Adam and Focal are two renowned and well respected brands in the audio industry that produce high quality speakers, headphones, soundbars, and subwoofers.
In this article, we will cover a general overview of both brands, looking specifically at sound quality, durability, price and so on. Of course, each brand has different devices at different price points, however we will compare them as closely as we can.
ADAM Audio is known for its high-quality studio monitors, while Focal is a well-regarded brand in the audio industry known for its high-quality speakers and headphones.
Before we get into it, here are some similar comparisons that you may be interested in:
- JBL vs Focal – Which Brand Is Better?
- Focal Vs Alpine
- Focal Vs B&W
- Focal Vs Jl Audio
- Focal Vs Morel
- Focal vs Yamaha – Which Brand Is Better?
Adam vs Focal Comparison Table
| Criteria | Adam | Focal |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Reputation | Adam is known for professional studio monitors and audio solutions, gaining recognition in the pro audio industry. | Focal is highly regarded for high-end audio products, including premium speakers and studio monitors. |
| Sound Quality | Adam speakers are known for accuracy and transparency, providing detailed and precise sound reproduction. | Focal emphasizes natural and balanced sound, with a reputation for exceptional clarity and imaging. |
| Build Quality/Design | Adam products feature robust build quality, often with distinctive ribbon tweeters, and sleek, functional designs. | Focal speakers showcase meticulous craftsmanship, premium materials, and elegant designs with a focus on aesthetics. |
| Product Range | Adam offers a range of studio monitors and audio solutions tailored for professional and home studio environments. | Focal provides a diverse product range, including high-end speakers, headphones, and studio monitors. |
| Pricing | Adam products are positioned in various price ranges, offering options for both entry-level and professional users. | Focal products are often positioned as high-end, reflecting the premium quality and craftsmanship. |
| Features | Adam studio monitors often include advanced technologies for accurate sound reproduction and customization options. | Focal products may feature advanced speaker technologies, proprietary drivers, and innovative design elements. |
Pros and Cons of Adam:
- Pros: Known for producing high-quality speakers and headphones with excellent sound quality and build quality. Many of their products are well-regarded by audiophiles and have received positive reviews.
- Cons: Some of their products can be expensive, and some users have reported issues with durability.
Pros and Cons of Focal:
- Pros: Known for producing high-quality speakers and headphones with excellent sound quality and build quality. Many of their products are well-regarded by audiophiles and have received positive reviews.
- Cons: Some of their products can be expensive.
Quick History
ADAM Audio Quick History
Advanced Dynamic Audio Monitors (ADAM) Audio was founded in March 1999 in Berlin, Germany. The company develops, manufactures and distributes active loudspeakers and other audio devices like headphones.
The head factory is still located in Berlin, but they are represented in over 75 countries.
Focal Quick History
Focal is a renowned French speaker brand that is well known for its quality and performance. Focal has been creating and manufacturing home audio loudspeakers, automobile audio speaker drivers and amplifiers, recording monitoring loudspeakers, and headphones since 1979.
The Focal brand, based in Saint-Étienne, France, has earned its place among the audio industry’s leaders by producing constant innovative technology.
Every new generation combines existing advancements and inventions, allowing them to continually add new products to their collections. The Focal goal is to create a faithful replica of its original work while preserving its reputation.
Sound Quality
ADAM Audio Sound Quality
Adam Audio devices offer surplus bass extension, vital mid-range clarity, detailed, uncompressed highs and high maximum power output level with minimum distortion.
These features make their devices produce accurate, transparent and high definition sound.
Focal Sound Quality
The Focal brand has been working on producing high-quality sound that is rich and precise in order to set itself apart from other companies. When you listen to music on low-quality equipment, you lose the richness of the sound.
The final presentation is heavily influenced by the sound production equipment type and quality of the initial recording and the file type (MP3, CD, etc.). Focal acoustic professionals specialize in sound precision and know how to bring out the richness of recorded sound samples.
Focal sound qualities include good dynamics (the contrast between bass and treble) and sound neutrality (the absence of coloration or frills which lead to distortion).
Features
ADAM Audio Features
Here are some features of Adam Audio devices:
- Several equalizers presets
- Internal Digital Signal Processors (DSP)
- The S Control app, Available for Windows and Macintosh, gives Access to your device via USB connection
- Excellent driver technology and superior materials
- Spacious rear-facing bass reflex ports
Focal Features
Focal designs every component to work together to deliver the highest possible musical quality. Some of the features of the Focal brand that make them one of the best are listed below:
- Magnetic grille for woofers
- Aluminum/magnesium inverted dome tweeter
- Slatefiber midrange
- Bass reflex design (front-firing port)
- Lean-back design ensures precise sound at the listening position
- Bluetooth, HEOS, Wi-Fi, and AirPlay 2 streaming support.
- Multiple input and output ports
- Up to 5 years warranty on their product
- Innovative technology
- Sensitivity 92.5 dB
- High power handling
- Low distortion
- Bi-amp system
- Accurate and natural sound output
- Reliable construction material
Build Quality
ADAM Audio Build Quality
Every Adam Audio device receives rigorous monitoring during manufacture, and even stricter post-production testing to produce high-quality devices.
They have features like acoustically optimized cabinets; ultra-light but acoustically superb materials like Rohacell, carbon and glass fibre; solid aluminium waveguides; other materials include HexaCone and polypropylene.
