ESI AKTIV-05 Active Monitor

Build upon the legacy of our famous nEar05 models, the new aktiv 05 near field reference monitor take professional level 5" near field monitoring speakers for the entry level to yet another level.

The monitor boasts an ultra-flat low frequency response with its newly designed larger silk dome tweeter and the top quality kevlar 5" driver delivers unparalleled punch in the low-mid frequency - a major improvement over the paper and polypropylene drivers used in most comparable products. ESI was the first vendor using kevlar for studio monitors in this price range as material inside the low frequency driver. Other vendors have since copied our idea, however there is much more to excellent sound of aktiv 05. A new tuning of all components by our engineers in Germany and the use of the completelely new crossover design, turn aktiv 05 into yet another milestone in the ESI studio monitor legacy.

Optionally an aktiv 05 based monitoring system can be expanded with a subwoofer like our SW10K eXperience. aktiv 05 is the perfect alternative to our top selling uniK 05 reference monitor if you are on a budget.

• 2-way powered speaker / active studio monitor speaker
• 5" kevlar curved cone (magnetic shielding type) as LF driver
• 1" silk dome tweeter as HF driver
• output power 60W (HF 30W, LF 30W), 85W AC consumption power
• magnetically shielded for desktop operation
• input connections: XLR / TS1/4" combo connector, balanced / unbalanced input
• input impedance: 23.3 kOhm balanced, 13.3 kOhm unbalanced
• input sensitivity: 75mV@1Watt, 415mV@30Watt
• frequency response: 50Hz - 20kHz
• crossover frequency: 2.5 kHz
• SPL: 88dB +/- 3dB
• operating voltage: AC100-240V 50/60Hz, with 115V / 230V AC selection switch
• blue power LED on the front
• dimensions: 250mm (H) x 176mm (W) x 200mm (D)
• weight: ca. 4.5kg

PRICE PER UNIT

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)

The Twin6 Be is the best seller of the Focal Professional range and the most versatile work tool of the SM6 line. It represents the only necessary solution for recording, mixing and mastering. The image precision, treble definition as well as midrange neutrality are at the heart of its reputation.
The excellent articulation of the bass and midbass registers, even at very high sound levels, makes it an unavoidable reference for engineers who require absolute transparency. Furthermore, the design of the Twin6 Be permits a high SPL while at the same time offering a stable tonal balance. One of the two 6.5" woofers works in large band (midrange – bass) whereas the other reproduces from 40 to 150Hz. This creates a bass that preserves all the signal dynamics, without any masking effect in the midrange, thereby keeping all its neutrality and transparency. Additional control of the bass register is accomplished by fine-tuning on the control plate on the back of the Twin6 Be in order to obtain a perfect mirror configuration with its mate. The Twin6 Be can be installed vertically or horizontally to respond to the space requirements of each studio.

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)

    * 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

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