Studio Monitors : A MUST for HiFi : Adam Audio A7V Active's

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

*Thanks for all your lovely comments* If anyone wants further advice - how does this compare to x or y not included in video, please subscribe to patreon (free trial possible) , make PayPal contributions or hit KZbin super thanks (dollar symbol below vide) . I do advice video chats too on zoom…Hifi reviews are not some big money making scheme for the time it takes to put these together and plus it shows you value me. Thanks Simon

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🙋‍♂️THANKS SIMON,🤗 FOR HELPING OUT THE AUDIOPHILE COMMUNITY 😎💚💚💚

[@Mad.Maxx.77]

Excellent video, mate! I've run a pair of these amazing A7V along with an SVS 3000 Micro subwoofer for my PC audio system for just over a year. I'm not a music engineer or producer. I just love listening to great music and these A7V deliver. They're also superb for computer gaming. The imagng is so precise that I sometimes turn my head left or right in response to what I hear during a game. Before buying the A7V, I was a passive speaker + integrated amp guy. My last passives were the KEF LS50 Metas that were driven by a Parasound Hint 6. I sold them after just a few days with my A7V. I tried the Adam Sub10, but it couldn't produce the tight punchy bass I love. The SVS 3000 Micro solved that problem. I'm thrilled with this audio setup.

[@IrenESorius]

Cheers and thanks, for your time and work Simon,, 🍻😎👍‍‍👍‍‍

[@edilbertolazaro772]

I just bought them yesterday, I couldn’t be happier. Now I am considering selling all my hifi gear.

[@alexsedman1]

Completely on board with you here. I've spent years experimenting with passive hifi speakers around this pricepoint and was never really happy with anything I tried. Tried the A7Vs after being pleasantly surprised with how my T7Vs I use for music production sounded when I gave them a go in my hifi setup. The A7Vs blew all the hifi speakers I've tried out of the water! I've had audiophiles and music snobs tell me they couldn't possibly sound better than hifi speakers because they're production monitors and not designed for hifi. I couldn't care less, I know what I hear and it's not even close how much better they sound than passive hifi speakers at a similar price.

[@MyFatherLoves]

Neat little fun fact, the Atmos mixing engineer for Snarky Puppy's Empire Central was mixed on Adam A-Series monitors. Incredible sounding album.

[@fredEVOIX]

thanks it's impossible to understand how speakers sound from a mic recording on a youtube video but you can judge it by listening to an actual studio retail album for example I learned in the EXPOSING DEADMAU5's STUDIO vid that he was a serious music quality nerd and it's not my type of music but you hear the quality in his mixing every pattern is sharp and balanced

[@jananirajarathnam2920]

Hi I would be intrested in your opinion on Kali Audio IN8 V2 (3 way) vs Adam A7v (2 way) for hifi listening. Many thanks and love your youtube channel!

[@jonnee111]

Simon it’s a good shout please let us know your thoughts

[@marcmoehlig7655]

Active speakers are probably the future of hifi. Given the fact that they have DACs on board, having a digital input like the Genelec subwoofers that act as a hub is probably an interesting concept. This being said, I would also be interested in a review of the Dynaudio LYD7. These active speakers look a bit more like traditional hifi speakers. Thank you for your fascinating reviews, Simon!

[@davidcarr2216]

You beat me to it. Amps/DACs/Streamers really don't need to be expensive and when properly integrated into a quality active speaker by a company which knows what they're doing, What's not to like ? Of course people who've gone down the bunny hole, never to be seen again won't like them, but for everyone else: Way to go, baby !!

[@Alexcanalyt]

Los Adam a4v tienen dac?????

[@baronvonaux8294]

Fascinating review Simon! Also expanded my vocabulary - after I searched the definition of intransigently.

[@attrktmarketing4582]

This is a really interesting video. I think you are looking at areas of HIFI that other reviewers don’t get into. It shows that it is always good to challenge conventional thinking. I’ve just started looking at other brands too. Looks like the main barriers are the connections.

[@stuharrison1]

BTW you have really got me considering Adam Audio actives and the Technics SL G700m2 as my end game!!!

[@matttownsend4225]

Always enjoy your posts Simon and actually also impressed by the generosity of your offer at the end .

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks Matt, if you are local you are welcome

[@matttownsend4225]

Thank you .

[@danielebellezza8699]

Great video!! I found an offer for a pair of used A7Vs just under 1 year old for 800€ in total, but I was told that the Evo Alpha twins are far better, have you ever tried them? What do you think?

