ADAM S7A MK2 Active Studio Monitor 1000W

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The ultimate main monitors

The main monitors S6X and S7A Mk2 are designed for large control rooms and film studios. They present a completely new, impressive concept: to transport the unique realism of the ADAM monitors at a very high SPL level. In accordance with ADAMʼs main goal to achieve the best possible authenticity in music reproduction, any overemphasis of the bass frequencies should be avoided. Furthermore, it is essential for neutral sound characteristics at high volumes to achieve a wide dispersion in the horizontal plane and a somewhat narrower dispersion in the vertical plane, thus reducing reflections from the ceiling, the floor or a mixing console. Less reflection means superior imaging and better localization, facilitating the best possible transportability of mixes across the widest range of playback systems.

Advanced DʽAppolito-array

The arrangement of the seven discrete loudspeakers facilitates a gradual transition of the chassis dimensions. One of the most important aspects of these monitorʼs new approach is the horizontal symmetry of the drivers, which could be referred to as advanced D´Appolito array. If the drivers are filtered properly there are – besides the dispersion characteristics mentioned previously – two more advantageous results:

• There is an absence of any sudden change in directivity with frequency, leading to harmonic dispersion behavior throughout the audio band. The absence of sudden changes in directivity is not visible in a frequency plot, but clearly audible - especially with a full range of materials, from single complex sources such as the human voice to the wide sonic palette of large orchestras.
• The dynamic capabilities of the monitor are distributed over the audio band more equally, and louder recording or mixdown sessions with SPL´s of 120 dB are handled without offending the ear.

Impulse Coupling

In order to get a precise and undistorted reproduction, all drive units are mounted on an ultra stiff 25 mm thick aluminum honeycomb plate, which is acoustically dead - thereby providing an extremely mechanically stable bridge to the cabinet (IC). As the drivers are much better fixed this way their time behavior (and consequently their clarity) is audibly and measurably improved.

Amplifiers

Both the S6X and the S7A Mk2 ADAM use the new generation of switching amps and power supplies. These are combined in an extremely powerful (1000 and 1500 W rms respectively) yet cool amplifier assembly. Together with the built in overload protection circuits these amplifiers will run reliably and at constant safe operating temperatures not possible with conventional designs. The amplifiers are of extremely low output impedance, leading to a damping factor >4.000, enabling them to strictly control the motion of the drive units.

The front panel

Numerous controls on the front panel introduce a new degree of control for main monitors.

Along with the input gain, there are level controls for each of the four drivers, shelving filters on both ends of the frequency spectrum, and three full parametric EQs (20-200HZ) that can be used to combat standing waves in the control room. The EQ can be bypassed individually or as a group so that their overall effect can be analyzed in direct comparison to the unaffected signal.

In large film score mixing rooms, it may be desirable to have a representation of the sound in the theatres. To meet the ISO 2969 Standard, the Dolby™ X-curve has to be applied.

Using pink noise, the X-curve engages a 3 dB per octave roll-off above 2 kHz. Both the S6X and S7A Mk2 have a switch that activates this filter, eliminating the need for external processing during the film mix.

S7A Mk2

The S7A Mk2 is the ʽbig brotherʼ of the S6X and ADAMʼs most spectacular studio monitor to date. With a whopping combined 1500 W of onboard power (rms), this monitor reaches SPL peaks of 128 dB at a distance of 1 meter. The big bass diaphragms produce even more volume even at lowest pitches down to 20 Hz.

Both 15” subwoofers are driven by 500 W rms each, while 250 W rms units are powering all the other frequency bands.

The benchmark

Quite simply, we feel that the S7A Mk2 is the benchmark of what is possible in the state of the art full range active professional monitoring. It incorporates all of the ADAM inventions and designs, as well as the best materials available. This fusion of power and capacity with precision and accuracy results in unparalleled performance in professional monitoring.

The S7A Mk2 is ADAMʼs contribution to the best possible studio monitor available. The proof is in the listening – we encourage you to hear for yourself.

The CMS 50 is the most compact monitoring loudspeaker of all the Focal Professional range. Its design permits listening from 50cm away, while still keeping the possibility of the monitors at a great distance from one another without damaging the soundstage. The 5” mid-woofer reaches down to 55Hz, while offering a controlled bass and a totally linear midrange. The midrange register of the CMS 50 has unequalled neutrality in its price range. The Al-Mg inverted dome tweeter offers outstanding dynamics and a degree of definition in the treble that allow precise measurement of reverb and other effects which are normally very difficult to assess.

