For over a decade, I’ve been using a pair of Tascam VL-M3 [Tape Op #77] monitors with my Universal Audio Apollo Twin [#101] interface for in the box editing and overdubbing in my small home office studio space. They’ve served me well, sounding better than built-in computer speakers or cheap consumer monitors. I’ve often wished for a bit more bottom end response, but I don’t have the space for a subwoofer plus I don’t trust my office space’s acoustics. So, when I saw the ADAM D3Vs at the 2024 AES show in NYC, I was curious to try them out in my space. These are well-thought-out and well-designed small active monitors – clearly, desktop-sized computer speakers have come a long way in the past ten years.
D3V's audio connections are versatile, via balanced or unbalanced 1/4-inch jacks (analog) and USB-C (digital). On the front panel there's a 1/8-inch headphone jack that, when active, mutes the monitors, effectively turning the D3V into an audio interface in USB mode. Added monitoring features include a front panel volume knob that doubles as a multi-function switch, allowing for functions like muting and swapping L/R inputs. Although the D3V’s footprint is only slightly larger than my VL-M3s, they are a bit taller and heavier. However, they do come with nice optional desk stands that add a slight upward tilt to the monitors for a better focus in the listening position while taking up minimal desk space.
These two-ways are similar to my VL-M3s, but with one big difference: They have passive radiators on the sides, and the low end response is much better. I’ve worked a lot with ADAM P22A [Tape Op #59] monitors, and I’m a fan of their folded ribbon tweeter for its clear but not fatiguing response. ADAM has improved upon its original design with the D3V’s D-ART air motion transformer tweeters. I feel I can get accurate mixes with them and spend more time mixing before ear fatigue sets in. The D3Vs also have three three-position switches that compensate for rooms and desks: Position, Desk, and Room. I set them to match my space (Corner, Small, and Untreated), then never looked back. After using the D3Vs for some final editing and sequencing on three different projects I’ve been working on, they seemed to be amazingly revealing in my small, crappy workspace. I’m confident that on future projects where I’m doing more editing, overdubbing, and pre-mixing in my office space, I’ll get better-sounding tracks, especially in the low frequency spectrum. My mixes seemed to translate well with the D3Vs, but I was hearing more detail, again, especially on the low end. At $299 a pair, these are keepers and are a big upgrade for my home office studio. If you’re in the market for small desktop monitors, I strongly suggest checking out the D3Vs. Available in black or white.
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