Adam A7 vs. A7X – An Easy Decision?

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Hi friend and Welcome aboard!!

Before we get into the Adam A7 vs. A7X, grab a snack, sit back and relax because..

You’ve come to the right place!!

What I will bring you in this review

Today I will outline the Adam A7 and then compare it with the A7X towards the end. 🙂

1. Ratings/Price
2. Specifications
3. Summary
4. Pros
5. Cons
6. Video Review
7. What these monitors are good for?
8. What you will need?
9. Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
10. Consensus/Conclusion
11. Similarities & Differences
12. Final Word

Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!

Adam A7

Price: Check Amazon! | Check eBay!

Specifications

Mid-Woofer

• Number per device: 1
• Basket: 7″ (177mm)
• Voice Coil: 1.5″ (37mm)
• Cone Material: Glass-fiber/paper

Tweeters

• Number per device: 1
• Type: ART (Accelerating Ribbon Technology)

Amplifier

• Amplifiers: Mid-Woofer Amp x 1
  Tweeter Amp x 1
• Type: Mid-Woofer Amp: A/B
  Tweeter Amp: A/B
• Amp Power RMS / Music: Mid-Woofer Amp: 60W / 85W
  Tweeter Amp: 40W / 55W

Control Methods

• Input Sensitivity: -∞ to +6 dB
• High Shelf EQ (> 5kHz): ±6 dB
• Low Shelf EQ (< 300 Hz): ±6 dB

General

• Analog Inputs: XLR / RCA. What is XLR?
• Frequency Response: 44 Hz – 50 kHz
• Peak Level: ≥109 dB (max)
• Magnetically Shielded: No
• Dimensions (HxWxD): 12.5 x 9.0 x 10.5″ (321 x 225 x 266mm)
• Weight: 19.8 lb (9 kg)

Summary

Adam’s ribbon tweeters are what makes these stand out from the rest.

They provide an intense amount of detail in the mid-range and treble.

Their defining characteristics seem to be a non-fatiguing sound combined with phenomenal transparency and a crystal clear mid-range.

With other monitors, you may be constantly testing your mix on different speakers.

With the A7 it’s one and done, resulting in more time saved and a better overall mixdown.

Pros

• Clean mid-range and treble. This is where the monitors truly shine.
• Translates well without having to cross-reference a lot of different sources. Meaning: you won’t have to check your mix a thousand times to make sure it’s right.
• Remarkable clarity. Small details that you haven’t heard become clear.
• The low end is tight and punchy but still retains accuracy.
• Non-fatiguing and fun for easy listening.
• Accurate representation of sound. Brutally honest.
• Good stereo imaging.

Cons

• The low end is a bit lacking. If you’re needing to mix frequencies below 80Hz, you will need a separate subwoofer.

Video Review

Make sure to subscribe to Jordan’s channel!

What these monitors are good for?

• Television Scoring
• Mixing down tracks

What you will need?

First of all, Acoustic Sound Treatment goes a long way!

Secondly, a good audio interface.

Third, some cables.

The A7X utilizes balanced XLR on the back, so I would go with some TRS to XLR cables.

The TRS ends would connect to your interface.

Something like a Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Generation or Universal Audio Volt 2 (pictured above) would be a great start!

Don’t get too crazy about trying to come up with the perfect “pairing.”

Thoughts from Stu’s notepad

As Jordan mentioned in the video above, adding studio monitors to your setup is just about the most important thing to invest in other than the audio interface.

• Recommended: The Best Budget Audio Interface For Home Studio Recording

While the interface is your centralized hub and responsible for most everything that goes on between you and the music, studio monitors are just about as important.

The reason for this is that a good pair will allow you to hear exactly what’s going on in a mix, but they do need to be situated properly for best results.

Placement

The monitors should be at around ear level and form an equilateral triangle towards your head.

This will ensure the image and Soundstage are as good as they can possibly be.

You can jerry-rig some stands, buy stands, or if space is an issue, these Gator Framework Clamp-On Stands work really well also.

When placed correctly, you’ll notice that the speakers give off the illusion that the sound is coming from behind.

In a good mixdown, instruments, and voices will be panned evenly left to right, and this is what creates a fantastic overall composition.

If you don’t believe me, listen to your favorite tracks this way and you’ll notice that in a good mix, the sounds have room to breathe and express themselves fully.

This is because the producer/artist took care in making sure everything was right.

These techniques not only help you when working on your own projects, but it improves resolution and makes it that much easier to distinguish what’s what.

Rear-Ported?

Also, something to keep in mind is where the bass comes out. If the monitors are rear-ported, you’ll want to have them as far away from the wall as possible.

I know this isn’t always possible due to room constraints, but it will help considerably in reducing the sound bouncing all over the place.

Investing in some acoustic panels also goes a long way in mitigating this issue and absorbing those bass hits.

Speaking of your room, let’s have a look at size.

General Room Sizes

I get asked this question quite a bit so I’ll go ahead and outline it here for you.

Generally speaking:

• Small Room – 10×10 or smaller
• Medium-Sized Room – 12×12
• Large-Sized Room – 14×14, 14×16 or larger

For reference, my room is probably considered medium-large at around 12×14, but I still may not try and stuff a super large monitor in that space.

As far as the A7x goes, it’s a rather large monitor so make sure your room is adequate enough for the task. 

Consensus/Conclusion

The Adam A7 is an honest monitor with a lean bass response and a non-fatiguing character.

Similarities & Differences

Similarities

• Both have a similar look and feel.
• Both are very durable with solid construction.
• Both excel in many of the same genres and situations.
• Both have many of the same tonal qualities.

Differences

• The A7X’s bass, mid-range, and treble are all much better than the A7.
• The biggest difference is the inclusion of the X-art ribbon tweeter in the A7X. It is said to vastly improve the clarity and extension in the treble range. The A7’s tweeter was also much harsher, and more sibilant. What does Sibilant mean?
• The stereo imaging with the A7X is also better.
• The addition of dual bass ports also improves the bass response for the A7X. Just make sure your room is treated (as mentioned above), or else the added bass may muddy up your mix.
• The frequency response of the A7X extends to 50Hz rather than only 35Hz in the A7.
• The bigger vocal coil and more powerful amps improve the overall sound quality of the A7X.
• The A7X is more revealing.
• The A7X can handle higher output levels.

Final Word & Update

Adam Audio’s best-selling, award-winning A7x is no longer available but has been replaced by the A7V.

With these, you can expect more of the same; excellent mid-range and treble, incredible detail, and an overall non-fatiguing sound perfect for mixing.

Learn More:

Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this comparison of the Adam A7 vs. A7X, and came away with some valuable information.

Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!

Are you likely to purchase the A7X? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…

All the best and God bless,

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Be sure to check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!

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