ADAM A7X Active Studio Monitor 100W

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ADAMs A7 & A7X: the evolution of a legend

The predecessor to the A7X, the A7, became the most famous of all ADAM monitors in a very short time. Not only has it been reviewed over three dozen times with outstanding results, it has also received numerous awards. The A7 quickly gained mass appeal, praised in many of the worldʼs largest internet forums. Still today, the A7 are the reference monitors in many smaller studios.

With the A7X, ADAM Audio proudly presents the evolution of a legend. It takes everything that made the A7 such an outstanding speaker to a new level.

Driver technology

The first aspect that distinguishes the old from the new model is the 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 a higher efficiency and higher maximum sound pressure levels.

The perfect integration with the lower frequencies has been achieved with a newly designed 7” midwoofer. It has been redesigned with a much bigger voice coil (1.5”) and is driven by an amplifier with twice the power compared to its predecessor. This combination produces an amazing sound and pressure levels with an almost distortion-free musical reproduction.

Amplifiers / controls

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

On the rear panel are 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.

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S2X

The S2X brings together the virtues of the ʽclassicalʼ 7” woofer and tweeter combination by using ADAM innovative technologies and top-class materials.

The HexaCone 7” woofer is driven by a sophisticated magnet system with a 2” voice coil creating a greater linear excursion. This produces more dynamics than one would assume in a monitor of such small proportions. As a result, in addition to the unsurpassed audio quality of the X-ART and A/B amplifier combination, this monitor surprises the listener with a very powerful, deep, but always tight and precise low end.

Review at a glance: "Sonic sensation“

“The ADAM Audio S2X can convince in all areas, concerning the sound as well as the workmanship, and are worth every Euro. […] a no-compromise tool for all who mean serious business, whether in music or postproductions.” (www.96kHz.de, 03/2010)

“We started off with a classical string quartet recording and let´s just say right away that the S2Xs floored us. Several adjectives spring to mind [...] - wide open, transparent, effortless, breathtaking realistic, loud, dynamic, involving... [...] If you close your eyes and continue listening, the S2Xs seem to ‚disappearʽ almost entirely. [...] you gradually become less aware that you´re listening to speakers because they´re like an open window on the music itself. [...] Result: These monitors are up there with the best we´ve tried so far.” (MusicTech, 01/2010)

• 150W active studio monitor with 8" military-grade Kevlar low-frequency driver and 1.25" silk dome tweeter
• Bi-amplified design delivers a sound that's both powerful and precise
• Custom waveguide ensures accurate dispersion for an incredibly tight soundstage
• Optimized rear-mounted port produces defined low-end response with bass extension down to 37Hz
• Acoustic Space Control tailors your monitor to your mix space
• Volume control for dialing in the perfect playback level
• Balanced combo input allows for flexible installation
• Front-panel LED shines brightly when the speaker is positioned at an ideal angle

• Frequency Range: 37Hz – 22kHz
• Crossover: 2.0kHz
• Maximum Peak Input Level: -2dBU
• Input Types: Balanced 20kO XLR, and TRS
• Unbalanced: 10kO TS
• Input Sensitivity: -12dBU
• HF Driver Size: 31.8 mm (1.25“)
• LF Driver Size: 203 mm (8“)
• Amplifier Power: 150W Class A/B
• HF Driver Power Amp: 70W
• LF Driver Power Amp: 80W
• Port: Rear internally flared
• Controls: Yes
• Magnetic Shielding: Yes
• AC Input Voltage: 100–120V, 50/60 Hz 220–240V, 50/60 Hz
• Enclosure Construction: MDF
• Enclosure Finish: Black PVC
• Baffle Construction: Injection-molded ABS
• Baffle Finish: Matte black with Soft-touch
• Dimensions (HxWxD): 384 mm x 250mm x 302mm (15.1” x 9.8” x 11.9”)
• Weight: 10.5 kgs (23.1 lbs)
• Display Carton (HxWxD): 398mm x 345mm x 482mm (15.6” x 13.5” x 18.9”)
• Shipping Carton (HxWxD): 412mm x 359mm x 502mm (16.2” x 14” x 19.68”)
• Shipping Weight: 12.8kgs (28.22lbs)
• Configuration: 2-Way bi-amp
• System Type: Active Monitor
• Fuse Rating: 220–240V~ T1AL, 250V 100–120V~ T2AL, 250V
• Power Consumption: 150W
• Shape: Bass-reflex

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The original A5

The small A5 managed to make itself a big name in both professional environments as well as in computer or desktop applications. A wealth of truly outstanding reviews and many awards helped to establish this speaker as one "of the best small monitors” and a "great choice for the small studio.” (Future Music, 01/2009).

