ADAM Audio D3V desktop monitors (pair)

The D3V is a fully active desktop monitor system designed for composers, producers and music lovers who want to enjoy ADAM Audio's sound quality as comfortably as possible. Available in white or black, the active monitors feature the legendary gold-coloured ribbon tweeter and remain true to ADAM Audio's established German industrial design.

Each pair of active speakers features 3.5-inch aluminium bass-midrange drivers and a ferrite magnet system powered by 80-watt amplifiers. The bass-midrange drivers are complemented by double-sided 3.5-inch passive radiators, giving the D3V an extended frequency response down to 45 Hz.

With 25 years of experience in the design and manufacture of ribbon tweeters, ADAM Audio has designed the compact 1.5-inch D-ART (Desktop Accelerated Ribbon Tweeter). It enables the precise, unagitated high-frequency reproduction for which the manufacturer's established monitors are known.

The D3V has a USB-C input. Accordingly, the monitor system behaves like a digital output device when connected to a computer and does not require an additional audio interface for playback. This plug-and-play functionality also extends to mobile devices, so that high-quality sound reproduction can be enjoyed without the data compression or conversion typically associated with such connections. The D3V also features balanced 6.35 mm TRS inputs for conventional analogue audio applications.

The rear of the left speaker has a series of user-friendly switches to solve the typical acoustic problems associated with speaker placement. The front panel also features a headphone jack and a volume control that simultaneously controls audio input selection, muting and other functions.

The D3V comes complete with detachable monitor stands, which are inclined at an angle of 15° towards the user's ears. In addition, there is a standardised 3/8" thread on the underside of both monitors for mounting on microphone stands.

Fully active 3.5-inch aluminium bass/midrange driver with ferrite magnet system

Optimised via ADAM Audio's state-of-the-art Klippel measurement system, the extremely symmetrical voice coils and ferrite magnets help to minimise unwanted distortion and provide a linear drive to the bass-midrange drivers. Each one-piece concave cone is made of ribbed, thick aluminium with a long linear excursion that delivers uncoloured sound even at surprisingly high output levels.

The D3V is a fully active design with four amplifier channels and DSP-controlled crossover. The bass-midrange drivers are powered by 80-watt amplifiers, with the link connection cable transmitting an amplified signal to the right speaker.

D-ART tweeter

A quarter of a century of research and development into ribbon tweeters has led to the development of ADAM Audio's powerful 1.5" Desktop Accelerated Ribbon Tweeter. Each diaphragm is hand-folded and bonded to 40W amplifiers that drive each unit. Like all other ADAM Audio tweeters, the D-ART features a fine-tuned crossover managed by a high-precision signal processor.

Passive radiator

The D3V utilises double-sided passive radiators in each speaker, a total of four per system. Each passive radiator consists of a stainless steel plate as the moving mass and a specially stabilised long excursion rubber surround as the suspension. Together they amplify the lowest frequencies of the loudspeaker through their interaction with the main bass-midrange drivers and thus contribute to an increase in the sound pressure level of the overall system.

USB-C direct input

The D3V is ADAM Audio's most convenient monitor system to date, as it features a plug-and-play USB-C input. The speakers behave like a digital output device when connected to a computer, mobile phone or tablet, eliminating the need for an additional audio interface. This direct digital connection enables high-quality audio playback without the data compression or additional conversion typically associated with desktop monitors.

DSP room acoustics

There are three switches on the rear panel of the left speaker to counteract the typical acoustic problems resulting from speaker placement. "POSITION" refers to the fixed position of the speaker in the room. "DESK" refers to the size of the desk in front of the speaker, while "ROOM" refers to the degree of acoustic damping in the room in which the system is used.

Balanced analogue inputs

In addition to the USB-C input, the D3V has analogue inputs for conventional audio applications. It enables balanced connections to audio interfaces as well as direct connections to a wide range of hardware, including synthesisers, drum machines, samplers and DJ mixing consoles. The USB-C connection or the balanced analogue inputs can be selected by pressing the volume control on the left speaker.

Headphone output, monitor stand and mounting options

Functionality and convenience played a major role in the design of the D3V. The headphone output on the front automatically takes over audio playback when connected. Monitor stands angled at 15° are also included. In addition, there is a standardised 3/8" thread on the underside of both monitors for mounting on microphone stands.

Injection moulded housing

The housing of the D3V is made of high-quality ABS injection-moulded polycarbonate with thick walls and ample bracing to prevent vibrations and unwanted resonances. The rounded shape reduces unwanted sound diffraction at high frequencies while honouring ADAM Audio's long-established industrial design.