TEST: Adam Sub10 Mk2

I don't have exact figures, but I'm quite sure that the subwoofer / satellite constellation is the predominant composition in budget studios, probably even in professional studios. The arguments of the proponents of direct radiating systems and the woofer friends are endless and will probably never really be decided. But they probably don't have to be, since everyone has their own opinion regarding space, weight, price, control room dimensions and dispersion below 300 Hz. For the subwoofer advocates, the Berlin company Adam Audio has a professional subwoofer called Adam Sub10 Mk2 on offer, which contrary to expectations is not made in China, but in Germany. I presume to award a plus point for this fact alone in the run-up to the test due to the current economic and political situation. 

 The concept of the Adam Sub10 Mk2 

To introduce the Berlin company Adam Audio would mean carrying owls to Athens. The company has already been working in the high-end area of loudspeaker manufacturing for 23 years and is mentioned in the same breath as the other big names in the industry, especially due to the development of their X-ART tweeter, which is based on the principle of air motion tweeter technology. Today's test, however, will focus on the diametrically aligned frequency range, the bass frequencies. These are always a challenge due to the significantly increased demands in terms of performance and dispersion / directional behavior, especially when it comes to smaller control rooms. To say it up front, if you have a typical home recording control room of 10 - 15 sqm, you can skip this test with a clear conscience, as the performance data of the Adam Sub10 Mk2 is designed for larger rooms. In order to be able to seriously evaluate the waveforms in the bass range, you need at least a medium sized control room in terms of dimensions, and in terms of square meters, you are welcome to go up. 

 Although the power of 200 watts RMS is still within the "normal" range for a home recording studio, the dimensions of (W x H x D): 300 mm x 550 mm x 400 mm and the weight of 21 kg clearly indicate the targeted clientele, which is concluded in a retail price of 1,149, - €. The workmanship of the Adam Sub10 Mk2 is outstanding, even when looking very closely at the details in terms of paint or fitting accuracy, not even the smallest impurity can be detected. 

The first impression of the Adam Sub10 Mk2 

When you look at the Adam Sub10 Mk2 for the first time after unpacking, you'll notice two things that set it apart from the competition. First of all, there is the 10 inch speaker, which stands out with a very large dome and an expansive and voluminous surround. In addition, the diaphragm is very tightly suspended, which is guaranteed to be reflected in the impulse behavior. The second unusual point are the very high feet of the system, which after all have a height of 6 cm. However, another look at the bottom explains this unusual elevation of the cabinet. The bass reflex port is indeed located at the bottom of the enclosure and, as expected, requires a minimum of air circulation to intervene meaningfully in the frequency spectrum. In terms of appearance, the reflex port offers a comparison to a trumpet, especially since the reflex tube extends very deep into the cabinet. The scope of delivery also includes four stick-on, softer felt gliders, which give the comparatively hard designed feet a softer touch and provide protection on harder floors. Furthermore, the Adam Sub10 Mk2 comes with a power cord upon delivery. The front of the Adam Sub10 Mk2 contains two LEDs, which inform about the operating status (On / Standby). Should the woofer ever become overloaded, the lower standby LED will flash red. 

The back of the Adam Sub10 Mk2 

All the control and switching functions of the Adam Sub10 Mk2 have been placed on the back of the cabinet. Interestingly, despite the professional orientation of the product, the budget department was not disregarded. In addition to the two left / right inputs and the two satellite outs, both of which are designed as standard in XLR lockable, both connections are also available in RCA, perhaps to be able to sound the local party cellar if necessary. Via an electronically buffered Sub Out, which receives the input signal unchanged, several woofers can be connected in series in the daisy chain principle to provide adequate sound even in larger rooms. Two additional rotary controls calibrate the volume of the Adam Sub10 Mk2 and the crossover frequency to the satellites. The volume control passes the signal at 0 dB 1:1 to the power amplifier and allows a regulation from -60 dB to +6 dB. The crossover frequency is continuously adjustable from 50 - 150 Hz, while the woofer response is specified at 25 - 150 Hz. 

Three additional push switches allow further adjustments: 

- Mode: this switch sets whether the woofer turns off after 15 minutes without an applied signal, or whether it stays on all the time. Due to power saving, the signal - on mode is recommended. 

- Satellite Filter: Here you can set whether the satellites are operated flat without bass limiting, or whether a high-pass filter is set at 85 Hz. My personal experience speaks in favor of setting a high-pass filter, since the satellites work much more relaxed in this case due to the lower bass load. 

- Subwoofer Phase: Probably the most important switch on any subwoofer. It is well known that the calibration of the subwoofer and its positioning is decisive for the sound and must be carried out meticulously in any case. Exact instructions can be found on the web in abundance, so I will spare myself a further explanation of what is to be considered in the positioning of a woofer. Said switch enables the 180 degree phase rotation, with which one can already effect quite a bit with the correct positioning. As you can see, the Adam Sub10 Mk2 is very clearly structured, which makes it much more difficult to operate it incorrectly. Regarding the crossover frequencies and the positioning of the woofer in the room, I recommend not only to consult the commercially available hardware or software solutions, but also to find the optimal point for the placement of the woofer with very simple solutions like walking around the room. Only from the notorious placement in the corner (each wall increases the sound pressure of the woofer by about 6 dB, that is, a placement in the corner increases the sound pressure by 18 dB) I can only advise against. Even if the first listening impression sometimes seems very voluminous, the precision of the sound usually suffers immensely. 

