Z Review - SMSL AD18 (King of the Desktop / Soundbar Killer)

[chrisallen]

The 3.5 mm output on the back of the amp allows you to hook up a powered sub.

[maximo]

Took the plunge and rather than pay $175 to repair my soundbar I purchased a SMSL AD18, a pair of Pioneer SP-BS22-LR, and Micca Pure Copper Speaker Wire with Gold Plated Banana Plugs . Wow, what a superior experience over the soundbar! Now, I have a full soundstage for TV and streaming TIDAL. Keep up the good work. Note: many hours (40 hours +) of burn-in required for wires and speakers alike

[Leif_YT]

I've got it since a month and I'm so far very very happy with it. It's perfect for a desk.

[skaman]

I got one of these and a pair of micca RB42. I'll never go back to cheap desktop speakers again. Thanks Z!

[Secuutus]

It does have a subwoofer output. The 3.5mm coaxial/optical input can be is also a subwoofer output when using a 3.5mm to dual RCA (white and red connectors) cable. The left (white) connector becomes the coaxial input, and the red (right) connector becomes the subwoofer out. There is a diagram on their website for the AD18. It seems that the AD13s do not have this function.

[vapingwithjames]

Recently purchased my first mini amp and love everything about it and ready to get another and I think this will be my next purchase. Thank you so much for your review. Great channel.

[Nghtd]

I bought this amp. It's bad ass. Changes from yours: the back IO is printed with the 3.5mm in/out with a sub out label and the menu has on option for dimming the display. Your vid certainly helped me pick this little gem. Still wouldn't mind grabbing the TEAC though....love those heavy knobs (that's what she said, heheh).

[roydoorenspleet]

It does have rca sub output: this goes through the 3.5mm coaxial jack - just any regular minijack to rca cable.

[AlexandreLollini]

Pure stereo or 2.1 is much better for movies too. After trying a lot, I have decided that either for good quality recording music (any genre) or for cinema, 2.0 or 2.1 without any sort of effect is the winner. In fact it is in the details that you get good audio experience : good wires, equal length, polarity check with audiotools on smartphone, delay check, nice speakers big / small enough to go with the room, well placed X, Y and Z. When you do that center channel hit you in the stomach, and effects make hair tingle at the back of the head. Perfect.

[MrSweet_T]

Great little amp. The DAC does some funky stuff with the bass cutoff, though. I definitely hear a difference between my Sanskrit and my AD18.

[Jimmychilled]

according to SMSL's website it DOES have a sub out.
i cant verify as i dont own it but you use a 3.5mm to rca adapter plugged into the 3.5mm input, then connect your sub to the right channel rca.

[karlowitz]

I don’t recall ever commenting on a video in my life but when you said “GTAIII chatterbox” I had a purely blissful and nostalgic laughing fit and I felt the need to thank you. So thank you Zeos for keeping us young 🙏🏻

[mht]

I have the AD18 amplifier and absolutely love it. I bought a second and am using it as amplification for our TV. I would like know what four digit amplifier device code number my amp responds to so I can program my universal remote. Note: my Amazon FireTV recognizes it as a SMSL Sound Bar. Any help would be very much appreciated...

[bomberdomme]

Thank you so much Z-Reviews! This review of the AD 18 and before your review of the KZ-ZS10 Pro headphones led me once again to a fantastic bang for the buck product. The AD 18 is amazing. I drive it with it my 1992 infinity reference 50 tower speakers and it sounds so damn fucking good thank you so much for this review.

[Canuckken]

I got one and it came today. The way I am using it is alongside the Q5 Pro which now serves as the subwoofer amp, that way I just need the one cable to the low line input on the sub. Also, they changed the remote, it's a larger black plastic one. Both remotes work with either amp.

[Demonwicked]

This is exactly what i need in my life! Not those huge amps that are 90% air

[marioserafim]

NFC - You set up a compatible Smartphone with an NFC app to automatically enable Bluetooth (or other feature) and sync with external receiver and even open an app or file, when in range of the NFC tag or the receiver.

[jevchance]

Don't know if its something they added but the AD18 now has subwoofer output. The COAX port is 3-in-1.

[SpeedSmith]

Hi all, I just purchased this unit on the AliExpress 11.11 sale. Very happy. Moving from a Creative sound card to a proper (all be it small) amp. Much improved sound quality. Thanks Zeos.

[Willemde]

I have a SMSL SA-50 and Sd-793ii and this will be replacing those, my X2 and DT-770 80 should hopefully be okay with the built in headphone amp. Although now I have to use the pass through for subwoofer output.