Short answer: the JBL 705P if sound quality matters most, the Adam Audio A4V if price matters most. The JBL 705P ranks #31 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 3.9/5, at $1998. The Adam Audio A4V ranks #43, rated 3.6/5, at $599.99, $1398.01 cheaper.
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.
What the JBL 705P does well: ASR’s data gives bass reaching -3dB around 48Hz and a 6.71 ideal-subwoofer preference score. The tradeoff: The standalone score is 4.70, and a localized cancellation near 750Hz contributes to the large 7.8dB midrange response span.
Buy the Adam Audio A4V if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the JBL 705P if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Adam Audio A4V | JBL 705P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199.98 per pair | $1998 per pair |
| Ranked | #43 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #31 of 67 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) | - | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | No |
| DSP | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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: $1,199.98 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 3.92 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 →
| 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: $1998 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
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 80Hz (-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 →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (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