Short answer: the ADAM Audio S3V. Both are rated 4.5/5 for sound quality (#31 and #32 of 118 powered bookshelf speakers), and the ADAM Audio S3V costs $6,999.98 against $8,199.98 for the ADAM Audio S3H, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
Why pick the ADAM Audio S3H: A horizontal three-way S Series monitor: two 7” HexaCone woofers either side of a 4” dome/cone midrange and the S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, driven by 1,350W. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured two-way ADAM Audio S2V.
What the ADAM Audio S3V does well: A three-way midfield monitor from ADAM’s S Series: a 9” HexaCone woofer and a 4” dome/cone midrange take over below the tweeter, so the midrange is handled by a dedicated driver instead of a woofer working near its limits. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured two-way ADAM Audio S2V.
Buy the ADAM Audio S3V. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $1,200 less than the ADAM Audio S3H.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: ADAM Audio S3H 4.2 to 4.8; ADAM Audio S3V 4.2 to 4.8). Treat this verdict as provisional.
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Specifications Side By Side
| ADAM Audio S3H | ADAM Audio S3V | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8,199.98 per pair | $6,999.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #32 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #31 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| Weight | 58.6 lbs (26.6 kg) | 55.1 lbs (25 kg) |
| Dimensions | 11”H x 23”W x 15”D (280 x 585 x 380 mm) | 21.1”H x 11.5”W x 15”D (536 x 293 x 380 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 7” HexaCone woofers, 4” DCH dome/cone midrange, S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter in HPS waveguide | 9” HexaCone woofer, 4” DCH dome/cone midrange, S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter in HPS waveguide |
| Inputs | XLR analog, AES/EBU digital | XLR analog, AES/EBU digital |
| Amplifier Power | 1,350W total | 850W total |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) | 32Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 126dB peak @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | 124dB peak @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| DSP | Yes (selectable voicings, 6-band parametric EQ, delay) | Yes (selectable voicings, 6-band parametric EQ, delay) |
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- ADAM Audio S3H vs PSI Audio A21-M
- Kii Seven vs ADAM Audio S3H
- ADAM Audio S3H vs Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 S3H: $8,199.98 per pair Estimated B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the ADAM Audio S2V (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5), the ADAM Audio S3V (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, estimated 4.5/5), the ADAM Audio S5V (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4.4/5) and the ADAM Audio S5H (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4.4/5).
Pros: A horizontal three-way S Series monitor: two 7” HexaCone woofers either side of a 4” dome/cone midrange and the S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, driven by 1,350W. ADAM specifies 30Hz to 50kHz and 126dB peak output, and the horizontal layout suits soffit mounting or sitting under a large screen. Like the ADAM Audio S2V it uses a handmade S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter in an HPS waveguide and DSP with selectable voicings, a 6-band parametric EQ and delay for fitting it to the room, with analog XLR and AES digital inputs.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured two-way ADAM Audio S2V. Side-by-side woofers can narrow horizontal dispersion through the crossover region compared with a vertical design, and it is a large, heavy cabinet for big control rooms.
Full ADAM Audio S3H review and specifications →
| Released | 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 1,350W total |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes (selectable voicings, 6-band parametric EQ, delay) |
| Dimensions | 11”H x 23”W x 15”D (280 x 585 x 380 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 7” HexaCone woofers, 4” DCH dome/cone midrange, S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter in HPS waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR analog, AES/EBU digital |
| Maximum SPL | 126dB peak @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 58.6 lbs (26.6 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
ADAM Audio S3V: $6,999.98 per pair Estimated B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the ADAM Audio S2V (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5), the ADAM Audio S3H (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4.5/5), the ADAM Audio S5V (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4.4/5) and the ADAM Audio S5H (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4.4/5).
Pros: A three-way midfield monitor from ADAM’s S Series: a 9” HexaCone woofer and a 4” dome/cone midrange take over below the tweeter, so the midrange is handled by a dedicated driver instead of a woofer working near its limits. ADAM specifies 32Hz to 50kHz and 124dB peak output from 850W of amplification, so it plays loud and full-range without a subwoofer. Like the ADAM Audio S2V it uses a handmade S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter in an HPS waveguide and DSP with selectable voicings, a 6-band parametric EQ and delay for fitting it to the room, with analog XLR and AES digital inputs.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured two-way ADAM Audio S2V. It is a heavy, deep cabinet meant for stands in a treated room, and its strengths are wasted at desk distances.
Full ADAM Audio S3V review and specifications →
| Released | 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 850W total |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes (selectable voicings, 6-band parametric EQ, delay) |
| Dimensions | 21.1”H x 11.5”W x 15”D (536 x 293 x 380 mm) |
| Drivers | 9” HexaCone woofer, 4” DCH dome/cone midrange, S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter in HPS waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR analog, AES/EBU digital |
| Maximum SPL | 124dB peak @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs (25 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons