I see a lot of forum members using Adam A7x.
Are any of you using the Adam A5x or A3X? If so, what are your opinions on them?
Also for Adam A7x users, what headphones match up the best with the sound of your Adam monitors (if any)?
I am using Adam A5X with the Sub 8. I think they work well and been using them for a few years now. I also have my 2 CLRs close by and although the sound is similar, the CLRs just sound fuller and by comparison there's definitely something missing with the Adams. The other day I was doing some recording with the bass player in one of my bands and he commented on my sound that he thought that I needed a heavier, more impactful sound for this particular song and when I played the same preset through my CLRs he went - "yes, that's the sound, that's what you should be playing" and he was quite surprised when I said it was the same sound through different speakers. So there's definitely something missing with the Adams.
I'm pretty sure I want to upgrade but I don't seem to be able to make a decision and I can sort of make a case for a lot of different ones. I've sold off some stuff recently and been contemplating getting the Genelec 8341 "the One's" - thinking that well if I get those then I know it's pretty much as good as it's ever going to get. I really like the coaxial nature of the CLRs and that would be the same. And they are quite small (about the same depth as the A5x) for such a big speaker as well so wouldn't look massive on my desk, and with the GLM would be easy to tune. But - they are 4 times the price of the CLRs and are they going to be that much better.
The other coaxial alternative would be the Presonus Sceptre's which are much more reasonably priced. But are they really better than the Adams except for being coaxial, or maybe just being coaxial and a bit bigger is enough? I also do like the Adams so maybe going to the A7x's is just the step up I feel I need, or possibly the S2v's for a step up again. But especially the S2v's are quite a bit deeper than the others so might need a bigger desk.
I know that I really need to listen to them live, but there's no place in Sydney that carries all of them, and through this covid situation I prefer not to go to too many new places. And listen at a showroom is not going to be a complete like for like either, and I'd probably want to bring at least one CLR and use that as a reference and it's just been falling in the too hard basket. And the A5x's are definitely a good option as they are. The absolute ideal situation would be to get a few of those speakers for a couple of weeks and just keep one of them but I don't think that's realistic. Maybe I just take a punt on the Sceptre's and I'm sure I can sell them for reasonable money if I don't like them.
Sorry for the sort of thought-dump.
FYI - I got a pair of the ADAM A7x from someone here and I've been super pleased with them. I can't comment properly on the sound quality compared to others but I can say they have stood up to being on for days, weeks & maybe months now and are loud as hell if you want them to be. As someone else said - check the measurements - they are bigger than I expected - to make sure you have space for 7" monitors. I also agree with the advice to get the most for your $. It's a PITA to upgrade, so get the best you can now and avoid the upgrades if possible.
