Short answer: the Mackie MR524. Both are rated 4.0/5 for sound quality (#33 and #38 of 105 powered bookshelf speakers), and the Mackie MR524 costs $379.98 against $451.16 for the Adam Audio T5V, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
What the Adam Audio T5V does well: 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. The tradeoff: 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 Mackie MR524 is the deeper-bass choice. The available third-party data suggests a useful combination of bass reach and midrange balance: -3dB around 46Hz, a 2.0dB midrange span, and preference estimates of 5.11 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer. Its bass reaches about 46.2Hz before falling 3dB, against 58.6Hz for the Adam Audio T5V. The tradeoff: The measured response trends upward toward the treble by about 0.47dB per octave, which can lend a brighter balance.
Buy the Mackie MR524. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $71.18 less than the Adam Audio T5V.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Adam Audio T5V | Mackie MR524 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $451.16 per pair | $379.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #38 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #33 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 46.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | approximately 38Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 7”W x 11.7”D (297.2 x 177.8 x 297.2 mm) | 11.1” x 7.1” x 8.7” (281 x 180 x 221 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz-20kHz |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA | Balanced XLR, balanced TRS, RCA |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) each | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 5-inch polypropylene woofer; 1-inch silk-dome tweeter |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 70w Per Speaker | 50W bi-amplified per speaker |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.65 | 5.11 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.02 | 7.06 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Mackie MR524:
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Mackie MR524
- JBL 305P MKII vs Mackie MR524
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Mackie MR524
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Mackie MR524
- KEF LSX II LT vs Mackie MR524
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Adam Audio T5V: $451.16 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 →
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs Adam Audio T5V 6-Track Comparison More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali LP-6 vs Adam Audio T5V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Yamaha HS5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A5X vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO
- 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 →
- Jasper Tech: Are the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro the Best Studio Monitor Speakers for your Home Studio?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Mackie MR524: $379.98 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Mackie MR624 (larger bookshelf, estimated 4/5) and the Mackie MR824 (larger bookshelf, estimated 4/5).
Pros: The available third-party data suggests a useful combination of bass reach and midrange balance: -3dB around 46Hz, a 2.0dB midrange span, and preference estimates of 5.11 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer. Balanced inputs, boundary compensation and treble trim are practical studio features. Measured bass extension of 46.2Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured response trends upward toward the treble by about 0.47dB per octave, which can lend a brighter balance. Boundary compensation and treble trim help with setup but are less flexible than parametric correction.
Full Mackie MR524 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W bi-amplified per speaker |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 38Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.1” x 7.1” x 8.7” (281 x 180 x 221 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 5-inch polypropylene woofer; 1-inch silk-dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-20kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced TRS, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.11 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons