Adam S3A and/or Adam S2.5

[Jerry Gerber]

Does anyone have any comments, good, bad or indifferent to either of these
two monitors? I am thinking about replacing the Mackie HR824s. I am using
them for modern classical music (complex harmonies, orchestrations,
textures, counterpoint) produced using high-end sample libraries (Vienna
Symphonic Library). I am looking for a monitor that has a very smooth and
clear high end, a very detailed mid-range and particularly one that
translates well to other playback systems.

Thanks,

Jerry Gerber
www.jerrygerber.com

[Scott Dorsey]

In article . net>,
Jerry Gerber > wrote:
>Does anyone have any comments, good, bad or indifferent to either of these
>two monitors? I am thinking about replacing the Mackie HR824s. I am using
>them for modern classical music (complex harmonies, orchestrations,
>textures, counterpoint) produced using high-end sample libraries (Vienna
>Symphonic Library). I am looking for a monitor that has a very smooth and
>clear high end, a very detailed mid-range and particularly one that
>translates well to other playback systems.

The ADAMs have a much more etched and detailed top end, but it's not
fatiguing. They are definitely worth trying out, but you may find them
a little artificial on top. For the application that might not be bad
because they may exaggerate sample problems.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Jay Kadis]

In article . net>,
"Jerry Gerber" > wrote:

> Does anyone have any comments, good, bad or indifferent to either of these
> two monitors? I am thinking about replacing the Mackie HR824s. I am using
> them for modern classical music (complex harmonies, orchestrations,
> textures, counterpoint) produced using high-end sample libraries (Vienna
> Symphonic Library). I am looking for a monitor that has a very smooth and
> clear high end, a very detailed mid-range and particularly one that
> translates well to other playback systems.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jerry Gerber
> www.jerrygerber.com

We have used S3As for several years and find them quite detailed in the
midrange. A couple of listeners have criticized the high frequency
sound of the ribbon tweeters, but most people just plain love the sound.
We mainly use them for live concert electronic music playback but I have
listened to almost every kind of music on them and like the overall
sound a lot. I find their midrange sound is quite similar to the
Westlake BBSM-10s we have used in the studio for many years, very
revealing.

One thing I've noticed is their excellent imaging: the stereo image is
evident no matter where you stand between the loudspeakers. You can
even hear the left speaker clearly if you stand to the right of the
right speaker and I've never heard that on any other speaker system.
Also the illusion of 3D depth is quite convincing on the S3As.

We are upgrading a smaller studio system from HR824s to the new ADAM A7s
and the difference was significant even though the A7s are quite a bit
smaller than the 824s. From the 824s to the S3As would be a big
improvement. (It should be considering the difference in cost.)

-Jay

--
x------- Jay Kadis ------- x ---- Jay's Attic Studio ----x
x Lecturer, Audio Engineer x Dexter Records x
x CCRMA, Stanford University x http://www.offbeats.com/ x
x---------- http://ccrma.stanford.edu/~jay/ ------------x

[Harvey Gerst]

>Jerry Gerber > wrote:
>>Does anyone have any comments, good, bad or indifferent to either of these
>>two monitors? I am thinking about replacing the Mackie HR824s. I am using
>>them for modern classical music (complex harmonies, orchestrations,
>>textures, counterpoint) produced using high-end sample libraries (Vienna
>>Symphonic Library). I am looking for a monitor that has a very smooth and
>>clear high end, a very detailed mid-range and particularly one that
>>translates well to other playback systems.

The top end of the S3A's takes some getting use to, but it's a lovely
system that does translate well. The imaging is among the very best.

[Jerry Gerber]

Thank you Scott, Jay and Harvey. I am going to listen to a pair of S3As
today with music I know well (my own!).

Jerry Gerber
www.jerrygerber.com



"Harvey Gerst" > wrote in message
...
> >Jerry Gerber > wrote:
>>>Does anyone have any comments, good, bad or indifferent to either of
>>>these
>>>two monitors? I am thinking about replacing the Mackie HR824s. I am
>>>using
>>>them for modern classical music (complex harmonies, orchestrations,
>>>textures, counterpoint) produced using high-end sample libraries (Vienna
>>>Symphonic Library). I am looking for a monitor that has a very smooth
>>>and
>>>clear high end, a very detailed mid-range and particularly one that
>>>translates well to other playback systems.
>
> The top end of the S3A's takes some getting use to, but it's a lovely
> system that does translate well. The imaging is among the very best.

[Dan]

I was in the same scenario as you last year. I had the HR824s, which I
still have for sale if anybody is interested, and went to the S2.5. I
did a listening test before buying, and the S3A were too much bass for
me and my room. I love my S2.5s a lot. I am hearing things, both good
and bad, that I never heard before and the imaging really is superb!
No regrets here.


On Fri, 19 Jan 2007 02:28:54 GMT, "Jerry Gerber"
> wrote:

>Does anyone have any comments, good, bad or indifferent to either of these
>two monitors? I am thinking about replacing the Mackie HR824s. I am using
>them for modern classical music (complex harmonies, orchestrations,
>textures, counterpoint) produced using high-end sample libraries (Vienna
>Symphonic Library). I am looking for a monitor that has a very smooth and
>clear high end, a very detailed mid-range and particularly one that
>translates well to other playback systems.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Jerry Gerber
>www.jerrygerber.com
>
>
>

[Jerry Gerber]

Thanks for the replies. I went out and bought a pair of S3As today and am
working with them now. First thing I noticed was the enlarged "sweet spot":
and the bass is much more tight, focused and the melodic lines of the cellos
and basses are more clear. Yay! Still have to fine tune them to the
room...

Jerry Gerber
www.jerrygerber.com
www.jerrygerber.com/newmusic.htm


"Dan" > wrote in message
...
>I was in the same scenario as you last year. I had the HR824s, which I
> still have for sale if anybody is interested, and went to the S2.5. I
> did a listening test before buying, and the S3A were too much bass for
> me and my room. I love my S2.5s a lot. I am hearing things, both good
> and bad, that I never heard before and the imaging really is superb!
> No regrets here.
>
>
> On Fri, 19 Jan 2007 02:28:54 GMT, "Jerry Gerber"
> > wrote:
>
>>Does anyone have any comments, good, bad or indifferent to either of these
>>two monitors? I am thinking about replacing the Mackie HR824s. I am
>>using
>>them for modern classical music (complex harmonies, orchestrations,
>>textures, counterpoint) produced using high-end sample libraries (Vienna
>>Symphonic Library). I am looking for a monitor that has a very smooth and
>>clear high end, a very detailed mid-range and particularly one that
>>translates well to other playback systems.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Jerry Gerber
>>www.jerrygerber.com
>>
>>
>>