Short answer: the ADAM Audio A4V, if you are buying new. The M-Audio BX5 D3 ranks higher than it (#42 vs #67 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers, 3.9/5 vs 3.6/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the ADAM Audio A4V is still sold new at $1,079.98.
What the ADAM Audio A4V does well: 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.
Why pick the M-Audio BX5 D3: The third-party measurements suggest scores of 4.09 standalone and 6.69 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.4dB midrange span. The catch: The response slopes downward by about 0.65dB per octave, potentially softening treble relative to the midrange.
Buy the ADAM Audio A4V, since the M-Audio BX5 D3 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ADAM Audio A4V | M-Audio BX5 D3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,079.98 per pair | $299 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #67 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #42 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, dual front ports | Active 2-way, rear-ported |
| Drivers | X-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, 4” MLM woofer | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch Kevlar woofer |
| Dimensions | 10.6H x 6.2W x 8.7D in | 10H x 6.9W x 7.8D in |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) each | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 130W RMS each | 100W each |
| Inputs | XLR and RCA; Ethernet for control | XLR and TRS |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.92 | 4.09 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.33 | 6.69 |
| 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 | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 41kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 52Hz-35kHz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB |
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. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: ADAM Audio A4V (measured by Audio Science Review) and M-Audio BX5 D3 (measured by an independent reviewer), via spinorama.org.
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Prices on this page were last checked October 14, 2026 at 2:38 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
M-Audio BX5 D3: $299 per pair Discontinued Amazon $149.50 eBay
Same family: the M-Audio BX4 D3 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3.4/5), the M-Audio BX4 BT (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 3.3/5) and the M-Audio BX8 D3 (larger bookshelf, rated 4/5).
Pros: The third-party measurements suggest scores of 4.09 standalone and 6.69 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.4dB midrange span. Balanced inputs and acoustic-space adjustment are useful for a basic studio setup. The measured -3dB estimate is about 64Hz.
Cons: The response slopes downward by about 0.65dB per octave, potentially softening treble relative to the midrange. There is no digital input or automatic calibration, and the preference estimate does not verify distortion or output headroom. Discontinued.
Full M-Audio BX5 D3 review and specifications →
| Released | 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 100W each |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10H x 6.9W x 7.8D in |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | Active 2-way, rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz-35kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR and TRS |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.09 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.69 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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