Description
The pinnacle of the A Series, the A8H is a three-way speaker that delivers the extremely accurate and analytical sound required for critical-listening environments. The A8H incorporates an 8-inch resonant Multi-Layer Mineral (MLM) fibre woofer, innovative midrange driver, and handmade precision X-ART tweeter, which together produce an ultra-wide frequency response. Like the other members of the A Series family, the A8H gives you tremendous flexibility for fine-tuning the sound through rotatable HPS waveguide technology and onboard DSP. At home across a full range of audio applications in mid- to full-sized spaces, the A8H is the right choice when you’re looking for the most detailed representation of your audio.
Rotatable HPS Waveguide & X-ART Tweeter
ADAM Audio HPS (high-frequency propagation system) waveguide technology enables tweeters to disperse sound with controlled consistency, broad in the horizontal axis but tightly focused in the vertical plane. The A Series introduces a rotatable HPS waveguide design. You can shift A Series tweeters in 90-degree steps to continue to benefit from HPS waveguide technology whether you position the speakers horizontally or vertically.
The A Series HPS Waveguide is made from a new glass fibre polymer compound that helps create a clear sound, free of unwanted resonance. The ADAM Audio X-ART tweeter is at the heart of the rotatable HPS waveguide. Handmade in Germany, the X-ART tweeter provides a precise transient response and reproduces the finest sonic details. This X-ART tweeter is used in every A Series speaker, providing a detailed, consistent sound across the product line.
Multi-Layer Mineral Woofer
A Series woofers are constructed with a unique blend of mineral stone fibres that have been baked together to create a lightweight but highly stable material. The mineral composition, layering and geometry of each cone is specific to the driver used in each model. By combining this material with a new magnet system, A Series woofers produce high output with low distortion, delivering a clean low-end.
Hybrid Amplification
The A Series combines the best of both digital and analogue worlds. The woofers are driven by Class D amplifiers that help produce linear performance while reducing distortion. These amplifiers were chosen specifically for their power and efficiency, in terms of both energy consumption and sound reproduction. Low thermal dissipation allows for a smaller heat sink, which facilitated additional investment in the exceptional power and performance of the A Series.
Tweeters and midrange drivers are powered by Class AB amplifiers which offer a smooth, natural reproduction of high frequencies. Each amplifier is optimized for its working range, resulting in a fine-tuned, properly aligned speaker. To reach this point, ADAM Audio carried out extensive measurements and listening sessions, trialing countless amplifiers and amplifier components.
DSP-Based Electronics
The A Series capitalizes on the transformative power of DSP-based electronics to provide greater tuning precision and better predictability than analogue-only speakers. With firmware that can be updated through an Ethernet connection, over time you can expect to integrate the latest DSP-based capabilities from ADAM Audio—including new filter types and features, plus alternative voicings.
Room Adaptation
On the back panel of A Series speakers, you will find four bands of room adaptation equalization: Bass, Desk, Presence and Treble. Each band is adjustable in predefined steps, offering more than 100 tuning options to help compensate for the typical acoustic problems that arise from speaker placement.
Voicings
A “Voicing” is a pre-defined sound profile of the A Series monitors. On the back panel, you will find two different selections, “UNR” and “Pure”. Here you will also find the “Ext” option which is dedicated to the extended functionality that comes with A Control via the Ethernet connection.
“UNR” or “Uniform Natural Response™” is a dynamic, natural-sounding response curve of ADAM Audio’s own design, which stems from a variety of iconic ADAM Audio legacy products, including the preceding AX Series. It lends itself to production, composition and song writing as its engaging and present sound can give you more room for creativity and flow. It is also a great option whenever you want to use your speakers simply to enjoy some good music.
“Pure” is a highly accurate and neutral sounding option. This is the “flat” setting, ideal for mixing and mastering, where you really must be aware of all the details and rely on an honest representation from your speakers.
The “Ext” option is dedicated to the extended functionality that comes with A Control via the Ethernet connection. Using A Control’s six-band EQ, a custom voicing and be created and pushed to the monitor.
A Control (Real-Time Remote Control)
The DSP-based functionality of all A Series monitors can be controlled remotely and in real time over Ethernet using the free to download A Control software. A Control is available to download for Windows and MacOS in the MyADAM area of www.adam-audio.com for customers who have registered their A Series monitors.
Once downloaded and installed, you can control multiple speakers at once, precisely adjusting equalisation and delay settings from various listening positions in your studio space. While you work, you can remotely control monitor levels if you’re far from a fader or physical interface. Remote-control capabilities are particularly useful in multi-purpose rooms allowing you to make sure that voicing, EQ, and other settings are all exactly how you want them.
Room Correction & Sonarworks Integration
A Series speakers are designed to be adaptable to changing requirements, preferences, and environments. Using the A Control software, you can push advanced filters directly to an embedded platform onboard the monitors to help compensate for imperfect room acoustics. This embedded platform supports filters from industry leading third-party Sonarworks. Using Sonarworks software and a measurement mic, you can calibrate your speakers for a new room or shifting taste.
Bass Reflex System, Cabinets and Mounting
The new A Series cabinets build on the heritage of ADAM Audio and the AX Series in particular. In an evolutionary design, A Series cabinets have deeper bevelling to further reduce diffraction. In addition, thicker baffle walls strengthen the cabinets and reduce internal vibrations, while a flared-port design optimizes airflow and reduces port noise. All A Series speakers include an underside mounting interface, giving you the flexibility to mount them wherever you need them.
Specifications in detail
General data
- DisplayFront panel multi-color LED
- Cabinet DesignSingle front ported
- Cabinet MaterialVinyl wrapped MDF and painted MDF front panel
- Mounting optionsThreaded inserts on the bottom of the cabinet (4 x M8)
- Power consumption (max, idle, sleep)220 W, 15 W, 3.5 W
- AC Input Voltage100 – 240 V, 50/60 Hz
- Power Rating500 W max
- Operating Conditions-10° C to +40° C (+14° F to +104° F); <75 % RH, non-condensing
- Weight5.8 kg (12 lbs 13 oz)
- Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth)274 mm x 382 mm x 329 mm (10 3/4″ x 15″ x 13″)
- Warranty5 years (2 years warranty plus 3 years optional with product registration)
- Delivery ContentsA8H loudspeaker, power cable, Quick Start Guide
Audio Input Connectors
- AnalogXLR, RCA
- Input Impedance9 kOhm / 3.3 kOhm
- Max. Input Level+19 dBu
Amplification
- Woofer:
- Amplifier TypePWM
- Peak (10% THD, limiter deactivated)250 W
- RMS (1% THD, limiter deactivated)200 W
- Midrange:
- Amplifier TypeClass A/B
- Peak (10% THD, limiter deactivated)70 W
- RMS (1% THD, limiter deactivated)55 W
- Tweeter:
- Amplifier TypeClass A/B
- Peak (10% THD, limiter deactivated)20 W
- RMS (1% THD, limiter deactivated)15 W
Acoustics
- Frequency Response @ -3 dB58 Hz – 41 kHz
- Frequency Response @ -6 dB52 Hz – 45 kHz
- Crossover Frequencies3.0 kHz
- Max SPL per speaker at 1 m (sine bursts)100 dB SPL
- Max SPL per speaker at 1 m (IEC-weighted noise)109 dB SPL
- Max SPL in full space at 1 m with sine bursts (average 100 Hz to 6 kHz) @ 3% THD (RMS)101 dB SPL
- Max SPL in full space at 1 m with sine bursts (average 100 Hz to 6 kHz) @ 3% THD (Peak)104 dB SPL
- Max SPL in full space at 1 m with sine bursts (average 50 Hz to 100 Hz) @ 3% THD (RMS)88 dB SPL
- Max SPL in full space at 1 m with sine bursts (average 50 Hz to 100 Hz) @ 3% THD (Peak)91 dB SPL
- Dolby DARDT max SPL in full space112 dB SPL
- Dolby DARDT max SPL in full space (bass managed)117 dB SPL
Drivers
- Woofer:
- Basket Diameter4″
- Voice Coil Diameter1″ (25 mm)
- Cone MaterialMLM
- Tweeter:
- TypeX-ART
- Diaphragm Area4 inch² (2420 mm²)
- Equiv. Diaphragm Diameter2″ (56 mm)
- Velocity Transform Ratio4 to 1
- Diaphragm Weight0.17 g
- WaveguideHPS (rotatable)
- Waveguide Dispersion120° horizontal, 70° vertical
Signal Processing
- AD converter24-bit
- Internal sample rate96 kHz
- Delay range, resolution0 – 10 ms, 0.1 ms
- ProtectionIndependent peak and thermo limiters for each driver, and amplifier thermo limiters
Control Options [via Network]
- Networking ConnectorRJ45
- Connection TypeEthernet
- Communication ProtocolOCA using standard IP data
- Control SoftwareA Control (Windows and MacOS available)
- Room Adaption OptionsBackplate, Extended, Sonarworks SoundID Reference integration
- Advanced Room Adaptation6 x PEQ, Level, Delay
- Third-party Calibration CompatibilityImport from Sonarworks SoundID Reference
Control Options [via Backplate]
- Input Sensitivity0 dBu = 100 dB SPL at 1 m @ 0 dB level setting
- Level-12 dB to +12 dB
- Input SelectionBalanced, unbalanced
- VoicingsPure, UNR
- Room Adaption:
- Bass+2, 0, -2, -4 dB
- Desk0, -2, -4 dB
- Presence+1, 0, -1 dB
- Treble+1.5, 0, -1.5 dB