My Demo of AVI ADM 9s and 40s

[plastic penguin]

If it had been even close I probably would have. But the tracks I used were about my favourites I know them so well so I'm confident on the comparisons I made (I hope) Anyway, like I said I'm not here to preach or sell just record my own experience.

Hope you enjoy them. 🙂

 

[Phileas]

I own a pair of ADM9Ts (pre-"New" ones) + ADM sub.

People (most of whom have never heard them) seem to go on about the lack of bass rather a lot.

My experience is that when I turn the sub off, I simply notice a subtle reduction in the "air" or "space" around instruments, not an obvious reduction in quantity of bass. My conclusion is that a lot of people don't really know what accurate bass sounds like.

I listen to classical and some jazz, so I can't comment on other types of music.

I've just ordered a pair of ADM40s too! :cheer:

Edit: Apparently the New ADM9Ts have even more bass :wall:

 

[WishTree]

If it had been even close I probably would have. But the tracks I used were about my favourites I know them so well so I'm confident on the comparisons I made (I hope) Anyway, like I said I'm not here to preach or sell just record my own experience.

I am very happy to read one more positive review about the ADM40s. I will try to audition them when I am in UK next time, though I would really prefer a home demo.

Most of the times, the equipment that I demo'ed at the dealer, sounded even better at home which is lucky for me.

I hope the same will be the case with you. If worst case happens, for some reason (like Room Acoustics etc), ADM 40s don't sound siginificantly better that your current set up then given the amount of people who are so impressed with the ADM 40s you will not have any hard time to get the 40s off your hand! Win..Win!!

I really doubt this though given that your new ADM40s are significantly expensive than your current setup (I hope you did not pay full retail on your current setup) as well as your auditioning, I am sure you are going to have a very happy upgrade 🙂

Keep us posted on the updates, home listening experience, possible A/B with your current set up - as ADM40s could be my destination as well 😉

 

[WishTree]

If the 40s didn't exist the 9s would be in my living room, but I had to listen to the floorstanders.

One simple question. I heard the ADM9Ts in the past at a dealer and was not impressed with them AT ALL. You seemed to like the sound of 9s as well.

Do you think the Sound signature of the 40s and 9s is same ? (I can understand the difference between a floor stander speaker presentation to a stand mount). If same, then I will not rush too much to make my UK trip!

I am looking for Rosewood finish and the floormount version costs almost three times to the 9Ts which seems quite steep.

Did you see a three time improvement in sound or there is some improvement and you have the budget so you went for it? I know it is silly to ask but better to ask from some one who has just auditioned than to know the hard way!

 

[richardw42]

The 9s I heard were the new version, which is said to be a real improvement. I haven't heard the older models so can't really comment.

There is a post in YOUR SYSTEN by WinterRacer which might be better for comparisons.

To me, even though they use drivers from different suppliers they do have a similar signature. The reason I went for the 40s as well as the improved performance was a nice stable speaker to cope with mental dogs and kids. And like you hint, budget wasn't a massive issue. So why not treat myself.

I would hate it if my post led somebody to a purchase they regretted. But to me they are exactly what I want.

With cables and stand I shouldn't be too far from £2k so it's not a massive leap in budget.

 

[bigblue235]

I still don't really understand the bass thing? 🙂 Obviously it's fair enough to say you don't really bother about it personally, but it's important to me.

I genuinely don't understand how 'accurate' bass means less bass? I've heard Naim actives that produced chest-pounding bass, which I presume is a fairly accurate representation of the real thing, so I don't understand how a standmounter can produce something similar?

It just seems like this may be something of a weak point, but people don't want to say it for some reason? I can't demo or return, and I'd be gutted if I got something that was bass-light. Telling myself it was 'accurate' wouldn't help 🙂

 

[WishTree]

The reason I went for the 40s as well as the improved performance was a nice stable speaker to cope with mental dogs and kids. And like you hint, budget wasn't a massive issue. So why not treat myself.

🙂 Thank You! I am with you on that bit especially when you have the budget!!

I am eyeing for a component in Audio chain for some time and I wish I am soon in the state where the budget is not an issue!

 

[Anonymous]

I find that they have ample bass, and as I said, it's perfectly proportioned in relation to the other frequencies, IMO.

 

[bigblue235]

I find that they have ample bass, and as I said, it's perfectly proportioned in relation to the other frequencies, IMO.

I know what you're getting at, but how do you quantify that? I have a little desktop Audica thing, and the sound could be said to be in proportion, but as much as it produces good bass for its size, it's far from enough bass to listen to with any pretensions at accuracy.

