Short answer: the Airpulse A100 on measured sound quality, the Adam Audio A4V on price. The Airpulse A100 ranks #25 of 65 powered bookshelf speakers at $999.99. The Adam Audio A4V ranks #42 at $599.99, $400 cheaper.
What the Adam Audio A4V offers: Compact monitor with onboard DSP, placement controls and room-correction integration. ASR’s Klippel data gives a -3dB point around 59Hz and preference scores of 3.02 standalone and 5.43 with an ideal subwoofer. Its adjustment facilities are useful when placement or tonal correction is needed. Watch for: A small average-deviation figure hides a major localized response irregularity: the selected measurement spans 10.8dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.547. The native response should therefore not be called smoothly neutral. Correction potential is not the same as stock performance, and analog audio inputs mean a separate interface is needed for USB sources.
What the Airpulse A100 offers: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 2.9dB midrange span and scores of 3.66 standalone and 6.18 with an ideal subwoofer. The ribbon tweeter and five-inch woofer provide a distinctive compact powered system, with remote control and a subwoofer output simplifying everyday use. Watch for: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.419 shows more local tonal variation than the leading monitors. Rear tone controls are less flexible than parametric EQ or room correction. Neither the ribbon tweeter nor a directivity-index summary establishes uniquely wide or perfectly controlled dispersion.
Buy the Adam Audio A4V if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Airpulse A100 if sound quality matters more than the price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Adam Audio A4V | Airpulse A100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199.98 per pair | $999.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #42 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #25 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, dual front ports | - |
| Drivers | X-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, 4" MLM woofer | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5" hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| Dimensions | 10.6H x 6.2W x 8.7D in | 6.3" x 11.1" x 10" (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) each | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 130W RMS each | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
| Inputs | XLR and RCA; Ethernet for control | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.02 | 3.66 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.43 | 6.18 |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| App | - | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| Bluetooth | - | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| EQ | - | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
| Frequency Response | - | 52Hz - 40kHz |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Adam Audio A4V: $1,199.98 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Compact monitor with onboard DSP, placement controls and room-correction integration. ASR’s Klippel data gives a -3dB point around 59Hz and preference scores of 3.02 standalone and 5.43 with an ideal subwoofer. Its adjustment facilities are useful when placement or tonal correction is needed.
Cons: A small average-deviation figure hides a major localized response irregularity: the selected measurement spans 10.8dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.547. The native response should therefore not be called smoothly neutral. Correction potential is not the same as stock performance, and analog audio inputs mean a separate interface is needed for USB sources.
Full Adam Audio A4V review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 130W RMS each |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 10.6H x 6.2W x 8.7D in |
| Drivers | X-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, 4" MLM woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, dual front ports |
| Inputs | XLR and RCA; Ethernet for control |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.02 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.43 |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) each |
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Airpulse A100: $999.99 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 2.9dB midrange span and scores of 3.66 standalone and 6.18 with an ideal subwoofer. The ribbon tweeter and five-inch woofer provide a distinctive compact powered system, with remote control and a subwoofer output simplifying everyday use. Measured bass extension of 63.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.419 shows more local tonal variation than the leading monitors. Rear tone controls are less flexible than parametric EQ or room correction. Neither the ribbon tweeter nor a directivity-index summary establishes uniquely wide or perfectly controlled dispersion.
Full Airpulse A100 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
|---|---|
| App | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Dimensions | 6.3" x 11.1" x 10" (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each |
| Drivers | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5" hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| EQ | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz |
| Inputs | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.66 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.18 |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons