Adam Audio A8H Stereo Set - Return (Condition: very good)

The New A Series - Built to Reveal

The new ADAM Audio A Series stands for uncompromisingly precise and transparent sound reproduction. The A Series offers five different models - A4V, A7V, A44H, A77H and A8H: they are all developed for a variety of applications. These mainly include professional and home recording studios, but also broadcast, installations and home audio.

The new series brings smart and useful innovations, including ADAM Audio’s rotatable HPS waveguide and DSP-based features to adapt to individual room acoustics and listening preferences. All settings can be controlled remotely in real time via remote software. Upgradeable firmware ensures A Series monitors stay aligned with ADAM Audio’s current standards over time. An extendable warranty of up to five years and customer-focused support options guarantee optimal usability of the studio monitors for many years.

Precision in Perfection

The A8H features an 8-inch woofer made from multi-layer mineral-fiber material (MLM), an innovative midrange driver and ADAM Audio’s handcrafted X-ART tweeter. Like all A Series models, the A8H offers innovative features for personalizing sound to listening habits and acoustic environments: a rotatable HPS waveguide and integrated DSP technology make this possible. This studio monitor is suitable for all monitoring situations in medium to larger rooms. It’s the perfect choice when the highest possible fidelity is required.

The A8H is available in left and right versions.

A Control Remote

The DSP-based functions of all A Series monitors can be controlled remotely in real time via Ethernet using the A Control remote software. It is available free to customers who register their A Series monitors in the MyADAM area as a download for Windows and macOS.

Real-Time Remote Control

The rear panel of A Series studio monitors offers many adjustment options, but these are usually not directly accessible from the listening position. With the A Control remote software you can adjust monitor volume and all equalizer settings conveniently from the sweet spot.

Extended Adjustment Options

For some applications the backplate options may not offer enough variety or precision. A Control allows exact adjustments via six parametric EQs and low- and high-shelf filters. Each filter band can be set for gain, frequency and Q as desired, giving users total freedom to optimize the speaker’s sound in the room.

Integration of Sonarworks SoundID Reference

Finally, A Control also serves as the platform for our collaboration with market leader Sonarworks. Calibration curves generated with "SoundID Reference" can be imported via A Control and loaded onto the A Series monitors’ DSP. When this option is enabled, calibration is performed directly on the speaker, so no additional VSTs or software applications are required. This also means audio playback is always Sonarworks-calibrated, independent of the source or playback device.

Rotatable HPS Waveguide and X-ART Tweeter

The DSP-based functions of all A Series monitors can be controlled remotely in real time via Ethernet using the A Control remote software. It is available free to customers who register their A Series monitors in the MyADAM area as a download for Windows and macOS.

What Is a Waveguide?

A "waveguide" refers to a conical acoustic duct that surrounds the tweeter opening (in this case). It enables a more even and better-directed sound radiation. The A Series HPS (High-Frequency Propagation System) waveguides are specially developed for our X-ART tweeters and are made from a special fiberglass composite. This material is very low in resonance and helps minimize unwanted vibrations.

Wide Horizontally, Focused Vertically

In the horizontal plane the waveguide matches the directional radiation of the X-ART tweeter to that of the woofer and midrange in the crossover region. The result is a more even off-axis frequency response, a more stable stereo image and a larger sweet spot.

In the vertical plane the waveguide reduces reflections from larger studio objects such as mixing consoles, desks or the ceiling. This can help prevent comb-filtering effects during monitoring.

Optimal Sound in Any Placement

The German-handcrafted X-ART tweeter delivers precise transient response and fine detail. ADAM Audio’s X-ART tweeter is used across the A Series and provides a nuanced sound throughout the product line. For the first time in the A Series a rotatable HPS waveguide design allows the tweeter to be rotated by 90° or 180°. That means the monitors can be used vertically or horizontally without losing the waveguide advantages.

Bass-Reflex System, Enclosure & Mounting

The new A Series enclosures clearly follow ADAM Audio’s typical product design, especially the AX Series.

Deeper Bass, Higher Efficiency

Double-sided, flow-optimized bass-reflex ports improve airflow and noticeably reduce turbulent noise compared to previous models. Every cubic centimeter counts, so the extremely compact enclosures in the industrial design have been optimized for maximum efficiency. The more rounded edges are acoustically beneficial. The significantly heavier baffle prevents enclosure resonances.

Mounting Considered

All A Series enclosures are prepared for easy mounting on walls, ceilings or stands. On the underside they feature four M8 threaded holes with a depth of 10 mm arranged in a rectangle measuring 127 mm x 70 mm.

Automated Room Calibration with Sonarworks

At ADAM Audio we’re especially pleased to offer a solution in collaboration with Sonarworks for automated room calibration that runs directly on the DSP of the A Series studio monitors.

Poor Room Acoustics? No Problem!

The A Series speakers are designed to adapt to changing requirements, preferences and environments. In many cases acoustic treatment of the room is not possible due to construction constraints, high costs or simply because the studio also serves as a living or sleeping area. With A Control precise filter settings can compensate for room acoustic shortcomings. Signal processing takes place directly on the speaker DSP. Alternatively, after measurement calibration curves from SoundID Reference by Sonarworks can be loaded onto the DSP platform.

