ADAM Audio A Series: What You Need to Know, Answered by ADAM

At PMT we pride ourselves on bringing you the latest news on the hottest new industry products - so you might have recently read one of our latest features in which we introduced the ADAM Audio A Series.

We explored some of the heritage behind one of 2022’s most exciting studio releases and discussed the new features you can find across the range, looking back at the iconic AX Series and uncovering some reasons why you might want to upgrade your set-up.

Now, we’ve asked ADAM to give us a deep dive into each model and answer some of our questions on this new range - so keep reading to find out more about the A Series!

Accurate and full-bodied, the A4V is jam–packed with quality that belies its compact size. Perfectly suited for home studios and shorter listening distances, this monitor houses a 4-inch long-throw woofer - made from the same Multi-Layer Mineral (MLM) fibres as other A Series speakers - in addition to the awesome X-ART tweeter.

The A4V boasts a frequency range of 53 Hz to 42 kHz, meaning it’s well-suited for a selection of different audio applications including podcasting and mixing. Moreover, these monitors come equipped with onboard DSP-based tuning capabilities, so they’re great for using as part of immersive and 3D setups, too.

Whether you’re an artist making songs at home or a producer looking for a precise monitoring solution, the A7V hits the sweet spot in the A Series line. Representing an evolution of the iconic, award-winning A7X, this two-way speaker combines a new 7-inch woofer with the X-ART tweeter and a frequency range of 41 Hz to 42 kHz.

No matter the size of your space, by taking advantage of rotatable HPS waveguide technology and the DSP-based tuning options you are able to optimise the sound based on your sonic preferences for ultimate flexibility.

A low profile-alternative to the A7V, the A44H is the best solution for those seeking a horizontally-oriented monitor. Place it on a rack shelf or mount it above your display, with a 19-inch width this newly-designed speaker is versatile whilst offering similar performance characteristics to the A7V.

A wide frequency range is provided by the dual 4-inch long throw woofers and X-ART tweeter, with all of the same DSP-based room-tuning capabilities as found on other A Series models. The unique composition of the A44H also enables it to work as a centre speaker in an immersive or 3D configuration - read more about Dolby Atmos.

Fans of the classic A77X monitor by ADAM will find plenty to appreciate in its advanced successor - the A77H. A true three-way midfield monitor, the A77H takes advantage of the latest innovations from ADAM in order to offer a rich, spacious sound that delivers clarity in the most sensitive range of human hearing.

With two 7-inch woofers, a midrange driver, and X-ART tweeter, this monitor has an ultra-wide frequency range and the same technologies and room-correction capabilities as the rest of the A Series lineup, making it a seriously great option for an array of different applications.

For the most detailed listening experience, look no further than the A8H (L & R) - the pinnacle of ADAM’s A Series.

A three-way speaker designed for critical-listening environments, the A8H provides analytical sound via an 8-inch resonant MLM fibre woofer, an innovative midrange driver, and a handmade precision X-ART tweeter.

Just like the other members of the A Series, this speaker boasts complete flexibility and fine-tuning for your room, with onboard DSP and rotatable HPS waveguide technology. For the ultimate choice in mid- to full-sized spaces, the A8H is the solution.

We asked the team over at ADAM some questions about their latest loudspeakers, and here’s what they had to say..

The AX series were legendary - why the re-design?

The AX range is 13 years old and is now an industry-standard, but being 13 years old, the technology and manufacturing processes used are dated. So much has changed over the years, and we want to keep up with the latest trends whilst providing the best monitor for the end user - using the most up-to-date materials, technical innovations and manufacturing processes - hence the new redesign.

I have a small, bedroom-sized studio - what is the best monitor to choose?

We have three models in the new range which can be used in smaller-size studios, and each one is different in its own unique way. The A4V is a very compact monitor perfect for the smaller studios which need accuracy and punch. Next is the A44H, which is a new configuration to our previous AX range consisting of dual 4’’ woofers in a horizontal cabinet, with lush midrange and a tight bottom-end. Finally, the A7V is the perfect size for desks and meter bridges, taking over from its predecessor the A7X which has become an industry-standard for engineers and producers worldwide. Our signature tweeter can be found throughout the whole A Series and the only difference between the models is the speaker configuration. Something to remember when auditioning speakers is that you should always look to purchase a speaker with more power rather than just enough which will help to eliminate distortion and ear-fatigue.

What are the main benefits to the 3-way design on the A77H compared to the 2-Way A44H?