In practice 

According to Adam Audio, the Adam Sub10 Mk2 needs a few days of operation to settle in. So if the system sounds a bit "brittle" or "stiff" during initial operation, this is normal. Especially woofers have to be built extremely torsionally stiff in order to be able to counteract the occurring forces, which can lead to a latent "hard" sound at the beginning, but this will disappear with time. Already at the first notes the class of the Adam Sub10 Mk2 becomes apparent. Before I even started setting up the woofer, the system convinces with an incredibly finely defined basic sound, which should not change until the end of the test operation. The system sounds very voluminous and yet tight, so that even the low bass range below 50 Hz is still reproduced very cleanly and accentuated. This definition is maintained even at high volumes, so you wouldn't want to change much at first. Adam Audio, however, goes one better, as long as you have found the optimal transfer point to the satellites, especially with the help of the high-pass filter. However, you should also perfectly match the setup of the satellites here, otherwise phase problems can occur. But once this area has been clarified, the Adam Sub10 Mk2 really convinces in all points. Even with a very critical approach, I couldn't find a weak point in the system, which ultimately has to lead to the highest score. A really recorded studio subwoofer! 

Conclusion 

With the Adam Sub10 Mk2, the Berlin manufacturer carries an outstanding studio subwoofer in its portfolio. The system convinces all along the line with a very defined and voluminous sound, very good workmanship and a practical concept that covers all important points of operation. Who is looking for a very good sounding woofer from German manufacturing for medium to large control rooms, should definitely test the Adam Sub10 Mk2 once! 

Additional Informations: 

- Adam Audio is a German company that specializes in designing and manufacturing high-end studio monitors and loudspeakers for professional audio applications. The company was founded in 1999 by Klaus Heinz and Roland Stenz, who were previously involved in designing loudspeakers for other well-known audio companies. Adam Audio's product range includes active and passive studio monitors, subwoofers, and other audio accessories. Their products are known for their high-quality sound and precision, and are widely used in recording studios, mastering facilities, and broadcast facilities around the world. One of the key features of Adam Audio's monitors is their unique Accelerating Ribbon Technology (ART), which uses a folded ribbon tweeter to provide a high-frequency response that is both accurate and detailed. This technology is used in many of Adam Audio's products, including the flagship S-Series monitors. Adam Audio also places a strong emphasis on the design and construction of their products, with many of their speakers featuring proprietary drivers and advanced cabinet designs. In addition, the company uses advanced measurement techniques and computer modeling to ensure that their products have a flat frequency response and accurate sound reproduction. In recent years, Adam Audio has expanded its product range to include a range of affordable studio monitors, such as the T-Series and the entry-level SP-5 headphones. Despite this, the company has continued to maintain its focus on high-quality audio performance, and its products are used by many of the world's top audio professionals. Overall, Adam Audio is a well-respected brand in the professional audio industry, known for its high-quality products, innovative technology, and commitment to sound quality. 

- A subwoofer is a type of loudspeaker that is designed to reproduce low-frequency sounds, typically in the range of 20 to 200 Hz. These sounds are often felt as much as heard, and can add depth and impact to music, movies, and other audio content. The primary way that a subwoofer works is by using a large driver, typically between 8 and 18 inches in diameter, that is specifically designed to move large volumes of air at low frequencies. This driver is mounted in a specialized enclosure, or cabinet, that is designed to optimize the subwoofer's performance by controlling the movement of the air and minimizing distortion. When a subwoofer receives an audio signal, the driver begins to move back and forth in response to the electrical signal. As the driver moves back and forth, it causes the air inside the cabinet to move as well, creating sound waves that radiate out into the room. Because the driver is designed to move a large volume of air, it is able to reproduce the low-frequency sounds that other speakers may not be able to handle, such as deep bass notes in music or rumbling sound effects in movies. One of the key challenges in designing a subwoofer is controlling distortion. Because low-frequency sounds require a lot of energy to produce, it is easy for the driver to become overworked and produce distortion, which can result in a muddy or unclear sound. To combat this, subwoofers often use advanced technologies such as high-quality drivers, specialized enclosures, and advanced signal processing to minimize distortion and produce clean, accurate sound. In addition to providing low-frequency sound, a subwoofer can also help to improve the overall sound quality of an audio system by taking some of the burden off of other speakers. By handling the low-frequency sounds, a subwoofer can allow other speakers in the system to focus on reproducing midrange and high-frequency sounds, which can result in a more balanced and natural sound. Overall, subwoofers are an important component of many audio systems, particularly in settings such as home theaters and music studios where accurate, high-quality sound is essential. By reproducing low-frequency sounds with accuracy and power, subwoofers can help to create a more immersive and engaging audio experience.