Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.

Product Strengths

  • Sturdy construction with vibration-resistant material
  • Impressive aesthetics, described as sleek and imposing
  • Articulate low end without distortion, even at high output levels
  • Vivid and rich midrange with no perceived masking
  • Clear and smooth tweeters that are not overly sharp or bright
  • Excellent imaging, especially around the high-mids

Product Considerations

  • S Control application needs improvement in terms of user interface and workflow
  • The monitor can be too large for smaller rooms
  • One reviewer found the control knob under the display too sensitive
  • The DSP software for configuring the EQ settings is not intuitive to use and is frustrating
  • The S3V's chew through 27.5W each when 'idle', which may not be ideal for every user

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Focal Solo BEs, the S3V has a more solid construction that is more resistant to stains and scratches
  • Vs PMC, the S3V looks more impressive
  • Vs Yamaha HS5's, the S3V has an increased midrange clarity and improved low end weight
  • Vs A77X, the S3V produces a character that sounds distinctly more 'modern'—with instruments and transients that seem more sharply etched and more in focus
  • Vs Focal CMS40, the S3V is more detailed without harshness

Takeaway: The Adam Audio S3V is a high-quality monitor designed for professional use, offering excellent audio performance and new driver technology. With its impressive soundstage and linear sound, it could be a great addition to a studio for mixing and mastering.

How useful are hifi reviews? We consider them useful for three things: (1) Surfacing new products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've ever heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's unique attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we  discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on everything—rarely being negative for fear of souring relationships with manufacturers. Further, they seldom have more than a couple products on-hand at once, relying on their imperfect memories to compare to past products.

Compared to their other products

We think it's helpful to understand how this product fits into the brand's full lineup (below). To learn more about these products, visit the brand's page.

T5V

  • Positioning: Entry-level line, designed for affordability and compactness.
  • Description: Offers excellent acoustic characteristics with its U-ART tweeter and HPS waveguide, providing a wide sweet spot for small control rooms. Unlike the A8H and S5H, it is optimized for budget-conscious users who need reliable performance in limited spaces, making it ideal for home studios or small professional setups.

T10S

  • Positioning: Compact subwoofer designed to complement nearfield monitors.
  • Description: Enhances low-frequency response with its down-firing 10" woofer and 130 W amplifier, making it a powerful addition to the T5V and T7V monitors. While it lacks the advanced DSP features of the A8H and S5H, its compact design and adjustable crossover make it suitable for users seeking to extend bass in smaller studio environments.

A8H

  • Positioning: High-performance midfield monitor for detailed audio representation.
  • Description: Stands out with its X-ART tweeter and rotatable HPS waveguide, offering precise sound for critical listening in mid-sized spaces. Unlike the T5V, it includes DSP-based tuning and Sonarworks integration.

S5H

  • Positioning: Flagship main monitor for expansive studio environments.
  • Description: Features dual 10" ELE bass drivers and a DCH midrange driver, delivering exceptional low-frequency control and midrange clarity. It surpasses the A8H with its extensive DSP capabilities and high SPL output.
See all the brand's products

Read the reviews

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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer's notes

The S3V is a three-way studio monitor optimized for vertical use and designed primarily for midfield applications, although it may also be used in more compact listening environments.
Bass frequencies from 32 Hz to 250 Hz are handled by ADAM Audio's entirely new 9-inch Extended Linear Excursion (ELE) LF driver, which incorporates the company's equally groundbreaking Symmetrical Magnet Assembly (SMA) and delivers a powerful, extremely accurate low end extending right down into the sub-bass region.

Mid-range and HF information is reproduced with equally analytical precision thanks to the combination of ADAM Audio's newly developed 4-inch DCH mid-range driver and the highly refined S-ART folded-ribbon HF driver. Together with the brand-new HPS waveguide, the latter offers high-frequency reproduction with an extremely broad sweet spot with fine, highly detailed imaging and a natural-sounding sense of depth.

