ADAM Audio’s H715 Reference wants your desk to become a listening room

There is a particular kind of desk session that begins with “just one song” and ends with you discovering that your tea has developed weather. The ADAM Audio H715 Reference looks built for that sort of commitment. Announced on October 22, the open-back flagship combines studio-minded hardware with Sonnox software for people who want to pay closer attention to their music.

First, the room still matters

The design uses 150-ohm titanium-plated PEN drivers and a steel mesh enclosure. ADAM describes the result as a reference-monitoring option for mixing and mastering. That is the manufacturer’s pitch, rather than a listening verdict from us. We have not auditioned these headphones.

Open-back headphones are a sensible place to pause before getting swept away by the shiny specifications. They are intended for listening without the isolation of a sealed earcup; a quiet space matters. If the washing machine is currently performing its dramatic final movement, this may be a negotiation rather than a peaceful album night.

The more interesting extra lives on the computer.

Sonnox tools join the listening setup

The announcement pairs H715-specific calibration profiles and adjustable crossfeed in Headphone Utility with ListenHub. ADAM describes the latter as a standalone macOS application that can host the utility for system-wide calibration. Check the current software requirements against your own computer and audio workflow before buying.

For a creator, the useful question is whether a monitoring setup helps you make decisions that translate elsewhere. Play a familiar reference track, then your own work. Listen at a sensible level and compare on other systems. A plugin can be part of that process; it does not provide a tiny, infallible producer who lives behind the ear cushion. A shame, honestly. They could have handled the emails.

There is a more traditional listening option, too.

A cable, a case and a stock check

A dedicated Hi-Fi mode supports compatible balanced equipment using the supplied 4.4mm cable. This is an equipment-matching detail, not proof that a connector automatically makes music better. The US store also lists replaceable earpads and headband padding, useful considerations for something intended to spend a lot of time on a desk.

At the time of writing, ADAM’s US store shows US$699.99, marks the product out of stock and says availability is expected at the end of 2026. Treat that as the current store listing, not a promise that a pair can ship today. Regional prices and retailer estimates can differ.

Our Audio-Technica ATH-AWX7000 report follows a closed-back approach, while the new Sony Walkman story explores dedicated playback hardware. The H715’s appeal is a focused listening setup with useful software alongside it. Put it on the audition list, check compatibility, and perhaps bring a lid for the tea.

Hero image: ADAM Audio. Official image source.