I know it's an old video but I noticed one mistake that really deserves a rectification. The Adam S3H is doing 30 Hz - 50 kHz at - 20 dB, not +/- 3 dB. In practice this monitor starts to roll off fast once it's below 45 Hz. The HEDD Type 30 digs much deeper with 32 Hz - 50 kHz at +/- 3 dB, not just on paper, but in practice too. With the S3H I would want a subwoofer to be able to hear clearly and easily down to 30 Hz, with the Type 30 I don't need a subwoofer for that. It's a smart move by Adam to provide frequency response numbers based on -20 dB, it tricks people in believing that it can dig really deep, even deeper than it's brother from another mother (Type 30), when in reality, it's not even that close.
Great job, you went over a ton of helpful information. Thank you for doing a video on these, you know your stuff. Trying to decide on a upgrade Cheers from Michigan
EXCELLENT REVIEW JOEL ... JUST SUBBED ! I WAS ABOUT TO BUY THE ADAM AUDIO A8H ACTIVE STUDIO MONITORS BUT AFTER SEEING YOUR REVIEW I'M VERY TAKEN WITH THE HEDD Type 30 BUT WAS WANTING MORE DSP INPUT / OUTPUT CAPABILTY ON THE REAR. AS I PRECRIBE TO THE THEORY STUDIO MONITORS PERFORM BEST WHEN THEY ARE OF A DSP NATURE AND KEEP THE SIGNAL IN THE DIGITAL FORM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS IS THE AGE OF LOSSLESS UNCOMPRESSED AUDIO. EG.) DTS-MASTER AUDIO, DOLBY ATMOS, MERIDIAN MHR ETC;
Anyone know the rubber type material used on the HEDD? Does it have a shelf life? Would hate to purchase a pair at 5k only to find in 5-10 years time they start to decompose...
How did you feed the adams a digital signal? Ive been looking online for an interface that outputs an aes3 signal and they are really hard to find. Could let me know how you went about it?
For this test, I used an Aurender server directly connected to one S3H, digitally looped-thru to the other. They sound radically better this way. I've also used a few different USB > AES converters with the ADAMs - most work fine. Some multi-format digital converters also permit SPDIF > AES. Most (but not all) USB converters allow software volume control (in the OS, or under the app) on the DAW or digital source, but you do lose some transparency. Best SQ comes from using each monitor's on-board attenuation, one channel at a time.
i'd be interested in knowing the difference between those and lets say a7x or s2v with properly dialed in stereo sub setup. (2 adam sub 10mkII or sub8 for instance)
@@rameron9 HEDD's tweeter sounds more natural to me, but the mid unit on the S3H is a shade better for detail and transparency, and the S3H has chunkier lows. The HEDD is a sweeter, purer listen with acoustic instruments - a bit like the little Dynaudios. Both are way beyond 'good enough' in terms of accuracy and translation: the difference is more about the flavour of sound you want to sit in front of all day, and the type of music you're working with, or listening to.
The tweeter gets the publicity, but no doubt the ADAM mid dome is the hero of the S-range. To sum up: the S3H has fatter bass and more open mids, but the HEDD tweeter is more refined. Feed the ADAMs AES for best results.
Maybe "someone" should bring these €€€€ studio monitors $$$$$ out of the Stone Age. Instead of poking around for tiny buttons in a dark room and going physically to each and every speaker, how about using an RJ-45 port for wired Ethernet or Wi-Fi and control these monitors that way from an touchscreen monitor or tablet?
Why would I use a 3 way monitor with a subwoofer, when the whole point of the 3 way is to not use a subwoofer at all and avoid all those problems created by them! 32Hz is already enough to not get a subwoofer, but if you want lower than 30, you don't go for these monitors at all in the first place.
For near-field monitoring, you have a point: either could be considered good enough for most applications. Look at it this way, though: if you were in the market for a pair of subwoofers to supplement bridge-mounts, would you consider a dual 5-inch model rated to 32Hz an endgame solution? Also, if you needed to energise a 20m3+ space with a listening position more than 3m away, well-placed subs up your game considerably. Whatever the listening triangle, subs unload the monitor's bass amps+drivers from the lowest frequencies, which tends to deliver more detail and a bit more dynamic range. Although it wouldn't be my first recommendation, for instance, ADAM S3-H + subs is a chunky step up from S2V + subs. Sometimes more is more. Although a pair of two-ways and a single sub is textbook, that's a configuration I rarely recommend unless the budget is tight. But everything depends on the room: in a tiny, badly-treated space, even a pair of 8-inch two-ways can be overkill!
