ADAM Audio may not be a household name among American audio enthusiasts, but the Berlin-based company has spent more than 25 years building a formidable reputation in professional audio. Founded in 1999, the German manufacturer is now entering the open-back headphone market for the first time with the H715 Reference, marking an interesting new chapter for a company best known for its studio monitors and loudspeaker technology.
Much of ADAM Audio’s reputation was built on its refinement of Air Motion Transformer (AMT) technology, originally developed by Oskar Heil in the 1960s. The company’s proprietary X-ART (eXtended Accelerating Ribbon Technology)helped establish its position in the professional studio monitor market, while its continued development of loudspeakers and subwoofers expanded its global reach. In 2019, ADAM Audio became part of the Focusrite Group, joining a growing family of professional audio brands.
There is, however, an interesting family connection to the headphone business. Klaus Heinz, ADAM Audio’s co-founder and former head of research and development, departed the company in 2014 and subsequently established HEDD Audio (Heinz Electrodynamic Designs) in 2015 with his son, Dr. Frederik Knop. HEDD has since earned considerable respect for its studio monitors and innovative headphones, several of which we’ve covered on eCoustics. With ADAM Audio now entering the headphone market, two Berlin companies with shared engineering roots find themselves competing for some of the same customers. Nothing like a little family history to make the German audio industry more interesting.
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Adam Audio H715 Reference Headphones
The Drivers
At the heart of the H715 are custom-designed 150-ohm titanium-plated PEN (polyethylene naphthalate) drivers housed within a woven steel mesh enclosure.
The drivers incorporate neodymium magnets, a precisely tuned suspension system, and a patent-pending ventilation design. Together, these elements are engineered to deliver extended bass response, smooth high-frequency reproduction, and accurate transient response, resulting in a neutral sonic presentation well-suited to professional mixing and mastering applications.
Built for Long Studio Sessions
The H715 Reference combines durable metal components with a lightweight, ergonomic design intended for extended listening sessions. Key features include a breathable steel grille, dual-sided cable connectivity, magnetically detachable earpads, and premium memory foam cushioning designed to improve comfort without compromising durability.
The headband uses spring steel to maintain consistent clamping pressure, while the rotating earcups conform to the listener’s head and distribute pressure evenly around the ears. ADAM Audio has also incorporated a central cutout in the headband padding to reduce pressure on the sensitive crown of the head, a thoughtful detail for recording engineers and listeners who spend hours wearing headphones.
Bringing Studio Calibration to the H715
The H715 Reference also benefits from ADAM Audio’s collaboration with Sonnox, extending its capabilities beyond the headphones themselves. Originally introduced alongside the ADAM Audio H200 closed-back headphones, the Sonnox Headphone Utility Plug-In now includes H715-specific calibration profiles and adjustable crossfeed functionality.
These tools allow users to tailor the headphone response and introduce a more speaker-like listening presentation by blending information between the left and right channels. For recording engineers working primarily on headphones, the added flexibility can help create a more consistent monitoring environment when mixing and mastering.
ListenHub: System-Wide Calibration Beyond the Recording Studio
The H715 Reference also includes access to Sonnox ListenHub, an advanced audio analysis, comparison, and virtual monitoring platform designed to help recording engineers make more informed mixing decisions. Available as a standalone macOS application, ListenHub can host plug-ins such as the Sonnox Headphone Utility, extending the H715’s calibration capabilities beyond traditional digital audio workstation (DAW) environments.
This allows H715 Reference users to apply headphone calibration across different audio sources without relying on a DAW. Whether evaluating reference tracks, checking mixes, or listening through other applications, the system-wide functionality provides greater consistency and flexibility throughout the monitoring process.
Hi-Fi Listening Mode
The H715 Reference isn’t limited to professional studio applications. For audiophiles, ADAM Audio includes a 3-meter cable terminated with a 4.4 mm Pentaconn connector, allowing the headphones to connect directly to compatible balanced headphone amplifiers and premium Hi-Fi components. The cable connects to both earcups, providing separate connections for the left and right channels.
A dedicated Hi-Fi mode is activated using a recessed switch on the left earcup, which separates the shared ground connection between the two channels to enable true balanced operation. This configuration is designed to improve channel separation and reduce electrical interference when paired with a compatible differential headphone amplifier. The mode can be deactivated when returning to conventional studio equipment, giving the H715 Reference the flexibility to move between professional monitoring and home listening without requiring two different pairs of headphones.
