music production, video post-production, and radio broadcast.

The T Series monitors feature a wide frequency response, high dynamic range, excellent transient response, and a wide sweet spot. They are also equipped with a beveled cabinet design, rear-firing bass reflex port, built-in DSP-controlled driver crossovers and equalization, and multi-way analog connections.

The T Series monitors have received positive reviews for their sound quality, performance, and affordability. They are known for their accurate sound reproduction, detailed sound, and surprising bass ability for their size. The T Series monitors are considered a great option for beginners or those on a tight budget, offering fantastic monitoring without breaking the bank.

However, there are a few drawbacks to consider. Some users have reported slight imbalances in the overall response, with a slight elevation in the upper midrange frequencies. Additionally, the low mid-range frequencies could be more prominent, but this can be improved by adjusting the LF EQ settings.

Overall, the Adam Audio T Series monitors offer a great combination of performance and affordability, making them a worthwhile investment for anyone looking for high-quality studio monitors on a budget.

Adam Audio A Series: what's new and improved?

The ADAM Audio A Series delivers highly accurate, transparent sound across a full line of monitors that can be controlled remotely and in real time. The series comprises five models: the A4V, A7V, A44H, A77H and A8H.

The A Series includes innovations such as rotatable HPS waveguide technology, DSP-based room correction and voicings, enabling users to tune speakers for their room and their ears. The upgradable firmware allows these monitors to evolve so users can continue to benefit from future innovations from ADAM Audio.

The A Series also features an extended 5-year warranty offer plus post-warranty support to ensure these monitors will continue to perform at their best for many years.

Here's a closer look at what's new and improved in the ADAM Audio A Series:

• Rotatable HPS waveguide & X-ART tweeter: Made from a new glass fibre polymer compound, the HPS waveguide enables the X-ART tweeter to disperse sound in space with controlled consistency.
• Bass reflex system, cabinets and mounting: The new A Series cabinets build on the heritage of ADAM Audio and the AX Series in particular.
• Automated room correction with Sonarworks: ADAM Audio has partnered with Sonarworks on an automated room correction solution that runs directly on the DSP of A Series monitors.
• Hybrid amplification: The A Series combines the best of both digital and analogue worlds.
• Multi-layer mineral woofer (MLM): The latest materials and advanced analysis and design processes have led to the development of new long-throw woofers.
• Midrange drivers: A Series midrange drivers deliver clean sound in the critical part of the frequency range where humans are especially sensitive to coloration of sound.
• Voicing: A 'voicing' is a pre-defined sound profile of an A Series monitor. On the back panel, you will find two different selections, 'UNR' and 'Pure'.
• Room adaptation equalisation: On the back panel of A Series speakers, you will find four bands of room adaptation equalisation: Bass, Desk, Presence and Treble.
• Digital signal processing (DSP): The A Series capitalises on the transformative power of DSP-based electronics to provide greater tuning precision than analogue-only speakers.

Adam Audio S Series: are they the best on the market?

The ADAM Audio S Series is the company's new flagship reference monitoring range, comprising five models of increasing size: S2V, S3H and S3V, and the S5H and S5V. The range is the result of many years of advanced in-house engineering innovation and cutting-edge computer-aided design techniques.

The S Series includes completely new woofers and mid-range drivers, newly designed waveguides for the S Series tweeter, and a new DSP engine that provides crossover optimization, voicing options, and expansion potential. The S Series also offers digital connectivity alongside its analog connections.

The S Series' new bass driver features a low-mass, highly rigid honeycomb driver cone, a highly efficient, self-cooling linear magnet assembly, a low-loss speaker surround, linear suspension and damping systems, a vented symmetrical voice coil, and a new driver chassis/basket. The mid-range driver is a dome/cone hybrid design offering the advantages of both types, including excellent dispersion characteristics, low distortion, high power handling, and a flat response.

The S Series' cabinets are thick and weighty to minimize unwanted vibrations and coloration, and their rounded edges reduce unwanted diffractions. The S2V and S3 models also include mounting points for suspension.

The S Series' S-ART tweeter is the latest iteration of ADAM Audio's respected folded accelerated ribbon design, now produced to tighter tolerances, and a new custom waveguide has been produced to improve dispersion, projection, and imaging, and to widen the sweet spot. The S5 models also feature custom-designed and milled waveguides on the mid-range drivers.

The S Series' newly developed, high-power DSP engine is based on the latest generation of SHARC chips and provides perfectly tuned crossovers for enhanced frequency response, dynamic range, and resolution, custom EQ for in-room optimization, and digital connectivity, along with the potential for future expansion options.

While the S Series appears to be an impressive range of studio monitors, it is difficult to definitively state that they are the best on the market. Other brands, such as Yamaha, JBL, and KRK, also offer well-regarded studio monitors with unique features and advantages. Ultimately, the best studio monitors depend on individual needs, preferences, and budget.

Adam Audio Sub Series: which subwoofer is right for your studio?

When it comes to choosing a subwoofer for your studio, the ADAM Audio Sub Series offers a range of options to suit different needs. Here are the key features and benefits of each subwoofer in the series to help you decide which one is right for your studio:

Sub8

The Sub8 is a compact and powerful subwoofer designed for smaller rooms up to 20 square meters. It is an ideal match for the ADAM Audio A Series and is designed to extend the low-frequency capabilities of any nearfield monitoring system down to 30Hz. The Sub8 houses an 8.5" woofer with a 1.5" voice coil driven by a 160W ICE power amplifier, delivering exceptional performance even during long mix sessions. The front baffle features motorized knobs for input level and crossover frequency adjustments, which can also be controlled via a wireless remote for added convenience.

T10S

The T10S is a powerful yet compact active subwoofer optimized for T Series studio monitors. It is designed to extend the bass response of any nearfield studio monitor and is a perfect match for ADAM Audio's T5V and T7V speakers. The T10S features a down-firing 10" woofer and a 130W Class-D amplifier, offering a frequency response range of 28 Hz to 120 Hz and a max SPL of 104 dB. The internal adjustable two-channel crossover allows for precise calibration of the bass signal, and the rear options allow for adjustments to compensate for room acoustics or provide more control for attached satellites.

Sub10 MK2

The Sub10 MK2 is a high-performance subwoofer that combines a low cut-off frequency with an undistorted high sound pressure level. While detailed specifications are not available, ADAM Audio's product page mentions that this subwoofer is designed to complement the highly acclaimed clarity and transparency of ADAM monitors in the lower and lowest frequencies.

Sub12

The Sub12 is a powerful subwoofer designed to extend the low-frequency capabilities of any near or midfield monitoring system. While detailed specifications are not provided, the product name suggests a 12" woofer, and the description indicates that this subwoofer is suitable for larger control rooms.

Sub15

The Sub15 is a large and powerful subwoofer designed for mid-sized to large control rooms. While specific technical details are not provided, the product name suggests a 15" woofer, making it an ideal choice for larger studio spaces.

Sub2100

The Sub2100 is the largest and most powerful subwoofer in the ADAM Audio Sub Series, featuring a 21.5" woofer and 1000 W amp power. This subwoofer is designed for the most demanding studio applications and can deliver an exceptional low-frequency response.

In summary, when choosing the right ADAM Audio Sub Series subwoofer for your studio, consider the size of your room and the specific needs of your monitoring system. The Sub8 and T10S are ideal for smaller studios, while the Sub15 and Sub2100 are better suited for larger control rooms. The Sub10 MK2 and Sub12 offer versatile options for a range of studio sizes, and the T10S is specifically optimized for use with T Series studio monitors.

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