ADAM Audio D3V Black (Pair)

Studio Sound, Desktop Size

The D3V is a fully active desktop monitoring system designed for songwriters, producers, and music lovers who want to enjoy ADAM Audio sound quality as conveniently as possible. Available in white or black editions, the active monitors feature the iconic golden ribbon tweeter and stay true to ADAM Audio’s German industrial design heritage. 

Each active pair features 3.5” aluminium woofers and ferrite magnet system driven by 80 W amplifiers. The woofers are further complemented by dual-sided 3.5” passive radiators which allow the D3V to extend as low as 45 Hz.

With 25 years’ experience working with ribbon tweeter technology, ADAM Audio has created a compact 1.5” D-ART (Desktop Accelerated Ribbon Tweeter) so D3V customers can enjoy the precise and unfatiguing high-frequency reproduction that their established monitoring systems are known for.

The D3V features a USB-C input which means the monitoring system behaves as a digital output device when connected to a computer and negates the need for an additional audio interface for playback. This plug’n’play functionality extends to mobile devices so high-quality audio can be enjoyed without the compression or conversion normally associated with such connections. The D3V also features balanced ¼" TRS inputs for more traditional analogue audio applications.

The backplate of the left speaker features a range of user-friendly switches to address the common acoustical issues arising from speaker placement, while the front panel includes a headphone socket and volume knob that doubles as a control for the audio input selection, muting and other functions.

The D3V comes complete with detachable monitor stands that are angled at 15° toward the users’ ears. Additionally, there is a standard threaded 3/8” hole for microphone stand mounting on the underside of both monitors. 

Fully Active Aluminium 3.5” Woofers & Ferrite Magnet System
Optimised using ADAM Audio’s state-of-the-art Klippel measurement system, the extremely symmetrical voice coil and ferrite magnet system help minimize unwanted distortions and provide a linear motor for the woofer. Each one-piece concave cone is made of ridged, thick aluminium with a long linear excursion range which delivers uncoloured sound even at surprisingly high output levels.

The D3V is a fully active design with four individual amplifier channels and DSP-managed crossover. The woofers are powered by 80W amplifiers with the link cable carrying an amplified signal to the right speaker.

D-ART Tweeter
A quarter century of ribbon tweeter research and development has led to the creation of ADAM Audio’s highly capable 1.5” Desktop Accelerated Ribbon Tweeter. Each diaphragm is hand folded and glued with 40W amplifiers driving each unit. Like the rest of ADAM Audio’s tweeters, the D-ART incorporates crossover fine-tuning which is managed by highly accurate DSP.  

Passive Radiators
The D3V employs dual-sided passive radiators on each speaker for a total of four per system. Each radiator consists of a stainless-steel plate as the moving mass, and a specially stabilised long-stroke rubber surround for the suspension. Together they reinforce the lowest possible response of the loudspeaker through their interaction with the main woofers, as well as contributing toward the overall SPL of the system. 

Direct USB-C Input
The D3V represents ADAM Audio’s most convenient monitoring system thanks to the inclusion of a plug’n’play USB-C input. The loudspeakers behave as a digital output device when connected to a computer, mobile, or tablet, which negates the need for an additional audio interface. This direct digital connection facilitates high-quality audio playback without the compression or conversion normally associated with desktop monitors.

DSP Room Acoustics
On the backplate of the left speaker you can find three switches to counteract the typical acoustical issues that arise from speaker placement. “POSITION” refers to the fixed position of the loudspeaker in the room. “DESK” refers to the size of the desk in front of the loudspeaker, while “ROOM” refers to the amount of acoustic treatment in the space in which the system is being used.

Balanced Analogue Inputs
In addition to the USB-C input, the D3V features analogue inputs for traditional audio applications. It allows for balanced connections to audio interfaces as well as direct connections to all kinds of hardware including synthesizers, drum machines, samplers, and DJ mixers. The USB-C or balanced analogue inputs can be toggled by pressing the volume knob on the left speaker. 

Headphone Output, Monitor Stands & Mounting Options
Functionality and convenience played a major role in the design of the D3V. The front-facing headphone output automatically takes over audio playback when connected, while detachable monitor stands angled at 15° are also included. Additionally, there is a standard threaded 3/8” hole for microphone stand mounting on the underside of both monitors.

Injection-Moulded Cabinet 
The D3V’s cabinet is made of high-grade injection moulded ABS Polycarbonate, with thick walls and plenty of bracing to avoid vibrations and unwanted resonances. The rounded shape reduces unwanted sound diffraction at high frequencies, while also paying tribute to ADAM Audio’s long-standing industrial design heritage. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Acoustics
Frequency Response @ -3 dB: 48 - 22.6k Hz
Frequency Response @ -6 dB: 45 - 23.2k Hz
Max SPL in full space at 1 m with sine bursts (average 100 - 6k Hz) at 3% THD (rms / peak): 92 / 96 dB SPL
Crossover Frequency: 4.0 kHz

Drivers
Passive Radiator Basket Diameter: 2 x 3.5"
Woofer Cone Material: Single-piece aluminium
Woofer Basket Diameter: 3.5"
Woofer Voice Coil Diameter: 1" (25 mm)
Woofer Grille: Painted steel
Tweeter Type: D-ART
Tweeter Velocity Transform Ratio: 4 to 1

Audio Input/Output Connectors
Analog connectors: 2 x Balanced 6.3 mm jack
Max. Input Level: +9 dBu
Digital connector: USB Type C
Digital audio signal: Class-compliant USB 1.1
Sample rates supported: 32, 44.1, 48 kHz
Bit depth: 24-bit
Headphone Output Connector: 3.5 mm TRS mini-jack
Headphone Output impedance: 32 Ohms

Signal Processing
AD converter: 24-bit
Internal sample rate: 48 kHz
Internal processing bit depth: 28 bit
Latency: 4.0 ms
Protection: Independent peak and thermo limiters for each driver, and amplifier thermo limiters

Amplification
Woofer amplifier: Type: PWM
Woofer amplifier: Peak (10% THD, limiter deactivated): 2 x 80 W
Woofer amplifier: RMS (1% THD, limiter deactivated): 2 x 70 W
Tweeter amplifier: Type: PWM
Woofer amplifier: Peak (10% THD, limiter deactivated): 2 x 40 W
Tweeter amplifier: RMS (1% THD, limiter deactivated): 2 x 30 W

Control Options (via backplate)
Input sensitivity: 0 dBu = 88 dB SPL at 1 m @ 0 dB level setting
Level: The volume knob controls loudspeaker and headphone outputs over the range -∞ dB to +6 dB
Volume knob press functions: Mute, standby, input select, channel swap
Input selection: Analogue, USB-C
Channel order: Normal, L/R swapped
Backplate Room Adaption - Position (Bass): 0, -3, -6 dB
Backplate Room Adaption - Desk (Low-mid and Mid): 0, -3, -6 dB and 0, -2, -4 dB
Backplate Room Adaption - Room Acoustics (Treble): 0, -1.5, -3 dB

Remote Control Options     
Connector: USB-C
Connection type: Class-compliant USB 1.1

General
Display: Front panel multi-colour logo
Cabinet design: Dual passive radiator
Cabinet material: Painted ABS Polycarbonate
Mounting options: Flat on desk or loudspeaker stand, angled 15 degrees upwards on desk using supplied foot, threaded insert (3/8") on the bottom of the cabinet for microphone stand
AC input voltage: 100 - 240V, 50/60 Hz
Power rating: 60 W max.

What's In The Box:

• 1x D3V right monitor

• 1x D3V left monitor

• 2x D3V angled stands

• 6x D3V desktop pads

• 1x 2m loudspeaker link cable

• 1x D3V PSU and mains power cable

• 1x 1m USB-C to USB-C cable 

• 1x USB-C to USB-A adapter

• Quick start guide and safety and warning sheet

For more information, click here to visit the manufacturers website.