Short answer: the Adam Audio T5V. It ranks #37 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $399.98 and is still sold new; the JBL One Series 104 ranks #93 (rated 2.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Adam Audio T5V is the better-sounding pick. ASR’s data shows a small 2.0dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz, a -3dB point around 59Hz, and scores of 4.65 standalone and 7.02 with an ideal subwoofer. Watch for: The response rises toward the treble by about 0.56dB per octave, so the small midrange span should not be mistaken for flat full-band response.
The JBL One Series 104 is the deeper-bass option. ASR’s powered-system measurement gives -3dB bass around 72Hz, and the compact coaxial layout is convenient for a small desk. Its bass reaches about 45Hz before falling 3dB, against 58.6Hz for the Adam Audio T5V. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Adam Audio T5V lacks. Watch for: Even with the active system measured properly, scores are only 1.36 standalone and 4.08 with an ideal subwoofer.
Buy the Adam Audio T5V. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL One Series 104 is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Adam Audio T5V | JBL One Series 104 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.98 per pair | $129 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #37 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #93 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 45Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 35Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 7”W x 11.7”D (297.2 x 177.8 x 297.2 mm) | 9.7H x 6W x 4.9D in (per manufacturer, 104-BT) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA | 1/4” TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) each | 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) (master), 3.8 lbs (1.73 kg) (slave) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 4.5” coaxial low-frequency driver, 0.75” soft dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (fixed, amplifier-applied) |
| Amplifier Power | 70w Per Speaker | 60W total Class D (30W per speaker) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.65 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.02 | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| DSP | - | Yes |
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How Adam Audio T5V compares with other leading options:
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- Adam Audio T5V vs Genelec 8030C
- Adam Audio T5V vs Neumann KH80 DSP
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Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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 T5V: $399.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Adam Audio T7V (larger bookshelf, rated 3.9/5) and the Adam Audio T8V (larger bookshelf, rated 3.9/5).
Pros: ASR’s data shows a small 2.0dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz, a -3dB point around 59Hz, and scores of 4.65 standalone and 7.02 with an ideal subwoofer. It offers useful bass and midrange performance for an affordable studio monitor. Rear tonal trims allow broad placement adjustment. Measured bass extension of 58.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The response rises toward the treble by about 0.56dB per octave, so the small midrange span should not be mistaken for flat full-band response. Upper-frequency unevenness remains, and a shelving control cannot precisely remove every peak. The existing review finds distortion reasonable for the price rather than reference-class; deeper bass and demanding levels still call for more capable hardware.
Full Adam Audio T5V review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 70w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 7”W x 11.7”D (297.2 x 177.8 x 297.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.65 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.02 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
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- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A5X vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO
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- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Presonus Eris E5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Adam Audio T5V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Bright and brighter. PreSonus E5 XT takes on Adam Audio T5V SOUND & FREQUENCY RESPONSE COMPARISON
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Adam Audio T7V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget – 2026 More from Jasper Tech →
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL One Series 104: $129 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: ASR’s powered-system measurement gives -3dB bass around 72Hz, and the compact coaxial layout is convenient for a small desk. Its internal equalization is part of the working speaker and should be included when assessing it, rather than judging the passive drivers with that correction bypassed. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Even with the active system measured properly, scores are only 1.36 standalone and 4.08 with an ideal subwoofer. The 4.9dB midrange span and a high-frequency cancellation around 7.4kHz indicate significant unevenness; the review also found some vocals bright and irritating. These are results for the original 104, not a verification of the later 104-BT. Discontinued.
Full JBL One Series 104 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W total Class D (30W per speaker) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 9.7H x 6W x 4.9D in (per manufacturer, 104-BT) |
| Drivers | 4.5” coaxial low-frequency driver, 0.75” soft dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (fixed, amplifier-applied) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | 1/4” TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) (master), 3.8 lbs (1.73 kg) (slave) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL One Series 104 vs Edifier R1280T
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