Calibrated Sound for All Sources With Less CPU Load

Intensive collaboration between ADAM Audio and Sonarworks produced the world’s first room correction that uses the monitor’s own processing power. This eliminates the need for a DAW plug-in, simplifies the workflow and reduces the host computer’s processing load. Calibration is available at any time and is independent of the workstation.

Hybrid Amplification

The A Series combines the best of the digital and analog worlds.

Efficient Amplification

The A Series woofers are driven by Class-D amplifiers — optimal for linear performance and minimal distortion. The amplifiers used impress with high efficiency and low heat generation. This also leaves room for further improvements and higher power.

For Best Performance

Class-AB amplifiers are used for the tweeter and midrange. They are known for especially neutral reproduction of high frequencies. Each amplifier is precisely optimized for its frequency range. Selection and assembly of components result from countless measurements and listening sessions in ADAM Audio’s development labs.

Multi-Layer Mineral Woofer [MLM]

State-of-the-art materials and advanced analysis and design processes led to our new long-throw woofers.

Mineral Fiber

The cone of an A Series woofer consists of several firmly bonded layers of a mineral fiber material. This material is characterized by minimal weight and high stiffness. The exact composition was tailored for each driver model. Combined with the newly developed magnet system, each A Series woofer delivers exceptionally high SPL with minimal distortion — essential for clean, powerful bass reproduction.

The Development Process

Before series production, the A Series woofers went through numerous tests and prototypes. Using Klippel simulation tools, ADAM Audio’s R&D team developed transducers that operate with minimal distortion even at maximum sound pressure.

Midrange Driver

The A Series midrange driver ensures precise reproduction of the mid frequencies that are particularly sensitive to the human ear.

Committed to Precision

The A Series midrange is based on the well-regarded DCH midrange from the S Series and delivers exceptionally clean reproduction in the critical midrange. It also relieves the woofer from reproducing mid frequencies. Both the A77H and A8H are designed as 3-way systems and feature the A Series midrange.

Power Like a Piston Radiator

The A Series midrange cone is made from the same multi-layer mineral fiber as the woofers. The cone is manufactured by bonding several layers in a special process and trimming them to shape. The voice coil is suspended in a homogeneous magnetic field with a large, linear excursion range to avoid any modulation of the sound. Distortions caused by "breaking" the cone occur well outside the midrange’s operating range.

Voicings

"Voicings" are preset tonal profiles. On the rear of all A Series monitors two different voicings can be selected via a switch: "UNR" and "Pure". Room adaptation is independent of the chosen voicing. When using A Control, the "Ext" option provides further functions such as more detailed adjustments or Sonarworks calibration.

Uniform Natural Response & Pure [UNR & PURE]

"UNR" or "Uniform Natural Response" provides a minimally colored yet very natural-sounding frequency response. It is inspired by some especially popular monitors from ADAM Audio’s history, foremost the AX Series. The pleasant and lively sound allows long production and songwriting sessions without fatigue. This setting is also excellent for casual music listening.

"Pure" delivers the most neutral and linear frequency response possible. This voicing is the first choice when maximum fidelity is required — typically for mixing and mastering.

Room Tuning

For optimal adaptation to the acoustic environment there is a 4-band equalizer on the rear of every A Series speaker with the parameters "Bass", "Desk", "Presence" and "Treble". Each band can be adjusted in predefined steps, offering flexibility to compensate common acoustic issues that occur with speaker placement in a room.

Bass: Reinforcement by Walls

If a speaker is placed close to a reflective wall, low frequencies can be reinforced and the bass may be overrepresented. The "Bass" adjustment compensates so the speaker does not sound bass-heavy. Available settings are +2, 0, -2 and -4 dB.

Desk: Reflections from Desk or Console

If a speaker is placed on or near a desk surface, early reflections typically cause an overrepresentation in the low-mid range at the listening position. The "Desk" control compensates for this effect and prevents a boomy perception. Available settings are 0, -2 and -4 dB.

Presence: Compensating Room Acoustics

Under certain circumstances the midrange can sound harsh due to room acoustics or equipment in the room. The "Presence" control tames this harshness and restores the speaker’s natural sound. Available settings are +1, 0 and -1 dB.

Treble: Compensating High-Frequency Absorption

In rooms with too much or too little high-frequency absorption the sound can seem dull or overly bright. The "Treble" adjustment restores a natural-sounding balance. Values are +1.5, 0 and -1.5 dB.

Digital Signal Processing

Thanks to powerful DSP technology, all A Series monitors offer significantly improved and more comprehensive acoustic-tuning options compared to purely analog speakers.

Consistency and Durability

A key advantage of DSP-based speakers over analog systems is their consistency and predictability. Because signal processing is digital, crossovers, filters and equalizations do not age like analog components. Signal conversion is handled by high-quality AD converters carefully selected by ADAM Audio to achieve excellent performance.

Always Up to Date

The powerful DSP in the A Series enables a wide range of features, from remote control and room tuning to choosing different voicings. All DSP-based features can be updated via Ethernet connection — including filter types, voicings and new functions.

Adam Audio A8H - the flagship of the A Series - perfect for the most demanding monitoring tasks!