Likewise, I heard a set of SBLs (or DBLs, can never remember the models) and they had chest thumping bass. Surely that's more accurate?

 

[Phileas]

I still don't really understand the bass thing?

I genuinely don't understand how 'accurate' bass means less bass?

I'd be gutted if I got something that was bass-light. Telling myself it was 'accurate' wouldn't help 🙂

It's difficult to explain. Accurate bass doesn't mean "less" bass. It's just that small speakers all have limited bass extension. The ADM9Ts have " tight" bass which might sound lean compared to a passive speaker of the same size where the poor damping factor creates a "warm" sound.

Many speaker desgners, I believe, use the port to boost the bass at the low end but this is a bit of a cheat. I think the ADMs port is used to help control the driver and not to extend the apparent bass.

I would say, if you're used to larger speakers with deeper bass extension, then you might find ADM9Ts a bit bass light.

 

[WinterRacer]

I've got ADM9.1s, AVI sub and ADM40s, so can try to offer a comparison.

Addressing the idea that ADM9.1s have poor bass first. When I compared the the 9.1s (without sub) to MA PL100s, it was obvious the PL's upper bass was louder than the AVI's, but also that they had just as much extension. I much preferred the bass of the AVIs, by comparison the PLs sounded boomy. Of course, others might prefer the bass of the PLs and other passive speakers.

What the sub adds is mainly around being able to feel the bass thump, although it is audible too, albeit subtle.

So far, I'm using the 40s without sub, firstly because they don't really need one and secondly, I'm waiting for a mod to the sub so I can use the 100hz crossover with it.

Hope that helps?

 

[bigblue235]

Thank you both, very helpful replies 🙂

 

[WishTree]

. The ADM9Ts have " tight" bass which might sound lean compared to a passive speaker of the same size where the poor damping factor creates a "warm" sound.

?? Was not aware of this, assuming that this is the case.

 

[fr0g]

I agree. ADM9Ts have not got "too little bass" for their size. For me personally a sub is a must. I listen to a lot of electronica and I *need* to go down to around 30 Hz to get the full effect. But that's the same with any similar sized speaker. Yes, some will cheat and create noise below 50 Hz, but then it isn't particularly accurate. My sub (non Avi, BK XLSS400 in fact) fills in nicely.

Point being I would need the sub with *any* small speakers, but with the ADMs I am getting proper, more accurate bass, because they don't try and fake it.

There's only so many things a 6.5" cone can do well, and 20-50Hz isn't one of them, so best to keep it tight and let that job be done by a specialist, in my case a 12" sub.

 

[Anonymous]

I find that they have ample bass, and as I said, it's perfectly proportioned in relation to the other frequencies, IMO.

I know what you're getting at, but how do you quantify that? I have a little desktop Audica thing, and the sound could be said to be in proportion, but as much as it produces good bass for its size, it's far from enough bass to listen to with any pretensions at accuracy.

Likewise, I heard a set of SBLs (or DBLs, can never remember the models) and they had chest thumping bass. Surely that's more accurate?

I think some speakers have exaggerated bass, like my old Dynaudio DM 2/7s, they sounded very bassy, this was something that i liked about them at the time, they were fun, and they're excellent speakers, IMO.

The ADMs are similar in size so i assume, should have a similar bass output, but they're very high powered active speakers, and the bass is more controlled, more tight and defined, IMO, and i think that this in turn means that it sounds leaner, which again, means that it isn't too prominent or overpowering, (which I'm pretty sure is how I'd now find the Dyns bass) this allows the other frequencies to shine through, IMO.

I'm hesitant to use the word again 🙂, but the ADMs bass sounds more accurate, not forced or exaggerated, and some may not be used to hearing bass like this, which i think is why a few people describe them as being bass light.

I hope this helps.. A demo is the only way for you to judge for yourself (obviously).

 

[Frank Harvey]

Any speaker, regardless of size can have what's being called an "accurate" bass, but it's down to the speaker's limitations as to what can ultimately be achieved. Obviously, a smaller driver and smaller cabinet isn't going to have the same extension as a larger speaker, but what it does produce within its frequency range can still be accurate. Because of the limitations of a standmount, I suppose some will see it as bass light.

 

[John Duncan]

I agree. ADM9Ts have not got "too little bass" for their size. For me personally a sub is a must. I listen to a lot of electronica and I *need* to go down to around 30 Hz to get the full effect. But that's the same with any similar sized speaker. Yes, some will cheat and create noise below 50 Hz, but then it isn't particularly accurate. My sub (non Avi, BK XLSS400 in fact) fills in nicely.

