Short answer: the ADAM Audio S3V. Both are rated 4.5/5 for sound quality (#31 and #27 of 118 powered bookshelf speakers), and the ADAM Audio S3V costs $6,999.98 against $7,770 for the PSI Audio A21-M, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
The case for the ADAM Audio S3V: 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.
The case for the PSI Audio A21-M: ASR measured 39.6Hz -3dB extension and a 2.2dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz, giving useful bass and broadly even mids. The tradeoff: The measured tonal result is good rather than a clear advance over less costly competitors.
Buy the ADAM Audio S3V. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $770.02 less than the PSI Audio A21-M.
About the ratings: the ADAM Audio S3V’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 4.2 to 4.8, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| ADAM Audio S3V | PSI Audio A21-M | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6,999.98 per pair | $7,770 per pair |
| Ranked | #31 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #27 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs (25 kg) | 28.2 lbs (12.8 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 21.1”H x 11.5”W x 15”D (536 x 293 x 380 mm) | 15.7”H x 9.8”W x 11.8”D (400 x 250 x 300 mm) |
| Drivers | 9” HexaCone woofer, 4” DCH dome/cone midrange, S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter in HPS waveguide | 27mm handmade dome tweeter, 172mm cone woofer |
| Inputs | XLR analog, AES/EBU digital | XLR (balanced analog) |
| Amplifier Power | 850W total | 335W total (280W woofer, 55W tweeter, Class A/B) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) | 38Hz-23kHz -6dB |
| Maximum SPL | 124dB peak @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | 110dB short term, 121dB peak (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 | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| DSP | Yes (selectable voicings, 6-band parametric EQ, delay) | - |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 39.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 33.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2.4kHz |
| Warranty | - | 5+1 years |
| Country | - | Switzerland |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 6.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.72 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for PSI Audio A21-M:
- Kii Seven vs PSI Audio A21-M
- ADAM Audio S3H vs PSI Audio A21-M
- Yamaha HS8 vs PSI Audio A21-M
- PSI Audio A21-M vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB vs PSI Audio A21-M
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 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
PSI Audio A21-M: $7,770 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR measured 39.6Hz -3dB extension and a 2.2dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz, giving useful bass and broadly even mids. Its 7.72 ideal-subwoofer score supports serious monitoring, with analog phase compensation offering an alternative to DSP-based systems. Measured bass extension of 39.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured tonal result is good rather than a clear advance over less costly competitors. There is no built-in automatic room-calibration system, so placement or external correction still matters. The premium construction and analog circuitry should not be mistaken for proof of better audible performance.
Full PSI Audio A21-M review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 335W total (280W woofer, 55W tweeter, Class A/B) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 39.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.4kHz |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 9.8”W x 11.8”D (400 x 250 x 300 mm) |
| Drivers | 27mm handmade dome tweeter, 172mm cone woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz-23kHz -6dB |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR (balanced analog) |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB short term, 121dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.72 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 5+1 years |
| Weight | 28.2 lbs (12.8 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- PSI Audio A21-M vs Kii Seven
- PSI Audio A21-M vs ADAM Audio S3H
- PSI Audio A21-M vs Yamaha HS8
- PSI Audio A21-M vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- PSI Audio A21-M vs Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB
- PSI Audio A21-M vs KEF LS LUXE
- PSI Audio A21-M vs Focal Solo6 ST6
- PSI Audio A21-M vs Meyer Sound Amie
- See all 9 comparisons