Short answer: the Onkyo GX-30ARC. It ranks #57 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $249; the ADAM Audio A4V ranks #67, rated 3.6/5, and costs $1,079.98, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the ADAM Audio A4V: Compact monitor with onboard DSP, placement controls and room-correction integration. The tradeoff: 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 Onkyo GX-30ARC: HDMI ARC, USB-C, optical and analog inputs make it a convenient compact system for a desk or TV. It keeps a wired aux input, which the ADAM Audio A4V lacks. The tradeoff: The response rises toward the treble by about 0.48dB per octave.
Buy the Onkyo GX-30ARC. It is rated higher for sound quality than the ADAM Audio A4V and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Compact monitor with onboard DSP, placement controls and room-correction integration.
Amazon $539.99 B&H Photo Video $539.99 eBay
HDMI ARC, USB-C, optical and analog inputs make it a convenient compact system for a desk or TV.
Amazon $249.00 B&H Photo Video $349.99 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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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Specifications Side By Side
| ADAM Audio A4V | Onkyo GX-30ARC | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,079.98 per pair | $249.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #67 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #57 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, dual front ports | 2-way powered, rear-ported |
| Drivers | X-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, 4” MLM woofer | 1” tweeter, 4” woofer |
| Dimensions | 10.6H x 6.2W x 8.7D in | approx. 8.7H x 5.8W x 7.9D in each |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) each | 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) (primary speaker) |
| Amplifier Power | 130W RMS each | Class D amplification |
| Inputs | XLR and RCA; Ethernet for control | HDMI ARC, USB-C, optical, phono/line, 3.5mm aux, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.92 | 3.69 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.33 | 6.42 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 41kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Outputs | - | Subwoofer |
| Country | - | Japan (design) |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
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 Onkyo GX-30ARC (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
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