ADAM Audio S6X (Pair)

Colour

Melna
Speaker Size

12''

Truth In Monitoring
While acknowledging the inherent value of compact, nearfield “real-world” studio monitors, there’s no substitute for unflinchingly accurate main monitors that tell you everything you need to know about what you’re recording; reproducing high-resolution, full-bandwidth audio with absolute clarity and uncompromised dynamic range. Designed for large control rooms and film re-recording stages, the ADAM Audio S6X active main monitor employs a symmetrical 7-driver configuration (powered by seven dedicated PWM amplifiers totaling 2,250 watts) to deliver ADAM’s hallmark flawless sound reproduction at high sound pressure levels. Engineered in Berlin to the strictest tolerances, the S6X features cutting-edge proprietary technology, including the company’s renowned, handcrafted X-ART accelerated ribbon tweeter. With its unerring accuracy, astounding 23Hz–50kHz frequency response, and breathtaking dynamic range, the S6X brings ADAM Audio’s signature monitoring prowess to world-class recording studios and post-production facilities.

Extended D’Appolito driver configuration
On the front baffle of the S6X are seven individual drivers, arrayed to facilitate gradual transitions between them in relation to the size of the cabinet. The drivers are mounted on inert aluminum honeycomb-core Alucore panels that optimize mechanical coupling between the drivers and the cabinet. They are arranged in a horizontally symmetrical extended D’Appolito configuration, that, combined with the crossover frequencies and filter slopes used, results in dispersion patterns that eliminate lobe tilting and provide highly consistent reproduction characteristics in the horizontal center position. At the same time, vertical radiation is limited so that reflections from the floor, ceiling, or console are greatly attenuated in such a way that so-called “early reflections” have less opportunity to interfere, which results in significantly improved imaging and a more 3-dimensional soundstage in both stereo and multi-channel monitoring setups.

Stunning highs up to 50kHz
Instead of producing sound with a piston-like diaphragm like most loudspeakers, ADAM Audio’s X-ART folded-ribbon tweeter uses a pleated diaphragm capable of moving air four times faster than the folds themselves are moving. Handcrafted to the tightest tolerances, the X-ART tweeter delivers ultra-low distortion and breathtaking highs up to 50kHz, enriching the soundfield with stunning detail and faithfully conveying every nuance of the source material so you can work over long periods without listening fatigue. Being handcrafted and meticulously tested in the ADAM’s Berlin laboratories, the X-ART high-frequency driver is a rare exception in these days of automated mass production.

Breathtaking bass response down to 23Hz
If you’ve ever heard a loud playback on the main monitors in a world-class studio, it’s a revelation. For the uninitiated, the first reaction is one of being overwhelmed. After you’ve caught your breath, the first thing you marvel at is the incredibly tight and deep bass. With the S6X’s ruler-flat frequency response down to 23Hz, you feel in your chest cavity the crush of a well-recorded kick drum, the full weight of organ pedal tones or a fat unison synth bass. To record frequencies this low, you need to be able to hear them. With the ADAM S6X, you can.

Engineered to deliver optimized low-frequency reproduction with extended dynamic range and freedom from coloration, the dual 12″ low-frequency drivers in the S6X are no off-the-shelf woofers. Designed from the ground up using proprietary ADAM technologies, each employs a rigid, yet low-mass HexaCone honeycomb driver cone; a highly efficient magnet assembly and precisely aligned voice coil; and an optimized driver chassis/basket design. The result is unparalleled low-frequency reproduction with exemplary transient response, even at extremely high volumes, without diaphragm breakup.

Powerful PWM amplification
With decades of experience in designing professional sound systems for recording and broadcast studios and venues of all sizes, Sweetwater understands that under-powering is never an option. Main monitors such as the S6X need authoritative power, and ADAM Audio obliges with a powerful proprietary 2,250-watt system that incorporates seven separate PWM amplifiers — one for each driver.

A large and complex top-class active monitor is a design challenge due to the heat generation of the high-power amplifiers used in this type of device. Thankfully, PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) amplifier technology has significantly improved in recent years in terms of the amount of generated heat that has to be dissipated. This has proved a major breakthrough with regard to reliability and long-term durability. Because all the heat is emitted through the front of the cabinet and heat sink temperatures remain moderate, the S6X can be soffit-mounted or flush-mounted into control room walls, just like the passive main monitors of yesteryear. Together with the built-in protection circuits; the low, constant temperatures of the S6X’s PWM amplifiers deliver reliable performance not possible with conventional Class AB amplifiers.

Control panel with sophisticated room acoustic adjustments
In addition to input sensitivity that can be adjusted by ±10dB, the S6X’s control panel features four other level controls for the individual amplifier modules. In addition, shelving filters at both ends of the frequency spectrum and three fully parametric EQs are on hand to help compensate for control room standing waves. The equalizers can be inserted individually or grouped so that their effect can be directly evaluated.

The monitoring systems of large scoring stage control rooms and film re-recording theaters have to simulate cinema sound. To accommodate this requirement, the S6X’s control panel includes an ISO 2969 standard Dolby X-Curve filter which engages a 3dB/octave roll-off starting at 2kHz. Below the front-panel input jack is an activation switch for the Dolby filter, eliminating the need for external processing during film mixing. The switchable front-panel XLR input is provided in addition to the rear input to facilitate set-up flexibility.

4-way symmetrical extended D’Appolito driver configuration
2 x 12″ HexaCone woofers and 2 x 9” HexaCone midbass drivers
X-ART tweeter and 2 X-ART midrange drivers, handcrafted in Berlin
Ultra-light, extremely dimensionally stable woofer material (HexaCone)
Spacious bass reflex ports on the front
Wide horizontal dispersion with solid stereo and multi-channel imaging
Directional sound radiation in vertical plane mitigates ceiling and floor reflexions
Highly efficient 2,250W PWM amplification with dedicated amp for each of the 7 drivers
Linear frequency response of 23Hz to 50kHz
Maximum peak sound pressure per pair at 1 m ≥ 133dB
Sophisticated onboard room acoustic adjustments
Analog XLR front and rear inputs
2 year warranty; optional extension to 3 years upon product registrationct
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