Adam A8H-R Active Studio Monitor, Right Side

Adam A8H-R Active Studio Monitor, Right Side Overview

Adam A8H-R Active Studio Monitor, Right Side

Embedded Technologies, Innovations – A8H

Rotatable HPS Waveguide & X-ART Tweeter

ADAM Audio HPS (high-frequency propagation system) waveguide technology enables tweeters to disperse sound with controlled consistency, broad in the horizontal axis but tightly focused in the vertical plane. The A-Series introduces a rotatable HPS waveguide design. You can shift A Series tweeters in 90-degree steps to continue to benefit from HPS waveguide technology whether you position the speakers horizontally or vertically.

The A-Series HPS Waveguide is made from a new glass fibre polymer compound that helps create a clear sound, free of unwanted resonance. The ADAM Audio X-ART tweeter is at the heart of the rotatable HPS waveguide. Handmade in Germany, the X-ART tweeter provides precise transient responses and reproduces the finest sonic details. This X-ART tweeter is used in every A Series speaker, providing a detailed, consistent sound across the product line.

Multi-Layer Mineral Woofer

A Series of woofers are constructed with a unique blend of mineral stone fibres that have been baked together to create a lightweight but highly stable material. The mineral composition, layering and geometry of each cone is specific to the driver used in each model. By combining this material with a new magnet system, A Series woofers produce high output with low distortion, delivering a clean low-end.

Midrange Driver

Adapted from the groundbreaking ADAM Audio DCH™ midrange driver used by the S Series speakers, the A-Series midrange driver delivers a clean sound in a critical part of the frequency range where humans are especially sensitive to the colouration of the sound. Using a dedicated driver for the midrange further helps clarify lows and highs by eliminating the need for woofers to reproduce midrange frequencies and thus reducing distortion.

Hybrid Amplification

The A-Series combines the best of both digital and analogue worlds. The woofers are driven by Class D amplifiers that help produce linear performance while reducing distortion. These amplifiers were chosen specifically for their power and efficiency, in terms of both energy consumption and sound reproduction. Low thermal dissipation allows for a smaller heat sink, which facilitated additional investment in the exceptional power and performance of the A-Series.

Tweeters and midrange drivers are powered by class AB amplifiers which offer a smooth, natural reproduction of high frequencies. Each amplifier is optimized for its working range, resulting in a fine-tuned, properly aligned speaker. To reach this point, ADAM Audio carried out extensive measurements and listening sessions, trialling countless amplifiers and amplifier components.

DSP-Based Electronics

The A-Series capitalizes on the transformative power of DSP-based electronics to provide greater tuning precision and better predictability than analogue-only speakers. With firmware that can be updated through an Ethernet connection, over time you can expect to integrate the latest DSP-based capabilities from ADAM Audio—including new filter types and features, plus alternative voicings.

Room Adaptation

On the back panel of A-Series speakers, you will find four bands of room adaptation equalization: Bass, Desk, Presence and Treble. Each band is adjustable in predefined steps, offering more than 100 tuning options to help compensate for the typical acoustic problems that arise from speaker placement.

Voicings

A “Voicing” is a pre-defined sound profile of the A-Series monitors. On the back panel, you will find two different selections, “UNR” and “Pure”. Here you will also find the “Ext” option which is dedicated to the extended functionality that comes with A Control via the Ethernet connection.

“UNR” or “Uniform Natural Response™” is a dynamic, natural-sounding response curve of ADAM Audio’s design, which stems from a variety of iconic ADAM Audio legacy products, including the preceding AX Series. It lends itself to production, composition and songwriting as its engaging and present sound can give you more room for creativity and flow. It is also a great option whenever you want to use your speakers simply to enjoy some good music.

“Pure” is a highly accurate and neutral sounding option. This is the “flat” setting, ideal for mixing and mastering, where you really must be aware of all the details and rely on an honest representation from your speakers.

The “Ext” option is dedicated to the extended functionality that comes with A Control via the Ethernet connection. Using A Control’s six-band EQ, a custom voicing and be created and pushed to the monitor.

A Control (Real-Time Remote Control)

The DSP-based functionality of all A-Series monitors can be controlled remotely and in real-time over Ethernet using the free to download A Control software. A Control is available to download for Windows and macOS in the MyADAM area of www.adam-audio.com for customers who have registered their A-Series monitors.

Once downloaded and installed, you can control multiple speakers at once, precisely adjusting equalisation and delay settings from various listening positions in your studio space. While you work, you can remotely control monitor levels if you’re far from a fader or physical interface. Remote-control capabilities are particularly useful in multi-purpose rooms allowing you to make sure that voicing, EQ, and other settings are all exactly how you want them.

Room Correction & Sonarworks Integration

A Series speakers are designed to be adaptable to changing requirements, preferences, and environments. Using the A Control software, you can push advanced filters directly to an embedded platform onboard the monitors to help compensate for imperfect room acoustics. This embedded platform supports filters from industry-leading third-party Sonarworks. Using Sonarworks software and a measurement mic, you can calibrate your speakers for a new room or shifting taste.