@@ItemAudio Hello ! really digging your reviews :) i have a big question ! currently in the market for a new pair of speakers ( used to have Naumann KH120's + a custom subwoofer (1200 euros or so) . My setup is a DJ booth ( 2 Technics, 2 CDJ mixer and a rotary mixer "E&S DJR 400". My output from this mixer is balanced XLR's (analog i suppose) . My main worry is that the Adams seem to shine in their digital input and not so much in analog. Which speaker will best suit my need between the S3H and the type 30 you think? Bear in mind that i do not produce, i just want the best listening experience for Dj'ing techno records at home ! Thank you in advance
@@zadou99 You would have to audition them to be sure, but I can tell you that from the people we've demmed both to, by a small margin, pros tend to favour the ADAMs and audiophiles the HEDDs. The Type 20s and Type 30s confound expectations of what studio monitors sound like: the refined tweeter sits in a home listening environment very comfortably. S3H sound like very good monitors. You could build a great system around either, but I recommend smooth, natural-sounding ancillaries more strongly with the ADAMs - in particular, well screened cables (continuous cast are a good fit) and sources with clean, well-behaved power supplies. The ADAMs especially will be obnoxious with cheap digital sources - ie, revealing them warts-and-all. Good vinyl front ends sound great with the S3H.
Not necessarily..... Having dedicated mid drivers has been absolutely everything for me! I used to have the Adams A7Xs and moved to the S3s and making decisions got significantly quicker and I'm having to switch to my B monitors less because decisions I already made on the S3s are very good already. Think about it this way.....With a sub, you'd be going to a 4 way speaker (4 drivers). Economically speaking I'd say get two ways and a sub and when it's comfortable to go up, sell the two ways and get the S3s.
So you can have a higher quality sound than a 3-way sans subwoofer or a 2-way plus subwoofer can give you. Go with a 3-way + Sub. I have the Hedd Type 20s + Adam Sub 8 and it's a great combo. The Type 20s are superb.
@@zadou99 Id still go with the Adams because Vinyl shines in the midrange and thats where ADAM reigns. You wouldnt be missing the mark with HEDD though
@@Ifelovv Don't you think the sound of the Adams will be inferior if I use an analog input compared to what it would be with digital input ? Bear in mind that my outputs are XLR cables coming out of an E&S DJR400 mixer
@@zadou99 I dont think so.....The only area where the HEDDs are ahead in the highs. I'll take the low end superiority, and the mid-range brilliance over more 'air' i.e highs. Your source is basically going after the D/A converters and even though I haven't done research there, my guess is they're equal in that regard.
The degree to which the ADAM, EVE, and HEDD monitors resemble each other seemingly to nuanced details is a bit nauseating. Hard to accept that would make any diff in getting an ADAM, EVE, or a HEDD.
@@user-fr6wc6ew6p No, no. Let them listen to a CZcams video on their phone of a mic parked in front of studio monitors to help them decide which has a more linear response and better stereo imaging. They have important decisions to make for their studio, clearly.
I know it's an old video but I noticed one mistake that really deserves a rectification. The Adam S3H is doing 30 Hz - 50 kHz at - 20 dB, not +/- 3 dB. In practice this monitor starts to roll off fast once it's below 45 Hz. The HEDD Type 30 digs much deeper with 32 Hz - 50 kHz at +/- 3 dB, not just on paper, but in practice too. With the S3H I would want a subwoofer to be able to hear clearly and easily down to 30 Hz, with the Type 30 I don't need a subwoofer for that. It's a smart move by Adam to provide frequency response numbers based on -20 dB, it tricks people in believing that it can dig really deep, even deeper than it's brother from another mother (Type 30), when in reality, it's not even that close.
thx for that information :)
You just made my decision with this comment… thanks
i have a pair of s3h, i don’t need a sub at all, the bass is so clear, deep and powerful
That chopped and screwed remix at 6:24 was killing it
This was very informative and rather entertaining! You should do more of these videos!
Great job, you went over a ton of helpful information.
Thank you for doing a video on these, you know your stuff.
Trying to decide on a upgrade
Cheers from Michigan
Wish you would review more home audiophile speakers. Very careful and thorough analysis, much appreciated.
Thanks you for this video . Would you go for the focal trio or Hedd 30 in a home installation ?
Thanks for the review. How do the Hedd sound with the power holes plugged?
FIRST CLASS COMPARISON.....Great job.
