ADAM S4X-H Active Studio Monitor 300W

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The S4X models

The S4X monitors are not just an improved versions of the famous and highly acclaimed S4A but an evolutionary development. Like their predecessors, they have been designed for medium size control rooms. Given their excessive power, the S4X are also capable of working in larger environments. Because both S4X models have identical tweeters and midrange drivers handling frequencies above 350 Hz, any combination of either model will integrate perfectly in a 5.1 or 7.1 installation.

X-ART & newly developed broadband amplifier

All models of the SX-Series are equipped with the new X-ART tweeter. The X-ART tweeter has a 4dB higher efficiency, a 3dB higher maximum sound pressure level, and an increase in frequency response up to 50 kHz. The newly designed broadband A/B amplifier has been developed by ADAM to perfectly match the needs and capabilities of the X-ART tweeter. The entire range of sound can be heard as never before.

New HexaCone woofers

The new HexaCone woofers are designed with larger and longer voice coils that deliver more linear excursion for higher SPL max. values. A stronger magnetic structure is added as well for an optimum in efficiency and accuracy.

Optional digital input and magnetical shielding

All SX-models (except the S1X) can be optionally retrofitted with a 24 bit/192 kHz D/A Converter featuring an AES/EBU (XLR) and a SPDIF (RCA) inputs as well as a R/L/Mono switch.

All models can optionally be magnetically shielded.

S4X-H

The S4X-H midfield monitor combines the X-ART tweeter with a 5" HexaCone midrange and two redeveloped 9" HexaCone woofers.

Each of the woofers and midrange drivers are driven by a 250 W ICE module. To allow the X-ART tweeter to extend to its highest frequencies, it is combined with a unique ADAM Audio A/B amplifier. This unique amplifier has ultra low distortion and an immense internal bandwidth of more than 1MHz. Combine this amplifier with the X-ART tweeter and you get a fascinating sound that is effortless and of highest resolution.

Improperly designed larger monitors are always at risk at compromising the overall sound with bass reproduction that is too intense. As in all ADAM Audio designed speakers, both versions of the S4X have been designed to combine both the power and volume of the bass (28 Hz at -3 dB point) with the highest possible precision. Combine this with the transparent high and midrange frequencies of the S4X and this will give an engineer a new quality level of control and performance for larger rooms.

The frontpanel

ADAM has developed an innovative front panel with sophisticated controls. These controls allow the user to adapt the speakers to the soundroom with high precision.

Apart from the standby-button, there are two controls for the input sensitivity, two for the bass section and two more for the high frequencies.

    * Active studio monitors with USB audio interface
    * 4.25-inch magnetically shielded, inverted cone, copolymer woofer
    * 1-inch silk dome high frequency driver
    * 2 x 20 watts of internal stereo power
    * Two combination mic and instrument/line inputs
    * Two 1/8-inch stereo headphone outputs with level controls
    * Includes Cakewalk® Sonar LE music production software
    * Mic and instrument/line gain control with clip LED
    * 16-bit 44.1kHz/48kHz
    * Stereo RCA and 1/8-inch aux inputs
    * 2-position switch for no-latency direct stereo and mono monitoring
    * Mix control to balance computer and audio sources
    * USB and speaker cable included

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S3X-V

Using the newly developed 4” HexaCone midrange and 9” HexaCone woofer combined together with the X-ART tweeter creates the unique S3X-V control monitor.

A step up over the smaller models, the S3X-V is capable of producing more power and volume along with a more detailed and homogeneous sound that will impress even the most experienced sound engineer. Whether the complex sonic images of an orchestra or the smooth tone of a jazz trio, the S3X-V reveals even the finest nuances of any material. The driver assembly of the S3X-V allows long time, non-fatiguing listening sessions.

Reviews: "Wonderfully detailed...”

“Wonderfully detailed, with an exceptionally transparent mid-range. [...] ADAM make the leap to a three-way speaker design that seems to pay dividends in clarity and separation. [...] I think it would be fair to say theyʽre the best sounding ADAM monitors Iʽve reviewed.” (Sound On Sound, 12/2009)

“No doubt, the S3X-V deserve the title Reference Monitor. With this series, ADAM Audio proves to have a very good feeling for meeting the specific demands of the sound engineerʽs guild, creating studio standards at the same time. [...] A precision tool combined with a luxury good.” (www.96kHz.de, 03/2010)

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The smallest big sound ever...

With the A3X, ADAM Audio present their smallest monitor to date, making it perfectly suited for all environments where space is limited but sound shouldnʼt be constricted. The A3X combines a tiny footprint with the much acclaimed ADAM sound quality by using the X-ART tweeter for the higher frequencies, a guarantee for crystal clear music reproduction.

A 4.5” (basket) driver handles the lower registers. The diaphragm is made from carbon fiber, a material that is very light but very stiff and therefore capable of delivering colouring-free sound. Two built-in 25 Watt amplifiers powers each of the drivers directly.

Stereolink

A very handy and exclusive technology found in the two smaller AX monitors is the Stereolink. This is accomplished by a pair of additional RCA connections that allow for a bypass of the second stereo channel to the other speaker.

This new technology connects two A3X speakers in such a manner as to allow the user the option to control the overall stereo volume of the system from either speakerʼs gain control. This makes the A3X a natural for "mixer-less” desktop applications where overall system volume needs to be adjusted easily.

Controls and Connectors

The front of the A3X sports dual ports for surprisingly low frequency response down to 60Hz. The front panel also has power and gain controls. The rear panel includes a tweeter gain control as well as balanced (XLR) jacks and unbalanced (RCA) jacks, allowing for greater connection flexibility. There are also two M6 (6 mm) metric screw threads for stand/wall mounting.

Review: "Highly recommended“

"Iʼve used various monitors for my computer work before, but never of the caliber of the A3X series. Before these, I would have to redo my mixes significantly when transitioning from the small cheapies to the big 'real ones'. The ADAM Audio A3Xʼs save me a step by providing both great sound in a compact format and by changing mundane audio task-work into a quality listening experience. If you use good monitors from the outset, youʼll learn your music that much faster so that when it comes time for mixdown and mastering on your big boxes, youʼll already be acclimated to your songʼs subtler sonic aspects—aspects revealed only by the A3Xʼs with their sweet, smooth top end, and impressive handling of bass frequencies. Highly recommended.“
(Jon Chappell, Harmony Central, 03/10)

Review: "...one of the best compact monitors“

"ADAM´s A3X as the smallest monitor with a X-ART tweeter to date has convinced us in every respect. It´s one of the best compact monitors we have ever reviewed and with its almost shameless low price it´s worth every penny. (Professional Audio, 05/10)

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

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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