Its enclosure was respectably inert, though JA noted that the XTL-related resonances mentioned above affect not just the outputs of the twin ports but also those of the woofer and midrange unit. With every track, there was admirable force and a corporeal quality to the instruments.' He did find that the Adam offered a little too much bass energy, though he never found the speaker to sound bloated or flabby.'Right now,' RvB concluded, 'these are the speakers I'd consider most if 20 grand were burning a hole in my pocket.' In the test lab, the Adam was relatively easy to drive, but it failed to meet its specified high sensitivity of 91.5dB/2.83V/m by a significant 7.5dB. transients seemed to travel at the speed of light.

Nevertheless, RvB liked what he heard from the Adam, writing, 'Pure and smooth. However, as with Alta's two-way Alyssa, the XTL loading also results in high-Q resonances in the line and port. This incorporates a short transmission line with no stuffing terminating in a port, which Alta says significantly extends the speaker's low-frequency extension. Wilson Audio Specialties Chronosonic XVX: $349,000/pairĪlta Audio Adam: $17,000/pair$18,000/pairĪ three-way floorstander that uses a 5.75' aluminum-ribbon tweeter, a 6' midrange driver, and an 8.75' anodized aluminum-cone woofer, the Adam features Alta's Extended Transmission Line (XTL) loading for the midrange unit and woofer. Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx V: $145,000/pair Wilson Audio Specialties Alexia V: $67,500/pair$79,500/pair Price is for version reviewed, with powered woofers. Vivid Audio Giya G1 Spirit: $95,000/pair Optional external crossover version: $100,000 ★ Vimberg Mino: $42,000$48,000 (depending on finish)Īccuton diamond tweeter upgrade (not reviewed) costs $8500/pair. Rating assumes it is used with its companion M5-HPA high-pass amplifier. Vandersteen Audio Quatro Wood CT: $17,947/pair Rockport Technologies Avior II: $47,000/pair ★ MBL Radialstrahler 101 E Mk.II: $91,000/pair ★

MartinLogan Renaissance ESL 15A: $28,999.98/pair ★ Marten Parker Trio Diamond: $39,995/pair and up, depending on the finish Price is with M-Cast (textured powder-coat) finish. Price now includes nonoptional MPOD Bases. GoldenEar Technology Triton Reference: $12,500/pair ★ $$$

Aida extreme engineer