Short answer: the ADAM Audio S5H. It ranks #50 of 118 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $24,599.98. The JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor ranks #58, rated 4.3/5, at $15,000, $9,599.98 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The case for the ADAM Audio S5H: The largest S Series main monitor: two 10” HexaCone woofers, a 4” dome/cone midrange and the S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter in a horizontal cabinet, driven by 1,100W. 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.
Why pick the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor: A high-output specialist: Erin’s low-distortion and compression tests support considerable dynamic capability, beyond what a single preference score captures. The catch: Its 4.1dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 6.58 ideal-subwoofer score do not support a top tonal-accuracy ranking.
Buy the ADAM Audio S5H. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $9,599.98 with the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
About the ratings: the ADAM Audio S5H’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 4.0 to 4.8, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
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Specifications Side By Side
| ADAM Audio S5H | JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $24,599.98 per pair | $15,000 per pair |
| Ranked | #50 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #58 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Weight | 160.1 lbs (72.6 kg) | 130.1 lbs (59 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 16.9”H x 34.8”W x 19.7”D (430 x 885 x 500 mm) | 49.4”H x 20”W x 14”D (1256 x 508 x 355.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 10” HexaCone woofers, 4” DCH dome/cone midrange, S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter in HPS waveguide | 15” 2216Nd woofer; D2 compression driver in Image Control Waveguide |
| Inputs | XLR analog, AES/EBU digital | None (passive cabinet driven by a matched Crown amplifier via speaker-level connection) |
| Amplifier Power | 1,100W total | External two-channel amplification and JBL DSP tuning required |
| Frequency Response | 22Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 40kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | 123dB manufacturer specified |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| 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) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 21.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 800Hz active DSP |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.74 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.58 |
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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 S5H: $24,599.98 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 S3H (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, estimated 4.5/5) and the ADAM Audio S5V (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, estimated 4.4/5).
Pros: The largest S Series main monitor: two 10” HexaCone woofers, a 4” dome/cone midrange and the S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter in a horizontal cabinet, driven by 1,100W. ADAM specifies bass to 22Hz and 131dB peak output, enough to reach true deep bass at high level in a large room 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 huge, heavy main monitor intended for soffit mounting in professional rooms, and side-by-side woofers can narrow horizontal dispersion through the crossover region.
Full ADAM Audio S5H review and specifications →
| Released | 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 1,100W total |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes (selectable voicings, 6-band parametric EQ, delay) |
| Dimensions | 16.9”H x 34.8”W x 19.7”D (430 x 885 x 500 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 10” HexaCone woofers, 4” DCH dome/cone midrange, S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter in HPS waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 22Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR analog, AES/EBU digital |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 160.1 lbs (72.6 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
JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor: $15,000 per pair JBL Professional Dealer Locator eBay
Pros: A high-output specialist: Erin’s low-distortion and compression tests support considerable dynamic capability, beyond what a single preference score captures. Measured -3dB extension is 33.7Hz. The large woofer and waveguide are particularly useful for greater listening distances. Measured bass extension of 34Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Its 4.1dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 6.58 ideal-subwoofer score do not support a top tonal-accuracy ranking. It requires the correct external amplification and DSP rather than a simple built-in amplifier. The very large cabinet, installation cost and possible amplifier fan noise make it impractical for most desks.
Full JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor review and specifications →
| Released | 2013 (13 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | External two-channel amplification and JBL DSP tuning required |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 21.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Crossover Frequency | 800Hz active DSP |
| Dimensions | 49.4”H x 20”W x 14”D (1256 x 508 x 355.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 15” 2216Nd woofer; D2 compression driver in Image Control Waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | None (passive cabinet driven by a matched Crown amplifier via speaker-level connection) |
| Maximum SPL | 123dB manufacturer specified |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.74 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.58 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 130.1 lbs (59 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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