Short answer: the ADAM Audio S3H for better sound quality, the KEF LS LUXE for the lower price. The ADAM Audio S3H ranks #32 of 118 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.5/5, at $8,199.98. The KEF LS LUXE ranks #42, rated 4.4/5, at $3,999.99, $4,199.99 cheaper.
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. 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.
What the KEF LS LUXE does well: Flagship active wireless bookshelf created with Ross Lovegrove, featuring a 6.5-inch 12th-generation Uni-Q driver array with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT). It keeps a wired aux input, which the ADAM Audio S3H lacks. Watch for: Premium $3,999.99 pricing and a sculptural 44.1 lbs (20 kg) system weight place it well above conventional desktop monitors, and the organic curved enclosure cannot be wall mounted.
Buy the ADAM Audio S3H if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the KEF LS LUXE if the price matters more than sound quality.
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; KEF LS LUXE 4.2 to 4.6). Treat this verdict as provisional.
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Specifications Side By Side
| ADAM Audio S3H | KEF LS LUXE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8,199.98 per pair | $3,999.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #32 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #42 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| Weight | 58.6 lbs (26.6 kg) | 44.1 lbs (20.0 kg) |
| Dimensions | 11”H x 23”W x 15”D (280 x 585 x 380 mm) | 13.2”H x 8.8”W x 11.7”D (336 x 223 x 298 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 7” HexaCone woofers, 4” DCH dome/cone midrange, S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter in HPS waveguide | 1” vented aluminum dome with MAT tweeter, 6.5” aluminum cone woofer |
| Inputs | XLR analog, AES/EBU digital | - |
| Amplifier Power | 1,350W total | 380W (280W LF + 100W HF) |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) | 42Hz - 28kHz (±3dB) (manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 126dB peak @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | - |
| RCA Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | - |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| DSP | Yes (selectable voicings, 6-band parametric EQ, delay) | - |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Ethernet | - | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Stereo | - | pair |
| Cabinet Color | - | Dusk Titanium, Eclipse Black, Mineral White |
| Country | - | United Kingdom |
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- Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB vs KEF LS LUXE
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
KEF LS LUXE: $3,999.99 per pair Estimated Amazon KEF eBay
Pros: Flagship active wireless bookshelf created with Ross Lovegrove, featuring a 6.5-inch 12th-generation Uni-Q driver array with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT). Bi-amplified with Class D on the woofer and Class AB on the 1-inch vented aluminum dome tweeter. Features KEF Velocity Control Technology (VECO), current-drive amplification, dual-band Wi-Fi (AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Roon Ready), Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI eARC, optical, coaxial, 3.5mm aux, and twin subwoofer outputs with high-pass filtering.
Cons: Premium $3,999.99 pricing and a sculptural 20 kg system weight place it well above conventional desktop monitors, and the organic curved enclosure cannot be wall mounted.
Full KEF LS LUXE review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 380W (280W LF + 100W HF) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Cabinet Color | Dusk Titanium, Eclipse Black, Mineral White |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Dimensions | 13.2”H x 8.8”W x 11.7”D (336 x 223 x 298 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” vented aluminum dome with MAT tweeter, 6.5” aluminum cone woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Ethernet | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz - 28kHz (±3dB) (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Stereo | pair |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| Weight | 44.1 lbs (20.0 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | 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