EVE Audio EXO Series Monitors: An SC200 Upgrade After 13 Years

In Exound's listening room, we've always referred to the EVE Audio SC205 as the "5-inch blind test champion."

Although it might look somewhat dated in style and features (released in 2012), around 80% of customers who come in for blind tests end up choosing the SC205, regardless of which 5-inch monitors they originally came to audition.

Now the SC200 series has finally been upgraded and rebranded with a completely new name:

Introducing The EXO Series

I once dreamed that if Exound ever launched our speakers, we'd call them the "EXO" series. Now we'll have to rename ours to the "UND" series... damn it...

 

The most significant highlight of the new series is software control support:

Welcoming The EVE Control

As for the connection method, they "still" use Ethernet interfaces and cables.

Why do I say "still"?

If you've seen our previous reviews of "ADAM's new A-series" or "Genelec SAM Smart Monitoring", you might think the new EXO series doesn't offer particularly revolutionary innovations.

But truthfully, many mainstream monitor manufacturers in the $1,000+ range don't have such "advanced" features either, including Dynaudio, Focal, PMC, ATC, Quested, HEDD, Barefoot, JBL, and others.

Many of them haven't released products with similar functionality yet.

The EXO software control features an eight-band EQ.

Other functions like remote power switching, grouping, delay, etc., are also included. However, it doesn't yet support acoustic measurement calibration...

I guess that EVE Audio is currently developing this.

They'll either follow Genelec's approach (proprietary calibration software, network interface, and measurement microphone) or ADAM's approach (third-party calibration software, audio interface, and calibration microphone).

Additionally, for immersive and surround sound setups, you'd naturally need subwoofers "with Ethernet ports."

Honestly, I'm surprised that two years after we completed our review of ADAM Audio's new A-series monitors, the matching ADAM subwoofer is still "in limbo."

From the image below, we can see that EVE also has plans for "digitally-controlled subwoofers," but who knows how long we'll have to wait, given that EVE and ADAM share the same origins...

I'm sure you're wondering why I'm calling the EXO series an upgrade to the SC200?

Let's zoom in on the official image above – you can clearly see that under the speaker icon, it says: "SC205 MKII".

I guess even Germans have their careless moments...

The name change does make some sense, as the "SC" in the original series name referred to SilverCone woofers.

But this time, the EXO series has switched to coated aluminium woofers.

Last year, EVE's SC3000 MK2 series also replaced SilverCone units with aluminium cones (while the midrange driver remained SilverCone).

Within the industry, manufacturers using aluminium diaphragms include the luxury brands Barefoot, Amphion, and Ocean Way. However, SC3000 MK2 and Barefoot use aluminium diaphragms in their subwoofer units, while only Amphion and Ocean Way use them for mid-bass drivers in speakers under 8 inches.

The introduction of the EXO series will make "aluminium diaphragms" more accessible at lower price points.

The tweeter has also received a major upgrade, called Precision AMT.

Looking at the specifications, the new unit's high-frequency extension has increased from 21kHz in the previous SC200 series to 24kHz, approaching the RS7 tweeter (25kHz) of the SC2070.

However, the PAMT's crossover point is 2200Hz, covering a smaller range than the RS7. Additionally, the new unit finally features a tweeter waveguide.

Although it's been released later than ADAM and HEDD's offerings, EVE's waveguide has an extremely large concave surface – I don't think any previous AMT speakers have featured such a large design.

Another obvious change is that the "signature" front-mounted multi-function knob from the SC series has been moved to the back in the EXO series...

Personally, I think it's somewhat less convenient now... but considering that software control is now available, plus the addition of a small OLED display, I suppose this change makes sense.

As for connectivity, it still features the RCA + XLR analogue input configuration.

But they've added an SPDIF digital input, which is a positive development. Now you can connect the speakers directly to a TV... audio enthusiasts should appreciate this.

If you're an industry insider, you'll notice that the EXO series cabinet design appears rather complex.

Viewed from the front, the cabinet has an irregular trapezoidal shape that's slightly smaller at the top. Additionally, the oversized bass port is very close to the cabinet edge.

Previously, wooden cabinets were rarely designed like this.

Interestingly (and unusually), all EXO models share the same amplifiers.

Every model uses the same Class D 140W + 140W configuration for the woofers and tweeters. Even their crossover points are identical, all set at 2200Hz...

• For the smallest model, the EXO 24, this is the most powerful 4-inch monitor I've seen to date.
• The EXO 25 ranks second in power among 5-inch monitors (the previously reviewed JBL 705P has 250W + 250W).
• The EXO 27's power is still slightly above average for its class, while the EXO 28 seems more standard.

4-inch monitor power comparison:

• Genelec 8020D: 50W + 50W
• ADAM Audio A4V: 15W + 90W
• Neumann KH80: 70W + 120W (at the cost of 10% THD, while the EXO 24 has 1% THD at 140W)

5-inch monitor power comparison:

• Genelec 8030C: 50W + 50W
• Neumann KH120: 100W + 145W
• HEDD Type05 MK2: 100W + 100W

We've also compiled a specifications table:

Let's compare with the SC200 series specifications.

You can see that the EXO24 and 25 show the biggest improvements.

The EXO series is scheduled to launch in July, at least according to Thomann's in-stock expectations.

Regarding pricing, recent global situations have caused some exchange rate chaos... so we'll use Thomann's pricing as a reference... They're not much more expensive than the SC200 series.

The SC200 series likely won't be discontinued for at least two years (after all, they just released an "all-black" version this year).

The EXO series won't be "complete" until the matching subwoofers and calibration features are added. And that process will take at least two to three years...

OK, if we get the chance to review these later, we'll share more details then!