[@deathofthedj]

Nice no fuss review. Big fan of Adam Audio. I own Adam Tensor Delta & used to own Adam a7x. I got carried away by KEF LS50 Wireless 2 hype & finally tried them as my desktop setup and I honestly didn't like them. Soundstage width was not comparable to A7X as i remember and the ls50 image was also much smaller, & narrower. I did not find the ls50 wireless had better depth than the a7x. I think the only limitation of the a7 series is probably the slight lack of depth or the ice cool recerb tails & the bass texture/quality you get as compared to my adam tensor delta or other high end studio monitors. High hats sounded amazing on a7x. I'm guessing it's probably more smoother on these from the reviews I heard. Also the a7x sounded great in any room & i'm sure a7v inherited that. Anyways I returned ls50 which are 2k in us currently on sale bought a used adam audio s2v along with topping topping d70 dac for the aes/xlr connections. For 500$ more, I think i'm going to get a huge improvement in sound. I tried something else but I guess I'm sticking with Adam Audio for my hifi needs. I think eventually if you don't want to fork a fortune for amps..studio monitors in the Adam Audio a or s series price category is the way to go. We'll get way more bang for buck compared to hifi speakers.

[@pro12022]

Great review, I have the A7v’s for music production, and i was shocked how tight all the references were. I was using KRK v6 s4’s, Adam A7v’s kick them out the park

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks. The new ones in white look better I think.

[@dentboxhero1717]

I'm glad you did this review on the new A series as they are in all honesty the best A series iteration from Adam. I opted for the A4V after A/B testing it with the A7V. I thought the A4V are voiced a bit better. I have them running with sub in a 2.1 configuration which just, in a way, blows the A7V. The best part is that the A4V with a sub cost about the same as a pair of A7V. Something ton really think about for those planning on getting these ADAMs.

[@kerosene4751]

What sub do you use with the A4V? Still happy with it?

[@dentboxhero1717]

@@kerosene4751 still loving them and will be staying for a long time. Sub is the Focal Sub One with a foot switch to turn the sub on/off

[@dentboxhero1717]

@@kerosene4751 Focal sub one. A4V isn't going anywhere.

[@kerosene4751]

@@dentboxhero1717 I am thinking about A4V with Adam Sub8 - similar price to the Focal Sub One. I kind of like the idea of a remote for the sub, and the Sub8 is more compact. But the Focal has the foot-switch bypass. Decisions decisions!

[@surfrico]

Nice review. I do love active speakers.

[@James-mb5jr]

Great review, with your usual nicely judged wit. How do these compare to the Genelec in terms of sound signature and sound quality? Thanks

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thankyou, difficult to quantify but these work quicker and easier in my room . I’m going to do a part 2 on the room adjustment feature with a mic.

[@Sonic-Boom]

I've got a pair of Focal Shape 65 monitors I use predominantly for hi-fi listening with a Mac Mini M2 and a Focusrite Clarett 2Pre USB. It sounds very good.

[@22221122222112]

Thanks Simon. So interesting. I love ADAM speakers. I use them for film editing. Currently I have the Eversolo DMP A6, with a pair of KEF LSX. But the Adams would be the perfect replacement. Thanks again.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

No worries, is that doing amateur film editing or you do it for work. Always interested what people think of my efforts

[@stuharrison1]

I like lights too Simon ;)

[@romeozulu57]

Excellent Review, Simon!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks very much !

[@steverees1936]

Great review Simon and just goes to show that we don't have to spend huge amounts on hifi to achieve great sound. I'm seriously thinking of buying the Eversolo streamer and also looking into active speakers as it will do away with all the excess clutter and cables. This would make my wife very happy and you know what they say about a happy wife. Wish I lived closer to you, so I could have a listen to that combination. Thanks for sharing.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks Steve, I’m really looking forward to trying the bigger models in this range if I can. Already had a favourable impression of their SP-5 headphones I reviewed a while back for value. If you are near my way you are very welcome 😀

[@turboal1044]

Great review Simon, with the RME & these speakers my OCD would go into overdrive 🙃 what is it with the Germans and tweakery ?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks very much Al, I know what you mean. My attitude is if it works well to start with, with little tweakery, then tweakery is a bonus as you can play with the product over time. 😀

[@harrisarp3841]

Thanks for this review!!!How you compare them with Genelec 8330A?Which one better sound for music listening in a small room?

