TEST: Eve audio SC 3070

Regardless of the industry, whoever dares to "penetrate" a closed product system either has to rattle a lot to draw attention to his product, or he convinces with exceptional qualities and has staying power. For the Berlin-based loudspeaker manufacturer Eve Audio, the second is undoubtedly true, as the company around founder Roland Stenz has left behind plenty of scent marks in the high-end studio monitor sector since its founding in 2011. Anyone who messes with the top dogs of the industry in the style of Genelec, Neumann and Dynaudio must indeed expect a lot of headwind, but Roland Stenz probably got the necessary tenacity in his GDR education in the field of radio and television technology up to the shareholder of ADAM Audio GmbH. With the EVE Audio SC3070, we have a comparatively compact midfiled monitor as the newest member of the company portfolio for testing.

The construction of the EVE Audio SC3070

As with almost all Eve Audio products, the EVE Audio SC3070 has DSP technology built in, the construction of which we will read about later. The monitor has a three-way system, but not as often used in pure column arrangement was installed, but with a linear arrangement in the tweeter and midrange with external placement of the Tietöner. Due to the design, there is therefore always a left and a right box version, this should be considered when buying. With a price of €1,699 each, Eve Audio therefore also bumps directly into the Neumann KH 310 A category, which are known to have a very good reputation and are a worthy competitor.

Let's first take a look at the speaker lineup of the EVE Audio SC3070. According to the claim of a midfiled system, the speaker must have enough headroom to evenly and "relaxed" acoustically illuminate medium-sized rooms, which is taken over by a total of 335 watts per speaker at a maximum SPL of 120 dB per pair, with 185 watts for the 6.5-inch woofer, 100 watts for the 4-inch midrange and 50 watts for the tweeter. As with all Eve Audio speaker cabinets with 3 or more paths, the comparatively generous power rating of the midrange driver is noticeable here, an indication of the focus on very good midrange reproduction, with which other Eve Audio monitors have already scored. The frequency response is specified with 35 - 25000 Hz, the crossover frequencies are at 320 and 2800 Hz.

The corporate identity of the Eve Audio family can already be seen at first glance with regard to the individual speakers. Once again, woofers and midrange drivers consist of a fiberglass-coated honeycomb cone, which due to their low weights react very quickly to impulses, but in combination with a soft suspension still have the necessary torsional stiffness at strong deflections. Equally characteristic of the Eve Audio sound is the RS3 Air Motion tweeter, which is now also very popular in many large studios due to its balanced sound behavior. To protect the tweeter from external influences, a protective grille is included with the speakers, which magnetically adheres to the tweeter surround.

With the dimensions (W x H x D): 340 mm x 250 mm x 310 mm, the system must be described as extremely compact for a midfield system. The weight of 9.8 kg is also comparatively moderate, but one should always keep in mind that the speakers require a proper stand or other appropriately equipped support. A placement on the desktop is not possible for haptic reasons. However, the comparatively large depth of the monitor in relation to its lateral expansion is striking, a fact that will probably be noticeable in the bass reproduction.

The back

The back of the EVE Audio SC3070 is tidy and is limited to the important basic elements along with the bass reflex port, which is located diagonally behind the woofer. In addition to the power socket and the power switch, we also have the option of voltage selection. Via three DIP switches we can choose between two different input sensitivities (+7 dBu / +22 dBu) and the (de-) activation of the internal filters or the volume control. As input connectors there are balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA. All inputs are analog, there is no digital input.

The DSP control

As already mentioned, the EVE Audio SC3070 has an active DSP management, which is reflected in particular in an elaborate sound control. Via a push potentiometer, which is enclosed by an LED ring, several functions can be controlled at once and their settings checked by pressing the button, moving the illuminated LED to the area to be processed and then pressing it again. The following controls are possible:

Activate Standby Mode
Volume Adjustment: The volume setting can be adjusted in steps of 2 to 0.5 dB, depending on the volume range.
Low Filter: A shelving bass boost / bass cut, which boosts or cuts all frequencies below 300 Hz in 0.5 dB steps
High Filter: the same as in the bass range, only all frequencies above 3 kHz
Mid Filter: A bandpass filter that allows boosting/cutting up to 3 dB in 0.5 dB steps at 1 kHz.
Desk Filter: A special frequency processing that compensates for the desktop's radiation pattern by boosting frequencies at 80 Hz and cutting them at 160 Hz, also adjustable in 0.5 dB steps.

Should anyone feel disturbed by the LED wreath, it can also be optically deactivated completely.

The EVE Audio SC3070 in practice

Two points are the first to strike the listener as soon as you hear the first sounds from the speakers. The first is the very powerful bass that can be produced by the speaker even without a subwoofer. Due to the small cabinet dimensions, you really wouldn't expect this strong presence from the monitors, especially as far as the real low bass range below about 80 Hz is concerned. However, those who have already dealt a bit with the Eve Audio portfolio will already know the disproportionately good bass reproduction from the company's near field monitors. Even in the flat EQ setting, the bass range is very well defined and does not require any further adjustment, at least in my rooms. Even heavily bass-heavy productions are transmitted cleanly and accurately, no droning, no unnecessary "thickening" and thanks to the strong power reserves even in medium to higher volumes an accentuated reproduction.