PRICE PER UNIT

A revolutionary formula: 2 x 7 = 77

In some set-ups it can be advisable to use a horizontally designed speaker rather than a vertical one. Until now, such monitors were only available within the SX top line.

The brand new A77X, due to its outstanding features, might become a true game changer: Equipped with the same advanced technologies as the A7X, it therefore is very similar to the two-way speaker. The A77X, however, distinguishes itself by much higher, compression-free maximum sound pressure levels and dynamics. Due to its power and radiation characteristics, it also is perfectly suited for both near- and midfield monitoring.

Driver technology

Like all models of the AX series, the A77X features the ADAM proprietary X-ART tweeter. The ʽXʼ stands for ʽeXtended frequency responseʼ and thus for one of the features of the Accelerating Ribbon Technology that has been drastically improved: the frequency response. It now extends all the way up to 50kHz. In addition, the X-ART tweeter has higher efficiency and higher maximum sound pressure levels.

The two 7” woofers are identical with that of the A7X. With their large voice coils (1.5”) and powerful amplifiers, they are capable of both very high maximum sound pressure levels as well as very deep registers. The woofers do not cover the same frequency bands: while both of them are responsible for the (sub-) bass frequencies up to about 400Hz, only one of them reproduces the midrange. This prevents interferences between the two drivers. For stereo setups the A77X is available in A and B versions in order to guarantee a precise stereo image.

Amplifiers / controls

Each driver has its own dedicated amplifier. A 50W A/B amp is responsible for the X-ART tweeter, while the bass-/midwoofers are driven by a 100W PWM amp each. The front panel includes a power switch and a control for the volume that retains the volume setting independently from the on/off switch.

The rear panel features several additional controls: a gain for the high frequencies (± 4dB) and two shelf filters for high and low frequencies.
To ensure greater compatibility, there are both XLR (balanced) and RCA (unbalanced) connectors.

Review samples:

“… a refreshing change“
"… if you liked the A7X youʼll like the A77X even more, and if the companyʼs smaller near-fields werenʼt your cup of tea, the A77X are definitely worth another listen. They are not much bigger than a two-driver cabinet design, so should slip into any installation where a near-field speaker will fit, but the extra low/ mid frequency drivers mean that the bass is more naturally extended and the mid-range clearer and more detailed. I like the A77X a lot and they make a refreshing change from the usual mid-priced near-field speakers." AUDIO MEDIA magazine / February 2012

“… wide and spacious soundstage with solid left/right imaging“
"… they are fun and easy to work with, covering all the essential functions required of high-end monitors with aplomb." MusicTech magazine / April 2012

MYTHO 8 is a two-way reference studio monitor equipped with two separate AB amplifiers - 200 W for the low frequencies and 100 W for the high - unparalleled for low distortion and natural sound. It features a high quality large metal dome tweeter for the best vocal reproduction and a 8” neodymium vented woofer with a large sized 51 mm voice coil that guarantees very high energy for tight and controlled bass reproduction and perfect thermal stability with minimum power compression.

The magnetic circuit features a special air ventilation to reduce air compression, air noises and minimize distortion in large excursion situations. Thanks to the deeper low frequencies reproduced by its 8” woofer, the MYTHO 8 is perfect for medium to large control rooms.
A dedicated high quality DSP is provided on board. The cabinet is made in aluminium, internally braced and reinforced to improve low frequencies behaviour and reduce resonances.
 

Features
Ruler-Flat Response 52Hz to 20kHz, + 1.5 dB

Benefit: Sound true to actual recording

Benefit: Any pair of speakers is a matched pair

Active Technology

2 FR (Fast Recovery) Series Amplifiers; HF 40W; LF 100W

Benefit: Precise dividing slope, correct phase, and low distortion

Benefit: Minimal chance of speaker damage due to overdriving

Servo Loop Woofer Technology

Electronic control and dampening

Benefit: Speaker output is as true to incoming signal as possible

Frequency Response Controls

80Hz low-cut switch; 3-position live/dead switch (-2bdB, Normal and +2dB)

Benefit: Excellent response in a variety of acoustic environments

Wide Sweet Spot

Custom-designed die-cast wave guide

Benefit: User hears the same thing across a wider range of motion

3-Position Acoustic Space Switch

Compensation in bass response for half-space (-2dB) and quarter-space (-4dB) placement

Benefit: As close-to-flat performance as possible regardless of placement in room

Applications
Professional Recording Studios

Home and Project Studios

Film (THX) and Post Production Studios

Home Theater Installations

Acoustic Performance
Free Field Frequency Response: 52Hz - 20Hz