The latest addition to ADAM for the T series is the T8V, a monitor that is "cheap" in price but, as stated by the manufacturer, with numerous arrows in its quiver to perform the task entrusted to it in the best possible way, with performances that go beyond its category.
Obviously, the first move for cost containment was for ADAM to design the loudspeaker in Germany and relocate its production to China. The monitor is a vertical system a 2 way bass reflex (rear) with 8 "woofer and tweeter a tape of 1,9 “U-ART mounted on a waveguide, linear frequency response from 33 Hz a 25kHz, PWM / Class D amplifiers from 70W for the woofer e 20W for the tweeter.
These are the characteristics declared on the business card of these monitors that benefit from all the Adam's know-how. The T8Vs were produced with all those who have always wanted to work with an 8 ″ monitor in mind but have a limited budget.
Obviously, to accommodate an 8 "(203mm) woofer, the cabinet, although compact, has generous dimensions (400 H x 250 L x 335 D mm) which, added to the rear reflex port, determine the need for adequate space to be settled. The new Ribbon tweeter 1,9 "U-ART, used in the T series as stated it is made from a high-tech polymer film that provides a fast and clean high frequency response up to 25kHz. In addition, it is mounted on a precision waveguide with the same dispersion control characteristics as the waveguide HP extension (High Ffrequency Propagation) used in the studio monitors of S series (ADAM flagship product) and which makes the dispersion more consistent and the image more stable over a larger area with reduction of early reflections that can occur on surfaces such as mixing desks, desks, etc.
The Woofer features a lightweight construction in Polypropylene which, according to the manufacturer's declaration, allows an excellent transient response even at high sound levels and without breaking the diaphragm. Again, maximum peak sound pressure per pair ad 1m ≥ 118dB, crossover based on DSP with cutoff frequency 2.6kHz and designed to have a smooth frequency response. Acoustically optimized cabinet geometry to try to reduce unwanted reflections. The controls are located in the back of the cabinet.
Interior, electronics and engineering
Thanks to the photos kindly send me from Gianluca Barbato - product specialist technical support midi music, let's take a look at what most people don't see: the inside.
At the first observation we immediately notice the folded accordion duct of good diameter and exponential shape, this allows, in a not very large volume of the cabinet, to reach the desired tuning frequency, minimizing air turbulence.
In addition the duct is fixed to the rear panel through a piece of wood with insulation / glue. This probably not only for a mechanical necessity, but also serves to decouple the structures and avoid annoying resonances. Another thing that immediately catches the eye is an electronics reduced to a minimum with the use of integrated circuits that make the construction clean, simple and with a significant reduction in costs. Thus, for example, we find PCM1862, 2-Channel ADC, 192-kHz and Texas Instrument, an Burr-Broun TAS5754M BB as a class D amplifier ... ..
Correct positioning of monitors
For a correct positioning the manual recommends placing the speakers with the tweeters at ear height or tilted towards them. Remember they are gods nearfield and therefore designed to be placed on speaker stands, console bridges or desktops and relatively close to the head position during the mix (the manual suggests about three feet so +/- 91,44 cm.). This is to make sure that the sound heard and coming directly from the monitors is louder than the sound that comes indirectly to the ears reflected from the walls of the room, floor and ceiling, thus avoiding that what we hear can be contaminated by reverberation, tonal colors and cancellations. phase caused by the room itself.
listening
Premise: - I'm an admirer of the speed and cleanliness of ribbon tweeters.
- I can hardly give up the reproduction of the last two octaves, those that with the use of the subwoofer or floor "speakers" with woofer located at the bottom, propagate from the ground and envelop you, sometimes gently, sometimes with energy, reconstructing those vibrations that strongly contribute to the involvement and warmth of listening. - In my audio reproduction systems, both at home and in my home studio, I have speakers with ribbon tws and the presence of a subwoofer is the rule.
General tips
Take the time to place the speakers. In this specific case, starting from the advice in the ADAM T8V manual, first place the speakers as suggested and then with small changes, look for the arrangement that gives the best result in your environment.
I placed the monitors on a desk at approx 1m from the listening position and about 1m between them, with i tweeter at ear height, a fair distance from the side and back walls (also due to the presence of the rear reflex port). This is probably one of those provisions that i T8V they will find "basic" in many home studios. When I write to dedicate the right time to the positioning of the monitors it is because this, perhaps more than other solutions, can give the best contribution in finding the right / desired answer.
Here I write it and here I deny it, but it is a case in point: taking advantage of the excellent horizontal dispersion of tweeter, in order to obtain the best tonal balance and a good acoustic scene on the horizontal plane, also depending on the reduced distance between the speakers, I placed them in a slightly divergent and non-converging position. This also resulted in a less listening fatigue for use with high volumes and / or prolonged time. Again, spend the right time looking for the right location in your studio and this is independent of the specific case but applies to all speakers. Before proceeding to real listening to the monitors, as I always do for all those devices that contain “moving” components such as speakers, I let the T8Vs carry out a proper running-in period by playing music for several hours.
Among my studio monitors, a couple of ADAM A5X which have won a prominent place. So I know quite well the sound of ADAM and that of its tweeter. To tell the truth, I was a little biased in trying this "speaker", because I often asked myself the following questions: Low budget monitors - what was the sacrifice of sound to lower the price? Will the 20cm woofer be able to go high enough to integrate at the right crossover frequency (2,6Khz) that a ribbon tweeter generally requires? Conversely, will a ribbon tweeter be able to go so low without major limitations to integrate at the right crossover frequency (2,6 Khz) that an 8” woofer generally requires? Will a 20 woofeer be fast enough to mix with a ribbon tweeter? With a nod to DJ producers, isn't the bass overbearing?…
Proof of listening
Surprise!!! Already at a very first listen I find a balanced sound, with a precise and forward midrange, a fast sound, with the tweeter that has just the character of the ADAM sound => fast, precise, extended, like a real ribbon tweeter must be. The mid-range impressed me favorably, "undistorted”And slightly forward (“ monitor style ”), it allows to detect even the smallest variations in the timbre, volumes and reverberations of the instruments, favoring a balanced mix. The maximum volume obtainable is very generous and more than abundant for a nearfield.
I bassi there are, well mixed, never intrusive or predominant, even if not very deep and this, while minimizing positioning problems in the environment thanks to the reduction of unwanted resonances, leaves me a "certain desire" for greater extension and presence right downwards . This is probably my bias in fact, as previously stated, I just can't give up the contribution of the first octave, octave and a half coming from the floor.
So here I connect, to complete the system, one of my subwoofers cut to approx 40/60 Hz and I let the music envelop me with great pleasure. At this point, the highs, the mids, the lows are all there and it often happens that listening spontaneously focuses on music and instruments, making me forget the speakers and this is certainly a merit for me. The horizontal dispersion is considerable and contributes, in the horizontal line, to the reconstruction of the executive stage or that created by the producer. At low volumes, all the characteristics of the ADAM-T8V sound are maintained in proportion.
Certainly on the market we can find speakers that perform better, even in the ADAM house the choice is wide but at this price and for this market segment and type of speaker the challenge to the T8V is really tough. And if we decide to add a well-interfaced subwoofer at a later date, with a total cost, however low budget, we could have a complete system with interesting performances and which probably goes well beyond the category to which it belongs.
If you are thinking of buying a pair of monitors with 8 ”woofers and for a cost of about 500 € (market price), listening to the ADAM T8V is definitely recommended.
Salvatore Savio Aversano
Useful Information
Producer: Adam Audio
Price: Euro 269,00 single room
Italian distributor: midi music