Bass Reflex System, Cabinets and Mounting

The new A-Series cabinets build on the heritage of ADAM Audio and the AX Series in particular. In an evolutionary design, A Series cabinets have deeper bevelling to further reduce diffraction. In addition, thicker baffle walls strengthen the cabinets and reduce internal vibrations, while a flared-port design optimizes airflow and reduces port noise. All A-Series speakers include an underside mounting interface, giving you the flexibility to mount them wherever you need them.

A Series Benefits

A Solution for Every Space

With five models of varying dimensions and specifications to choose from, finding the right speaker is simply a matter of taste and understanding the acoustic requirements of your space. For added flexibility when it comes to speaker positioning, the rotatable HPS waveguide means each speaker can be used in a horizontal or vertical position with minimal compromise in sound quality. Room adaptation options directly on the backplate of the monitor help address common speakers placement issues such as bass overrepresentation caused by nearby walls and surfaces.

Superior Audio Performance

Every aspect of the A Series’ design, material, and components contributes toward exceptional sound quality and improved output when comparing similar models of the preceding AX Series.

The combination of Class D amplifiers used in A Series woofers, and the Class AB amplifiers found in the tweeters deliver impressive SPL across the range and ultra-low frequency response. The use of digital signal processing enables the more advanced features found in the A-Series.

All A-Series speakers come equipped with an X-ART tweeter enclosed in a tailor-made HPS waveguide. The high quality of the tweeter materials, folded by hand in Berlin, combined with the precise propagation control of the waveguide, results in superior dispersion of high frequencies over short and long listening distances.

A Series of woofers are constructed from multiple layers of mineral stone fibres baked together to create a lightweight but highly stable material that helps eliminate partial vibrations and other sonic impurities. By combining that material with a new magnet system, A Series woofers produce high output with low distortion, delivering a clean sound for low-end material.

The elegant design of A Series cabinets also contributes toward superior audio performance. Specifically, the cabinets have deeper bevelling to minimize diffraction and thicker baffle walls that reduce vibrations within the enclosure. In addition, a flared-port design reduces port noise compared with AX Series speakers by optimizing airflow.

Superior Midrange

The A-Series features two models with dedicated midrange drivers. The A77H and A8H boast the most detailed sound of the A-Series thanks to the innovative midrange driver, which descends from the flagship S Series range. The addition of a midrange driver also helps clarify lows and highs by eliminating the need for woofers to reproduce midrange frequencies.

Truthful Mixing

The A-Series features 2 selectable voicing options found directly on the back panel of the monitors. “Pure” is a highly accurate and neutral sounding option. This is a super flat setting, offering an honest representation from your speakers and making it ideal for mixing, mastering and critical listening applications.

Characterful Sound

The A-Series also offers the characterful and present sound you would expect from ADAM Audio. “UNR” or “Uniform Natural Response™” is a dynamic, natural-sounding voicing that is selectable on the back panel of the monitors. Its design stems from a variety of iconic ADAM Audio legacy products, including the preceding AX Series. It lends itself to production, composition and songwriting as its engaging sound can give you more room for creativity and flow. It is also a great option whenever you want to use your speakers simply to enjoy some good music.

Can’t Treat Your Space? Compensate for it.

For many people, acoustic treatment is not an option due to the cost and complexity involved or because they use their speakers in a living room or bedroom. The A-Series offers several solutions to address poor room acoustics, from room adaptation equalisation to deal with unavoidable nearby objects, to automated room correction available through the Sonarworks collaboration. Together these technologies can greatly improve the listening experience without the need for costly alterations to your space.

Save Space with Mounting Options

The A-Series cabinets were designed with mounting in mind. All models feature four M8 threaded screw holes (10 mm depth) in a rectangular pattern of 127 mm x 70 mm.

Stay in the Zone with Remote Operation

Much of the embedded technologies found in the A-Series can be controlled remotely and in real-time via the A Control software application. This means you can focus on your project and monitor adjustments from your listening position without the need to reach behind the speakers to adjust.

Future Proof Feature Set

Software and firmware played an important role in the development of the A-Series and will continue to long after the launch of the speakers. Via the Ethernet connection, you can expect to integrate the latest DSP-based capabilities from ADAM Audio, including new filter types and features, plus alternative voicings, meaning you're A Series monitors will continue to deliver the best sound possible for many years to come.

Beyond Stereo Applications

The A-Series features a variety of input options, mounting possibilities, and sound adjustability, making it suitable for multichannel and surround applications.

Free Up Processing Power

For the past 3 years, ADAM Audio and Sonarworks have worked side-by-side to deliver an innovative integration running directly on A Series monitors. This negates the need for an additional DAW plugin, simplifying workflows and ensuring that your studio monitors are always optimally tuned, regardless of the audio source or type.