The S Series' custom-designed DSP optimizes the loudspeaker crossovers to create linear responses for the entire range, as well as providing user equalization and in-room tuning/voicing functions. The DSP also handles the limiter-based high-frequency driver protection, processes the signals from the AES3 digital inputs, and will in time facilitate various expansion options.

Software updates can be carried out with ease via the associated USB port, which also allows users to connect computers and control the speakers' DSP functions via a software front-end.

The S3V's built-in amplification is generously specified, comprising Class D units for the bass and ...
  • Panel: Rear
  • Max. Power Consumption: 550 W
  • Weight: 55.0 lb (25.0 kg)
  • Height x Width x Depth: 21.1" (536 mm) x 11.5" (293 mm) x 15.0" (380 mm)
  • Warranty: 5 years
  • Input Impedance: 48 kOhm
  • Max. Input Level: +24 dBu
  • Woofer Amp Power RMS: 500 W
  • Midrange Amp Power RMS: 300 W
  • Tweeter Amp Power RMS: 50 W
  • Frequency Response: 32 Hz – 50 kHz (-20 dB)
  • THD > 100 Hz: ≤0.4 %
  • Max. SPL per pair at 1 m: ≥124 dB
  • Crossover Frequencies: 250 Hz, 3 kHz
  • Woofer Diameter: 9"
  • Woofer Voice Coil Diameter: 2" (50 mm)
  • Woofer Cone Material: HexaCone
  • Midrange Type: Dome/Cone Hybrid
  • Midrange Diameter: 4"
  • Midrange Voice Coil Diameter: 2.4" (60 mm)
  • Midrange Cone Material: Carbon Composite
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Average Price
$500
Used Products
7
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
66
 of 600+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products
19
Founded
1999

Our take on the brand

ADAM Audio is renowned for its innovative ART tweeters, which enhance the Air Motion Transformer concept by moving air four times faster than their folds for high-definition sound. Their monitors, especially the S Series, are favored by sound engineers for their accurate and transparent sound, advanced engineering, and reduced distortion, while the T Series offers affordable, high-performance studio monitors.
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi
Brand Page
Most data on ExtremeHiFi is proprietary—researched and reviewed after thousands of hours of loving labor. We archive our site's data and its pages on Archive.org and take legal action against those repurposing the data. We also fingerprint data to know when text and numbers came from us first.
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What if you spend a bit more?

A7V
799
799
/
7
Reviews
ADAM Audio
ADAM Audio is renowned for its innovative ART tweeters, which enhance the Air Motion Transformer concept by moving air four times faster than their folds for high-definition sound. Their monitors, especially the S Series, are favored by sound engineers for their accurate and transparent sound, advanced engineering, and reduced distortion, while the T Series offers affordable, high-performance studio monitors.
Check on Amazon
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Delivers a powerful, smooth and detailed sound with flexible voicing options
  • High frequency reproduction balances accuracy without being harsh
  • Ability to resolve fine details
  • Excellent build quality, back panel controls, and layout
  • Room correction presets can be saved via the partnered Sonarworks Sound ID software

Product Considerations

  • Non-stepped volume controls travel a little too easily
  • On/off switch and input sensitivity controls are located on the cabinet rear panel
  • Network router and ethernet cables required for computer control

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The A7V has a more premium sound and can be tweaked further thanks to the free A-Control software, but the ADAM Audio T7V is hard to beat due to its price-to-performance ratio
  • For users coming from a set of KRK Systems Rokit 8 speakers, the A7V will be a massive improvement

Takeaway: The ADAM Audio A7V is a great-sounding monitor with multiple voicings, software integration and excellent build quality. These monitors offer a detailed audio performance, allowing users to make well informed mixing decisions.

