How to resolve AdBlock issue? EVE Audio EXO 25
Nearfield monitor from EVE Audio
Text and photos: Markus Thiel
With the EXO series, the Berlin-based studio monitor specialist EVE Audio offers a nearfield monitor with a redesigned high frequency driver in an elegant yet unobtrusive design. In terms of operation, this model offers a number of new features compared to its SC200 predecessors, resulting in a new workflow, such as a display on the rear panel. We tested the new model and, in addition to the technical specifications, we also take a closer look at the changes to familiar features.
Concept
The EXO series comes in four well-designed sizes, with a choice of 4“, 5”, 6.5“ and 8” woofers. The EXO 25 with a 5" woofer driver is also a low-resonance new development of a so-called CAL membrane made of specially coated aluminum. This material is also used for the dust cap. The driver is supported by a rear-mounted bass reflex tunnel with an internally cranked architecture, which has also been completely redesigned. This concept, adapted from the SC series, works in conjunction with a carefully tuned cabinet design to provide significantly more depth in the frequency range (–3 dB @ 44 Hz).
Starting from the crossover frequency at 2200Hz up to 24kHz, the newly developed AirMotion Tweeter (PAMT) is used, which is embedded in a waveguide with Guided Directivity Control (GDC) Precision. As with the woofer, the PAMT is also powered by a maximum of 140 watts, with a distortion factor of only 1% at the upper limit. The maximum total sound pressure of the system is 110dB SPL (full space, >100Hz) or 116dB SPL (half space, >100Hz). The EXO series uses the SC208 for its basic electronics and power supply. The seemingly oversized key data offers a lot of performance headroom in return and ensures the lowest possible distortion - even at full capacity, for example.
Unlike earlier models, the EVE Audio EXO25 can be used with the manufacturer's own room correction and remote software, which is currently still in preparation/finalization. For calibration purposes or firmware updates, the nearfield monitors are connected to a host computer through the integrated Ethernet interface on the rear panel. Dante or audio-via-IP are not available and are not planned, as this is conceptually a pure control port. In addition to unbalanced and balanced analog inputs, there is also a digital S/PDIF input on the rear panel.
The overall concept therefore appears promising and scalable for extensive setups for mixing productions in 3D audio formats, such as Dolby Atmos.
Operation
First of all, it should be noted that those familiar with the manufacturer's previous monitor models may find the complete absence of front controls on the speaker somewhat unusual. The easy-to-use one-knob operation in the form of the Smart Control Knob has been moved to the rear of the DSP-supported active systems in the SC200 models' successors. A new addition is a small but crystal-clear OLED display, which now allows you to view the system's parameter settings.
The parameters include the input volume, which can be adjusted from -8 to +10dB using the new menu-driven Smart Control Knob. For tonal adjustment of the EXO 25, there is also a high-shelf filter (-5dB to +3dB) above 3kHz, a mid-EQ (-3dB to +3dB) at 3.2kHz, a desk filter cut (-5dB to 0dB) at 550Hz, and a low shelf filter (-5dB to +3dB) below 300Hz. Compared to the SC series, however, the low-shelf filter has been further developed into a comb filter. When set to the upper range, it acts like a shelf filter, i.e., it raises the level in the bass range across a broad spectrum. In the other direction, the filter raises the cutoff frequency, making it easier and more effective to eliminate narrow-band room resonances.
The maximum input level of the system is 16.5dBu at -10dBV and a maximum of 20dBu at the studio level of +4dBu. In addition, the display features a graphical input control to identify possible distortion caused by excessive input signals at an early stage. In addition to the IP address configuration (manual/automatic), the LED brightness of the Eve Audio logo on the front panel can be dimmed from 0% to 100%. In an emergency, this can also function as a purple overload indicator.
If there is no signal at the monitor inputs for a certain period of time, the EXO automatically switches to standby mode. The switch-off interval can be set to 15, 30, or 60 minutes, or it can be deactivated altogether. When standby mode is active, the system switches back on immediately when a signal is received.
In practice
Those familiar with the older models will probably wonder whether positioning the DSP control on the side facing the wall is not extremely inconvenient. However, this is absolutely not the case when you consider that 99 percent of the parameters are set-and-forget settings. Along with the display on the rear panel, this also results in a new workflow that makes things a lot easier. As intelligent and space-saving as the previous control concept with the LED ring was, the addition of a clearly structured menu navigation significantly improves the usability of the system.
EVE Audio has not compromised on outstanding sound quality with this model either. A model from this manufacturer can be identified almost blindfolded from a range of AMT-equipped speaker models. Fine-tuning the frequency curve is a key feature of the Berlin-based manufacturer's developments – and the EXO series is no exception. Despite the waveguides being recessed deep into the front of the cabinet, the EXO 25s deliver a wide stereo image with a pleasantly broad sweet spot for mixing. The analytically precise monitors also remain pleasantly musical across the entire spectrum during playback, making them ideal for long periods of work with minimal fatigue. The low frequency range not only impresses with its extension down to almost 40 Hz, but also with sharp delineation and plasticity in the reproduction of the bass.
Conclusion
The EXO 25 impresses with its high presence and pleasant balance without ever drifting into the realm of the pleasing. At a price of just under 580 Euros per speaker, these models provide an analytically precise tool for hours of work without fatigue. Interested buyers should not be deceived by the small dimensions of these active monitors, as they sound considerably larger in practice than they initially appear. With the EXO series, EVE Audio has taken the next logical step in its development - and it really makes you want more.