Point being I would need the sub with *any* small speakers, but with the ADMs I am getting proper, more accurate bass, because they don't try and fake it.

There's only so many things a 6.5" cone can do well, and 20-50Hz isn't one of them, so best to keep it tight and let that job be done by a specialist, in my case a 12" sub.

In an ideal world I'd agree with you broadly, but I can't have a sub, so I need to get speakers to fake bass for me (if that's your preferred expression). The ADMs couldn't do that when and where I heard them, which is why I have what I have. Things might be different if I heard them in my house, obv, but I haven't, and am not going to pay for them first to find out (one of the advantages of dealers...)

 

[bigblue235]

Ta muchly to those who have added further explanation about the bass. I don't expect them to have any more bass than a similarly sized passive, but I'd rather they didn't have any less (depth, not boom).

Can't demo as I'm off the mainland. I do want a 2.1 system, but I can't buy a sub straight away. I'd get VAT off, so I guess I wouldn't lose too much if I resold them, but I'd rather not have to.

 

[plastic penguin]

Maybe I'm stupid, but can someone define "accurate" bass? What is it meant to be accurate with or against?

The bass on the RS6s, with the Leema, is as agile and fast as any floorstander around the grand mark. In fact, I would suggest it is as accurate, or same in agility, as the Totems I've heard.

"Fake" bass, no, I won't go there. This is terminology that's alien to me. Either bass is good or it isn't.

 

[poldo]

I still don't really understand the bass thing? 🙂 Obviously it's fair enough to say you don't really bother about it personally, but it's important to me.

I genuinely don't understand how 'accurate' bass means less bass? I've heard Naim actives that produced chest-pounding bass, which I presume is a fairly accurate representation of the real thing, so I don't understand how a standmounter can produce something similar?

It just seems like this may be something of a weak point, but people don't want to say it for some reason? I can't demo or return, and I'd be gutted if I got something that was bass-light. Telling myself it was 'accurate' wouldn't help 🙂

Because it's [EDITED] ADM's have no bass at all, so yes it is accurate, because it is absent. 🙂

 

[Anonymous]

Bigblue..You could ask on the AVI Forum whether there was any ADM owners in your part of the world that'd give you a listen?

 

[MrJmeans]

I bought a pair of original adm9s from eBay last week fairly scratched for a budget price. My main room system was Linn Keilidhs and Linn Classik with a Squeezebox touch acting as main source.

One speaker blew during a house party a few months back after 5 years of ownership. I bought the Adms thinking I would use the Classik in another room feeding the Adms directly from my Squeezebox.

The Adms arrived without a remote so I briefly set up one speaker fed directly from the Squeezebox analogue line out and played Here comes the sun by the Beatles.

It just happened to be first on a recent playlist and it sounded better than I had ever hear it and I was only hearing it on one channel.

I ordered a new set on Tuesday and the rest of my hifi is going on eBay.

If you get the chance listen to them do. They really are excellent. All subjective of course but I guess that's what forums are for!

 

[baz]

MrJeans, I was seriously tempted by those very same scratched ADM9's on ebay last week ! I did wonder what sort of working order they were in...glad to hear they were impressive enough for you to go and order a new pair ! So, do you intend to now keep the scratched pair, or are you perhaps looking at sending them on to a new home ??

 

[MrJmeans]

Baz,

I have had one offer from one of the other auction bidders and one from a friend visiting who is not interested in hifi at all but loves music. Once my wife heard them they were staying. At least until I can get to hear the 40s.

I am going to have them refinished and Iam still looking for a working remote (Cash Converters described them as working then did not supply the IEC leads and remote to make them work!)

If your ever in the Scottish Borders you can listen to them or the new ones.

 

[WinterRacer]

One simple question. I heard the ADM9Ts in the past at a dealer and was not impressed with them AT ALL. You seemed to like the sound of 9s as well.

Do you think the Sound signature of the 40s and 9s is same ? (I can understand the difference between a floor stander speaker presentation to a stand mount). If same, then I will not rush too much to make my UK trip!

What didn't you like about the 9s?

The 9s can be quite a shock and were certainly different to my previous set up, especially how the bass sounded. I instantly knew I preferred the 9s and by quite some margin. Some people take some time to get used to 9s before realising the improvements and I guess some people will always prefer other set ups. Now I'm used to 9s (& 40s) the problems, or sound signature if you prefer, of traditional dynamic driver passive speakers exhibit are very obvious to me.

If you liked the way 9s sound (clear, dynamic, lots of headroom, very controlled, etc.) but just found the bass to lean, you might be ok with the 40s.