The new A5X

The similar dimensions and name could make one believe that the A5X is nothing more than a new version of the A5. A quick listening however leaves no doubt that the A5X is much more than that.

Like all other models of the AX-Series it features the proprietary X-ART tweeter. The very data of this technology shows that it is at the forefront of what tweeters can accomplish. Numerous listening tests have confirmed this.

A 5.5” Midwoofer reproduces the frequencies below 2.5kHz. The diaphragm is made from Carbon fiber/Rohacell/Glass fiber, which is the same composite structure shared in the next two bigger models. This material with minimum weight and maximum rigidity prevents break up resonances, resulting in an outstanding dynamic behaviour and impeccable sound characteristics.

Stereolink

A very handy and exclusive feature 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 A5X speakers in such a manner as to allow the user the option to control the overall stereo volume of the system from either speakers gain control. This makes the A5X a natural for "mixer-less” desktop applications where overall system volume needs to be adjusted easily.

Controls and Connectors

The front of the A5X sports dual ports for surprisingly low frequency response down to 50Hz. 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: "The A5X: a superb impression.“

"A sparkling and lively desktop monitor with an open, powerful character. Good filters and practical ergonomics as well as useful equipment make ADAMs A5X an ideal partner in multimedia nearfield sound." (Stereo, 10/10)

The Solo6 Be monitor will surprise you in the very first minutes you spend with it, partly due to its size/extended bass response (40Hz at -3dB). The 6.5" "W” composite sandwich mid-woofer combines neutrality in the midrange, fullness in the midbass register and bass control. Its compactness and the choice of a large front laminar port guarantee easy integration in studios that need a near field monitor without any acoustic compromise. The user settings on the back of the Solo6 Be, combined with its compactness, make it easy to carry and to adjust according to the acoustics of each studio.

The Genelec 8130A Digital Monitoring System has a 192 kHz/24 bit digital audio interface.
Due to its compact size, integrated construction, excellent dispersion and precise stereo
imaging, the 8130A is ideal for near field monitoring, mobile vans, digital audio workstations,
broadcast and TV control rooms, surround sound systems, home studios, multimedia
applications and also for use with computer soundcards. The Directivity Control Waveguide?
(DCW?) technology provides excellent frequency balance even in difficult acoustic
environments.
The integrated design allows the amplifiers and the drivers to be calibrated as a single unit,
eliminating the effects of component tolerances and ensuring consistent quality.
The all-aluminium Minimum Diffraction Enclosure? (MDE?) and advanced Directivity Control
Waveguide? (DCW?) technologies are carefully matched with advanced amplifier and electronics
circuitry. The low frequency response extends down to 55 Hz (-3 dB) while distortion is extremely
low due to a uniquely new rear reflex port design.
The 8130A has been specially designed to have a sufficient LF extension for most situations.
However if greater SPL's and a lower cutoff frequency are required, it can be complemented
with Genelec 7050B subwoofer.
The 8130A is very easy to set up and use, the only connections required are the mains supply
and the input signal. The female XLR input connector can be fed with either AES/EBU formatted
digital signal or analog line level audio signal. The Genelec 8130A automatically detects analog or
digital signals and directs them to the correct signal paths.

Technical Specifications
Input word length 16 - 24 bits
Input format AES/EBU
Digital input XLR female
Connector type 
Input Sampling rate
No de-emphasis  29 - 200 kHz
Input Sampling rate
Using de-emphasis 
Peak per pair with music material 108 dB SPL @ 1m
Drivers
Bass 5" magnetically shielded
Midrange -
Treble 3/4" metal dome, magnetically shielded
Crossover frequencies 3 kHz
Free field frequency
response 58 Hz - 20 kHz (± 2 dB)
Amplifier power /ch
Bass 40 W
Midrange -
Treble 40 W
Speaker dimensions (H x W x D)
mm 285 x 189 x 178 mm (Height with Iso-Pod? 299 mm)
inches 11 1/4 x 7 7/16 x 7 1/16" (Height with Iso-Pod? 11 13/16“)
Amplifier dimensions* (H x W x D)
mm Integrated in the speaker cabinet
inches 
Speaker weight 5.6 kg (12.3 lb)