Ready To Pack-Up and Go
The H715 Reference can fold flat for transport and comes with a premium hardshell travel case. The case features dedicated compartments for the 1.3-meter coiled studio cable, 3-meter Hi-Fi cable, and interchangeable soft-cloth and faux-leather earpads, which attach magnetically for easy replacement.
Fully Serviceable
All the parts of the H715 can be replaced as needed – This includes the earpad and headband components. Even the drivers can be replaced by an authorized technician.
Specifications Compared
| H715 Reference (2026) | H200 (2024) | |
| Product Type | Open-back, circumaural dynamic wired headphone | Closed-back, circumaural dynamic wired headphone |
| Price | $699.99 | $179.99 |
| Drivers | Transducer: 40 mm titanium-plated PEN Transducer Magnet: Neodymium Transducer Protection: Cloth- and felt-covered grille | Transducer: 40 mm PEEK Performance Transducer Magnet: Neodymium Transducer Protection: Cloth- and felt-covered grille |
| Impedance | 150 Ohm | 32 Ohm |
| Frequency Response (-3 dB @ 1 kHz) | 9 Hz – 40 kHz | 2 Hz – 23.5 kHz |
| Max. Sound Pressure Level | 113 dB SPL (1 kHz 0.05 % THD) | 112.5 dB SPL (1 kHz 0.04 % THD) |
| THD @ 1 kHz and 100 dB SPL | <0.05% | <0.02 % |
| Passive Attenuation, averaged | Not Indicated | >4 kHz: 40 dB |
| Sensitivity | 1 kHz/1 Vrms, 1 kHz / 1 mW: @1 Vrms = 102dB SPL,@ 1mW = 94dB SPL | 1 kHz/1 Vrms, 1 kHz / 1 mW: @1 Vrms = 112.5 dB SPL, @1 mW = 97.5 dB SPL |
| Max. Input Power Handling | 100 mW (3.8 V) | 30 mW (0.98 V) |
| Continuous Input Power Handling | 30 mW (2.12 V | 20 mW (0.8 V) |
| Foldable | Lay-flat | – |
| Detachable Cable | Yes | Yes |
| Replaceable Ear Pads | Yes | Yes |
| Replaceable Headband Pad | Yes | Yes |
| Ear Cup Material | PC-ABS, stainless steel | PC-ABS (85% recycled) |
| Ear Pad Material | Easy-clean artificial leather or comfortable soft cloth, with memory foam padding and dust cloth | Memory Foam with artificial leather |
| Ear Cup Connectivity | 2.5 mm (1/10″) TRS jack plugs | 2.5 mm (1/10″) TRS jack plugs |
| Source Connectivity | 3.5 mm (1/8″) TRS jack plug (straight), adapter for 6.3 mm (1/4″), or Pentacon | 3.5 mm (1/8″) TRS jack plug (straight), adapter for 6.3 mm (1/4″), or Pentacon |
| Cable Entry | Left or right side with collar resistance lock, double entry with balanced cable | Left or right side with collar resistance lock |
| Operating Conditions | -30° C to +50° C (-22° F to +122° F); <85% RH, non-condensing | -30° C to +50° C (-22° F to +122° F); <85% RH, non-condensing |
| Weight (excl. cable) | 0.3 kg | 0.25 kg |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Package Contents | H715 Reference headphone 3 m straight cable 1.3 m to 3 m spiral cable Hard carry case Metal pin to activate HiFi mode | H200 headphone 3 m straight cable Soft carry bag |
The Bottom Line
The $699 ADAM Audio H715 Reference represents a significant step beyond the company’s $179 H200 closed-back headphones, trading passive isolation for an open-back design better suited to mixing, mastering, and critical listening in quiet environments. Both are wired headphones, but the H715’s combination of professional calibration software, system-wide monitoring tools, and dedicated balanced Hi-Fi connectivity gives it a distinctive position in a market where sound quality alone is rarely enough to stand out.
The competition isn’t exactly asleep at the mixing console. Sennheiser’s HD 490 Pro Plus ($499) and Audeze’s MM-100 ($399) are two open-back studio alternatives that cost less. Meanwhile, HEDD Audio presents another interesting challenge with their D1 at $799.
Ultimately, ADAM’s professional pedigree gives the H715 credibility, but its claims of loudspeaker-like imaging and reference-level accuracy will have to survive real-world listening tests. At $699, a Berlin address and a studio monitor pedigree are a good start, not a free pass.
Price & Availability
The Adam Audio H715 Reference Open-Back Headphones will be available December 2026, and can be pre-ordered now for $699.99 at Guitar Center.
The Adam Audio H200 Closed-Back Headphones are currently available for $179.99 at Amazon.
For more information: adam-audio.com
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