Short answer: the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus. It ranks #20 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $699.99; the ADAM Audio A4V ranks #67, rated 3.6/5, and costs $1,079.98, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The case for the ADAM Audio A4V: Compact monitor with onboard DSP, placement controls and room-correction integration. The catch: 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 Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus is the more accurate choice. Erin’s Klippel data combines a small 1.7dB midrange response span with a -3dB point around 44Hz. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.57 against 3.92 for the ADAM Audio A4V. The tradeoff: A mild 4-6kHz edge and a smaller 1-2kHz recession were audible in the review, so its smooth midrange summary does not mean there is nothing to improve with EQ.
Buy the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus. 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.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ADAM Audio A4V | Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,079.98 per pair | $699.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #67 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #20 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, dual front ports | - |
| Drivers | X-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, 4” MLM woofer | 5.25” aluminum-cone woofer with XBL motor, 5.25” passive radiator (rear), 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug |
| Dimensions | 10.6H x 6.2W x 8.7D in | 10” x 6.5” x 8” (254 x 165 x 203 mm) |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) each | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) (passive unit), 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) (active unit) |
| Amplifier Power | 130W RMS each | 240W total (100W + 20W Class D amplifiers per enclosure) |
| Inputs | XLR and RCA; Ethernet for control | USB, Optical, Coax, Analog, Bluetooth |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.92 | 5.57 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.33 | 7.38 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 41kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 48Hz - 20kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified, Flat mode) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Outputs | - | RCA subwoofer |
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 Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
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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
Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus: $699.99 per pair Amazon $699.99 eBay
Older model: the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore (ranked lower, rated 3.9/5). See every Vanatoo Transparent One generation.
Pros: Erin’s Klippel data combines a small 1.7dB midrange response span with a -3dB point around 44Hz. Scores of 5.57 standalone and 7.38 with an ideal subwoofer make it an attractive standalone system as well as a subwoofer partner. Remote tone controls, multiple digital and analog inputs, and automatic subwoofer crossover engagement simplify setup. Measured bass extension of 42Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A mild 4-6kHz edge and a smaller 1-2kHz recession were audible in the review, so its smooth midrange summary does not mean there is nothing to improve with EQ. No HDMI ARC. Deep bass and louder playback still benefit from a subwoofer; amplifier wattage alone does not establish clean room-filling output.
Full Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2023 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 240W total (100W + 20W Class D amplifiers per enclosure) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 10” x 6.5” x 8” (254 x 165 x 203 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” aluminum-cone woofer with XBL motor, 5.25” passive radiator (rear), 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 20kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified, Flat mode) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | USB, Optical, Coax, Analog, Bluetooth |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | RCA subwoofer |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.57 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.38 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) (passive unit), 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) (active unit) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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