Once I turned on the CC Close Caption, the review actually made sense. However, after 3 or 4 minutes of nothing but talk-talk-talk, I gave up.
Great review. Too bad you stopped.
EXCELLENT REVIEW JOEL ... JUST SUBBED !
I WAS ABOUT TO BUY THE ADAM AUDIO A8H ACTIVE STUDIO MONITORS BUT AFTER SEEING YOUR REVIEW I'M VERY TAKEN WITH THE HEDD Type 30 BUT WAS WANTING MORE DSP INPUT / OUTPUT CAPABILTY ON THE REAR. AS I PRECRIBE TO THE THEORY STUDIO MONITORS PERFORM BEST WHEN THEY ARE OF A DSP NATURE AND KEEP THE SIGNAL IN THE DIGITAL FORM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS IS THE AGE OF LOSSLESS UNCOMPRESSED AUDIO.
EG.) DTS-MASTER AUDIO, DOLBY ATMOS, MERIDIAN MHR ETC;
Your a king! thank you kindly
very good review man
Hi Kodin, fancy seeing you here! 😅
@@MarkDanov Hey bro, hehehe, hi :D
What about Eve Sc407 in comparision?
did you try hedd with their Lineariser vst?
How about compare to eve 408 as well?
3:12 comment: Almost everybody heard these side by side , has felt HEDD tweeter is better!
10:00 I think Type30 is nicer to listen to!
Anyone know the rubber type material used on the HEDD? Does it have a shelf life? Would hate to purchase a pair at 5k only to find in 5-10 years time they start to decompose...
How did you feed the adams a digital signal? Ive been looking online for an interface that outputs an aes3 signal and they are really hard to find. Could let me know how you went about it?
For this test, I used an Aurender server directly connected to one S3H, digitally looped-thru to the other. They sound radically better this way. I've also used a few different USB > AES converters with the ADAMs - most work fine. Some multi-format digital converters also permit SPDIF > AES. Most (but not all) USB converters allow software volume control (in the OS, or under the app) on the DAW or digital source, but you do lose some transparency. Best SQ comes from using each monitor's on-board attenuation, one channel at a time.
i'd be interested in knowing the difference between those and lets say a7x or s2v with properly dialed in stereo sub setup. (2 adam sub 10mkII or sub8 for instance)
Nope. You need to be thinking of spending some more money.
Love it how they are a pro company selling speakers but couldn’t get the audio right? 🤦🏻♂️
nothing pro about them
Gary Lineker
hi, and about bass?
ADAM owns it: mo' power; numbers don't lie. But Type 30 is no lightweight.
@@ItemAudio so, adams more articulated and detailed sound, and hedds more natural sound?!
@@rameron9 HEDD's tweeter sounds more natural to me, but the mid unit on the S3H is a shade better for detail and transparency, and the S3H has chunkier lows. The HEDD is a sweeter, purer listen with acoustic instruments - a bit like the little Dynaudios. Both are way beyond 'good enough' in terms of accuracy and translation: the difference is more about the flavour of sound you want to sit in front of all day, and the type of music you're working with, or listening to.
@@ItemAudio what you would recommend for electronic music. S3H? While Hedd is better for softer acoustic mixes?
@@ItemAudio may I ask which monitor you would prefer for home theater applications in the focus instead stereo listening. Kind regards
Had the Hedds, now have the Adams. I'm much happier with the Adams to be honest.
why ?
The midrange on the Adams is unprecedented. Really something else.
@@WouterStudioHD very interesting, thank you for the answer.
Hello ! i want to use these speakers for listening to records and DJing techno at home ! you think the Hedd would be better for home dj'ing ?
The tweeter gets the publicity, but no doubt the ADAM mid dome is the hero of the S-range. To sum up: the S3H has fatter bass and more open mids, but the HEDD tweeter is more refined. Feed the ADAMs AES for best results.
I think the video was over in the first 30 seconds. Focal trio. No need to look further
there sub-par at best
Maybe "someone" should bring these €€€€ studio monitors $$$$$ out of the Stone Age. Instead of poking around for tiny buttons in a dark room and going physically to each and every speaker, how about using an RJ-45 port for wired Ethernet or Wi-Fi and control these monitors that way from an touchscreen monitor or tablet?
Why would I use a 3 way monitor with a subwoofer, when the whole point of the 3 way is to not use a subwoofer at all and avoid all those problems created by them!
32Hz is already enough to not get a subwoofer, but if you want lower than 30, you don't go for these monitors at all in the first place.
