Adam Audio H200 Review

If you’re looking for one of the best closed-back studio headphones under $200, the Adam Audio H200 deserves a serious look. Designed by a brand known for its high-end studio monitors, the H200 looks to bring that same level of precision and clarity into the world of headphone monitoring. Let’s break down what makes the H200 stand out in the crowded landscape of studio headphones.

What You Get

• H200 headphone
• 3m straight cable
• Soft carry bag

Look & Feel

The Adam Audio H200 has a professional look that will feel at home next to other studio gear. However, the build is of much higher quality than expected, with an anodized aluminum yoke that maintains a sense of durability in its design. What really makes the H200 special is its ear pads, which are these thick memory foam pads made with artificial leather. These are incredibly comfortable pads that correspond with the same material used for the headband. They secure your ears tightly, but do not pinch down to add more pressure. It’s a snug fit that will feel comfortable to wear for long mixing sessions.

Design

There are 40mm drivers within the Adam Audio H200. This is their custom PEEK driver design that uses special diaphragms and acoustic dampening to achieve their desired tuning for the H200. The H200 is also supported by a downloadable companion app, where you can optimize loudspeaker mixes to translate to your headphones properly.

Soundstage

Studio headphones like the Adam Audio H200 should be able to provide an accurate portrayal of stereo imaging, and they go beyond that. The H200 breaks out of linearity to encapsulate your headspace in a wide sonic environment that is highly immersive. Spatial imaging appears exact, with extremely well-localized positioning that places each instrument in a live setting. It does this while offering a dimensional space that unfolds complex layers of sound articulately. The space between instruments is what sells this soundstage as a capable studio tool, as well as an impressive closed-back headphone for less than $200. Separation makes stacking sounds appear more distinct and individualized in the mix, allowing for easier assessment of the instruments on display.

Low End

While other studio headphones do a good job offering surface-level punch, the Adam Audio H200 goes a step further. The sub-bass has such a more distinct character here than what I usually hear on budget monitoring headphones. It establishes a foundation of clear vibration that adds a ton of depth to the sound signature, and it culminates in a gripping tone. The resolution of this tone is what really impresses, as the low frequencies showcase clear detail that feels tight and precise. Bass notes come through clear as day, separating themselves from the low-mids and never overextending into cloudiness. It remembers to feature dynamism as well as texture, providing a strong balance while ever sacrificing a bodied performance. The buzz that comes off of notes is super rich, displaying a low-end frequency definition that you won’t find in a lot of closed-back headphones in this price range.

Mids

The midrange frequencies appear balanced and refined throughout the sound signature. What it might lack in excitement, the H200 more than makes up for in specificity and resolution. Different institutions have tons of room to move around in, never showing any noticeable dips in energy. There’s a consistent weight to instruments that provide a neutral timbre to their clean presentation. Transients are what make the H200 feel like a pro studio tool, as they cut through the mids very surgically. Piano keys blare out, while strings and vocals sit over each other in stacks that present them on an even field. The upper-mids are pushed forward for some more excited tones, but vocals don’t dominate too much of the mix. They sit with the instruments on the same general plane while still featuring a crisp presentation.

Highs

There’s a fluffier presentation to the highs than what you hear in the mids and lows, but it’s still an accurate reproduction of frequencies. You get a treble that feels well-adjusted and easy to consume, while also exhibiting light sparkle and sizzle. What the highs do best, though, is provide height to the sound signature, elevating the frequencies in a manner that is easy to assess. High-frequency elements tail off and disappear into the space, giving them an airy quality. It’s very pleasant to listen to, but for studio headphones, you might be looking for something more raw.

Summary

The Adam Audio H200 proves that professional-grade monitoring doesn’t have to come with a premium price tag. With its wide soundstage, articulate bass response, and precise midrange and treble performance, it delivers a listening experience that rivals far more expensive studio headphones. Add to that a supremely comfortable design with premium build materials, and you’ve got a headphone that’s just as fit for long mixing sessions as it is for critical listening. Whether you’re an audio engineer, bedroom producer, or audiophile on a budget, the H200 is a versatile, high-performing option that sets a new standard in its class. Adam Audio’s attention to detail and sound tuning translate beautifully into the H200, making it a must-have for anyone seeking accurate, immersive sound reproduction without spending a fortune.

The Adam Audio H200 is available here.