Near/midfield monitor with all the advantages of ADAM's folded ribbon tweeter and the unique mirrored S3A design at a lower price point.
The P33A-A powered monitor from ADAM Audio is an excellent choice for recording enthusiasts who want the advantages of ADAM's unique mirrored S3A design for less. Like the S3A, one woofer acts as a full-range driver with the second woofer joining it only below 150Hz. This unusual approach effectively doubles the area and power of the woofer when it needs to respond to deeper frequencies, resulting in an exceptional low end without compromising midrange performance.
The P33A-A is a shielded near/midfield monitor and has three 100W amplifiers that deliver outstanding dynamic performance. It can be used either horizontally or vertically, so that very flexible positioning within the studio is possible.
Accelerated Ribbon Technology
The A.R.T. (Accelerated Ribbon Technology) tweeters and midrange units take a completely new approach in kinematics to move air and improve the quality of music reproduction. Based on the original works of Dr. Oskar Heil, who invented his "Air Motion Transformer" back in 1972, new electroacoustic transducers have been developed that are based on improved layouts and new materials. The membrane consists of a lamella like folded diaphragm whose single folds move according to the alternate current, thus squeezing air in and out. All other loudspeaker drive units, whether they are voice coil driven, electrostatics, piezos or magnetostatics, act like a piston, moving air in a 1:1 ratio. This is undesirable, as the specific weight of air is much lower than that of the driving mechanics. Speaking in terms of electrical Engineering one could say there is a bad match between source and load. The A.R.T. principle achieves a 4:1 velocity transformation between driving diaphragm and driven air, i. e. the air moves in and out four times faster than the folds itself are moving. This superior "motor" is responsible for the enormous clarity and transient reproduction that is to be heard from the A.R.T. drive units.
A.R.T. tweeters are superior in musical clarity and transient reproduction. They have an above average efficiency of ~93 dB/W/m, a perfectly linear impedance of 3.2 ± 0.05 Ohms, an equally perfect phase response of +/- 1 degree within the used bandwidth, a reasonable directivity characteristic and a thermal power handling that exceeds that of 1" domes by a factor of 2 to 3. Summed up here is a completely new transducer that has no weaknesses in terms of operation, compatibility, reliability or other electroacoustic specifications. Looking back into loudspeaker history you will not find anything comparable.
Note: The P33A-A designed to be a matched pair with the Adam Audio P33A-B (sold separately).
