Adam A5X Active Amplified Professional Studio Monitor Speaker

Product Information

From its 1999 launch in Berlin, ADAM Audio has built a solid reputation among the pro audio cognoscente. Sweetwater knows that a superior speaker system has superior components, and this is one area where the company has a distinct edge. With years of R&D behind each proprietary driver, ADAM Audio's custom driver technology expresses itself in breakthroughs such as their X-ART (eXtended Accelerating Ribbon Technology) tweeter, which is based on a groundbreaking 1960s invention, the Heil Air Motion Transformer — and in fact, was the main impetus for the formation of ADAM Audio. The X-ART tweeter became the key to ADAM's signature transparent, high-definition sound; and the core development of ADAM’s proprietary designs going forward.

StereolinkA 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. The Adam A5X Studio Monitors feature Adam's proprietary X-ART tweeter paired with a 5.5'' mid-range woofer, an A/B amplifier and a powerful PWM amplifier. Perfectly designed for home and small studio environments; the A5X monitors deliver a maximum SPL of 110dB per pair and come equipped with a tweeter gain function, dual front-firing bass ports as well as high shelf/low shelf EQ and flexible input connectors. Boasting crystal-clear and crisp sound reproduction with deep bass responses, the qualities of the A5X provide you with a clear picture of the smallest changes in your mix and the sonic results. Last year, Adam set about updating their A‑range studio monitors to create the AX range. They've redesigned the drivers, used new electronics and, in the case of some of their larger monitors, they've added a mid‑range driver. Adam's A7 two‑way active monitor has proven to be a firm favourite with project studio owners, so I was particularly keen to see how the new A7X could improve on the original. The Science Of ART

The A5X is no longer being produced. Please have a look at its successor: The ADAM Audio A4V!

thumbnail buttons to change the main image. You may also use the left and right arrow keys to navigate The A5X’s woofer is constructed using Carbon/Rohacell/Glass fibre materials, the result is an extremely light yet strong woofer with structural stability that gives the speaker excellent transient response, even when pushing sound levels to the limit via the efficient PWN amplifier. The Adam A7 features an integrated A/B amplifier, designed specifically to partner with the X-Art tweeter and driver. Adam Monitors utilise the highest-grade components and technological advances to ensure optimal audio quality and performance. The integrated power amp is no exception, with its ultra-low distortion and excellent damping factor. The amplifier features an internal bandwidth of more than 1 MHz, delivering an ultra-wide response up to 300kHz. With its simple yet effective design, the high frequency power amp ensures optimal audio performance for your X-Art tweeter and driver. Stereolink A lot of engineers will love the sound just as it comes, but I initially found the overall tonal balance just a hint too sizzly at the top end for my personal taste. A small adjustment to reduce the tweeter level by around 1dB and to pull down the 6kHz filter by a notch brought the sound neatly into my comfort zone, after which I set about auditioning some test material. To my ears, these speakers sound remarkably free of strange and misleading resonances down to 80hz or even lower. Down around 50hz or so, I finally start to feel the slightly sluggish response inherent in all ported designs, although it occurs at levels much less significant than in many monitors in the same price range.

In the A5, that same tweeter is teamed with a 5.5-inch woofer, using a cone material that's fabricated from a sandwich of carbon fibre and a specialist material called Rohacell. This produces a rigid, well-damped cone which, suspended in its soft-roll surround, bodes well for low-end clarity. The drivers are mounted in a neat and fairly conventional ported enclosure, with all the connections on the metal rear panel, which also serves as a heat-sink for the electronics. Two small bass ports are located at the lower corners of the front baffle. Design & Construction Excellent performance across the entire audio spectrum, with a more profound sense of air and transparency than the original A7. The new AX Series of monitors from Adam improve on the highly-acclaimed A Series with a complete overhaul. Better speakers, amplifiers and cabinets mean the AX series speakers are better for your mixes than ever before. Presonus has entered the studio monitor marketplace and created some effective and inexpensive offerings that are worth a look.Getting to experience the sound in person will clear up a lot of the questions you have about them.

The ‚Tweeter gain‘ function is a part of each AX monitor’s basic configuration and lets you raise or lower the level of the high frequencies by up to 4dB. Beyond that, shelving filters allow further adaptation to room acoustics with the A5X, A7X, A8X and A77X. The low shelf filter allows smooth control of the lower frequencies below 300 Hz from -6 dB to +6 dB, the high shelf EQ is introduced at 2.5 kHz with the same levels from -6 dB to +6 dB. French manufacturer Focal has released many well-respected monitors for mixers mixers of all skill levels. German EngineeringAs truly professional reference monitors, every Adam A5X is rigorously tested in the Adam Audio factory in Berlin, and it's clear their engineers have considered every detail. For your convenience, a master … read more I don't have a traditional "hifi" system anymore either. I don't feel as though I'm missing out specifically in terms of SQ as the quality of the monitors is so good.

Specifications

My choice was between the diminutive A3X (only about 10 inches high or something and with a 3+ inch effective woofer), the A5X which offered bigger cabinet around 12inch high, 100w RMS per side, and decent frequency response, and finally the A7X which really was my ideal choice, but a little over budget at around 1200chf the pair cheapest option. Also the A7X seemed a big beast at around 14 inches high and with a 7" woofer always seemed a little OTT for a desktop rig; my intended placement for my new acquisitions. The only trouble is I really wanted the ones in the raw finish 'cos I love that industrial look. Like an idiot I’m now toying with buying some and selling these on The a5x are positioned in the middle between the smaller a3x and bigger a7x (I think a a8x also has been released). Going to eliminate the SC207’s. Saw in one review that they hiss pretty loudly. Also, nobody ever seems to talk about them? Strange, considering that their founder was at (or owned?) ADAM Audio.