When it comes to speakers there is a lot to choose from, and often the best choice may not be from one of the major brands, but a smaller boutique manufacturer. Alta Audio, located in Huntington, NY, has been making well-received speakers that combine visually pleasing design with solid performance for over 30 years. One unique speaker entry from Alta is the Adam.
Overview
The Alta Adam is a three-way floorstanding speaker that is designed to bring listeners a live-like performance.
From Michael Levy, President, and CEO, of Alta Audio, LLC: “To my mind, speakers are music reproduction imaging instruments, meaning they should go so far as presenting an accurate representation of the recording without coloration or sonic anomalies…The Adam is the latest example of how we’re able to achieve that goal with a model that is notable for impeccable sound and stunning good looks.”
The Tweeter
The Alta Adam incorporates a 5.75” neodymium magnet ribbon tweeter. Alta feels this provides listeners with a more natural sounding and detailed high-frequency range.
The Midrange
To complement the innovative ribbon tweeter, the Adam includes a 6” wideband midrange driver. This driver is underhung which provides low distortion and ultra-fast transient response, while its aluminum pole increases dispersion.
The Woofer
Rounding out the driver package, Alta Audio provides the Adam with an 8.75” woofer.
The tuning parameters of this driver are coupled to Adam’s unique cabinet design for infrasonic (floor-moving) bass and refined cohesion between Adam’s XTL (Extended Transmission Line ) and its pure aluminum ribbon tweeter.
Tip: Extended Transmission Line is Alta Audio’s proprietary technology that applies sonic geometry for speaker cabinet tuning similar to the process of tuning a musical instrument. Alta believes that this delivers an accurate, fast, and powerful low-frequency response.
External Design
The Adam features an innovative cabinet design that is narrower at the top and slopes evenly to the wider bottom. This non-rectangular design approach further contributes to Adam’s ability to reproduce the detail, dimensionality, and feel of a live performance.
Specifications
- Driver complement:
- 1 x 5-3/4 inch ribbon tweeter
- 1 x 6-inch midrange
- 1 x 8-3/4 inch woofer
- Sensitivity: 91.5 dB / 2.83 Volts @ 1Meter
- Frequency Response: 20Hz to 47kHz
- Crossover Points: 250Hz, 2.5kHz
- Impedance: 4 Ohms
- Power Handling: 50 to 300 Watts
- Dimension and Weight
- Height: 41-inches
- Width: 8.5 inches at the top, 15 inches at the bottom
- Depth: 14 inches at the top, 18 inches at the bottom
- Weight: 96 lbs
- Alta XTL Bass with DampHard faceplate
- Finishes Available: Piano Black, Beech, or Rosewood finish
Pricing and Availability
The Alta Adam is priced at $17,000/pair (piano black) or $18,000/pair ( rosewood or beech) and is available through authorized Alta Audio Dealers.
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