[@davidcarr2216]

Great review Sir 👋👋👋👋

[@richm4402]

Thanks for the review Simon! pricing is per speaker, not sure if you mentioned that?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

thanks for saying Rich. I put a text note on when mentioning but I thought it went without saying when presenting. 😀

[@4ujase]

Once you listen to an Adam's monitor speaker, you're always an Adam. No more conventional speakers. I know my missus is going to kill me, I'm thinking of upgrading my T5V's budget Adams to A7V's predecessor A7X, which are going at a really good price if you look around but now that you did your synopsis on A7V's I am confused, going to have to rob a bank. I also thought about Dynaudio LYD7 and Music Matters are selling these at £818 (pair) but I'm not sure I can go back to conventional tweeters. Focal EVO 80's are out, though my Focal Sub ONE woofer works mighty fine with the T5V's anyway, decision decisions......

[@deathofthedj]

Weirdly a7x are still holding their value very well on ebay. But I would still be satisfied with them if you can snag a pair for like 800$.

[@richthealchemist]

i will vouch for the A7X. love them. I use them behind my IK Multimedia ILouds. i have a Wiim Amp coming this week . . new to the hifi streaming side of music.. oh the possibilities

[@behemothinferno]

Came here to hear your thoughts on these speakers and was thrilled to see that you tested them with the Ever solo streamer. I am thinking of getting them both for my my living room Hi-Fi/Movie setup and wanted to hear your thoughts on the pairing. I'm considering the DMP-A6 Master more specifically as I would like to streamline the setup like you mentioned so is this a combo you'd recommend?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you. I’m going to be testing the sonarworks mic and room correction software with these.

[@davehood1514]

I have a 4k ultra short throw lazer projector with 125 inch Alr screen, a sky 4k box and sony 4k blu Ray player, I use my Android phone with USB audio pro app, to bypass android limited bit rate, Amazon hi res music for streaming via Chord Mojo Dac and Krk Rokit 10 speakers, a 3 way design with 10 inch woofers and 300 watts RMS tri amped, very powerful and no need for a sub, the sound quality is great, agree with you on cables it's deminishing returns, I do a lot of outside broadcasts for sky and Bt sports, these are done over 1 gig or 10 gig Ethernet depending on the venue, these are all connected by fibre pig tails that cost less than £5.

[@pascalrennert5480]

@13thnotehifireviews do you use a Eversolo DMP-A6 or a Eversolo DMP-A6 Master Edition? TY (i also got the pleasure to hear them, so far the best an crisp i ever heard!)

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Normal a6

[@pascalrennert5480]

@@13thnotehifireviews7thanks, but would you recommend the Eversolo DMP-A6 Master Edition then at all? Is there a hugh difference with active Speakers? Also could you please post youre whole set up? (What i get is 1x Eversolo DMP-A6, 2 x Adam A7V, 2 x XLR Cable -> and then im good? ;D)

[@derekmarinelli874]

Wierd I have just been peering down the possible active speaker rabbit hole. It would be interesting to hear your take on these Adam's compaired, to your audio memory of the Genelec's. The Adam's look more other significant half friendly on top of a pair of stands. As such I might get them past the aesthetic committee.

[@No_Limits_411]

Like the tv-series - bold and beautiful 😎

[@MusicFromMoscow]

Just treated myself to a pair of the A7Vs for my HiFi setup. They are spectacular! I'm about to pull the plug on the Eversolo DMP-A6. Thing is, I have a turntable that I would like to continue using. How would I go about integrating it?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Edit - I’d recommend the sonarworks calibration as per the other video I did. Enjoy 😀 you could get something like a bluesound hub and then send audio into the Adam audios

[@annebokma4637]

If only they could use Dante or NDI to get the audio signal, then these would be perfect. Then we just need pre(av)amp that also uses Ethernet to send signsls and we would have a system that is way easier to set up and extent Still getting the a7v though 😂 for studio duty. Quad ESL 57 doing duty for easy listening 😊

[@thecliqueshallsetyoufree8745]

Enjoyed this review , if you can please review hedd 05 or 07 mk 2's .

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I could ask as it looks a similar product.

