ADAM Audio H715 Reference: Powerful €669 Open-Back Flagship

The ADAM Audio H715 Reference is the new flagship headphone from the Berlin studio monitor specialist. It is an open-back, circumaural design with titanium-plated PEN drivers, a dedicated Hi-Fi mode for balanced amplifiers and bundled calibration software from Sonnox. ADAM Audio aims it at two groups at once: engineers who mix and master on headphones, and music lovers who want a neutral, revealing headphone for serious listening at home.

Titanium-plated PEN drivers in the ADAM Audio H715 Reference

At the heart of the ADAM Audio H715 Reference sits a pair of custom 40 mm dynamic drivers. Their diaphragms are made of PEN (polyethylene naphthalate) with a titanium plating, driven by neodymium magnets. ADAM Audio says the combination delivers accuracy as well as an emotional connection to the music, with a claimed response that reaches down to 9 Hz. The drivers sit in a woven steel mesh enclosure with a patent-pending ventilation system, which should keep the low end controlled without the boxy sound that some open-back designs suffer from.

With an impedance of 150 ohms, this is not a headphone for a phone or a laptop output. A good audio interface or a dedicated headphone amplifier is the natural partner.

ADAM Audio H715 Reference headphones in a three-quarter view — ADAM Audio H715 Reference with titanium-plated PEN drivers

Hi-Fi mode for balanced amplifiers

The most interesting feature for the audiophile crowd is the Hi-Fi mode. Using a small metal pin supplied in the box, the headphone switches to a fully balanced connection for use with differential amplifiers. For that purpose ADAM Audio includes a 3 m cable with a 4.4 mm Pentaconn connector, the standard on many current high-end headphone amplifiers and DAPs. For studio use there is a 1.3 m coiled cable as well.

It is a smart way to make the ADAM Audio H715 Reference work equally well at a mixing desk and in a listening chair, without compromises in either setting.

Sonnox calibration and comfort

ADAM Audio has partnered with the equalisation specialists at Sonnox. Buyers get the ADAM Audio Headphone Utility plugin for use inside a DAW, plus Sonnox ListenHub for system-wide calibration. Both offer calibration profiles for the ADAM Audio H715 Reference, adjustable crossfeed, metering and referencing tools.

Comfort on the ADAM Audio H715 Reference gets plenty of attention too. The headband is made of spring steel and has a cut-out in the padding to take pressure off the top of the head. The earcups rotate and are magnetically detachable, and there are two sets of memory foam earpads in the box: one in soft cloth and one in faux leather. Much of the construction is modular, so worn parts can be replaced.

ADAM Audio H715 Reference headphones seen from the front — Spring steel headband and rotatable earcups on the ADAM Audio H715 Reference

A studio brand moves closer to hi-fi

ADAM Audio built its name with its folded-ribbon tweeters and active studio monitors, and recently expanded its studio range with the ADAM Audio Sub8 PRO subwoofer. With the ADAM Audio H715 Reference, the brand clearly reaches beyond the studio. The balanced 4.4 mm connection, the second set of earpads and the hardshell case that holds everything make it a complete package for home listeners as well.

ADAM Audio H715 Reference headphones next to the hardshell case — The ADAM Audio H715 Reference ships with a hardshell case

Pricing and availability

The ADAM Audio H715 Reference will be available from December 2026. Pricing is set at €669.99, £569.99 and $824.99 (MAP). More information is available on the ADAM Audio website.