Adam Audio A3X, A5X, A7X and A8X announced
| Posted in Music Technology
The Adam Audio AX-Series of studio monitors is set to be launched when the 2010 Musikmesse exhibition opens next week. The new four-strong range comprises the compact A3X, and the larger A5X, A7X and A8X models, all of which boast new woofers and amplifiers alongside redesigned cabinet housings, plus the company’s X-ART tweeters.
Indeed, the X-ART tweeter looks set to become something of a difference-maker in a busy Musikmesse for studio monitors, with a number of companies having announced new products only today. Adam Audio describes the X-ART design as “more efficient” (96dB/W/m), and capable of handling high SPLs with a frequency response of up to 50kHz.
The range is being launched in the footsteps of last year’s upgrade of the S range of monitors, when it became the SX Series. At this year’s exhibition the manufacturer will be replacing both its P series and the original A series in favour of the AX range. Adam is describing the new monitors as offering everything from an “ultra-compact and fully professional” smaller model to “high performance” larger offerings.
Measuring just 9.9″ in height and 5.9″ wide, the A3X is Adam Audio’s smallest ever studio monitor, boasting a depth of only 7.2″ and weighing 10lbs. However, Adam is keen to stress that the size of the cabinet does not impinge on the quality of its performance, declaring that it is “already being hailed for its exceptional imaging and accuracy from a speaker so small”.
Inside the housing is the X-ART tweeter plus a 4.5″ mid to low driver designed with a “very light but stiff” carbon fibre diaphragm to aid transparency, plus two 25W amplifiers. With its diminutive size, the monitor is being pitched squarely at the home recording market where space is at a premium.
Meanwhile, the A5X is being introduced as the reincarnation of the hugely popular A5 monitor, comprising the X-ART tweeter, a 5.5″ mid to low driver capable of reproducing frequencies below 2.5kHz and offering twice the power of its forerunner. Power is provided by two 50W amplifiers which drive each of the speakers directly, delivering 110dB max peak SPL per pair.
Similarly, the AX7 is intended as the replacement for the much loved A7 monitor, again boasting the X-ART tweeter plus a newly designed 7″ mid/woofer featuring a larger 1.5″ voice coil. The speaker boasts a 50W A/B amp which drives the X-ART tweeter, plus a 100W Pulse Width Modulation amp used to drive the mid-range and lows.
The larger model boasts more onboard controls as well, including a power switch on the front panel and a control for the volume that retains the volume setting independently from the on/off switch. More controls can be located on the rear panel, including a gain knob for high frequencies (± 4dB), plus two shelf filters for high and low frequencies
Finally, the A8X is the largest model in the new range, described as offering “more than enough power for any applications”. The monitor is intended for high-end professionals and equipped with an 8.5″ mid/woofer constructed from a combination of carbon, Rohacell, and fibreglass driven by a 150W amplifier, plus the ubiquitous X-ART tweeter served by a 50W amp. The cabinet’s frontal, double bass reflex tubes have also been designed to match the mid/woofer and its voice coil. Also included is a tweeter gain control and two shelf filters on the rear panel, a frequency response of 38Hz – 50kHz, and 120dB max peak SPL per pair.
Musikmesse 2010 is shaping up to be a very busy year for studio monitors. However, with a powerful legacy to draw upon and the X-ART tweeter to draw in curious onlookers, expect the A3X, A5X, A7X and A8X monitors to garner a lot of attention.
About Barney Jameson
A contributor, editor and in some cases creator of more music and pro audio magazines than he cares to remember, Barney Jameson is a veteran of writing about gear, and a pretty keen singer songwriter to boot.
Having started his musical education reading old copies of the Melody Maker while riding the tube to University in the mid-nineties, Barney once sang in a band called Sugarstone, troubling record company chequebooks not quite enough to make it a career option. Instead, he achieved his goal of starting a music magazine of his own when he founded Playmusic in the early noughties. Later on, having exploited VIP access to as many festivals as possible, he wrote about the pro audio industry throughout Europe and the Middle East, travelling to far-flung destinations such as Dubai, Doha and Muscat (nice mountains).
As the latest addition to the DV247 team, Barney has big plans. But when he’s not plotting online domination of the musical instrument world, he keeps himself busy writing songs on a battered old acoustic guitar and playing them to audiences in his home town.
Tags: Adam Audio A5, Adam Audio A7, Adam Audio monitors
When will stock of those be expected?
Nick Anastasiou
Hi Nick,
We should get this information from ADAM today.
Will post this info a soon as we know.
Best wishes,
DV247
DV247
Hi,
Did you get a release date for these, im very interested in buying a pair with a Sub8 sub…
Cheers
Danny .S.