[@humanitech]

Am curious,,..but still a bit wary of active setups... having had some problems with some acrive subwoofers - where the amps have failed just outside of warranty .....which has never happened with my normal external amplifiers. Mind you being pro/studio gear I assume these are probably pretty bullproof

[@22221122222112]

One last question. What speaker stands are you using. They look very interesting in the video

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Solid steel ss-6 . I like the industrial metal finish

[@kaswiraahmad1519]

HIHI...Have been following you for sometime now and would like to thank you for your take on HIFI equipment. I have 1 question with regards to these ADAM speakers or any other Active Speaker which has its own internal AD and DA converters. Based on what I think you have said or implied, the analog signal fed into the speakers will be converted to a Digital signal before going thru a Digital Crossover before being converted back into an Analog signal to feed into the separate amplifiers? If my assumptions are correct, will a "good" DA converter make any difference if used before the Analog signal is fed into the Active Speakers? In other words I assume the original Digital Signal from a Digital Source will be converted into an analog signal and then again going thru a similar process within the Active Speakers cabinet where the sound produced will be primarily from the DA converter built into the Speaker? Much thanks.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks for your nice comments. Yes that’s right in your explanation as I showed in the little Adam audio diagram in the video. Some people say that the analogue signal is always preserved and additive from one one chain to the next, if it’s designed well. So for instance when I tried the nad m33 amp I fed it the analogue output of a chord qutest and the m33 re digitised the analogue (ana to dig conversion). I could tell the chord added its character on top of the nad m33 own dac. But for these speakers I think common sense dictates considering their price. Personally feed it a decent dac or just a budget streamer, because so much is reliant on the tailoring of the drivers to the speakers, the advantages of digital active crossovers (articles all over the internet), I think you will still get good results. Hope that helps.

[@AT-wl9yq]

That's a really good question, and your assumptions are 100% correct. If you invest in a high quality analog preamp/source, or a high quality digital preamp/source, you basically undo everything your expensive electronics did to the signal. Any time you buy a piece of audio equipment, there are always going to be some trade offs. If you use these speakers with run of the mill electronics, like the outputs on the average home audio receiver, or an entry to mid level pro audio mixer, these speakers will be fine. Otherwise, I would look for a speaker that doesn't convert the signal to digital. I do have first hand experience working with gear like this. I'm really into high quality home audio, but I'm also a DJ and have experience with powered studio monitors. I've also read many comments that were similar to my findings. Quite often people will prefer a lower cost analog monitor over one with DSP. That said, you can buy these speakers at stores like Guitar Center. Try them, and if they don't sound good, bring them back. This is the best way to do it. Comments like mine should only be used as a guide. You're the one who has to listen to them, so your opinion is the only one that matters.

[@stuharrison1]

Another question Simon, if I may, if you have cd’s and you stream, how would you connect these sources to the monitors, as they only have one input? Cheers

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

You’d just get a source with a digital input like the eversolo , and you’d need to route the digital out from a cd player (if it has one) or digital out from a dac-less cd transport, into the eversolo. You can do the same with streamers like the Bluesound node so you could route a cd player into it and then rca out to the Adam audios. With these types of streamers you have the flexibility to send the cd stream to other bluesound speakers or players in other rooms. Wiim allow similar functionality.

[@Romulus980]

Interesting review, but the set up seems rather complex. It's not exactly connect wires set to go situation....?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I don’t think so - it’s only really just plugging in XLR cables and Ethernet cables, and power cables. You can go straight away too.

[@AshishPatel-yq4xc]

Hi. You mentioned that someone can come and ask to come listen to the speakers ? How would do I go about arranging this with you ? Thanks.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Hi Ashish , if you drop me a line to my website we can chat from there.

[@johncallaghan3097]

Probably a few questions that are naive, but I'll ask anyway: (i) Are the two speakers connected? (ii) Is there only the one power supply for the two speakers? (iii) Can you use a preamp with these speakers? (iv) If so, then all my music comes through my DAC plugged into my preamp. So will the DAC in the speakers change the sound in any way? Oh -- and by the way. Does anyone know what the track introducing the video is?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Hi John I think I covered this in the video but here goes 1) they are connected to power as I thought goes without saying for active speakers and having amps in each, and either xlr or rca for audio signal, plus as I showed Ethernet for using the a control app 2) there has to be a power supply for each because the amps are in each speaker, as I said class d and class ab and per the signal path diagram I showed with red lines which shows amplifiers in each speaker as a clue each needs its own power lead and has its own power supply. 3) yes, as I showed with the rme and note saying used as a pre amp. The effect is the same with the eversolo or rme or other traditional pre amp - they output an analogue signal which then goes into the AD converter in these Adam audio speakers as I showed in the signal path diagram. 4) the pre amp is the final stage from your existing system but any dac in the chain is less important as the speakers have to do their own da conversion which is, for an active speaker, before the signal goes into the amplifier stages of each speaker. The dac in the speakers are instrumental because they are the final stage,but it’s often said that dacs can be additive when the analogue signal keeps on being conserved from conversion to one form or another, granted I think it’s less important with a dac at the end. I for example used a separate dac with the nad m33 amp. The analogue out of the dac into that amp was digitised (analogue to digital conversion) because of digital room correction software the amp uses. Then it did da conversion again, but the sound quality of the separate dac could be discerned because the analogue chain is additive as I say. But again I wouldn’t make too much hay with that because the dac in the speakers is mostly all important. Cheers Simon

