Short answer: the ADAM Audio S3H. It ranks #32 of 118 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $8,199.98. The Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB ranks #41, rated 4.4/5, at $7,998, $201.98 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
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.
The case for the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB: Erin’s measurements show full bass output all the way down to about 20Hz, the lowest frequency measured, which is remarkable from a single cabinet about 34cm deep. The catch: DSP limiting and compression take over near maximum volume, so the deep bass you hear at moderate levels shrinks when you push it; Erin’s 96dB distortion test ran into the limiter.
Buy the ADAM Audio S3H. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $201.98 saving on the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB is not enough to make up the difference.
Worth knowing: the ADAM Audio S3H has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 4.2 to 4.8, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ADAM Audio S3H | Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8,199.98 per pair | $7,998 per pair |
| Ranked | #32 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #41 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Weight | 58.6 lbs (26.6 kg) | 24.5 lbs (11.1 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 11”H x 23”W x 15”D (280 x 585 x 380 mm) | 10”H x 9.7”W x 13.5”D (255 x 246 x 342 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 7” HexaCone woofers, 4” DCH dome/cone midrange, S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter in HPS waveguide | Aluminum tweeter, aluminum midrange, two opposed aluminum woofers |
| Inputs | XLR analog, AES/EBU digital | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Optical |
| Amplifier Power | 1,350W total | 1,100W total |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) | 14Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 126dB peak @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | 108dB (manufacturer specified) |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| DSP | Yes (selectable voicings, 6-band parametric EQ, delay) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | <21Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | <21Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| App | - | Yes (Devialet) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes (Wi-Fi 6, dual-band) |
| Streaming Services | - | Yes (AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Roon Ready, UPnP) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 6.73 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.38 |
| Subwoofer Output | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for ADAM Audio S3H:
- Kii Seven vs ADAM Audio S3H
- ADAM Audio S3H vs PSI Audio A21-M
- ADAM Audio S3H vs ADAM Audio S3V
- ADAM Audio S3H vs KEF LS LUXE
- Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB vs Meyer Sound Amie
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
Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB: $7,998 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the Devialet Phantom I (ranked lower, rated 4/5). See every Devialet Phantom generation.
Same family: the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB (smaller bookshelf, estimated 4.4/5).
Pros: Erin’s measurements show full bass output all the way down to about 20Hz, the lowest frequency measured, which is remarkable from a single cabinet about 34cm deep. The listening window is close to flat, with a -0.04dB per octave tilt and 0.80 smoothness, earning a 6.73 preference score on its own and 7.38 with an ideal subwoofer. Directivity is smooth, so room reflections keep the same tonal balance as the direct sound. Wi-Fi 6 streaming with AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect and Roon Ready, plus Ethernet and optical inputs, makes one unit a complete music system. Measured bass extension of <21Hz (-3dB).
Cons: DSP limiting and compression take over near maximum volume, so the deep bass you hear at moderate levels shrinks when you push it; Erin’s 96dB distortion test ran into the limiter. Stereo means buying two units, which puts a pair well above conventional powered monitors that measure as well. There is no analog input or subwoofer output, and the rounded shape does not sit on a shelf or desk stand like a box speaker.
Full Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2026 (6 months ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 1,100W total |
| App | Yes (Devialet) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | <21Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | <21Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10”H x 9.7”W x 13.5”D (255 x 246 x 342 mm) |
| Drivers | Aluminum tweeter, aluminum midrange, two opposed aluminum woofers |
| Frequency Response | 14Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Optical |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.73 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.38 |
| Streaming Services | Yes (AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Roon Ready, UPnP) |
| Subwoofer Output | No |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 24.5 lbs (11.1 kg) each |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (Wi-Fi 6, dual-band) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB vs KEF LS LUXE
- Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB vs O.S. Acoustics DBS8
- Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB vs SHIVAUDYO Point Zero
- Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB vs Genelec S360
- Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB vs PSI Audio A21-M
- Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB vs Meyer Sound Amie
- Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB vs Pitt & Giblin Flare