ADAM S3X-H Active Studio Monitor 250W

PRICE PER UNIT

S3X-H - Yes, even better

The S3A is one of ADAMʼs most famous models and is found in many of the most prestigious recording studios all over the world. The successor of this world famous model is the S3X-H, a monitor second to none within its size and price point.

Unlike the S3A, the new X-model incorporates a 4” HexaCone-midrange as part of the redesigned construction to further improve the musically most important midrange. This new design provides more detail with improved radiation characteristics while presenting a musically coherent sound.

To produce deep, tight bass both woofers now work within the same frequency range and radiate symmetrically. This allows for a problem free installation in any multi-channel application.

Reviews: "...the monitor reference...”

Due to the outstanding reputation of its predecessor, it was to be expected that the S3X-H would be reviewed with the most critical of all ears. Here are some samples (complete reviews can be found here):

“The S3X-H convinces all along the line. ADAMs new member is all but just an improvement of a successful monitor. With a new loudspeaker design and painstaking tuning it is a first-class control tool in any studio. From now on, the monitor reference in the Professional audio-studio is called S3X-H.” (Professional audio, 09/2009)

“[...] anyone seeking an uncompromised solution to studio monitoring should add these to your short list of products to consider.” (MIX, 12/2009)

“The S3A is an amazing unit with some excellent technologies, and ADAM hasnʼt just built on this to give us the S3X, but has built something new and exciting with what it knows so well. The sound has been opened up in a whole new way that I believe consistently delivers more reliable results outside of your studio. These are reference monitors, and as they make their way into studios they will become part of the standard called ʽmusic productionʼ. The S3X radiates sound into the room with depth, accuracy, and clarity in the way you need it to be with comfort and ease. These are monitors that need to be heard.” (Audio Media, 09/2009)

Full Description

Compact and Ideal For Home Studio

Input Connections

Features

• Compact stereo speaker system ideally suited for home studios, multimedia applications, keyboard and vocal monitoring, etc.
• Powerful 4'' woofers and high-resolution tweeters powered by two 8 watt amplifiers
• Dedicated Volume, Bass and Treble controls for more flexibility
• Stereo RCA inputs for sound cards, keyboards, etc. that can be used simultaneously with a second stereo source (e. g. CD/MD player) through 1/8'' TRS stereo input
• Separately adjustable 1/4'' TRS microphone input mixable with stereo inputs for playback and vocal monitoring applications
• 1/8'' TRS headphone connector with auto-mute loudspeaker function
• Magnetically shielded for placement near computer monitors
• Designed and engineered in Germany

Specifications

• Woofer: 4''
• Tweeter: 1.5''
• Output Power: 2 x 8 Watts
• Frequency Response: 80Hz - 20kHz
• Speaker Impedance: 4?
• Input 1:
  • Connector: 1/8'' TRS Stereo
  • Input Level: -10dBm, 10k?
• Input 2:
  • Connector: RCA Stereo
  • Input Level: -10dBm, 10k?
• Mic Input:
  • Connector: 1/4'' TRS
  • Input Level: -50dBm, 50?
• Dimensions: 9.5'' x 5.5'' x 6'' / 241mm x 140mm x 150mm (H x W x D)
• Weight: 4kg

The compact LSR6325P-1 provides exceptional performance for use in applications
where accuracy is a must, but space is limited. With a 5.25 in. high-excursion woofer,
a damped titanium composite tweeter, and 150 Watts of amplification, it outperforms
many larger systems. When used with the LSR6312SP Subwoofer, the LSR6325P-1
is the heart of an exceptionally accurate yet space efficient full-range system.

Features:
High-performance bi-amplified design with patented JBL transducer technology.
Front panel volume and power controls.
Integrated mounting points for horizontal and vertical suspension.
Titanium composite high frequency device with elliptical oblate spheroidal waveguide.
Shielded for use next to video monitors.
Built in high-pass filtering for use with optional subwoofer.
User selectable workstation boundary compensation.
Powered monitors with 5.25" woofers and 1" titanium composite dome tweeters
100 watts power for low frequencies, 50 watts for highs
Cast aluminum enclosure for structural rigidity and light weight
Magnetically shielded for interference-free use near CRTs and other electronic gear
Linear Spatial Reference technology ensures even frequency response at the mix position
 

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

PRICE PER UNIT

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)

Behringer MS-20 24-Bit/192 kHz Digital 20-Watt Stereo Near Field Monitors

The MS20 Studio Monitors from Behringer are a pair of extremely compact, 2 x 10-Watt nearfield monitors that feature high-resolution 24-bit/192 kHz D/A converters. With the MS20, you can connect directly to your digital signal sources and eliminate annoying analog line-loss and hum forever. Whether you connect to your computer sound card, keyboard, or MP3 player, you will enjoy exceptional sound quality with great dynamics. The built-in amplifiers provide lots of headroom, while the powerful woofers and tweeters provide ultra-linear frequency response.

The MS20 connectivity includes stereo 1/8" and RCA jacks, which can be used simultaneously or mixed with a digital stereo source. Digital duties are handled by either RCA or TOSLINK sockets, providing for ultra-simple hookup. Individual volume controls for both Line inputs plus Bass and Treble EQ controls are provided on the front panel, along with a 1/4" headphone jack that automatically mutes the internal speakers.

Sound Quality
Sporting 3.625" woofers and 2.5" high-resolution tweeters, MS20 monitor speakers bring quality audio within the reach of anyone that operates a computer workstation. Whether you're a musician tracking your latest masterpieces, or just someone who listens to your favorite songs at work, MS20 loudspeakers will make them sound significantly better. They also make excellent add-on speakers for electronic keyboards. Front-mounted volume and individual bass and treble controls make accurate sound adjustments a breeze.

Built-in Mixer
The MS20 takes audio to an even higher level with its multiple input options. The built-in mixer features 1/8" stereo inputs for connecting CD/MD/MP3 players, dual RCA jacks for tape decks and stereo keyboard modules, and even both RCA and TOSLINK connectors for digital signal sources. This adds up to a system that lets you play along with a variety of prerecorded tracks. And you can wail away to your heart's content in total privacy, thanks to MS20's powerful headphone jack.

 FEATURES

• 2-Way active studio monitor pair
• Ideally suited for computer studios, multimedia workstations and keyboards
• Built-in 2 x 10-Watt powerful amplifiers with lots of headroom
• Powerful woofers and high-resolution tweeters
• High-resolution 24-bit/192 kHz D/A converters for extended dynamic range
• Optical and coaxial inputs to directly connect digital audio sources by S/PDIF interface
• Two stereo analog inputs featuring 1/4'' TRS and stereo RCA connectors
• Individual volume controls for both Line inputs plus Bass and Treble EQ controls
• 1/4'' TRS headphone connector with auto-mute loudspeaker function easily accessible on the front panel

SPECIFICATIONS

MS20 Digital Monitor Speakers (Pair)

• Loudspeakers
  Tweeter: ˜ 65 mm (2 1/2“), 8 ?
  Woofer: ˜ 92 mm (3 5/8“), 4 ?
  Audio Inputs
  Line 1: 1/8" TRS stereo, impedance 20 k?
  Line 2: 2 RCA, impedance 20 k?
  Digital Inputs
  Optical: TOSLINK
  Coaxial: RCA
  Converter: 24-bit
  Sample rate: System Specs
  Output power: 2 x 20W
  Frequency response: 50Hz to 25kHz
  Power Supply
  Mains Voltages: USA/Canada 120 V, 60 Hz
  Power Consumption: 80W