[@johncallaghan3097]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I hadn't expected such a detailed reply, SImon -- thanks very much. I suspected some of what you said, but wanted to be sure because I might just give these a try. I've never listened to active speakers, and they're inexpensive enough to experiment with. For one thing, they'd enable me to try xlr outputs from my preamp, which I can't currently do because my power amp doesn't accept balanced inputs. BTW, what's the track you played at the beginning? I think I'd like to hear the full version. Best regards, John🙂

[@Alexcanalyt]

Hace poco compré el dac topping d90se, y ahora pienso en comprar los a4v, voy a desaprovechar mi d90se ?

[@richthealchemist]

@@johncallaghan3097 definitely no questions are naive! only questions not asked are. ;)

[@markhershberger9477]

Thank you again Simon for your sharing of astute evaluation of product as well seemingly very wise counsel regarding audio and our enthusiasms. You are truly one of the best and most entertaining and engaging audio reviewers online and your productions continue to be very enjoyable. It’s appreciated.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Wow thanks Mark, I always do and try and engage an audience rather then read an autocue.

[@jgabrieltrevino1348]

Wonderful review, Simon! I really like the idea of employing the Eversolo as a source and pre-amp solution. Makes for an elegant setup indeed. Question… Are you able to run a subwoofer from the RCAs on the Eversolo, while reserving the XLRs for speaker duty? If so, I can’t imagine needing much else for great sound at home. Also, looking forward to a part 2! Thanks again for your great work.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks very much. I just looked it up in the manual for you and you can do that, although Zidoo/Eversolo do recommend that you use one set. So you could run a sub too, another option go for some of the bigger A series models which have bags more power. I’d love to try one of the 3 way models.

[@AT-wl9yq]

If you can use both sets of inputs at the same time, it won't be balanced. Using the XLR connections on the speaker will be electrically identical to using RCA cables. One of the pins on the XLR cable won't be used, and that will make it a single ended connection. If you are feeding the speakers a singe ended signal, then it won't matter. I'm also going by the assumption that the XLR inputs on the speaker are really balanced. Since there's a switch to go back and forth, I assume it is. And the reason I'm going into a bit of detail here is the 2 modes of operation are not compatible. So, any time you mix the signal, something has to be done to make everything work (This will happen even if you're not aware of it). You can either convert a single ended signal to balanced using something like a DI box, or just run all the components single ended. 90% of the time, its just easier to let everything default to single ended. As long as you are aware of how everything works in your system, 99% of the time you can find a work around for just about any obstacle you come across. For example, if you want to feed the speakers a balanced signal, you may be able to tap off an output on your preamp, and send that to your subs. As long as the subs have some type of level adjustment, you'll be fine. Its just a matter of looking at all of your components, and come up with the best solution.

[@syanhc]

I live in Leeds! Too far! But I'm buying a pair for my music studio...

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I’m doing a part video on the room correction with these. The microphone just arrived.

[@aaronsmyth2026]

Knew it was only a matter of time before audio people started doing this. You get 2 perfectly matched amps and speakers designed by top people who literally serve the best ears in production, for a fraction of the cost. It brings something into focus which I suspect all audiophiles come to accept...you are being ripped off 90 percent of the time.

[@andreisimonov4879]

These or the Genelec 8330?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Depends. I reviewed the 8330A. These Adam’s for a fuller range small speaker which is easy to integrate in a room quickly. More hifi size if you like. 8330A for lesser range with a sub as smaller satellites, to same aim, which needs glm room correction to get best out of that system, but then again genelec glm corrects for flat response best in near field not room for hifi like Dirac etc. That said I am wanting to make a further video on the sonarworks room correction you can use with these Adam audios. Personally I like hifi that you don’t make science and is quick to get on with listening, so I would have the Adam audios myself. Sometimes the dsp is enough to not need to get into room correction. This is all based on my listening experiences.

[@richthealchemist]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 Gens leave me cold compared to Adams.. both are amazing to mix with.

[@dynamodav]

Good hifi cables do sound better!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I agree to a point but my point is not necessarily does greater expense mean better sound with cables

[@net_news]

if they were passive... actives not my cup of tea

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

How come