Short answer: the JBL 705P. It ranks #43 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $2,198. The ADAM Audio A4V ranks #67, rated 3.6/5, at $1,079.98, $1,118.02 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the ADAM Audio A4V: Compact monitor with onboard DSP, placement controls and room-correction integration. 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 JBL 705P is the more accurate choice. ASR’s data gives bass reaching -3dB around 48Hz and a 6.71 ideal-subwoofer preference score. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.70 against 3.92 for the ADAM Audio A4V. The catch: The standalone score is 4.70, and a localized cancellation near 750Hz contributes to the large 7.8dB midrange response span.
Buy the JBL 705P. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $1,118.02 with the ADAM Audio A4V does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ADAM Audio A4V | JBL 705P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,079.98 per pair | $2,198 per pair |
| Ranked | #67 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #43 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, dual front ports | - |
| Drivers | X-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, 4” MLM woofer | 5” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver |
| Dimensions | 10.6H x 6.2W x 8.7D in | 10.6”H x 5.9”W x 10.8”D (268 x 151 x 274 mm) |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) each | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 130W RMS each | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| Inputs | XLR and RCA; Ethernet for control | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.92 | 4.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.33 | 6.71 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 41kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 39Hz - 36kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 47.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 38.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | No |
| DSP | - | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: ADAM Audio A4V (measured by Audio Science Review) and JBL 705P (measured by Audio Science Review), via spinorama.org.
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- JBL 705P vs Dynaudio LYD 5
Prices on this page were last checked October 15, 2026 at 5:41 PM 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: $1,079.98 per pair Amazon $539.99 B&H Photo Video $539.99 eBay
Older model: the ADAM Audio A5X (ranked higher, rated 3.7/5). See every ADAM Audio A Series generation.
Same family: the ADAM Audio A44H (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, estimated 3.8/5), the ADAM Audio A7V (larger bookshelf, rated 4/5), the ADAM Audio A8H (larger bookshelf, estimated 4.4/5) and the ADAM Audio A77H (larger bookshelf, estimated 4.4/5).
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 3.92 standalone and 6.33 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 →
| Released | Apr 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 130W RMS each |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| 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 |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 41kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR and RCA; Ethernet for control |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.92 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.33 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL 705P: $2,198 per pair B&H Photo Video $1,099.00 eBay
Same family: the JBL 708P (larger bookshelf, rated 4.2/5) and the JBL 708i (larger bookshelf, rated 3.7/5). See every JBL 7 Series generation.
Pros: ASR’s data gives bass reaching -3dB around 48Hz and a 6.71 ideal-subwoofer preference score. Its waveguided compression driver and dedicated amplification are suited to studio use, and the broad response trend is close to level. It has useful low-frequency reach for a five-inch monitor. Measured bass extension of 47.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The standalone score is 4.70, and a localized cancellation near 750Hz contributes to the large 7.8dB midrange response span. A crossover-region rise also prevents reference-flat reproduction. An average flat trend does not erase these features, and amplifier wattage is not a measured clean-SPL rating. The data does not support calling it uniformly flat simply because it shares technology with larger JBL models.
Full JBL 705P review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 10.6”H x 5.9”W x 10.8”D (268 x 151 x 274 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 36kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.71 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons