The Adam T5V (see image) offers lesser in the lower frequencies but maximum portability and compactness.
If you’re looking for a pair of active nearfield studio monitors for music production that offers you exceptional sound quality for critical listening, appealing aesthetics, and all of these in a compact package without breaking the bank, the ADAM T5V, T7V, and T8V are options to take a look at.
In summary, all three monitors are sound investments to make for building a project studio at home, using them as your reference monitors in more elaborate studio settings, or even taking them with you for a weekend songwriting session in the back of your car (although the Adam T8V would probably about a bass guitar with a flight-case). Launched in 2018, they feature 5inch, 7inch, and 8inch mid/bass drivers, respectively. The Adam T8V is also the largest and priciest of the three and gives you a maximum bass response. The Adam T5V offers lesser in the lower frequencies but maximum portability and compactness. The Adam T7V is something of a balance between the three. All three have received rave reviews and multiple awards from leading industry specialists.
Sound interesting? Now let’s have a closer look.
Design
The Adam T5V, T7V, and T8V come with near-identical aesthetics. While some don't find this 'posh' enough, the minimalist, no-nonsense, black with simple white branding oozes (their hometown) Berlin vibes and is something of an acquired taste. The build quality offered in this price range is very competitive. The overall finish leaves no room for doubt as far as quality is concerned. Neither does the confidence of the 5-year warranty these speakers come with.
Overall, you'd be hard-pressed to find any differences in design between the three on paper until you take size and weight into consideration. The Adam T5V, T7V, and T8V increase in ascending order in this regard.
The one legit gripe some users have had are the seamless volume knobs on these monitors in the back. While not a 'flaw' per se, the lack of any indents on these, combined with the fact that they’re not easily accessible, can make setting volume levels a little difficult.
Dimensions
Adam T7V's (see image) dimension is 13.7" x 8.3" x 11.5” ( 347 mm x 210 mm x 293 mm) and weighs 15.7 lbs (7.1 kg).
Adam T5V: 11.7" x 7" x 11.7" (298 mm x 179 mm x 297mm)
Adam T7V: 13.7" x 8.3" x 11.5” ( 347 mm x 210 mm x 293 mm)
Adam T8V: 15.8" x 9.8 “ x 13.2“ (400 mm x 250 mm x 335 mm)
Weight
Adam T5V: 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg)
Adam T7V: 15.7 lbs (7.1 kg)
Adam T8V: 21.6 lb (9.8 kg)
Check out the Operation Manual of Adam Audio’s T Series.
Sound Quality
Let me tell you something right off the bat.
Room acoustics, particularly room dimensions and speaker positioning, will have an immense effect on sound quality.
The impact of the combination of these two is actually so strong that in most cases, it doesn't even make sense to utter a single word on sound quality without speaking of them.
This is why I'd hiiiiiiighly recommend you to check out this simple, 2D, online speaker placement calculator.
It's GOOOOLLLDDDDD. I've had an Acoustics & Audio PhD build this tool specifically for this purpose:
Default values:
- Ceiling height: 106 inches or 8 feet 10 inches or 2.70 meters
- Most standard ceiling height
- Listener's height: 32 inches or 2 feet 8 inches or 0.80 meters
- Average height of a sitting person
Central heights of speakers (measured from the ground) and examples to them:
- Soundbars: 30 inches or 2 feet 6 inches or 0.75 meters
- 8", 10" or 12" Subwoofers: 8 inches or 0.20 meters
- 360 degree speakers: 32 inches or 2 feet 8 inches or 0.80 meters
- Horizontal speakers: 32 inches or 2 feet 8 inches or 0.80 meters
- Floor standing speakers: 20 inches or 1 feet 8 inches or 0.50 meters
- Bookshelf speakers: 32 inches or 2 feet 8 inches or 0.80 meters
- Center speakers: 32 inches or 2 feet 8 inches or 0.80 meters
Side note: This tool can and will return inaccurate results for small, portable Bluetooth speakers such as JBL's Go Series. It will, however, deliver just fine for more powerful, packed bluetooth speakers such as this one.
ASAP Science made a video on the loudest and quietest rooms in the world. A mind blowing example of the importance of acoustics (time adjusted video).
Other parameters such as the age/materials of the building, the furniture & carpets in place, etc can and will, of course, have an effect on room acoustics, too. But much less.
Also...
Did you know you could also virtually hear any speaker online?
Crutchfield had recently created a tool that virtually simulates the sounds of many different speakers; such as those of SVS, Klipsch, KEF and B&W. Nothing will, of course, beat hearing the speakers in reality. But I'd still recommend you to give it a shot.
While you're at it, blast my Hidden Electronic Gems list to test them:
Anyways...
ADAM's U-ART is a 19-inch pleated polyamide film. Accelerated Ribbon Tweeters can move air 4x faster than most tweeters, making it a super-efficient machine that results in detailed audio delivery.
As aforementioned, the Adam T8V offers the broadest bass response. That doesn't necessarily mean that the Adam T5V does not deliver here. If anything, the compact delivery of the same is quite remarkable.
As is often the case with the mid-sized monitors, the Adam T7V is the one that makes you wonder if the added weight and size is worth it when the only moderately bigger and heavier. Adam T8V offers way more power and bass response.
Even for more modern EDM, Hip-Hop, or classical music with deeper bass, it delivers all you need without needing a subwoofer for near-field monitoring.
The highs and the mids are detailed, balanced, and ample. What they are not, though, is neutral. This is not the flattest response you can get in studio monitors. They do color the sound a little with the signature ADAM timbre.
But once that is something you get used to, it’s not a deal-breaker at all. All three speakers are not too harsh in the mids and highs and relatively compact and responsive in low mids and basses, even at extended listening.
Both editing and mixing audio production are something confidently executed on these speakers.
Adam T8V (see image) offers way more power and bass response.
Frequency Response
Adam T5V: 45 Hz - 25 kHz (-6 dB)
Adam T7V: 39 Hz - 25 kHz (-6 dB)
Adam T8V: 33 Hz - 25 kHz (-6 dB)
Amp Power
Adam T5V: 50 W
Adam T7V: 50 W
Adam T8V: 70 W
Connectivity
All three monitors come with (separate) analog RCA and XLR connectors in the back. Since these are active monitors, no additional amplification is needed so that you can connect your Audio-Interface outputs or any other stereo outs directly.
The interesting point in all of this is that the best response in stereo imaging comes from the smallest of the three siblings, the Adam T5V. That being said, the depth of an image is equally responsive on all three. So tweaking your reverbs, delays, or any other room simulations is a pleasure and very easy to do.
By the way, you can become part of the Adam Audio Family and benefit from an extended warranty and free plugins.
Price
Adam T5V: $219.99 each
Adam T7V: $ 219.00 each
Adam T8V: $ 299.00 each
Verdict
This is how the Adam T5V, T7V, and T8V stack up against each other:
- Design: Tie. The Adam T5V is the lightest and smallest, though, it is the most portable.
- Sound: Close Tie between Adam T5V and T8V. The former offers better stereo imaging, and the latter has a more bass response.
- Connectivity: A clear tie.
- Price: The Adam T5V wins hands down and offers great value for money.
In conclusion, all three speaker pairs are great investments. It boils down to your needs and preferences. As the second pair of near-field studio monitors, you might best off with the Adam T5V and rely upon a bigger system for double-checking bass-heavy tracks. As a one-in-all solution, the Adam T8V offers the most versatility. The Adam T7V offers a compromise between the two.