Kevin Becka, Technical Editor at Mixonline and Co-director of Education/Instructor at The Blackbird Academy, had this to say when he previewed the brand new ADAM S3-H at NAMM:

"New and in my ears are the three-way ADAM S3-H monitors. I’ve always liked ADAMs and listen on the original S3s at Blackbird from time to time. A ribbon tweeter is an acquired taste for some, but I find it easy and pleasant on the ears. Mix editor Tom Kenny and I had a NAMM evening meet-up with ADAM’s Davids—Hetrick and Angress—who told us about the new monitor’s design history. It’s an all-new box inside and out, with two 7-inch bass drivers powered by separate 500W Class-D amplifiers, a dome midrange reminiscent of an ATC mid-driver, improved ribbon, new waveguides, and DSP executed in a better way than I’ve ever seen on a monitor."

I just unboxed a pair last week and they offer a spectacular listening experience—these are not your father’s ADAMs. They are a mid-field, but I had them comfortably atop an SSL console’s meter bridge and I couldn’t help being impressed. The DSP is on the back (the Davids say there will be a remote option) with parameters accessed via a push-rotary knob for changing the parameters on the input (analog or digital), to go with six (yes SIX) parametric EQ bands plus high-and low-shelf options. There is a small and brightly lit OLED display giving you feedback on your choices (no dip switches here!). Watch soon for my full review in Mix. These are a “buy.”

Don't forget you can hear these speakers yourself at any of our S Series Roadshows this June