A three-way loudspeaker has a separate driver to reproduce the frequencies that would otherwise have to be reproduced by the woofer. The result is a lower distortion which subjectively means a more open/transparent/revealing sound. In the case of the A77H, the additional benefits of it being a larger product are a higher max SPL and lower LF cut-off. Both the A77H and A44H use the identical AMT tweeter, so the main differences you find will be in the mids and low-end extension.

We hear that Sonarworks SoundID Reference can be integrated into the new A Series?

Sonarworks SoundID Reference can be used to measure your loudspeakers in your room and calibrate them for a better sound-quality. There is nothing new there, as it is a well-established product that has been on the market for many years. What is new with the A Series is that a filter set generated by Sonarworks can be uploaded into the loudspeakers so that a computer is not needed to perform the EQ'ing in real time. The additional benefits are that if you still have a computer for other tasks - say, running your DAW - it will not be loaded by this extra work and that latency is minimised.

What are the main benefits of DSP-based room correction?

Let’s look at why we have implemented this functionality into the A Series and it may help you to understand what the main benefits of DSP-based Room Correction are. We designed the A Series in mind to have a flat frequency response but if the end user’s recording environment doesn’t have good solid room acoustics, then this defeats the whole object of having flat response monitors and it will be highlighted through playback. In a nutshell, your room acoustics determine how your monitors perform in your room, so we thought it was important to have Room Correction as an optional function embedded into our new range to neutralise any anomalies you may have in your room. The 2 main benefits of DSP-based room correction are to fix your room anomalies and also allow you to hear accurately what you are listening to, which will enable you to make decisions based on what you can hear.

Sonarworks are market leaders in the Room Correction field, and are a company we have certainly admired for a while, so it was only natural that we decided to work with them and utilise their expertise.

What are the 3D/multi-channel/immersive audio capabilities of the A Series?

All the A Series products have sufficient quality and SPL to be used in a Dolby Atmos or 3D/multi-channel/immersive audio systems provided the room and listening distance is appropriate for the selected model. The A Series will be included in Dolby’s DARDT spreadsheet once the required measurements have been made and supplied to Dolby, so customers can correctly specify the loudspeakers for the room.

Are Multi-Layer Mineral (MLM) fibres used on any other monitors, and what are the sonic benefits to this material?

Multi-Layer Mineral fibres are used by other monitor manufacturers but ours are produced in a unique way. The soft surround of the woofer itself is optimised to minimise asymmetries, reducing resonance and reflections. The aluminium diecast basket is light but robust enough to house the heavy magnet needed for superior efficiency, and the multi-mineral layers are great for self-damping and ultra-clean response. The long-excursion voice coil enables better performance and a more efficient cooling system.

How is ADAM considering the environment with the launch of the A Series?

The A Series uses an MDF cabinet instead of plastic or aluminium, in addition to some of the most efficient electronics such as SMPS and Class D amplification. The product can be recycled at the end of its lifecycle, and in the event of breakage, spare parts will soon be available. We also continue to actively pursue other actions to reduce CO2 emissions, such as removing plastics from our carton inserts and using recycled metals as opposed to virgin aluminium and steel.

What are the benefits of updating the firmware and how easy is the process to update the firmware?

All firmware updates are executed using the A Control Software via the Ethernet port at the rear of the monitor. It is very easy to update your firmware; when your A Control Software is activated you will be automatically notified if there is a new firmware available and if you would like to install it. Follow the on-screen instructions and away you go! Keeping your monitors up-to-date with the latest firmware will ensure maximum optimisation and performance.

Are the A-Series cabinets wall-mountable? If so, what size are the threads?

All 5 models in the new A Series have the capability of being wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted and stand-mounted. The mounts are connected at the base of the speaker cabinet using an additional adaptor plate which in turn connects to most commonly available third-party stands and brackets. The metric screw size is an M8, but please be aware that the maximum depth of the cabinet screw should be no longer than 10mm.

I'd like to try before I buy - where can I hear them?

The ADAM A Series will be on demo at all participating PMT Stores.

New! ADAM Audio and Sonarworks have shared details of an extended 60-day SoundID Reference trial for A Series customers. Simply register your speakers with MyADAM and get access to the full functionality of SoundID Reference - including the ability to export calibration profiles and more.

A Series customers will be provided with the licence by email by the team at ADAM Audio - but please note that a measurement microphone is required to create the calibration profile in SoundID Reference! Watch this video for more information on getting started: