If you are a fan of Adam Audio’s AX-Series then you definitely would have heard of the Adam A5X. It is a pair of active studio monitors with exceptional sonic performance and sound quality. Not to mention, they are also modestly priced. Adam A5X is one of the smallest AX-Series nearfield monitors, they can be found in studios, broadcast vans, and more. Like most compact-sized studio monitors, they can be quite limited when it comes to bass performance.
This can be resolved by adding in a high-quality active subwoofer to help supplement the overall bass performance of your nearfield monitoring system. To find the right sub for your Adam A5X studio monitors, we must learn more about them first and will need to go through a subwoofer requirements checklist as well. With enough data, we can then prepare and share with you a list of the best subwoofers to match with the Adam A5X.
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Sonic Characteristics of Adam A5X
The Adam A5X is an ideal studio monitor for desktop or small listening rooms due to its compact size and front-firing bass ports. You can place them nearer to rear walls and make the necessary acoustic adjustments to optimize the sonic characteristics of the A5X. It uses the coveted X-ART tweeter which is been driven by a Class A/B amplifier with an RMS power of 50 Watts. Below the tweeter will be the 5.5″ (145mm) bass/midrange woofer and is driven by a PWM amplifier with an RMS power of 50 Watts. The frequency response of the Adam Audio A5X is 50Hz-50kHz (-10 dB) and from here we can see the nearfield monitors can’t really reach deep enough into the bass extension.
The overall sound reproduction is clean and has an impressive level of clarity, the pristine sound quality is applicable to the whole frequency range. Furthermore, the background is very polished and this gave us a crystal clear sound reproduction where musical details are clearly audible without the need to strain our ears. The bass performance is really tight and controlled but does lack weight and presence. As expected, the Adam A5X is unable to reach deep enough into the bass extension and reproduce subterranean bass frequencies. Still, their overall accuracy is amazing, and could handle most music transients without a hitch.
More Details at Amazon – Adam Audio A5X Studio Monitor
These are nearfield monitors which can deliver very detailed and faithful music presentations, partnering them with a high-quality sealed or professional studio subwoofer will be an ideal choice so as to keep up with the pacing and agility of the Adam A5Xs. They are also very well-balanced and remain undistorted even when playing at high volume levels. Surprisingly, the Adam A5X doesn’t really sound clinical, and casual music listeners might want to give them a chance. Now let us go through the subwoofer requirement checklist as this will also affect your subwoofer choices.
Adam A5X Specifications
- Speaker Type: 2-Way (Front-ported)
- Drive Units: X-ART Tweeter, 5.5″ (145mm) Bass/Midrange Woofer
- Frequency Response: 50Hz-50kHz (-10dB)
- Built-in Amplifier Power: Class A/B Amp 50 Watts RMS (Tweeter), PWM Amp 50 Watts RMS (Woofer)
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 280mm x 170mm x 220mm | 11″ x 6.5″ x 8.5″
- Weight: 6.6kg (14.6lbs)
Main Subwoofer Requirements
Working out a comfortable amount that you are willing to spend on a subwoofer will be crucial, as to how high your budget is will determine the number of choices you can aim for. Another factor will be the available space you have in your studio or workspace. Usually, the subwoofer will be placed near you for nearfield listening/monitoring but it would be great if you have plenty of space at your disposal as this will allow you to do a subwoofer crawl and find an optimal position for your active sub. How deep do you want your subwoofer to be able to reach down into the bass extension (25Hz, 20Hz, and lower) will be a deciding factor too.
Getting more subwoofer requirements from your workmates or individuals who are sharing the use will be important and this will also include your own requirements. There are also other requirements such as the subwoofer size, measurements, amplifier power, etc., that you might want to consider. It is wise to take some time to make a thorough subwoofer requirement checklist and go through them one by one. When you are confident about the type of subwoofer you require, please do take a look below for the best subwoofers which you can choose and partner with your Adam A5X studio monitors.
Best Subwoofers to pair with Adam A5X
The Adam Audio Sub8 is probably one of the very best subwoofers to pair with the Adam A5X studio monitors. It is a subwoofer that is made by the same reputable company and is well-designed to match with the Adam Audio’s AX- Series nearfield monitors. The overall sound reproduction will be seamless and both studio monitors and subwoofer should work cohesively together. Adam Audio Sub8 is a compact 8.5″ powered studio subwoofer and will be suitable for small listening rooms. The Sub8 is a high-quality studio sub and will produce very accurate bass performance with taut delivery.
More Information at Amazon – Adam Audio Sub8 Black
The SVS SB-1000 Pro is one of the best subwoofers to match with the Adam Audio A5X nearfield monitors. It is an entry-level sealed subwoofer with high-performance capabilities and award-winning bass performance. For a sealed active subwoofer at this price range, the SVS SB-1000 Pro is really powerful and has a peak power of 820+ Watts. It can reach deep down to 20Hz bass extension and deliver them out with prominence. The overall bass performance of the SVS SB-1000 Pro is agile and accurate, will work well with the Adam A5X for both music and home theater use.
More Information at Amazon – SVS SB-1000 Pro Black Ash
If you are also looking for a mid-bass module with a high-quality driver at a modest price point, the Rythmik Audio FM8 will be an excellent choice for you and your Adam A5X. This is an audiophile-grade sealed subwoofer with dual 8″ drivers and uses the company’s patented Direct Servo technology. The dual 8″ subwoofer is able to provide us with accurate and articulate bass response, and fills the room with a nice musical presence. You can use the Rythmik Audio FM8 “HIGH” bass extension setting so as to start using it as a mid-bass module. There are also 600 Watts of RMS power at your disposal.
The HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 is a powerful hybrid subwoofer and will be an exemplary choice for listeners who want a versatile sub that can switch between sealed and ported operations. This flexibility also makes the VTF-3 MK5 a suitable match for the Adam A5X studio monitors, allowing you to adjust the subwoofer sonic characteristics for various applications. It is a 15″ subwoofer with a whopping peak power of 2000 Watts and can deliver down to 17Hz subterranean bass frequencies with 1 port open. The HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 is sanely priced and highly regarded by audiophiles for its solid bass performance.
For listeners who prefer to use studio-quality subwoofers, the Adam Audio Sub12 is a fine choice to go with your Adam A5X studio monitors. Sub12 is a 12″ subwoofer with exceptional bass performance capable of delivering very accurate and realistic low frequencies. The taut bass delivery has ample impact and just the right weight, not to mention, it matches really well with the Adam A5X nearfield monitors. The deep bass reproductions are clean and solid, it provides the impact and swiftly transients out without overstaying their welcome. We would suggest hearing the Adam Audio Sub12 first before making a decision.
More Details at Amazon – Adam Audio Sub12 Studio Subwoofer
If you require a studio subwoofer that is modestly priced but does not compromise the bass quality. You might want to check out the Yamaha HS8S, it is a highly-rated 8″ studio subwoofer and is very well-received by its users. The frequency response of 22Hz-150Hz is really impressive for an active studio subwoofer at this price point and size. It has the accuracy and low-end details to match really well with the Adam A5X studio monitors. An excellent subwoofer for mastering and mixing, and would be great for casual music listeners who prefer precision bass performance and high sound quality.
More Details at Amazon – Yamaha HS8S Subwoofer
To Sum It Up
The listed subwoofers are all solid performers and will be worth your while to hear them out. You can pick one or more subs from the list and arrange an audition with them. If possible, you should arrange the auditioning of the subwoofers in your own studio/listening room together with your Adam A5X nearfield monitors. This is to ensure highly accurate test results and if you like what you are hearing in your own studio room then the subwoofer will probably be the one for you.
