Crystal clarity and gutsy lows characterise ADAM Audio ’ s new addition to its budget-friendly T Series
Meet The T8V - The new big brother In ADAM Audio ’ s budget friendly T-Series monitor lineup featuring an 8 " woofer and same U-ART tweeter and HPS waveguide design as seen previously in its smaller T5V and T7V siblings . ADAM Audio ' s T series of affordable powered monitors are designed in Germany , but built in China to keep the costs down . Despite their affordability , however , they are still based around ADAM ' s highly regarded Accelerated Ribbon Tweeter . T-Series has a range of three monitors in 5 , 7 and 8 inch . These monitors use 1.9 – inch U-ART high-frequency driver and smooth polypropylene – woofer cone construction , with both drivers mounted into a distinctive bevelled baffle . ADAM Audio describe the T8V as a nearfield monitor and the low self-noise makes it perfect in this role
As with many modern active monitors , the control circuitry is digital and in this instance includes DSP-based active 2.6kHz crossovers , response equalisation and driver / amplifier protection . The 8-inch woofer provides bass extension
right down to 33Hz , while the U-ART tweeter ' s folded diaphragm reaches up to an impressive 25kHz . The HPS Waveguide - the same design as the more expensive S-Series - directs and shapes the tweeters output into a signal that is more intelligible to the ear and avoids primary room reflections whilst offering a wide listening field for the high frequencies .
A pleasure to listen to . A Class – D bi-amp pack provides 20W ( RMS ) to the tweeter and 70W ( RMS ) to the woofer . A pair of T8Vs can produce peak SPLs of 118dB at 1m . Both balanced XLR and unbalanced phono inputs are provided , with a slide switch to select between them , but there ' s no jack input option . Power is via the usual IEC connector and there are a couple of three-way slide switches offering -2dB , 0dB and + 2dB adjustment for both the LF and HF . The green power LED is on the rear panel , which is a little impractical given that the rear panel is usually out of sight during operation .
Sonically these speakers give a very good account of themselves ,
especially given their position in the market , coming over as punchy , detailed and revealing , with no unforgivable vices . They also present a credible stereo image with a usefully wide sweet spot . In context then , these are impressive little monitors that sit comfortably within ADAM ' s sonic orbit , and given their low price , they don ' t sacrifice nearly as much as you might imagine . There ' s also a two year warranty that extends to five years when you register your speakers with ADAM Audio .
Summary The power and clarity of the ADAM Audio T8V is undeniable . Regardless of size , some monitors feel like they ’ re breaking a sweat when playing back bass-heavy or dense material . With the T8V there is no sense of the monitors ‘ trying ’ — there ’ s an oomph in the way these loudspeakers present sound that just feels so easy and effortless . T8V is the perfect choice for those who can put the pair in a large treated room and who regularly mix busy or bassy material — be it EDM or post production .
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