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 kindly sent a demo set of T8V monitors prior to this announcement for us to review. In this article we tell you everything you need to know about ADAM’s latest T8V T-Series low cost studio monitors as well as share my first impressions on these larger than life monitors based on my two weeks spent with them.

ADAM Audio T-Series Monitors - Then And Now

Berlin-based loudspeaker manufacture ADAM Audio debuted their first ever proper attempt at entering the budget studio monitor market with the T-Series back in 2018 offering a small form factor T5V 5” model and slightly larger T7V which in our tests both proved very capable indeed. Considering how cost-effective these are I wondered why anyone with budgets up to $400 for new studio monitors would consider buying anything else.

A year after the launch of the T-Series ADAM Audio introduced a dedicated subwoofer to complement both the T5V and T7V for those in need of a little extra low-end reach. Called the T10S, this $400 sub comes equipped with a 130 watt Class D amplifier and boasts a respectable frequency response of 120 Hz down to 32 Hz. Unlike many other subwoofers in this price range the T10S features an internal adjustable two-channel crossover which is handy for calibration.

ADAM Audio T8V Technical Information

• U-ART 1.9" Accelerated Ribbon Tweeter

• Polypropylene 8" woofer and rear-firing bass-reflex port

• Max. peak SPL at 1 m per pair: 118 dB

• Built-in Amplifiers: 2 x Class-D

• Amplifier Power U-ART Tweeter: 20 W [RMS]

• Amplifier Power Woofer:70 W [RMS]

• Frequency Response: 33 Hz – 25 kHz (Please note that without tolerances e.g.+/-3dB, frequency response figures can’t be compared between models)

• Crossover Frequency: 2.6 kHz

• Analog Inputs: XLR, RCA

• H x W x D: 400 mm x 250 mm x 335 mm

• Weight: 9,8 kg [21,6 lb]

• Warranty: 2 years plus 3 years upon product registration in the MyADAM user area

What Do ADAM Audio Say About The New T8V T-Series 2-Way Active Studio Monitors?

The T8V was designed around the same technology, features and build quality as the T5V and T7V. The T8V impresses with a multitude of features bringing real benefits to the user including the U-ART tweeter’s 4:1 velocity transfer ratio, in combination with the new Class D amplifiers’ high dynamic range, yield respective max peak SPL of 118 dB per pair.

The tweeter, which extends up to 25 kHz, works as a team with the HPS Waveguide. This allows an optimal radiation of the high frequencies, which means the advantage of a more controlled, larger usable sweet spot during monitoring. With a bass extension down to 33 Hz, the T8V is especially suitable for users who produce bass-heavy music.

The T8V is the perfect studio speaker for those who have always wanted to work with an 8“ monitor from ADAM Audio, but where budgets have been insufficient. The 5-year warranty gives users additional security and the certainty of having purchased a quality product.

First Impressions Listening To And Working With ADAM Audio’s T8V Studio Monitors

For the past 13 years I have used a set of ADAM Audio monitor my studio. You could say I’m an ADAM Audio fanboy, but in reality my bond with ADAM Audio monitors runs far deeper. I simply trust ADAM’s speaker technology and thoroughly enjoy every experience I have tracking and mixing through them.

I’ve replaced my 13 year old ADAM Audio P22A monitors for this test which coincidentally also have 8” drivers. I mention this as I refer to these old school monitors as a comparable monitor and as a point of reference for my findings.

Our second smaller home studio setup has a set of T5V T-Series which we love and, most importantly, trust just as much as the big P22As when signing off mission critical audio productions for clients.

With the disclaimer out of the way, let’s get into first impressions…

The set of T8V we received for testing were factory fresh. After a few days of burning these in I put the T8Vs to work on typical day to day studio duties. What surprised me in the first few days of using the T8V monitors was the level of detail throughout the range and how similar these sounded to my P22A monitors which back in 2007 cost me over three times the price of the T8V.

Not only did the performance impress me but also the huge sweet spot. I found I could move at least one meter left and right out of my central listening position with the T8Vs remaining consistent sounding. This has never been the case with my older P22As which would sound lumpy when listening even slightly off-axis. Having a wide and uniform left to right balance is extremely useful if, like me, you have outboard gear either side of your main mix position that you reach for frequently.

Obviously room acoustics and monitor placement factor enormously in getting optimal performance from any studio monitor. For reference, listed below are details on how the T8Vs were setup in my studio during our time with them:

• Room Dimensions: 3.6m by 4.75m

• Monitor Stands: The T8Vs were placed on Ultimate Support fixed height monitor stands filled with sand for extra rigidity

• Distance: The monitors were positioned 45cm from the front wall and 75cm from the side walls

• Height: The monitors were positioned for the tweeters to be at ear height.

What Controls Do ADAM Audio's T8V Monitors Have On The Back?

On the rear of the T8V is a range of basic controls and connectors you find in most monitors in this price range and also throughout the T-Series. Apart of the on/off switch and IEC connection for power, there are two choices of inputs on offer - Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA along with switches for LF and HF shelving filters which can be used to boost or cut 2 dB for tuning the response of the monitor. While having these switches for tweaking the monitor’s tone is welcome I found the effects very subtle.

A single knob on the back for controlling monitor level is also present though sadly this, like in other T-series monitors, isn’t stepped which can make matching levels between multiple monitors a little challenging. The cheap feel to the level knob isn't a deal-breaker, though it is a shame that none of the T-Series have front-mounted LEDs indicating power or clip warning lights for when extreme levels may be pushing the monitors too hard when tracking.

How Do ADAM Audio T8V Compare To The T7V?

Truth be told, there is very little in it between the original T7V and new T8V. In the UK the T8V will cost around £259 including VAT for a single monitor which is considerably more than £159 for the slightly smaller T7V. Apart from the evident 1-inch driver increase in the T8V over the T7V the frequency response can reach slightly lower to 33 Hz, down from 39 Hz in the T7V.

When testing the T7V a few years ago I compared my 8" P22A monitors alongside them. My notes from this test stated that I felt the T7Vs sounded almost as big and as detailed as my larger 8" monitors, which in my opinion is high praise for a budget monitor. I feel the value in these new T8V is in its ability to sound better than expensive ADAM Audio monitors of old. The T8V are so impressive I am considering putting my money where my mouth is to replace my old P22As with the T8Vs as to my ears. These really do sound and feel like an upgrade which is insane given the price.

Verdict - Why Buy Anything Else?

The entire T-Series range of budget friendly studio monitors retains that ADAM Audio signature sound that many ADAM Audio users instantly recognise and trust in ADAM's higher-end products. The T8V is a welcome addition to the T-Series range and cater for those fortunate enough to work in larger studios which generally work well with monitors that could be considered almost midfeild over nearfield.

For roughly £500 for a set of T8V you may be hard pressed finding another set of monitors that can provide you with a sweetspot this wide with detail comparable in style and performance to much more expensive ADAM Audio monitors of old.

Visit ADAM Audio to learn more about the T8V.

The new T8V will be available by end of May 2020