In this review, I’ll be taking a look at the Adam Audio A4V powered studio monitors.
I’m a fairly big fan of Adam Audio, and the company has yet to let me down in terms of the quality of their products and the cost-to-value ratio that comes with them. Let’s see if the A4V change my opinion.
Final verdict on the Adam A4V
While the A4V may not be the most perfect monitor in existence, it’s pretty close for a 4-inch. Considering what you get for the price, I can’t recommend them enough. Especially if you work in a slightly smaller studio.
What I like
- Great sound reproduction.
- Little distortion.
- Flat frequency response.
What I don’t like
- Front ports lead to small amounts of cancellation.
Why you should trust me
I’m a producer, composer, and audio engineer with a decade’s worth of experience in the music industry.
I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with a diverse range of gear and monitoring setups, working with brands like Yamaha, Neumann, Genelec, and more.
My extensive familiarity with myriad recording techniques positions me to provide you with insights that bridge the gap from technical intricacies to practical applications.
So, when it comes to trusting this review, you can rely on my expertise and experience in the field.
Power and frequency response 5.0
The Adam A4V has a frequency response of 58 Hz – 41 kHz (-3 dB) and a maximum SPL of 100 dB at the one meter mark.
The default settings for the monitor make its overall sound signature rather bright, although this can be attenuated using the broad filters or with higher placement.
Overall, the frequency response is fairly flat with minor exceptions. Most noticeably at 650 Hz and 4 kHz where it peaks, and a narrow trough placed at 1 kHz.
It might be helpful to use a parametric EQ to make up for these deficiencies, especially around 1 kHz which makes the sound generally less bright.
In terms of dynamic and power capabilities, the monitor is excellent. I noticed very little distortion when listening at more extreme volumes, and when distortion was present it was fairly gentle.
Also, due to front facing ports, I noticed some slight cancellation. Not the biggest issue, but I definitely wish they were placed in the back.
As per usual, Adam Audio has made a speaker that performs remarkably well. More impressive that they managed to do this for a 4-inch monitor, which is not easy at least as power handling is concerned.
I/O and controls 5.0
All inputs, outputs, and parameters have been implemented well. Everything is located on the rear panel in a straightforward and user-friendly layout.
Starting at the top you will see your Room Adaptation controls, which are accompanied by a simple graph with LED lights to signify where exactly you have the filters set.
Left to right, the rotary dials allow you to attenuate bass, desk, presence, and treble.
Underneath we have an RJ45 input for remote control, a rotary control for Voicing Select (Pure, UNR, Ext), as well as a master volume control (-12 dB to 12 dB).
The monitor features both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs, with a switch to select between the two.
Finally, at the bottom of the rear panel, is a power socket and the On/Off switch.
Build quality 4.0
The build is robust, and surprisingly heavy for the size of the speakers. I find the design rather tasteful, with the iconic yellow tweeters.
The one downfall in the overall design here, is that the ports are not located on the rear of the monitor. Front placement causes a slight amount of cancellation as well as more mud.
Compared to other studio monitors
While these Adams are undoubtedly some of the best studio monitors to buy under $1000, here are a few other options to compare against the A4V.
Adam A4V vs Neumann KH 80 DSP
The KH 80 and the the A4V are not only comparable in price, but in the quality of their performance as well. Both are nominally flat, and both are more ideal for smaller-sized studios.
The Neumanns have a slightly wider sweet spot than the Adams, as well as built-in DSP processing making them slightly more flexible across a broad variety of setups and spaces.
However, both sets of monitors are well worth the money. You can’t go wrong with either of them.
See Neumann KH 80 DSP’s current price
Adam A4V vs Focal Alpha 50 Evo
The Focal Alphas are slightly bigger, and slightly less expensive. It’s not a perfect comparison but it’s close.
Honestly, you can’t really go wrong with either of these speakers. Both have a relatively flat frequency response and both are priced fairly similarly. The A4V have a wider frequency response (58 Hz – 41 kHz) as compared to the 50 Evo (45 Hz – 22 kHz).
See Focal Alpha 50 Evo’s current price
Adam A4V vs Genelec 8020D
The general consensus is that anything Genelec has to offer is the crème de la crème of audio monitoring. However, with the Genelecs you might want to invest in a subwoofer.
The same can be said for the Adam A4V but they have slightly more low end information, so you could potentially get away with not getting a sub right away.
Read the full Genelec 8020D review
Who are the Adam Audio A4V best suited for?
The Adam A4V monitors are best suited for professional engineers with slightly smaller studios who are looking for high-quality studio monitors.
The Adams are not without their flaws, but for a 4-inch speaker it’s one of the better options available to you.
See current price at: SweetwaterAmazonVideo demo
Watch this video by my colleague Fabio, where he puts the Adam Audio A4V studio monitors to the test.