Focal Build Quality
Most Focal products you buy will have a solid build. Focal has maintained a consistent level of product build quality over the years. If you desire a high level of build quality in your devices, Focal is among the best you can get out there.
Their products are often compared to more reputable brands such as Yamaha and lots more.
Ease of Use
ADAM Audio Ease Of Use
Adam Audio makes every effort to make their devices user-friendly. This reflects in their deliberate placement of basic controls (volume, power) in easy-to-reach places like the front. The devices can also be controlled using wireless remotes and personal computers using the S Control software’s user-friendly interface.
Focal Ease Of Use
Focal products are very simple to use and come with a guidebook that explains how to set up and use the equipment.
You’ll love the Focal brand speaker base because it makes speaker positioning and alignment (and, if necessary, re-positioning) very easy.
Unlike most other speaker designs, which require reaching beneath a cabinet with one or more spanners to adjust the spikes fitted to the base, the focal speaker base lets you simply reach below and make changes quickly, easily, and without the use of any equipment.
Cost
ADAM Audio Cost
Some Adam Audio devices are quite affordable, but as shown by the list below, most are for serious professionals only.
- Speakers: $200 – $36,000
- Subwoofers: $700 – $10,000
- Headphones: From $500
Focal Cost
Focal products are significantly less expensive than some of the other audio system manufacturers in the same league.
This does not imply that they are inferior to other brands, and, of course, some other manufacturers’ products are less expensive, while some are more expensive than Focal.
The price range for different focal devices is listed below:
- Home speakers: $150 – $1500
- Headphones: $50 – $300
- subwoofers: $150 – $2000
- Car speaker: $100 – $500
Focal produces sound systems that include a variety of high-quality characteristics, such as a durable design and a powerful sound, and they are all reasonably priced. No matter how inexpensive a focal product is, it will still provide an adequate output for the purpose for which it was created.
Space Requirements
ADAM Audio Space Requirement
Adam Audio produces very compact devices, but their devices can be very heavy. The S5H studio monitor weighs 72.6Kg and measures 430x885x500mm (HWD) while the slightly smaller S2V, also a studio monitor, measures 346x222x338mm and weighs 11Kg.
Focal Space Requirements
Focal offers numerous products that are ideal for use practically anywhere and offer excellent portability. These include loudspeakers, soundbars, car audio, Bluetooth speakers, and lots more.
However, it’s important to remember that the size of these products isn’t the only aspect to consider when deciding where to put them; ventilation requirements are also to be considered.
Insufficient space may cause the device to overheat, resulting in a sudden shutdown. It is ideal to leave a few inches of free space around a Focal device, especially those that must be installed in a confined space.
Remote Controls
ADAM Audio Remote Control
Adam Audio devices can be controlled via wireless remotes. The S Control app, available for Macintosh and Windows computers, allows users to set up, adjust and update their devices via USB.
Focal Remote Controls
Focal provides easy access to their devices as well as the ability to control them. With the use of remote control, users can listen to music on the gadget from any room. The FSP-8 remote control is an example of this. This LCD remote control enhances the DSP FSP-8 user experience.
You may simply make a change in the primary settings, and also significantly, remember up to four saved presets thanks to the easy control.
Connectivity Options
ADAM Audio Connectivity Option
Adam Audio devices are not lacking when it comes to connectivity. There are analog ports such as XLR and RCA for lossless, unprocessed audio playback and modern digital ports including HDMI, AES3 and USB. There are also extension ports if you need more options than those available.
Focal Connectivity Options
Here are the main connectivity options compatible with most KRK speakers:
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi
- RCA
- HDMI
Power Range
ADAM Audio Power Range
Adam Audio devices are power-efficient and therefore produce sound precisely, even at very high volumes. The A7X studio monitor peaks at 225W. Compare that to the S2V which peaks at 230W. Adam Audio devices generally range within 50W to 900W.
Focal Power Range
The amount of power consumed by Focal devices differs from one gadget to the next. For example, an entry-level Focal receiver’s power range is roughly 120 watts for one channel and 60 watts for two channels. However, the average soundbar’s power range/consumption is around 74 watts.
It is advisable to look through the user manuals to understand the power range of your focal device in order to get the most out of it.
Frequency Response
ADAM Audio Frequency Response
Adam Audio devices are well-known for their impartial audio reproduction in a wide frequency scope. The A7X studio monitor ranges in frequency from 42Hz to 50KHz. The S2V on the other hand, starts at 35Hz and goes up to 50KHz. The typical frequency response for Adam Audio devices can range from as low as 20Hz all the way up to 50KHz.
Focal Frequency Response
We will make a few comparisons to give an overall idea. Focal Chora 826-D floor-standing loudspeaker has a frequency response of about 48Hz-28kHz while Focal Sopra SW 1000 BE Subwoofer has a frequency response of about (+/- 3dB) 20 Hz–150 Hz.
You can do your research on Focal Audio products to know about each device’s frequency response when you need to get one.
Conclusion
The excellent price-performance ratio for Adam makes them very good purchases for everyone. The high-end prices, however, make them only suitable for professionals and upscale home use.
If you need a good sound system in the future, you can put your faith in Focal. Decades of experience have made the organization into a market-leading brand. Try Focal for your next sound upgrade if you’re looking for great sound quality and high-fidelity sound.