For near-field monitoring, you have a point: either could be considered good enough for most applications. Look at it this way, though: if you were in the market for a pair of subwoofers to supplement bridge-mounts, would you consider a dual 5-inch model rated to 32Hz an endgame solution? Also, if you needed to energise a 20m3+ space with a listening position more than 3m away, well-placed subs up your game considerably. Whatever the listening triangle, subs unload the monitor's bass amps+drivers from the lowest frequencies, which tends to deliver more detail and a bit more dynamic range. Although it wouldn't be my first recommendation, for instance, ADAM S3-H + subs is a chunky step up from S2V + subs. Sometimes more is more. Although a pair of two-ways and a single sub is textbook, that's a configuration I rarely recommend unless the budget is tight. But everything depends on the room: in a tiny, badly-treated space, even a pair of 8-inch two-ways can be overkill!
@@ItemAudio Hello ! really digging your reviews :) i have a big question ! currently in the market for a new pair of speakers ( used to have Naumann KH120's + a custom subwoofer (1200 euros or so) . My setup is a DJ booth ( 2 Technics, 2 CDJ mixer and a rotary mixer "E&S DJR 400". My output from this mixer is balanced XLR's (analog i suppose) . My main worry is that the Adams seem to shine in their digital input and not so much in analog. Which speaker will best suit my need between the S3H and the type 30 you think? Bear in mind that i do not produce, i just want the best listening experience for Dj'ing techno records at home ! Thank you in advance
@@zadou99 You would have to audition them to be sure, but I can tell you that from the people we've demmed both to, by a small margin, pros tend to favour the ADAMs and audiophiles the HEDDs. The Type 20s and Type 30s confound expectations of what studio monitors sound like: the refined tweeter sits in a home listening environment very comfortably. S3H sound like very good monitors. You could build a great system around either, but I recommend smooth, natural-sounding ancillaries more strongly with the ADAMs - in particular, well screened cables (continuous cast are a good fit) and sources with clean, well-behaved power supplies. The ADAMs especially will be obnoxious with cheap digital sources - ie, revealing them warts-and-all. Good vinyl front ends sound great with the S3H.
Not necessarily..... Having dedicated mid drivers has been absolutely everything for me! I used to have the Adams A7Xs and moved to the S3s and making decisions got significantly quicker and I'm having to switch to my B monitors less because decisions I already made on the S3s are very good already. Think about it this way.....With a sub, you'd be going to a 4 way speaker (4 drivers). Economically speaking I'd say get two ways and a sub and when it's comfortable to go up, sell the two ways and get the S3s.
So you can have a higher quality sound than a 3-way sans subwoofer or a 2-way plus subwoofer can give you. Go with a 3-way + Sub. I have the Hedd Type 20s + Adam Sub 8 and it's a great combo. The Type 20s are superb.
hedd
More Jumpcuts than 14 years old youtubers. Good review anyway
Very informative but for the love of God, please stop slicing the video so damn much!
If you're in it for home audio as a consumer, HEDD. If you're coming for the Pro Audio as an audio engineer, producer or the like, ADAM.
I want to use these speakers for "home listening" plugged to a high end rotary mixer and vinyl tuntables you think hedd had the edge in this setup ?
@@zadou99 Id still go with the Adams because Vinyl shines in the midrange and thats where ADAM reigns. You wouldnt be missing the mark with HEDD though
@@Ifelovv Don't you think the sound of the Adams will be inferior if I use an analog input compared to what it would be with digital input ? Bear in mind that my outputs are XLR cables coming out of an E&S DJR400 mixer
@@zadou99 I dont think so.....The only area where the HEDDs are ahead in the highs. I'll take the low end superiority, and the mid-range brilliance over more 'air' i.e highs. Your source is basically going after the D/A converters and even though I haven't done research there, my guess is they're equal in that regard.
@@Ifelovv Deal ! Ordering the Adams 's
The degree to which the ADAM, EVE, and HEDD monitors resemble each other seemingly to nuanced details is a bit nauseating. Hard to accept that would make any diff in getting an ADAM, EVE, or a HEDD.
take the professional part of it your sub-par at best
Shut up ! Just let us listen the speakers monitors ! THANKS ! 🤦🏻♂️👁👎😏
That's not how it works. That's not how any of this works...
@@user-fr6wc6ew6p No, no. Let them listen to a CZcams video on their phone of a mic parked in front of studio monitors to help them decide which has a more linear response and better stereo imaging. They have important decisions to make for their studio, clearly.
just let us listen , we will figure out
be quiet carlos