ADAM Audio A7V Powered Two-Way Studio Monitor

Product Information

The model numbers of the A series follows the convention of referencing the size of the bass driver in inches and the orientation as H for horizontal or V for vertical, so the A77H has two 7” drivers in a landscape format and the A4V has a tiny 4” mid/bass driver in a portrait orientation. Of course being an Adam monitor this two way monitor has an ART folded ribbon tweeter and the two drivers are presented in a front ported cabinet replete with built in two-way amplification courtesy of a class D unit for the LF and a class AB for the HF. Last year, Adam set about updating their A‑range studio monitors to create the AX range. They've redesigned the drivers, used new electronics and, in the case of some of their larger monitors, they've added a mid‑range driver. Adam's A7 two‑way active monitor has proven to be a firm favourite with project studio owners, so I was particularly keen to see how the new A7X could improve on the original. The Science Of ART The “Pure” mode removes the bulk of the compression and EQ that the monitors add to audio, which is quite minimal in the first place anyway. Nevertheless, it’s a useful setting for audiophiles or highly attentive mixing engineers.

The new, revamped A series took what was so popular about these distinctive boxes and brought them bang up to date. Available in a range of sizes from the compact three way A8H, the original new low-profile A44H and the replacement for the super-popular two way A7X, the A7V, down to the diminutive A4V. It was this smallest of the range I chose to audition for this first look at the range because while it isn’t the most impressive and probably won’t be the most popular, I suspect it might be the most important. UNR delivers a natural-sounding response curve, custom-designed by Adam Audio to replicate the sound of legacy products such as the AX series. It is the perfect sound profile for songwriting and composition, providing an engaging sound to will spark your creativity. It is also the best option for casual music listening. What you get is a cheap looking speaker with a cheap build quality that delivers decent highs, a clear midrange with a good stereo image and high spl... Now you may ask.. well what about the low-end? Exactly... In comparison to other 3-way speakers they just sound lifeless to me, you can barely feel the low-end energy even in bass heavy music. I'd only consider pairing them up with a good sub, but then again, why get 3-way speakers in the first place if you need a sub to hear what's happening in the lower range.."This state-of-the-art control lets you adjust virtually every parameter of your speaker system simultaneously, including everything from EQ and delay from various listening positions within your studio as well as volume level all without ever reaching for your speakers.

Class-D amplifier used in the woofer perfectly combines with Class A/B amp used in the tweeter to deliver an impressive SPL range They are presented as the best BUDGET 3-way speakers because they literally have no competitors at this price point... It seems like a lot people these days are blown away by marketing strats & what's on paper rather than what they're actually hearing... If there’s one attribute that is most important when it comes to studio monitors, it’s sound quality. Unlike other speakers , studio monitors aim to project sound with the best possible accuracy and definition so that you can hear each frequency band.Adding effects to the mix was particularly gratifying with the A7Vs, with the tails of reverbs and delay lines being beautifully revealed. This really helped with being able to accurately perceive decay times of reverbs without second guessing nor becoming lost in the mix. This was something I had noticed too in the reference material testing. To hear the depth and decay of a snare being sent to a plate, pure delight. When I review speakers and microphones, I often feel I have a duty to point out that there is a lot of choice in most price ranges and that some of the competitors are also extremely good. Very often the final choice of monitor comes down to what character of sound you prefer to work with, and how well the speakers perform in your particular room. If you can test the ADAM A7s alongside other speakers on your shortlist you're more likely to make the correct decision, but don't fall into the trap of assuming that the loudest or brightest speaker is best, as that's often not the case. What sounds lively and exciting in the shop can prove to be fatiguing after prolonged use in the studio, so what you're looking for is a speaker that presents your music impartially, not one that hypes it up. In the main, the A7s do this very well. Why these models? Well I think that the HEDD is a good quality speaker with a nice feature set (the whole body of it is painted, for example, and not laminated with vynil like most others), some innovative fetures as well (like closed box option, digital connection, good auto standby etc). I do not know in detail how it measures, but it sounds OK. Are there better sounding monitors? Maybe, but I can not buy them all to try. Uniform Natural Response voicing takes cues from classic ADAM monitors such as the AX series for an inspiring and dynamic soundscape Pure provides the utmost accuracy with an overall natural sound. Comparable to other speakers’ flat settings, the ‘Pure’ setting is perfect for mixing and mastering applications.

The A7V comes with a 60-day trial of SoundID Reference, after which it will cost €249 (or €299 with microphone) for a full licence. Making a profile within that time is easy, even with a non-Sonarworks measurement mic, and the resulting profiles can be stored for use without any need for a SoundID licence, but if the room or monitor position changes then a new calibration will be needed. A Control SoundID Reference Lastly, Ext allows you to load up custom-made voicings and response you dial in using the A Control app via Ethernet connection. Here, you can customise your sound with a six-band EQ, allowing you to tune in the exact frequency curve you need to work with your style of music or listening environment.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. Comprising five models, the A4V, A7V, A44H, A77H and A8H are the right fit for an array of professional and home studios — as well as broadcast, fixed-installation, 3D, immersive, and home audio environments. Innovations such as rotatable HPS waveguide technology, and DSP-based room correction and voicings enable users to tune speakers for their room and ears. Our R&D team has been working behind closed doors for many years to create this 3rd generation A Series line,” says Christian Hellinger, CEO of ADAM Audio. “We have employed best engineering practices, modern materials technology and advanced DSP to create the new A Series, a range of studio monitors that offer stunning clarity and low distortion, utilizing new woofers and midrange drivers. And probably most important for our end customers: the A Series speakers are designed to be adaptable to changing requirements, preferences, and environments. Using the A Control software, you can push advanced filters directly to an embedded platform onboard the monitors to help compensate for imperfect room acoustics. It’s common for studio monitors to sound better either at short or long distances, but unless you invest in a particularly high-end set, you rarely get the best of both worlds. The A7V is one of the few studio monitors I’ve come across that sounds as good at close distances as it does from afar. Driven by Class-D amplifiers, the woofers deliver low thermal dissipation which allows for a smaller heat sink, which overall results in improved power and performance. The tweeter is powered via Class AB amplifiers which provide natural reproduction of the high frequencies. Each amplifier has been specially chosen to suit each component, resulting in a fine-tuned, proper aligned speaker.