Do you want to acquire quality monitoring speakers to equip your home studio without spending a fortune? Try the T7V model from Adam Audio . A model renowned for faithfully reproducing high and low frequencies. To see more clearly, we decided to put this model on our test bench. Here is the complete test of the Adam T7V speaker.
Focus on the Adam Audio brand
Before diving into the Adam T7V review, let's first focus on the Adam Audio brand ( Advanced Dynamic Audio Monitors ). This company specializing in the design of monitoring speakers was founded in 1999 in Berlin, Germany.
Adam Audio has been part of the British Focusrite group since 2019. The products of this German brand are distributed in more than 75 countries.
The first speakers from this German manufacturer stand out for their tweeter using ART technology (Accelerating Ribbon Technology). This makes it possible in particular to optimize the speed of air movement, thus improving the quality of sound reproduction.
Over the years, the company has continued to improve the rendering of its high frequency speakers. In particular, it has developed the following technologies for their recent range of speakers:
- X-ART technology for the AX series which includes the A3X, A5X, A7X, A8X and A77X (note that Adam Audio launched in May 2022, a new range called the A to replace the AX series)
- S-ART technology for the S series composed by the S2V, the Adam S3V , the S3H, the S5V and the S5H
- U-ART technology for the T series which includes three models, namely T5V, T7V and T8V
You will have understood : it is in this last category that the model which is the subject of our test belongs. In the rest of this article, let's discover the design quality , features and sound quality of the Adam T7V. We also give you our opinion on this monitoring speaker at the end of the test.
Adam T7V speaker overview
The Adam T7V belongs to the family of active monitoring speakers like the Tannoy Gold 5 and the Focal Shape 65 . This type of studio monitor is equipped with a built-in amplifier . Unlike passive speakers, these models do not need an external amplifier to externalize the sound.
This speaker has two amplifiers . It features, among other things, a 7-inch polypropylene woofer (or boomer) to reproduce low frequencies. Above this, we find a U-ART type ribbon tweeter for the high frequencies. These two amps have a power of 50W and 20W .
Its frequency response is between 39 Hz and 25 kHz . This means that its woofer can go down to 39 Hz and its tweeter can go up to 25 kHz .
The frequency of its crossover is 2.6 kHz . This is a filter separating two frequency bands of the audio signal.
With its 7.1 kg , the T7V is heavier than the Tannoy Gold 5 which weighs only 5.8 kg. This model from the Adam Audio brand takes up little space in a home studio since its height and length are 347 mm and 210 mm .
In terms of looks, the T7V will certainly appeal to those who like to play the simplicity card. Its all-black cabinet will look great in any recording room. Its front is decorated with a gold ribbon tweeter. This speaker also benefits from a better finish compared to the F series models from the German manufacturer.
At the back of the T7V, there is a bass reflex port (more details below). Its metal plate is equipped with the following control devices and analog inputs:
- A switch to adjust the high frequencies in 3 levels: the first to increase the response by +2 dB , the second to obtain a uniform response and the third to attenuate the response by -2 dB
- A 3-level low frequency adjustment switch: +2 dB, 0 dB and -2 dB
- A volume knob adjustable between -60 dB and +18 dB (turn clockwise to increase volume and counterclockwise to reduce it)
- An XLR connector to accommodate a balanced +4 dBu
- An RCA connector to accommodate an unbalanced signal of -10dBV
- A switch to select the +4 dBu position or the -10dBV position
- An ON/OFF switch to turn the device on or off (a green LED should light up when you press ON)
The Adam T7V speaker and its class D amplifiers
The amps integrated into the Adam T7V speaker belong to class D. To fully understand the advantages and disadvantages of this type of amp, let's discover the different classes of amps.
There are 5 classes of amplification : class A, class B, class AB, class D and class H.
Class A amplifiers are characterized by components operating at 100% . They offer low distortion of the output signal. The sounds they produce generally have good precision and remarkable warmth. The only downside is that their performance is average.
The second class of amplification is called class B. This groups together amplifiers whose amplification components operate at 50% at the rest point. These offer higher efficiency than class A amps. The distortion characteristics of their output signal are, however, less interesting.
Class AB is a combination of class A and class B. Indeed, the amplification components of amplifiers belonging to this class can operate at both 100% and 50% at rest point. The operating mode varies in particular depending on the input signal.
Now let's talk about amplification class D , the amp class of our T7V speaker. This is characterized by the existence of 2 completely opposite rest points: one at 100% and the other at 0%. This technology is generally found in subwoofers and home cinema speakers. The advantage of amps in this class lies in their high efficiency . Furthermore, they consume much less energy than class A amps.