Video review

Our take on the brand

ADAM Audio is renowned for its innovative ART tweeters, which enhance the Air Motion Transformer concept by moving air four times faster than their folds for high-definition sound. Their monitors, especially the S Series, are favored by sound engineers for their accurate and transparent sound, advanced engineering, and reduced distortion, while the T Series offers affordable, high-performance studio monitors.
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Visit our
A7V
page
Product Page
A44H
699
699
/
5
Reviews
ADAM Audio

With a 19-inch width, the horizontally oriented A44H can sit on a standard rack shelf or be mounted above or below a display. The completely new design also enables the A44H to serve as a center speaker in immersive and 3D speaker configurations. Dual 4-inch long-throw woofers and the X-ART tweeter deliver a wide frequency range, while onboard DSP-based tuning capabilities enable you to tweak the sound easily.

ADAM Audio is renowned for its innovative ART tweeters, which enhance the Air Motion Transformer concept by moving air four times faster than their folds for high-definition sound. Their monitors, especially the S Series, are favored by sound engineers for their accurate and transparent sound, advanced engineering, and reduced distortion, while the T Series offers affordable, high-performance studio monitors.
Check on Amazon
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Compact, comfortable, and easy to place, with a lower profile.
  • Delivers a powerful, dynamic, and precise sound that delivers an enjoyable experience.
  • A rotatable tweeter allows for both horizontal and vertical placement, providing flexibility in different setups.
  • On-board DSP-based room correction options, and integration with Sonarworks SoundID Reference for refined tuning.
  • A wide sweet spot that is immersive and enjoyable to listen to.

Product Considerations

  • The bass response may not be as present or suitable for music production with many sub-bass frequencies.
  • The dial for input level adjustment is not stepped, which may make precise matching more difficult.
  • Some reviewers suggest a sub may be needed depending on the material being worked with, to supplement the 4-inch woofers.

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to the ADAM Audio A7X model, the A44H offers a similar response curve.

Takeaway: The A44H monitors offer a unique form factor, versatile placement options, and a detailed sound, making them a great option for smaller spaces or immersive setups. The built-in DSP and integration with Sonarworks provide extensive room correction and customization capabilities.

Video review

Our take on the brand

ADAM Audio is renowned for its innovative ART tweeters, which enhance the Air Motion Transformer concept by moving air four times faster than their folds for high-definition sound. Their monitors, especially the S Series, are favored by sound engineers for their accurate and transparent sound, advanced engineering, and reduced distortion, while the T Series offers affordable, high-performance studio monitors.
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Visit our
A44H
page
Product Page

What else competes at this price?

No items found.

Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.

Product Strengths

  • Sturdy construction with vibration-resistant material
  • Impressive aesthetics, described as sleek and imposing
  • Articulate low end without distortion, even at high output levels
  • Vivid and rich midrange with no perceived masking
  • Clear and smooth tweeters that are not overly sharp or bright
  • Excellent imaging, especially around the high-mids

Product Considerations

  • S Control application needs improvement in terms of user interface and workflow
  • The monitor can be too large for smaller rooms
  • One reviewer found the control knob under the display too sensitive
  • The DSP software for configuring the EQ settings is not intuitive to use and is frustrating
  • The S3V's chew through 27.5W each when 'idle', which may not be ideal for every user

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Focal Solo BEs, the S3V has a more solid construction that is more resistant to stains and scratches
  • Vs PMC, the S3V looks more impressive
  • Vs Yamaha HS5's, the S3V has an increased midrange clarity and improved low end weight
  • Vs A77X, the S3V produces a character that sounds distinctly more 'modern'—with instruments and transients that seem more sharply etched and more in focus
  • Vs Focal CMS40, the S3V is more detailed without harshness

Takeaway: The Adam Audio S3V is a high-quality monitor designed for professional use, offering excellent audio performance and new driver technology. With its impressive soundstage and linear sound, it could be a great addition to a studio for mixing and mastering.

How useful are hifi reviews? We consider them useful for three things: (1) Surfacing new products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've ever heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's unique attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we  discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on everything—rarely being negative for fear of souring relationships with manufacturers. Further, they seldom have more than a couple products on-hand at once, relying on their imperfect memories to compare to past products.

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