ADAM Audio’s latest product sees the company take their first step into the headphone world, introducing a new pair of closed-back cans that promise to deliver the same signature sound as their popular range of studio monitors. The H200 have been several years in the making, and is the result of an expanded R&D team that now includes a dedicated team of industry-leading headphone engineers.
The Headphones
The H200’s design employs 40mm PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) drivers that work alongside lightweight neodymium magnets to deliver a smooth frequency response that extends from 2Hz to 23.5kHz, along with low distortion figures and a maximum SPL of 112.5dB. The company say that the headphones offers the quality and tonality that their studio monitors are renowned for, and that they used the S Series as a benchmark during the design and testing stages.
Care and attention has also been paid to the physical construction, with the headband design and memory foam earpads promising both a comfortable fit and excellent isolation. The earpads and headphone padding are easily replaceable, and the headphones’ cable can be attached to either side. Sustainability was also a key consideration, with the company opting for paper-based packaging and using 85% recycled ABS plastic for the driver housing. As for storage and transportation, the H200 comes supplied in a high-quality carry bag.
The Plug-in
Along with the headphones themselves, ADAM Audio have developed a companion plug-in that has been designed to reside on the monitoring channel of the user’s DAW. Designed alongside partner company Sonnox, the plug-in includes a range of optimisation tools, as well as an Externalization feature that uses advanced crossfeed techniques to provide better translation between headphones and loudspeaker systems.
Other options provided by the plug-in include separate EQ curves designed to complement the standard earpads and (optional) soft-cloth variants, as well as Pure and URN (Uniform Natural Response) voicings that offer both a flat response designed for mixing, mastering and critical listening tasks, along with a more flattering sound aimed at producing, composing and songwriting sessions. There’s also a selection of gain compensation modes that help to maintain consistent perceived output levels.
Pricing & Availability
The H200 will be making an appearance at a number of upcoming shows including AES New York (8–10 October 2024), Music China Shanghai (10–13 October 2024), Amsterdam Dance Event (Oct 17–19 October 2024), LEaT Con Hamburg (22–24 October 2024) and JTSE Paris (27–28 November 2024). They will be available to purchase in November 2024, priced at $149.99£139.99 including VAT / €159.99.