The second point that comes to the fore is the midrange reproduction of the system. Especially if you are characterized by the 2-way near-field monitors, the basic sound of the EVE Audio SC3070 seems a bit "harsh", but this is due to the additional midrange driver. It transmits exactly the frequencies that are often lost due to the crossover frequency in 2-way systems. This significantly better transmission is particularly noticeable in the area of guitars and vocals, so that you need a certain listening time to train your brain to the changed basic sound.

Once this is done, however, the EVE Audio SC3070 proves to be a real game changer for many users, especially in the area of guitar sounds. You won't believe the details you suddenly perceive that remain hidden with various other monitors. In cooperation with the Air Motion Transformer, the box generates a very high resolution and excellent detail.

Eve Audio has also succeeded very well in getting a grip on the higher risk of phase problems that is inherent in the design of 3-way systems. I could not detect any problems during the entire test phase. It almost goes without saying that the system acoustically reproduces the usual parameters such as depth, phantom center, impulse behavior, etc. very well.

All in all, the EVE Audio SC3070 convinces in all areas, it was really not possible for me to find a point of criticism in the construction or the sound. One or the other will possibly criticize the absence of digital inputs, but that's about it.

Conclusion

With the EVE Audio SC3070, the Berlin-based company has another ace up its portfolio sleeve. Anyone who is in the transition area from nearfield to midfield and wants to expand their monitoring fleet with a 3-way system, is absolutely right with the system.

The monitor convinces with a strong bass response, a very good impulse response and last but not least, by the now legendary Eve Audio midrange reproduction, which increases the richness of detail of the sound material many times over.

If you are looking for an extremely compact midfield monitor with outstanding sound characteristics, you should definitely test the EVE Audio SC3070, it's worth it!

Additional informations:

Eve Audio is a prominent company specializing in the design and manufacturing of high-quality professional studio monitors. Founded in 2011, the company has gained recognition for its commitment to delivering exceptional audio reproduction solutions to the audio industry. This report provides a detailed overview of Eve Audio, covering various aspects such as history, product range, technologies, reputation, and future prospects.

History and Background
Eve Audio was established by Roland Stenz, a well-respected audio engineer and speaker designer with extensive experience in the pro audio industry. With a vision to create studio monitors that accurately represent the artist's intentions, Stenz assembled a team of audio professionals and engineers to develop innovative and cutting-edge solutions. Over the years, the company has become synonymous with excellence in speaker design and has earned a reputation for its meticulous attention to detail.

Product Range
Eve Audio offers a diverse range of studio monitors tailored to meet the needs of audio professionals, producers, engineers, and musicians. Their product line includes nearfield, midfield, and main studio monitors, as well as subwoofers and accessories. Each monitor is crafted with precision and utilizes advanced technologies to deliver an accurate, transparent, and detailed sound reproduction.

Technologies and Innovation
Eve Audio prides itself on employing state-of-the-art technologies in their studio monitors. One of their notable innovations is the Air Motion Transformer (AMT) technology, which is integrated into many of their models. The AMT technology provides a higher sound resolution, extended frequency response, and reduced distortion compared to traditional dome tweeters. This innovation has positioned Eve Audio as a leader in the field of studio monitor design.

Additionally, Eve Audio incorporates other advanced technologies such as proprietary DSP (Digital Signal Processing) algorithms, high-quality woofers, and amplifiers to ensure optimal performance and accuracy across their product range.

Reputation and Industry Recognition
Eve Audio has earned an excellent reputation within the audio industry due to the superior quality and performance of their studio monitors. Their products have garnered widespread acclaim from professional audio engineers, producers, and musicians worldwide. Numerous industry experts have praised Eve Audio for their attention to detail, accurate sound reproduction, and exceptional build quality. The company's commitment to customer satisfaction has contributed significantly to their positive reputation.

Customer Support and Warranty
Eve Audio places a strong emphasis on customer support and satisfaction. They provide comprehensive technical support to assist users in setting up and optimizing their studio monitor systems. Additionally, the company offers a generous warranty on their products, ensuring that customers receive reliable and long-lasting equipment.

Future Outlook
As Eve Audio continues to innovate and refine their studio monitor designs, their future prospects appear promising. The company has shown a commitment to staying at the forefront of audio technology, consistently introducing new models and incorporating the latest advancements into their product range. With a growing customer base and increasing recognition in the industry, Eve Audio is well-positioned to continue its success and expand its presence in the global market.

Conclusion
Eve Audio has established itself as a leading provider of high-quality studio monitors, admired for their commitment to precision, innovation, and customer satisfaction. With a strong history, a diverse product range, cutting-edge technologies, and a solid reputation in the industry, Eve Audio is poised to shape the future of professional audio reproduction.