The last class of amp is Class H. Amplifiers in this category have the particularity of having a voltage that adapts to the input signal. Unlike traditional amps, the voltage of their power supply stage is therefore variable. Just like class D, this class also offers good efficiency .
The bass-reflex technology of the Adam T7V monitoring speaker
Just like the M-Audio BX8 D3 speaker , the Adam T7V is equipped with a bass reflex port on its rear panel. This is a device that helps optimize the sound quality of the device . Let's take a closer look at how it works.
To install a rear port on a speaker, the manufacturer drills into the box, then installs a resonator (a tube). The latter is excited by the sound generated by the rear waves of the woofer. As a result, a short range of low frequencies is amplified.
The rear port of the Adam T7V speaker makes it possible to amplify the sound volume in the bass over a range where the efficiency is low. This allows you to save decibels, which increases the sensitivity of the speaker.
Acting like a high-pass filter of a microphone like MXL 770 , the bass-reflex port prevents the reproduction of too low frequencies by the woofer.
Thanks to bass-reflex technology, the Adam T7V is capable of reproducing bass with a moderate air volume . Note, however, that resonance generally causes a drop in woofer impedance.
The patented tweeter of the Adam T7V speaker
The tweeter of the T7V two-way monitoring speaker benefits from U-ART technology . This is also the case for the two other models in the T series (the T5V and the T8V).
This speaker intended to reproduce high frequencies is made of a polyamide film. Its design is a little different from cone or dome tweeters. The latter are in fact equipped with a piston, which allows the movement of air and sound reproduction.
As for the T7V's tweeter, this uses a pleated ribbon . This device has the function of absorbing air in its folds . It discharges it alternately as the folds move closer or further away from each other depending on the incoming signal.
This way of designing the tweeter of this speaker has a positive impact on its performance. Among other things, it is capable of withstanding high sound pressure levels without distortion problems.
Zoom on the sound quality of the Adam T7V
Just like the other models in the Adam Audio T series, the sound quality is there with the T7V. This speaker notably offers unparalleled performance in high frequencies . This is undoubtedly linked to the U-ART technology of its tweeter. This innovative device from the Adam brand allows this speaker to provide clear and detailed sounds .
Furthermore, thanks to this device, this speaker can withstand loud sound sources, since its maximum SPL (sound pressure level) is 110 dB .
As for the reproduction of low frequencies , here again, this model delivers a good performance. Bass amplification is provided by its bass reflex system.
Given that it is a rear port, the distance between the speaker and the wall will necessarily have an impact on the sound reproduction.
Indeed, if you want to recover most of the sound waves emitted by the rear membrane, you should not place the device too far from the wall. Note, however, that you will get a bump in the low frequencies if you put it too close to the wall. Ideally, the distance between the wall and the rear panel of the speaker is between 0.75 m and 1 m .
To optimize your listening experience with the Adam T7V, you should not position yourself too far from the monitor. In fact, it is a proximity speaker . As such, it will offer better results when positioned approximately 1.5 m from the listener .
The technical characteristics of the Adam T7V
- Speaker type: 2-way active monitoring speaker (woofer and tweeter)
- RMS power of the woofer: 50 W
- RMS tweeter power: 20 W
- Class D amplifiers
- Frequency response: 39 Hz to 25 kHz
- Maximum SPL: 110 dB
- Crossover frequency: 2.6 kHz
- Impedance: 10 kOhms/20 kOhms
- Analog connectors: XLR/RCA
- Bass reflex system (rear port)
- Dimensions (L x H x D): 210 mm x 347 mm x 293 mm
- Weight: 7.1 kg
Our Overall Opinion
Overall Sound Quality
Value for money
Global mark
Our opinion on the Adam T7V speaker
Audiophiles will certainly be won over by the sound quality of the Adam T7V. You can listen to music with this device for hours without tiring your ears.
This model delivers impressive performance in low frequencies. It must be said that this is a particularity that it shares with most speakers benefiting from bass-reflex technology. The small advantage of this model: it amplifies bass sounds without reducing mids and highs.
Like the majority of speakers from the Adam Audio brand, the manufacturing quality of this model is exceptional. The metal plate to accommodate the analog connections on the back looks really solid.
Another advantage of the T7V: its frequency response. It must be said that it is quite rare to find a speaker model offering such a wide frequency range at this price.
Here is a quick summary of the advantages of the Adam T7V:
- Impressive sound quality
- Exceptional reproduction of bass sounds
- Faithful reproduction of mids and highs
- Sturdy metal plate
The only downside is that you can't place the speaker too close to a wall since it has a rear vent.
Our verdict on the Adam T7V speaker: we recommend this model to all audiophiles wishing to equip their home studio. It also offers good value for money.
